Glossary Term
Deadweight (DWT)
Deadweight, usually abbreviated DWT, is the total weight a vessel can safely carry in addition to its own lightweight structure. It includes variable loads such as fuel, fresh water, provisions, crew, guests, luggage, stores, spare parts, and other consumables carried up to the vessel’s permitted loaded condition.
On yachts, DWT matters most on larger expedition programs, shadow vessels, support craft, and conversion projects where load planning has a direct effect on endurance and handling. It is also relevant during loading studies and survey work, because the available carrying capacity influences trim, stability margin, and how the yacht behaves once tanks and stores are full.
DWT is often confused with displacement and gross tonnage, but they describe different things. Displacement is the vessel’s actual total weight in the water at a given moment, while gross tonnage is a volume-based regulatory measure. Deadweight refers only to the weight the vessel can carry beyond its own lightweight condition.