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What is a Catamaran Sailboat? – The Ultimate Catamaran Guide
I have spent many years sailing and enjoying my time out on the water in various types of boats, but I have returned to the catamaran again and again. The catamaran sailboat is a favorite of mine, but I have found that not everyone is familiar with this type of vessel.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”36318″ img_size=”950 × 632″ alignment=”center” img_link_large=”yes”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
What is a Catamaran ?
The question I’m asked the most by novice sailors, or people who have never been on a boat is, what is a Catamaran sailboat?
A catamaran is a sailboat with two hulls making up the body of the ship instead of a more classic monohull design.
The double hull is preferred by most recreational sailors for cruising due to their easy to operate design and impressive performance on the water.
The catamaran was originally a Polynesian design dating back centuries, but was adopted by European visitors and altered over time to the modern sailboat that can be seen today.
Catamarans come in varying sizes and levels of power depending on the boat’s purpose. The most common catamaran is the sailing catamaran used by sailors like myself.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”36320″ img_size=”950 ×700″ alignment=”center” img_link_large=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Why Catamarans Are So Popular
I can’t speak for everybody, but I like catamarans because it is so easy to control, it’s powerful, and there is plenty of living and storage space.
As an experienced sailor, I appreciate a boat that doesn’t require a lot of effort to operate. This is especially helpful for sailors new to the hobby.
Cats are also powerful without being speedboats, which is another positive for new sailors. Perhaps the biggest draw is the amount of space a cat provides its passengers.
I can’t say I have ever felt crowded or cramped aboard a catamaran.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”36321″ img_size=”798 × 528″ alignment=”center” img_link_large=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Reasons to Sail with a Catamaran
Sailing a cat is a purely personal experience. As I’ve become a seasoned sailor through the years, and devoted a lot of that time to learning my way around a cat, I can confidently say that there are many reasons a catamaran is a better choice than other sailboat options.
I’ve narrowed down the reasons to 5 of the strongest points that will make up your mind to go out and charter a cat today.
1) Space
The space provided above and below deck on a cat is far more than on a monohull sailboat. This space allows passengers room to move, lounge, and have some privacy.
Storage is another advantage for a cat. Often storage has been a problem on a boat, but catamarans often have room to spare, so you don’t have to worry about making the choice of leaving something behind you would like to bring.
2) Performance
A cat can stand up to bad weather and choppy seas as well as boats twice its size. Catamarans also do very well windward, which is often an issue for smaller sailboats. Most sailors, myself included, find the catamaran a better vessel in poor weather conditions than other sailboats.
3) Stability
A smooth sail is not always possible if the weather is not cooperating, but, in a catamaran, even some of the worst weather barely affects how the boat feels. It is rare to be tossed about on a catamaran while other sailboats shift endlessly in even low winds.
4) Operation
As I’ve stated before, catamarans are designed to be easily operated and controlled.
5) Speed
Sailing Catamarans aren’t meant to be raced, but they could probably hold their own if it came down to it. If you want to open her up and set off at a good rate of speed, a cat can easily get the job done.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”36322″ img_size=”800 × 450″ alignment=”center” img_link_large=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Catamaran vs. Monohull
Simply put, a catamaran makes up for every area a monohull is lacking. Cats have more space, better stability, and are more powerful.
Monohulls tend to be of an older design that can no longer match modern multihull sailboats. Some sailors are sticklers for a monohull, but anyone who has sailed a cat has been converted.
Conclusion:
My recommendation for sailors looking for a reliable, spacious charter is to find a catamaran and book it today! Don’t miss out on the experience of a lifetime!
Click here to read more about why sail a catamaran
Have you been sailing on a catamaran? Maybe you would like to share your own experience? Please feel free to leave a comment below[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
After reading this page, I feel like I’ve just been on vacation. The catamaran is so beautiful. I will check out the links for the details on the charters. Your photographs are stunning. I would like to see a photo of the inside. You speak of storage space and passenger space, and so a photo to be able to see these assets would be nice. Yes, this page is very enticing even to a cocktail sailor like myself.
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for the comment. Yes you right about the picture. I am going to put a beautiful one:)
Have a great day!
Hey, Daniella.
Nice meeting you and enjoyed your writings about Catamarans and other boats.
I never used or owned one but from your writings it seems the price range in US dollars seems affordable for a weeks vacation.
I have a one man pontoon boat. Eight foot in length with inflatable bladders.
Powered by oars or a trolling motor, LOL!!
I’ve looked around your site some and was wondering if you’re going to post some of your experiences with some of these awesome vesicles.
When I look at your post on “Cats” the first written link Catamaran had some problems. Didn’t get to see where you want me to go.
The Catamarans work fine. Maybe a difference with the “s”??
When asking for comment, misspelled “feel”. Ya got fell in there, LOL!!
Hope this helps!!
Larry
Hi Larry,
Thank you to have paid attention to these little errors. I’ve corrected them. Sorry for this:)
Oh I see, pontoon boat. My husband used to own one, long time ago. He was a fisherman and maybe he’ll would like to write an articles about these vessels,Just for the fun of it, but this subject is more about fishing and my website speak about chartering and beautiful places to discover by boat.
Thank you for the comment and for passing by!
I wish you an awesome day
Thanks for this great post. I really enjoyed reading about catamarans. I have never been on one of these before, even though I have seen them. I once went on a short vacation and wanted to try one of these, but the weather was so bad on that particular day. So it was bad luck. Missed out!
I believe your article will encourage many others to book a catamaran.
Hi Teresa,
Yes, I understand, it is much safer to stay ashore when the weather is bad. I think you had a good luck that day though , and I am sure you will have other opportunities to sail:)
Thank you for the comment and I wish you to sail soon!
Have a wonderful day
Think I’m going to have to show this to the family! Definitely like the idea of a “Cat” than a sail boat. While having more space would be ideal fro not being each other’s face all day, I like EVERYTHING you said about the cat being better in bad weather. That is always the downfall of me going on anything on the ocean. Being in a little boat being tossed around is enough to give me nightmares. These boats look a whole lot more stable to me!
Hi Jester,
Yes, Catamarans handle well in a bad weather, but you can be certain that any captain or skipper won’t put his passengers in danger. If the weather gets bad then they will automatically change the itinerary or the trip will be cancelled.
However, a cat is much more stable and comfortable than a mono, at least for me:)
Thank you for the comment and wish you a great day!
Wow! everything on your web is so interesting,cant wait for summer to travel.Love sailing for fishing and i haven’t in a long time because of the weather.Your website is very educational and the pictures just put you in a holiday mood right away. I will steal some tips for summer holiday and must sail with catamaran.
Hi Sally,
I am glad you found my website interesting because I work very hard on it:) So I really appreciate the feedback!
Catamarans are wonderful for all sorts of sailing holiday. Those boats are very comfortable, stable, safety and can accommodate a large group of passengers. I personally love catamarans more than any other boats!
Keep visiting and that thank you for the comment:)
Have a great day!
Hi Daniella!
I love catamarans. I’ve never really been in one, but I’ve seen them and they look so stable and comfortable.
I’m pretty sure I would definitely choose a catamaran if I ever have the opportunity to buy myself a boat, specially having seen that interior picture you showed us 😉
Thanks for the article!
Hi Israel,
How nice to see you again!
Yes, Catamarans are more comfortable and stable than any other boats, thanks to its two hulls! Also, they are larger, thus offer more privacy. Catamarans are my preferred yachts. Of course, like in anything else, there are pluses and minuses in catamarans, but generally, the pluses win!
I am sure that choosing a catamaran is the best choice you can make!
Thank you very much for the comment and wish you a great day!