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Cruisers are by the far the most common in private usage, making up most of the 7 m to 14 m (23 to 46 ft) range. These boats can be quite complex in design, as designers try to find a balance between docile handling qualities, interior space, good light-wind performance and on-board comfort.

The huge range of such craft, from dozens of builders worldwide make it hard to give a single illustrative description. However, most favour a teardrop-planform hull, with a wide, flat bottom and deep single-fin keel to give good stability. Most are single-mast 'Bermudan sloop' rigged boats, with a single fore-sail (of the 'jib' or 'Genoa') type and a single mainsail. Spinnaker sails, with huge areas, are often supplied for lightwind use. These types are often chosen as family vessels, especially those in the 8 to 12 metre (32 to 40 ft) range. Such a yacht will usually have many rooms below deck. Typically there will be 3 double-berth cabins, a single large saloon (galley, seating and navigation area) and a 'head' (toilet/shower-room). The interior will be finished in wood panelling, with plenty of storage space.

Cruisers are quite capable of taking on long-range passages of many thousands of miles, so have large freshwater tanks. Such boats have a cruising speed of around 10 km/h. This basic design is typical of the standard types produced by the major yacht builders. Most large luxury yachts (15m+, 50 feet+) are also cruisers, but their design varies greatly as they are usually 'one off' designs to the specific needs of the buyer.