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10 Affordable Cruising Catamarans

• By Phil Berman
• Updated: May 24, 2024

So, you want to get a catamaran , sail off into the sunset, and capture some magic with your lover or family for a few years. You have no ambition to sail around the world or to live aboard forever, but think a one- or two-year sabbatical might be life-changing. You’d like to sail the US East Coast, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, perhaps the Med—or up and down the West Coast and on to Mexico and Central America. You have $300,000 or less to spend and want a catamaran you can sell at the end of the journey without consuming a bottle of Tylenol to blunt the pain. 

The good news is that this is quite achievable. The bad news is that there is a vast wave of baby boomers who are all looking for the same thing—and for right around the same price. This makes finding a good deal on a great used catamaran a lot of work, even working with a broker. But, it’s possible. You just need to keep an open mind.

The other good news, which might seem surprising, is that an older catamaran, besides being more affordable, might sail just as well—or even better—than the same-size new cat that will cost considerably more. Yes, the older model might have less room inside and lack the latest condo-on-the-water styling, but it was designed and built before the current trend to supersize the newer generations of multihulls at the expense of sailing performance.

Here’s my advice to the cat hunter on a budget: Don’t get too hung up on the length of the boat. Instead, focus on the spatial and payload requirements you seek and which can be achieved within your budget. And best not get too focused on must-have features—what I jokingly call “surround-sound beds.” Catamaran designs and interiors have gone through massive changes in the past 10 to 20 years, and most older designs simply cannot compete with the new ones in terms of space and high-end amenities.

None of the cool cats I have in mind are over 47 feet. This is not because there aren’t bargain boats out there that are 47 feet and longer, but because any larger multihull that you can buy for $300,000 or less will most assuredly need a significant refit or is either very old or very odd. Buying a fixer-upper is, to my mind, the most dangerous thing a budget-minded consumer can do. It’s just too easy to underestimate the cost of yacht refits and repairs due to the extremely high prices charged in most boatyards. 

RELATED: 20 Best Cruising and Sailing Destinations

Nearly any cat you buy over 10 years old is fully depreciated. What we were selling a Lagoon 440 for eight or 10 years ago is nearly the same as what they sell for today. The difference between a good deal and a bad deal is tied solely to a yacht’s condition and refit history. As they joke in private-equity circles, “Any idiot can buy; you deserve congratulations only when you sell.”   

So, when your search gets underway, focus on ­condition—it is far more important than the year, brand or features you might crave. And when you find the cat of your dreams, the best way to remove financial-downside risk is to get a great survey and to choose the newest, smallest cat that will work for your agenda, not the oldest and biggest.

– CHECK THE WEATHER – The weather changes all the time. Always check the forecast and prepare for the worst case. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

And a word of caution: Your problem will be knowing a good deal from a bad one after the survey is over if you are not well-schooled in pricing. Besides steering you toward potential boats to consider, this is where a broker, working on your behalf, can provide knowledgeable advice. It’s been my experience that this is the point when so many yacht sales come apart: a dispute over the value of a given yacht when the survey results come in. All too commonly we see buyers reject yachts they should have accepted and purchase cats they should have rejected. Remember, a used yacht is a used yacht—not a perfect yacht. A catamaran need not be perfect to remain a perfectly good deal. Here, then, are 10 cool cats to ­consider in the ­$300,000-or-less range:

1. Fountaine Pajot Orana 44 (above)

Fountaine Pajot had the misfortune of tooling up this boat just before the global financial crisis, so not that many of them were built between 2007 and 2012. But these were the first of the larger-space charter cats in this size, but not yet so porky that they still could not sail decently. In the three-­cabin owner’s version, they designed the living space very nicely; even in the four-cabin version, the aft starboard bed was very well-done. 

During this period, Fountaine Pajot had problems with the resin it was using, which led to blistering on the hulls and undersides. Affected models therefore had new bottoms done at approved shipyards throughout the world. Make sure the one you are considering had this done or that it doesn’t show evidence of significant blistering. Honestly it is only cosmetic, but it will impact resale if not repaired. Many consumers think blisters are the end of the world; frankly, they are not.

2. Catana 431

Built in France by a long-­standing yard, the Catana 431 was always a very viable vessel because it is big enough to go anywhere, but not too large for a competent owner to handle. And because the 431 has good underwing clearance and daggerboards, it sails smartly to windward. 

That said, there are a few things to watch for. The primary bulkheads on many of these boats were not tabbed on the outer ends, and over time tended to distort. Often this led, or will lead, to a costly replacement of some bulkheads. So be careful to survey these areas properly. 

The 431′s furniture is all foam-cored and handmade, but the banding on the outer edges in some cases slowly starts to peel, which allows moisture to infect the wood veneer. This can create a somewhat unsightly appearance in the cabinets and drawers. It is only a cosmetic issue, but it can make the interior feel a bit worn out. 

During the period when the 431 was being built, Catana used a distributive electrical card system, and the boats had several modules, each a zone, to which electricity was run. If one thing in a zone stops working, the only solution is to jury-rig a wire from that nonworking item back to the main breaker panel. Replacing the modules or getting them repaired can be done, but it is getting harder by the year. For this reason, the best 431 is a boat that someone else had rewired at some point along the way.

3. Lagoon 470

If you need a larger escape pod, the Lagoon 470 is one of our favorites. This model of older Lagoons was built at CNB’s yard in Bordeaux, France, and the build quality was high. The 470 was the first design to have the more-vertical windows that are a Lagoon signature, and ample saloon headroom. The 470s are also old enough that the hulls were not so supersize that it compromised sailing performance. They have decent underwing clearance, so they are not persistent pounders to windward. Many were built with a galley-down layout, some in galley-up style. You will always pay more for an owner version of this or any model. 

The big thing you have to concern yourself with on Lagoons of this vintage is that the hulls and decks are made with a balsa core, so it is not uncommon to find moisture problems, especially around deck fittings or hatches. This can sometimes require rebedding or recoring areas, and this sort of repair, in North America, can be a costly undertaking. Make sure you get good moisture-meter readings near all deck fittings and, of course, on the hulls. Hulls, however, tend less often to have moisture issues because there are few fittings through which water can enter the core. Were that to happen below the waterline, it is a real mess that must be repaired immediately and properly.

– CARRY A BEACON – Satellite beacons such as EPIRBs or PLBs allow boaters to transmit distress signals and their exact coordinates from anywhere on the planet, no cell service required. It may be the best $400 you ever spend. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

4. Privilège 435

Back when the Privilège 435 was built, Privilège catamarans were constructed by Alliaura Marine in France, and they were truly the Mercedes of the multihull world at that time. While not a performance cat by any means, the 435 was a super-solid yacht, built with great care and the finest components. The 435 is large enough to go anywhere but small enough to handle easily. 

The largest negative of this model—and many cats of this vintage—is that the saloon windows slope dramatically, so the interior gets very hot unless the windows are covered most of the time. When they legalize growing pot on catamarans, here’s the perfect greenhouse for it! Seriously, if you should buy a used 435, you really have to get strong sunblocking external UV covers, as well as interior blinds or shades to inhibit heat buildup. 

Some of the 435s were laid out with the galley down in one hull, and these days most people want a galley-up arrangement, where cooking and food preparation are done in the saloon. A three-cabin galley-up owner version will be far more sought after and cost more than a four-cabin galley-down version. 

5. Leopard 46

This was the first of the Morrelli & Melvin collaborations with South African builder Robertson and Caine and the charter companies owned at the time by TUI Marine to create a catamaran that could be sold both into charter under the Moorings brand and also privately as a Leopard, so effort was made to design a boat with good sailing performance. Gino Morrelli did a good job creating a lot of underwing clearance, the 46 has a powerful rig, and yet its interior still offers spacious sleeping areas and nice flow from the cockpit to the saloon. These can be bought as ex-Moorings charter boats for less than $300,000 but are more costly in the sought-after Leopard owner version.

Because these are balsa-­cored boats, you must inspect deck fittings carefully for moisture incursion. Some of the earlier ones also experienced structural problems on the aft bulkhead and over-door-frame areas between saloon and cockpit. Also, during this period, the windows in the main saloon had a tendency to leak and, when they did, required rebedding or replacement. This was a costly job, so check this out carefully during survey.

6. St. Francis 44/Knysna 440

If you wish to spend under $250,000, the older Saint Francis 44 and Knysna 440 are worth a look.

Back in 1990, Duncan Lethbridge started St. Francis Catamarans in South Africa with the St. Francis 43. The boat was meant to be a fast, strong bluewater voyager—and it was. The 43 was made with foam core, keeping the structure light, and it was very strongly built, with a powerful rig. The 43 loved to sail. And so too did the St. Francis 44, an updated version of the original. 

The boat did have a couple of negatives, however, the first being its sloped windows that built up interior heat. And the boat wasn’t a great fit for tall people, having less than 6-foot-2-inch headroom in the hulls. Also, the engines were installed amidships, which made the boat noisy inside under power. It also made the amidships areas of the hulls too narrow to have centrally located heads and showers, which in turn meant the only layout available was a four-­cabin, four-head design. In the forward cabins, the heads and showers had to be far forward; in the aft cabins, the heads and showers were located far aft.

St. Francis sold the tooling for the 44 to Knysna Yachts in 2004, and Knysna raised the headroom in the saloon and moved the engines aft to each stern. The hulls remained fundamentally the same, but the design was improved nicely. 

The largest negative of both the Saint Francis 44 and the Knysna 440 is that they have very low underwing clearance. Things can get pretty noisy when pushing against ­washing-machine seas. 

But you cannot have it all and still pay less than $250,000 in a midsize cat; compromises must be made. And these boats do sail quite smartly compared with many in their size range.

7. Lagoon 440

This was the most popular catamaran ever made, and it started the catamaran flybridge craze, which helped to convert many powerboaters to sailors. 

What I like about the 440 is that it is an infinitely better sailer than some of its peers, and has decent underwing clearance, vertical windows, and nice cabins for sleeping and living. While the aft cockpit is rather small, the saloon is quite large.

Flybridges are a bit of a love-hate thing. There is no question that in a cat of this size, the windward performance suffers a bit due to the boom positioned so high off the water. When piloting, the skipper is separated from those on the bridgedeck. Part of the reason flybridges are so popular in charter is that most of the parties take place up there while sailing and at anchor. In private ownership, however, it is seldom that everyone is hanging out on the flybridge during a long passage. 

As always with Lagoons, these are balsa-cored boats, so a careful survey is in order. Pay attention also to bulkhead ­tabbing to make sure they have not separated from the hulls.

Because so many of the 440s were built to go into charter, there are a lot of four-cabin, four-head models for resale. These will sell for considerably less on the ­brokerage market than a ­coveted three-cabin, ­private-owner model.

– CHECK THE FIT – Follow these guidelines to make sure your life jacket looks good, stays comfortable and works when you need it. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

8. Leopard 40

When you get into the 40-foot size range, a four-cabin layout can become pretty cramped and claustrophobic below, but the three-cabin owner version of the Leopard 40 is a very nice pocket cruiser. A Morrelli & Melvin design, the 40 has good underwing clearance and nicely shaped hulls. Not a large cat, per se, and less-suited for significant distance sailing than others because its payload is limited, the 40 is still well-suited for a couple and a child or two for near-coastal and ­island-hopping action.

9. Manta 42

If you are searching for a cat in the $200,000 range, the Manta 42s were well-built in Florida, and their electrical systems were very well-done compared with many other multihulls of that era. While many of the features on the boat are quite dated, these Mantas sail very well, and easily, and have been popular with coastal cruisers for two decades. 

The largest negative of the Mantas is that people taller than 6 feet will find the saloon headroom right on the edge, and the berths are not especially large. Also, forward visibility from the saloon windows is not particularly panoramic, so the interiors are a bit darker inside than current-­generation catamarans.

10. Lagoon 410

The Lagoon 410 was quite a popular cat in its prime, and for good reason. It offers lots of visibility thanks to its vertical windows, good headroom for a cat of its size, nice berths, and a workable, though smallish, galley-up design. The 410 has decent underwing clearance, can sail nicely over the waves, and its singlehanded operation is super easy. In the three-cabin owner’s configuration, it’s just a very cool little cat.

As always, a balsa-core boat must be surveyed carefully, especially on deck, for moisture incursion near fittings and hatches. It can be costly to repair rotted core and to rebed deck fittings. But find a dry one, and it should definitely be counted as a contender for a buyer with a limited budget. 

Phil Berman is the president of the Multihull Company and the founder of Balance Catamarans. He has managed the sale of more than 900 catamarans.

• More: catamaran , lagoon , leopard , multihulls , print june july 2020 , Sailboats
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10 Best Catamarans Under 100k: The Affordable Dream!

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I have been told that good catamarans under $100 000 are impossible to find, and since I’m not a millionäire but I love catamaran sailing, I said, challenge accepted!

The best catamarans under 100k include the Prout Quest, the Gemini 105Mc and 3200, the Dean 365, Tiki 38, and the Prout Snowgoose 37. All these catamarans are good but they are best suited for different types of sailing.

In this article, ill show you some of the most promising cats under 100k; this article could be a starting point for finding yourself an affordable cat. And if you’re not attracted by any cats on this list, at the end of the post, you will find factors to consider when buying a cheap cat so that you may do your own assessments of boats that are interesting to you.

Table of Contents

Prout Quest

The Prout Quest is a classic catamaran boat from Prout, cruising catamaran boat manufacturers who dominated the market in the 1970s and 1980s. Though these boats are no longer in production, the Prout Quest is a seaworthy catamaran that boasts an enviable reputation.

This boat is suitable for couples or single sailors looking for a liveaboard as it sports a spacious salon. In addition, there’s good access to natural light, a functional galley, generous storage, plus the boat is sturdy and excellent for solo sailing. Also, it’s pretty gentle and comfortable on a reach or downwind. 

If you want more info on the Prout Quest , check this article out.

The main downside of the Prout Quest is that it doesn’t have much headroom. You can get this 33ft (10.05m) pre-owned catamaran for about $55,000.   

Gemini 105Mc

Gemini catamarans boast a refined manufacturing process that results in attractively designed catamaran boats. They feature a pleasant performance, practical handling, livability, and good value for the money. Gemini 105Mc itself is a popular model with a legendary sailing performance. 

The boat has roomy, light, and airy accommodation areas, while the deck layout and rig provide a stable and safe platform. Gemini 10Mc comes with centerboards and kick-up rudders that allow you to venture into shallow waters and a beam that allows anchoring in a regular slip. 

I have written an entire article on Gemini cats , so if you want more info click this link.

While this boat is no longer in production and has been replaced by the Gemini Legacy 35, you can get pre-owned versions starting from around $89,000.

Gemini 3200

For a coastal cruise, the Gemini 3200 delivers a superb sailing performance. The boat features the basic comfort and spacing of a budget catamaran and is pretty easy to sail and motor single-handed. It also comes with centerboards designed to retract without breaking upon hitting an object.  

The Gemini’s beam allows it to fit into a standard size slip, thus reducing marina fees while the outboard motor makes for a quieter boat. This light boat performs well downwind or on a broad reach but can be challenging to maneuver cross currents and crosswinds without centerboards. It’s also not ideal for bluewater sailing (more info on bluewater cats here).

The Gemini 3200 goes for below $100k.

For a review of the most popular Gemini boats , go here!

Dean 365 catamaran is incredibly spacious and boasts plenty of headroom, making it well-suited for a cruising family. This boat comes with 4 cabins, a big saloon, a huge galley, and generous storage making it safe, stable, and comfortable for open sea cruising and long voyages.

The Dean 365 is also on my list of best cats between 100 and 200k .

High-quality cabinetry characterizes the interior, and a comfy u-shaped dinette is located in the main saloon. There are additional lockers built within the quarter berth floors, creating additional storage space for all your sailing needs. 

Dean 365 is not a fast boat, and its bridgedeck clearance is below average , but its downhill cruising is impressive. This model is rare, but when available, you can get the boat for between $50,000 to $100,000.

Prout Snowgoose 37

The Snowgoose 37 is popular with bluewater cruisers looking for a robust, seaworthy, and budget-friendly catamaran. Though this boat is not a performance catamaran, it’s a strong ocean crosser that boasts an unrivaled circumnavigation record. The cat sails pretty well despite her length, performs well in light air, and handles rough weather rather impressively using her canoe sterns.

If you are confused with all the terminology, don’t worry, so was I, to get up to speed I would recommend you to either buy the book The Complete Guide for Cruising Sailors (here’s a link to amazon ) or read my article on catamaran parts .

Because of the aft mast rig and all control lines redirecting back to the cockpit ( catamaran parts explained here), the Snowgoose is relatively easy to sail single-handed. The boat is easy to maneuver into a marina and fits nicely into standard berths, further lowering your costs. Even better, the flat keels plus narrow beam makes the Snowgoose easy to beach – and keeps a lid on your maintenance costs.

The Snowgoose 37 has her share of downsides; minimal salon headroom, a slow speed of 6 knots, a low bridgedeck resulting in slamming in rough seas, and a solo engine that renders the boat less maneuverable than twin-engine cats. Still, the boat offers good value for money and you can get one for under 100k.

Tiki 38 is a James Wharram design catamaran. This reasonably priced bluewater catamaran ensures your safety on the high seas, performs well, and is ideal as a family cruising boat. It has 2 double cabins and single cabins, a navigation station, galley, toilet cum shower, and ample storage space for all your stuff in the bow and stern.

These cats are sleek, light, fast, and easy to handle. They are fun to sail in open water since they are highly maneuverable, and their shallow drafts allow you to explore new places. The boats also feature a large deck and a deckpod with a bunk for shelter during open sea cruising. With $100,000, you can get yourself a Tiki 38.

Crowther Spindrift 40

The Crowther Spindrift 40 is an excellent performance catamaran that you can buy without making a big dent in your pocket. Designed by the renowned Australian designer Lock Crowther, Spindrifts are sleek, fast, and capable of sailing quickly in light winds. They have good bridgedeck clearance, and though slamming occurs in rough seas (more on rough sea sailing here ), the boat sails quite smoothly in normal conditions. 

One key thing to note here is that these cats are generally old, so it’s important to examine the beams, decks, and boat systems carefully before purchasing one. They also have shorter headroom, plus you have to leave the main cabin and get into the cockpit to enter either of the two hulls. This can be a bit tiring if you are not young or agile.

Another issue is the Spindrift’s hulls are pretty narrow, so you need to keep off excess weight to avoid hampering the vessel’s sailing performance. On the plus side, the engines are easy to access, which makes your maintenance work more manageable. 

You can sail the Spindrift alone or with a minimal crew as the boat is easy to handle even during heavy weather. What’s more, there’s great visibility from either of the two helms. In light winds, the cat performs amazingly well, and maneuvering is simple and straightforward. Plus, the boat can fit easily into marina slips and is pleasantly comfortable at anchor. 

The Spindrift is not as spacious as the newer model catamarans, but you can still have guests over as the seating space is more than adequate. And the best part? You can purchase this beautiful boat for less than $100K.

This is also the same boat that the youtube channel Tulas endless summer used to sail.

Shuttleworth Open 35

Another catamaran that fits within the $100K budget is the Shuttleworth Open 35. This 35 foot (10.66m) cat is an open-bridgedeck John Shuttleworth design, built in the US. An excellent performer, the vessel bears the proven ability to cross oceans with great poise and sail in excess of wind speed. 

Large enough to fit a crew of 6, the boat’s impressive construction features composite foam, epoxy resin, e-glass, carbon fiber reinforcements, kick-up rudders, and daggerboards on each hull. The other exciting features include flush decks, an open cockpit, rounded bilges, and companionways with steps leading down to the cabins in the hulls. 

I discuss interior layout in one of my other posts here.

Below decks, the accommodation consists of 3 double berths – 2 to port and 1 to starboard. Each hull contains a head with a holding tank, while the galley comes equipped with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave, making the Shuttleworth comfortable to live in. 

This catamaran is a sailor’s dream; it can sail, race, and cruise too. And whichever option you go for, the boat’s capabilities are sure to impress you as this stylish boat can clock pretty high speeds.   

$80-100,000 and you’ll secure a pretty cool boat!

Woods Banshee

The Woods Banshee is a small but powerful cruiser-racer catamaran designed with a 35 foot (10.66m) hull molding. Richard Woods, the boat’s designer, opted for a vast beam, a characteristic feature quite unlike other 35-foot sailing catamarans whose beams are typically around 17.5′ (5.33m). At 20.5′ (6.24m), the Banshee’s beam is indeed pretty wide. 

But there’s a good reason for having an extra-wide beam on this offshore cruising cat. It dramatically increases the vessel’s accommodation space, allows for reduced wave interference between the two hulls, and enhances the vessel’s stability resulting in minimal heeling. While the Banshee comes fitted with an outdoor engine, the last two features allow the Banshee to deliver a sailing performance similar to that of a larger-sized catamaran. 

This post on catamaran capsize will better your understanding of catamaran stability, so check that out!

The Banshee’s high-thrust outboard allows the boat to cruise at between 6-8 knots (11.11-14.82 km/h) while the V-shaped, softly rounded hulls help it move with great ease. You can even withdraw the outboard from the water while under sail whenever there’s a need to eliminate drag.  

This light foam-core catamaran has an excellent performance windward thanks to its daggerboards and outboard engine. Furthermore, bridge deck slamming, a common challenge with cruising catamarans in a non-issue with the Banshee.

Without a doubt, the Banshee is one spacious boat. Behind the sizeable sliding hatch is an expansive salon, there’s well-spaced accommodation, adequate headroom, and you have access to a large cockpit. Plus, there’s extra seating space on the bridgedeck saloon for dining and socializing. The full-sized navigation station boasts ample storage space while the bridgedeck plays host to a master bunk and a collapsible settee that comes in handy at anchor.

The Banshee is a pocket-friendly cruising catamaran that delivers superb performance, and you can get one at around $85,000.

Catalac 10M

Catalac Catamarans are British sailing vessels from the 1980s. These sturdy, well-built cats are designed to handle hostile seas, and the Catalac 10M is among the best family and couple liveaboard cruisers in the Catalac family. Excellent at offering a safe, comfortable, and spacious floating home over an extended period, they have minimal maintenance and operating costs. As a result, these rare but affordable boats are much sought after. 

The Catalac 10M is a 34 foot (10.36m) well-thought-out, quality cat that’s as strong as a battleship. Its spacious saloon contains a sizable u-shaped settee plus an expandable rotating table that can accommodate up to 8 people. The interior is well-lit owing to the large windows that also provide panoramic views. It also has ample storage space and spacious countertops. 

Double thick fiberglass makes the boat hulls undeniably strong , and it’s no wonder these boats are still crossing oceans today. The boat is exceptionally stable due to the short rig and the hull’s hard chine design. If your budget is about $100,000 , you can get yourself one of these unique boats.

How To Buy the Best Catamaran

Is there a perfect catamaran? Not exactly. The thing is, selecting the perfect catamaran is a personal choice. And like buying a home, you might need to compromise, customize or sacrifice one thing or the other. Having said that, there are guidelines you need to follow to avoid making painful mistakes.

I would also like to recommend two books that have helped me to better understand catamaran characteristics. The first one is called The complete guide for cruising sailors (here’s a link to amazon ). It is a good basic introduction to hull shapes and the balance between performance and comfort. It also includes a lot of pictures.

If you are more interested in how to sail and manage your catamaran, I have another recommendation for you, this one covers a lot of tips and tricks such as how to prepare your boat for offshore cruising or what to think of in case of capsizing. One thing I don’t like about Multihull seamanship is the graphics, they are hand-drawn and feel cheap but the information is great.

Let’s explore some of the important factors to consider when making a purchase decision in order to get the best possible catamaran. 

Factors To Consider When Purchasing a Catamaran

When looking to buy a catamaran, there are several crucial factors you need to consider apart from your budget. Below is a brief discussion on each essential factor.

What Is the Intended Use?

How do you plan to use your catamaran? Do you intend to spend most of your time cruising offshore, docked at the marina or anchor, or do you want to live onboard? 

For instance, a spacious Lagoon catamaran might be the perfect luxury liveaboard with creature comforts like a refrigerator and air conditioning, but it could turn out slower underway. This means it would not be an ideal choice for someone interested in long-distance cruising.

Comfort Versus Performance

Modern catamarans come equipped with luxurious amenities and top-end finishes like Corian countertops. But while these gorgeous extras add to your comfort level, they translate to additional weight which affects your catamaran’s cruising performance. For instance, this weight can lead to increased wave slamming in heavy seas, which can be quite uncomfortable.

Comfort, performance, or low price, you only get to pick two (unless you’re filthy rich ;))

Your Mechanical Skills

When buying a pre-owned boat, it’s best to buy one whose owner maintained it in great condition, particularly if you are not good with your hands. This is because your repair and maintenance costs could go through the roof. However, if you are mechanically inclined, you can do the repairs, thus significantly reducing costs.

Your Budget

You will need to set a realistic budget for your new catamaran. Doing so will help cover the cost of buying the boat and allow you to handle other related payments. These include paying for insurance, registration, marina fees, upgrades, maintenance, and repairs.

Daggerboards Versus a Fixed Keel

Most cruising cats sport fixed keels. This enables you to get more usable space in the hulls and also makes it easier to beach the boat. The keel is also less expensive to fabricate and adds more buoyancy to your boat. The downside is that you shed a couple of degrees when sailing upwind. On the other hand, catamarans with daggerboards sail faster and tend to make less leeway.  

Your Sailing Skills

Catamarans are easy to handle. Besides, you can take a sailing course to improve your skills. Still, you might want to consider going for a catamaran that’s rigged for single-handing. Such a boat comes with electric winches and, at times, a self-tacking jib.

Final Thoughts

Buying a catamaran is a significant investment. Thus, it’s essential to do your due diligence first before making a final commitment. Start by doing your research on the kind of boats you’re interested in, use this list as a guide to help you make the right choice, then find all the relevant information you can to make an informed decision. 

• Catamaran Guru: Top Ten Tips for Buying a Catamaran
• Multihull Solutions: What to look for When Buying a Used Catamaran
• Multihull Company: The 14 Biggest Mistakes When Purchasing a Used Catamaran…
• Multihull Company: Boat Details
• Catamaran Site: Gemini 3200 Owner Review…
• Catamaran Site: Catalac Catamarans for Sale By Owner
• Katamarans: Prout Snowgoose 37 Review
• Wharram: Tiki 38 Self- Build Boat Plans
• Katamarans: Tula’s Endless Summer: Crowther Spindrift 40 Owner’s Review

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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Must-Have Boat Gear for Catamaran Sailors!

Sailing is probably the most gear-intensive activity I've ever done; there are so many decisions to be made about what gear to buy now, for tomorrow, and what to definitely never buy. The gear on...

6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing

Having a boat costs a lot of money, even when you are not using it, marina fees, etc. And once it is in the water most sailors never go very far from their "home marina" and sailing will be somewhat...

For Sale By Owner

Discover our new for sale by owner directory.

2010 Leopard 38 Owner's Version

2011 Leopard 39 Owner's Version

2015 Lagoon 380 Owners Version

2013 FP Lipari 41 Owners Version

Advertise your fsbo listing below.

1997 Catana 531 For Sale by Owner in Grenada

Location: St. George’s, Grenada                 Price: US$499,000 Boat Information Boat Name: Rob Roy III Boat Builder: Catana Boat

2013 FP Lipari 41 For Sale by Owner in Grenada

Location: Whisper Cove, St. George’s, Grenada                 Price: US$382,000 Boat Information Boat Name: Lionfish Boat Builder: Fountaine Pajot

2002 Lagoon 410 S2 For Sale by Owner in Key Largo

Location: Key Largo, FL                  Price: US$285,000 Boat Information Boat Name: Anomaly Boat Builder: Lagoon Boat Model: Lagoon

2012 Marlière WX-1 For Sale by Owner

Location: Raiatea, French Polynesia                  Price: US $260,000 Boat Information Boat Name: tartaruga Boat Builder: J.L. Marlière Boat

2008 Leopard 46 For Sale by Owner

Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL                  Price: US $385,000 Boat Information Boat Name: Prescription4Living Boat Builder: Robertson & Caine

Berkstresser 60 Catamaran For Sale by Owner

Location: Port Richey, FL               Price: US $420,000 Email Owner Call Owner Boat Information Boat Name: Bossanova Boat Model: Berkstresser

Catamaran For Sale By Owner – 2002 Catana 582

Catamaran For Sale – 2002 Catana 582 Ocean Class Location: New York City, NY                  Price: $925,000 EMAIL CATAMARAN

Catamaran For Sale – 2001 Catana 471 Catamaran

Catamaran For Sale by Owner – 2001 Catana Model 471 Location: Oxnard, CA, USA                   Price: US$429,000

Catamarans For Sale By Owner FAQ’s

How do I list my catamaran for sale on Catamaran Guru? Follow the directions here to list your catamaran. Is Catamaran Guru familiar with the

Cruising Catamarans For Sale by Owner

Why List Your Cruising Catamaran As “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) With Catamaran Guru? Here are some great reasons: Save 10%! Usually the boat seller

PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATION FOR YACHT BUYERS

Not all sellers use a broker, but it is very beneficial for buyers to utilize the knowledge and negotiation expertise of a broker. There are many facets involved in purchasing a yacht, for example; depending on where the boat is registered, there can be obstacles in documentation, surveys and more. Additionally, using a broker is not an extra expense as it should be worked into the price of the boat. For more information on catamarans for sale , submit a brokerage request and check out our catamaran buying resources. 

CATAMARAN BUYING RESOURCES

Featured catamarans, global listings, catamaran buying guide, you may also be interested in.

Bali Catamarans

AUTHORIZED DEALERS | BALI CATAMARANS Bali Catamaran Models Specifications & Pictures Bali Catsmart Bali

Lagoon Catamarans

About Lagoon Catamarans Lagoon Catamarans is the world leader in sailing catamaran cruisers. Lagoon

Nautitech Catamarans

About Nautitech Catamarans Nautitech Catamarans, since 1994, have designed and built innovative catamarans known

Fountaine Pajot Catamarans

Fountaine Pajot catamarans offer great value for your investment. These cruising catamarans can be

For more than 30 years, we have been a part of the catamaran community and created Catamaran Guru™ to encourage and educate all the aspiring sailing out there. We understand the dream of traveling the world by catamaran and created a one-stop-shop to make that dream a reality for you.

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Power Catamarans

A word about power catamarans.

O ur POWER CATAMARANS are hard to beat for speed with comfort. In a rough water chop, the air-cushion between the hulls really smooths out the ride. These boats carry heavier loads than other boats and are very stable, making them ideal family boats for fishing, skiing, or cruising. They turn flat with virtually no banking, and will handle more power than other boats in the same length. For ultimate performance, twin motors are recommended. The cockpit offers exceptional space that you must see to believe. All of our cats are extremely strong and designed for rugged use. Take a close look at the photos and drawings. These are truly unique boats; once you have one you will use it as a standard for ride and room that most other boats will not measure up to.

Boat Plans, Patterns and Supplies For the Amateur Boat Builder!

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Boat Plans Catalog

With over 300 boats to choose from, you're guaranteed to find your dream design!

Visit the boat plans catalog here!

About Our Plans & Kits

For over 60 years, Glen-L has offered boat building kits for those items that are not readily available from local suppliers.

This is our very active boat building community & knowledge center! You'll find answers to your questions, new friends and everything from A-Z on your project!

Visit the Boatbuilder Forum here!

Glen-L Design Featured on TV's NCIS!

If you watched the show and wanted to know what boat Special Agent Jethro Gibbs was building, it was the Glen-L Amigo.

The Gatherings!

"Thank you all for being so willing to share in your knowledge, experience and the fabulous boat rides...the camaraderie, family environment and openness of all to share made me feel like part of this really great group.".

Our Boats In Action!

Building your very own boat is the most fun you can have on dry land, but wait until you take your boat out for the first time!

See homemade videos of our boats in action!

For a description of the boatbuilding methods used to build the boats in Glen-L catalog this is the place to go!

Boatbuilder's Blog

Who else wants to see the boats that others are building or have built from the Glen-L designs? This is also the place to document your build!

Customer Photos!

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