glass mat. Both elements of construction are vulnerable to intrusion of water and the development of blisters below the waterline. Accommodations Depending on size, a cruising yacht is likely to have at least two cabins, a main salon and a forward stateroom. In smaller yachts, the salon is likely to have convertible berths for its crew or passengers. Typically the salon includes a dining area, which may have a folding, built-in table. The salon is typically contiguous to the galley. A cruising yacht is likely to have a head (bathroom) with a marine toilet that discharges waste into a holding tank. Larger yachts may have additional staterooms and heads. There is typically a navigation station that allows planning the route. Systems Onboard systems include: Electrical power, provided by batteries recharged by a motor-driven alternator (sail) or by a generator set (motor) Water, stored in on-board tanks, refilled on shore or replenished with a desalination water maker Sanitation, provided by toilets using seawater and discharged into holding tanks. Refrigeration by ice or an engine-driven mechanical system. Modern yachts employ a suite of electronics for communication, measurement of surroundings, and navigation. Communications equipment includes radios in a variety of bandwidths, specifically for maritime use. Instrumentation also provides information on depth of water under the vessel (depth sounder), windspeed (anemometer), and directional orientation (compass). Navigation electronics include units that identify a vessel's location (e.g. GPS) and display the vessel's location (chartplotter) and other vessels and nearby shore (radar). Sailing yachts Sailing yachts for cruising versus racing embody different tradeoffs between comfort and performance. Cruising yachts emphasize comfort over performance. Racing yachts are designed to compete against others in their class, while providing adequate comfort to their crews. Cruising Cruising yachts may be designed for near-shore use or for passage-making. They may also be raced, but they are designed and built with the comfort and amenities necessary for overnight voyages. Qualities considered in cruising yachts include: performance, comfort under way, ease of handling, stability, living comfort, durability, ease of maintenance, affordability of ownership. Categories Cruising sailboats share the common attribute of providing overnight accommodations. They may be classified as small (easy to haul behind a trailer), near-shore and off-shore. Multihull sailing yachts are a category, apart. Small yachts are typically shorter than length overall. Trailer sailers that are readily towed by a car are generally shorter than length overall and weigh less than .