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What Is a Catamaran?

If you’re thinking of chartering a catamaran on your next trip, read through our guide and get up to speed on two hulled yachts! We offer Catamarans for charter in over 60 countries and the entire selection can be seen on our Catamaran charter page.

A Catamaran is a sail or engine-powered boat with a double hull, a distinct feature that makes it immediately recognizable once you're aware of the design. People often question whether a catamaran is a yacht, and due to the sleek style, versatility, speed capabilities, and comfort, a catamaran definitely earns the yacht stamp of approval. Due to these same characteristics, catamarans are becoming an increasingly popular choice among avid leisure and sport sailors.

The elegant and unique catamaran style isn't a new development - it's actually a centuries-old design that's been modified and built upon to become what it is today.

The first Catamaran was created in India, borrowing its modern name from the original Tamil word kattumaram, meaning "logs bound together". The first design was simply a raft made of tree trunks, built in the fishing communities of Tamil Nadu in southern India and used to invade several Southeast Asian countries as early as the 5th century. The kattumaram quickly became the favoured vessel style throughout Polynesia and Micronesia.

Evolved by American Nathanael Herreshoff in the 1870s and further developed in the 1950s, the catamaran concept really took off in the 20th century. It was soon functioning as a full-fledged yacht, able to compete in the racing arena with mono-hulled boats without compromising luxury. Nowadays, catamarans attract both sport and leisure boaters with its versatility, speed, and comfort.

What are the Characteristics of a Catamaran Hull?

The most obvious characteristic of a catamaran is the twin hull, but there are more benefits to the cleverly crafted underside. When compared to a monohull yacht of the same size, the catamaran hull has several big advantages. Catamaran hulls are noted for having less volume, lighter displacement, and shallower draft (ie less of the boat is below water) when compared to monohull vessels. The shallow draft is especially appealing, allowing for use in shallow water and giving the captain the option to pull the boat right up to shore without worry.

Additionally, because of the hull design, catamarans boast a smaller hydrodynamic resistance, ultimately making them more economic since they don't need as much fuel to propel them forward. And for those sailors still strengthening their sea legs, the double hull increases the catamaran's overall balance and stability by reducing the amount of wave-induced motion. So long seasickness!

Catamarans have a lot of space. The living area in between the two hulls offers a dining and lounging area as well as a spacious kitchen. You also find outside lounging areas at the back and in the front of the yacht. The various places to relax mean a lot of privacy on board. The two hulls further increase the privacy aspect because the cabins are separated by the central living area and each hull has their separate entrance in most cases. This makes the Catamaran the ideal yacht to charter for two couples, two families, a group of friends or a large family. The cabins in the hulls are spacious and comfortable and their sizes vary with the exact Catamaran model.

So in summary, catamarans:

have two hulls, usually connected by a bridgedeck
can be sailed in shallow water
use less fuel, because they have low hydrodynamic resistance
tend to be very stable
have a lot of space for dining and lounging and preparing food
offer greater privacy than monohull yachts

To give you an idea of the space and amenities on board a Catamaran, do have a look at the many pictures of our Fountain Pajot Alegria 67 for charter in the British Virgin Islands .

How to Sail a Catamaran

You're sold on the idea of a catamaran, but now comes the question, how hard is it to sail a catamaran? Learning how to sail a catamaran is relatively straight forward if you're already trained in the basics of sailing. Although it does differ from monohull vessels, the idea is the same. Be prepared to tweak your sail trimming skills and get used to the difference in motion (or lack thereof) with the catamaran.

The catamaran is gaining popularity because the better-balanced hull and twin engines make it arguably easier to operate than a monohull yacht. Fluid maneuverability means that even one person can sail a catamaran as long as they've built up enough sail experience. Still, it's never a bad idea to get some formal training; the ASA and RYA both offer catamaran sailing courses to help enhance your skills.

How Fast Can a Catamaran Sail?

Catamaran's can cruise! Their speed is just another reason why the boat has become so sought-after in recent years. A sailing catamaran can typically perform 25% - 30% faster than a monohull of the same size.

So just how fast can they go? Cats average about 10 knots with top speeds reaching around 15 knots. Just keep your weight in mind - catamarans respond sensitively to heavy loads and will perform slower if overweight.

Why Charter a Catamaran?

When compared to a monohull boat of the same size, a catamaran has a tendency to be a bit more expensive to charter. However, your trip itinerary might require certain criteria that make spending a bit more worth it. For example, the flat plane and stability of a catamaran are ideally suited for a family to enjoy their holidays in a lot of comfort. It is also ideal for a scuba diving holiday , allowing divers to gear up and enter/exit the water with ease. Additionally, big parties usually find catamarans better suited for their needs in terms of deck space and overall comfort.

A Catamaran is the ideal yacht for a relaxing vacation as it boasts a lot of space, stability and living spaces - it truly is your floating hotel. But note that a catamaran holiday does not need to break the bank and is very affordable in comparison to a vacation in a hotel or a villa depending on the type and size of a catamaran you decide to go for.

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Catamarans are a fun alternative to the traditional sailing yacht and the value for money is unrivalled for a yacht holiay. They provide comfort, flexibility and a lot of space to spend your time on the sea. You can also check out this Comprehensive guide to chartering a yacht for more information.

Curious? Check out Boataffair's huge choice of catamarans to charter in the world's most sought after destinations.

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Home » Sailing Blog » What Is a Catamaran?

What Is a Catamaran?

Do you need help? Feel free to contact us! We are here to help you.

Sean Taylor

+30 2111980073

Catamarans may be one of the most popular boat types available on the market, but if it’s your first time sailing, you’re probably wondering what they are. These twin-hulled vessels exude luxury and are often seen as very spacious and stable out at sea compared to other alternatives, which is why they’re so highly favoured.

Here, at sailyachts.com, we know all about catamarans; after all these types of boats are some of our top sellers. So, in this article, we’re going to go through exactly what they are, some of their features, and why they could be the right option for you on your next sail.

Catamarans are a type of multi-hulled boat with two hulls parallel to each other, both of which are the same size. The base of the boat is very wide, and it connects to the two hulls, offering a very spacious area and an extra layer of stability that you wouldn’t have on a monohull vessel.

Different Types of Catamarans

Catamarans are vessels with two parallel hulls, but they come in different styles, shapes, and sizes.

If you’re hiring a catamaran with us just for a vacation, you would be most interested in our cruising catamarans. These are fancy types of boats designed for cruising speeds, but they have a lot of luxury amenities like expansive decks, gorgeous cabins, and lovely communal facilities.

Next, we have a racing catamaran(tri-marans), which focuses on shape rather than the look. These are light with an efficient design that allows them to reach a rapid pace as they glide across the waves of the open ocean.

Power catamarans are the best in both worlds in comparison to the racing catamarans. You get a nice pace but also a lot of stability, so they’re like a happy medium for those after a thrill but like to relax.

Catamaran vs. Monohull

Catamarans are usually looked at as a competitor to monohulls in the sailing industry, but in our experience, they’re easily the most sought-after option for many reasons.

When you look at the size of both vessels, catamarans are larger with more space and better facilities and features. Their more of a luxurious upgrade from a monohull with double sized cabins with king-sized beds, toilets and private showering areas; this is why families and big groups prefer them. With monohulls, the rooms tend to be more dorm style with bunk beds and a sharing toilet and showering area between a couple of rooms.

The stability of a catamaran is hard to beat, especially considering how bumpy monohulls are out at sea. Catamarans are designed with two hulls, so the chances of them tilting are less than if you’re sailing on a monohull, which only has one. This can also make it challenging for monohulls to sail in shallow waters, reducing the possibility of being able to tuck into secret coves and hidden beaches.

On the topic of maneuverability, catamarans win since they have two engines, allowing them to sail upwind and turn easier without heeling. Whereas with monohulls, you have to make more measured movements with an optimal heeling angle of 10-20 degrees.

Overall, catamarans are a much superior boat if you’re looking for the whole package and if it’s your first time sailing, as they’re easier to operate. However, experienced sailors might prefer monohulls as they’re more challenging to operate and bumpier out at sea, providing that kick of adrenaline avid seafarers enjoy.

Why Charter a Catamaran?

In terms of all-round experience, you can’t go wrong with a catamaran. Our customers love them for a reason: they’re gorgeous, fast, easy to sail for first-timers, powerful, and have lots of space, so you can take along the whole family on your trip.

Here are some of our reasons why you’ll love our catamarans:

Extra Stability Out at Sea

Catamarans have two hulls, which greatly reduce the chances of the boat bouncing around at sea. Even those who fear sailing can be rest assured that they’ll have a safe sail when riding on a catamaran because of this alone. Of course, we can’t guarantee smooth seas all the time, but if you do encounter them, a catamaran is the type of ship you want to be on.

Added Safety

If you’re someone who’s never sailed before, hearing that a catamaran has two engines might not mean anything to you. But this adds a layer of safety to each voyage because if one breaks down, at least the boat can still sail with the other one.

Many Experienced Skippers Know How to Sail Catamarans

With so many experienced skippers knowing how to sail catamarans, this boosts your chance of finding someone to sail your rental with us if you don’t have a valid license.

We offer skippered charters to our customers when they rent a boat with us, which costs an extra €220 per day on top of our bareboat charter fee, which starts at around €3,500 per week, but it’s highly dependent on the season.

How to Choose the Right Catamaran?

Choosing the right catamaran for your sail is essential for an enjoyable time at sea. If you don’t select a suitable one for your needs, your ocean voyage will be more hassle than it’s worth.

The team here at Sailyachts.com are experts when it comes to helping our customers find the ideal catamaran for them. Here are some of the things we recommend you do to help you with your decision-making:

Ask yourself what the purpose of your sail is. Are you sailing for leisure or adventure?
Consider the size and the number of people who will be sailing with you.
Determine your budget beforehand so you know how much you’re willing to spend.
Decide whether you’ll be the captain or if you’ll be hiring a skipper and a crew to take control.
Outline the number of days you’ll be sailing.
Write up a list of the destinations you want to visit as well as where you want to pick the boat up and drop it off.

Final Words

There you have it; you now know what a catamaran is; will you be hiring one for your upcoming cruise with sailyachts.com ? We’ve got a catalogue of catamarans in various shapes and sizes suited for all kinds of styles of trips, whether it’s your honeymoon or a friendly reunion.

After you’ve chosen a catamaran that you like from our website, contact us directly, and we can check to see if it’s available for the dates of your trip. In no time, you’ll be conquering ocean waves on your very own catamaran.

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Frequently Asked Questions

" class="elementor-tab-title" data-tab="1" role="button" aria-controls="elementor-tab-content-0" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="-1" aria-selected="false"> are catamarans safe.

Catamarans are very safe, especially when you compare them to other types of boats, like monohulls. The reason for this is that they don't have a ballast, which heavily reduces their chance of overturning. They're also built with a low center of gravity and an excellent power-to-weight ratio, lowering the probability of a capsize happening.

" class="elementor-tab-title" data-tab="2" role="button" aria-controls="elementor-tab-content-1" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="-1" aria-selected="false"> How Do You Sail a Catamaran?

If you've already got sailing experience, taking on the challenge of operating a catamaran won't be an issue for you. Since catamarans have two hulls and twin engines, half of the hard work is already done for you, which is far easier than some other boats like monohulls. Any sailor who wants to use the engine over the steering wheel should keep the wheel in a 12-clock position and control the vessel with throttle control. Remember, if you're turning, you need to do sharpish and let the jib luff do the work in moving the bow. There's no harm in doing a catamaran sailing course before you hit the sea just to get yourself used to everything because it is very different from sailing a monohull.

" class="elementor-tab-title" data-tab="3" role="button" aria-controls="elementor-tab-content-2" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="-1" aria-selected="false"> How Fast Can a Catamaran Sail?

Depending on the catamaran you hire from sailyachts.com, most of our vessels can travel at a speed of between 15 and 30 knots. However, the average speed if you're cruising on a catamaran will be around 12 knots.

" class="elementor-tab-title" data-tab="4" role="button" aria-controls="elementor-tab-content-3" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="-1" aria-selected="false"> What Makes a Catamaran Different From Other Boats?

Catamarans are unlike any other type of boat on the market due to their hydrodynamic design, which has a twin-hull structure. You can spot them from a mile off, especially when you look closely at their deck space, which is significantly larger and more open than traditional monohulls.

" class="elementor-tab-title" data-tab="5" role="button" aria-controls="elementor-tab-content-4" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="-1" aria-selected="false"> What Is the Average Cost of a Catamaran?

Catamarans are a popular choice of our fleet among our customers, so prices vary greatly based on the season you want to rent it and the pick-up location. Throughout the low season, the cost of our catamarans can start at €2500 per week, but during the high season, this fee could increase to €7500 per week without adding on a skipper or some crew members.

" class="elementor-tab-title" data-tab="6" role="button" aria-controls="elementor-tab-content-5" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="-1" aria-selected="false"> What Is a Catamaran Used For?

Sailors use catamarans for a multitude of purposes, such as fishing, cruising between countries, yacht parties, racing, and watersports.

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