So this week I was looking over starting ships for a campaign and it occurred to me that an old yacht (or maybe a new one, not bought by a noble) could be used as a commercial liner, Unlike the free trader (and variants) that are primarily cargo ships with limited passenger space, a yacht is a passenger ship with limited cargo space. What follows are some thoughts on the basic yacht design and what changes are needed for it to be used commercially, These notes are geared for CT and MgT1e.
The Original Design
There are three problems with the yacht (one in CT).
First, it really needs to be streamlined. This makes a great deal of sense from the POV of use by a noble and is really required for easy use of the ATV. The increase to overall cost is less than 2%.
The sensor package is an embarrassment for a 200 ton ship used by those of high social standing. For a mere MCr 0.05 it can be raised to the level of a free trader -- and should be.
A yacht is a much bigger target for pirates (and political rivals) than a free trader, but doesn't have a ton set aside for a hardpoint (in MgT). There really is no excuse for this, other than some author not realizing that the passengers of a yacht are worth far more in ransom thna the passengers of a free trader and that the yacht's ship's boat is almost always worth more than the entire cargo hold of a free trader.
Converting it for Commercial Service
An ex-yacht, even used, is a higher end passenger ship. Consider: if the price is the same, would you book passage on a 20 year old free trader or a 20 year old yacht? Yep, my point exactly.
The ATV is really wasted for a passenger liner. It should be sold off and the garage converted to additional hold space. If the yacht was designed as streamlined, the same could possibly be done for the ship's boat, but it still has uses on a streamlined vessel. The air/raft should be kept.
The owner's suite should be used as a VIP (high passage) suite. Up to 10 additional high/middle passengers can be carried.
The yacht has no low berths and really doesn't need any. However, the stateroom closest to engineering could be cleared out and four low berths installed if they are really felt necessary.
Security may be a concern, as there is no easy way to separate the crew and passenger state rooms. The best that can be done is set aside the staterooms closest to the lift to the upper deck and the tube down to engineering for crew.
Any other thoughts?
The Original Design
There are three problems with the yacht (one in CT).
First, it really needs to be streamlined. This makes a great deal of sense from the POV of use by a noble and is really required for easy use of the ATV. The increase to overall cost is less than 2%.
The sensor package is an embarrassment for a 200 ton ship used by those of high social standing. For a mere MCr 0.05 it can be raised to the level of a free trader -- and should be.
A yacht is a much bigger target for pirates (and political rivals) than a free trader, but doesn't have a ton set aside for a hardpoint (in MgT). There really is no excuse for this, other than some author not realizing that the passengers of a yacht are worth far more in ransom thna the passengers of a free trader and that the yacht's ship's boat is almost always worth more than the entire cargo hold of a free trader.
Converting it for Commercial Service
An ex-yacht, even used, is a higher end passenger ship. Consider: if the price is the same, would you book passage on a 20 year old free trader or a 20 year old yacht? Yep, my point exactly.
The ATV is really wasted for a passenger liner. It should be sold off and the garage converted to additional hold space. If the yacht was designed as streamlined, the same could possibly be done for the ship's boat, but it still has uses on a streamlined vessel. The air/raft should be kept.
The owner's suite should be used as a VIP (high passage) suite. Up to 10 additional high/middle passengers can be carried.
The yacht has no low berths and really doesn't need any. However, the stateroom closest to engineering could be cleared out and four low berths installed if they are really felt necessary.
Security may be a concern, as there is no easy way to separate the crew and passenger state rooms. The best that can be done is set aside the staterooms closest to the lift to the upper deck and the tube down to engineering for crew.
Any other thoughts?