pros and cons of catamaran vs monohull

• Marine Supplies
• Maintenance & Boating Guides

Catamaran vs Monohull: Pros, Cons & Main Differences

By: B.J. Porter Editor

The choice of catamaran vs monohull ultimately comes down to preference. What’s critical for one buyer may mean little to another. If your partner refuses to set foot on a boat which heels, that’s a deal-breaker for a monohull. But if you’re passionate about classic looks and styling, your quest for beauty may override other considerations and rule out catamarans.

We can’t tell you whether a catamaran or a monohull is right for you. But we can help you with the pros and cons of each for your search.

The Strengths and Pros

No matter your choice of monohull or catamaran, there are safe, comfortable, and excellent sailing boats of both types. Neither has an exclusive lock on any strength, and both sail safely and comfortably. But there’s a different emphasis on how they do it. No matter what you are trying to do – sail fast, cruise the world, or just host a crowd at the dock, there are monohulls and catamarans that can work for any requirement.

Catamaran advantages

Space and comfort: Two hulls and a wide beam make a very stable platform with lots of volume in the saloon and cockpit. Most living space is above the waterline, with wonderful light and airflow. Cabins in the hulls offer better privacy and isolation, usually with standing headroom.

Straight line speed: Most catamarans are faster in straight-line sailing speed (1) that similar sized or even longer monohulls. Without a lead keel, they’re lighter, so more driving force from the sails converts to speed, and narrower hull forms may have less drag than wide hulls with deep keels. Some heavier cruising catamarans may not be faster, especially if they keep rig size small for ease of handling.

Stability : The beam of two hulls with a bridge deck leads to much higher stability and resistance to roll (2). Waves in an anchorage that induce violent roll in a monohull may make a catamaran bounce or bob. Under sail, catamarans do not heel appreciably even when powered up.

Twin engines. : With one engine in forward and balanced in reverse, most catamarans can spin in a circle in place and make sharp adjustments to the boat’s direction. If you have an engine failure, you also have a second engine, giving a safety edge when you can’t sail. 

Monohull advantages

Upwind sailing performance: While catamarans have the edge at straight-line speed, monohulls sail closer to the wind. When you’re racing or you have to sail upwind to get to the next island, this can get you there faster.

Sailing feel and responsiveness : The “feel” of sailing a monohull is much better. With a single hull, you’ll feel wind pressure and trim adjustments immediately for a more responsive helm and a better ability to sail to the wind.

Maneuvering under sail: Monohulls are quite nimble tacking and turning under sail, and there’s less risk of slow or missed tacks.

Righting Moment: The primary offshore safety argument for monohulls is their ability to right when capsized. The heavy keel keeps the boat deck up when sailing, and most monohulls will come back upright even after a complete capsize.

Cargo and Loading: A higher displacement boat with thousands of pounds of lead hung from the bottom isn’t going to be as affected by loading as a relatively light multihull.

Aesthetics: This is subjective, as many catamaran enthusiasts love how they look. Classic sailboat styling, with swept sleek looks, springy sheer lines, and all the “right” proportions are more common on monohulls.

Also read: The 5 Best Electric Anchor Winches

Weaknesses and Cons

Like strengths, weaknesses are relative; just because one class has a strength doesn’t mean the other doesn’t. There are spacious monohulls and beautiful catamarans, just like there are cramped catamarans and unattractive monohulls. The differences have to be highlighted relative to each other, and the weaknesses of one are most apparent compared to the strengths of the other.

Catamaran Cons

Upwind performance: Cats don’t sail as close to the wind, but they make up for it by sailing faster off the wind. You’ll sail a less direct course upwind. Even if you get in at the same time, you’ll have to sail farther.

Less responsive sailing: Two hulls with two rudders and a very broad platform reduce the helm feel when sailing, cutting responsiveness sailing in shifting wind and wave conditions. It also makes tacking slower.

No-flip zone: It is very difficult, but not impossible, to flip a large catamaran (3). But if a catamaran capsizes, it will not flip back over by itself.

Large in marina/close quarters: You have two problems in marinas. Beamy cats are tough to maneuver in tight spaces because they’re big and visibility is tough over the hulls. And many marinas charge extra because the wide beam extends into the next slip. The good news is that twin engines make tight maneuvering easier.

Price point: Catamarans are more difficult to build and need more materials. This is directly reflected in the cost of the boats.

Monohull Cons

They are heavier: Every large monohull needs a keel for stability (4). They can not sail or stay upright without thousands of pounds of ballast, and this makes them heavier and slows them down. Tiny monohulls can use a centerboard or daggerboard for stability, but most boats big enough to sleep on need ballast.

Darker interiors : Most monohull living space is lower in the boat, where you can’t put enormous windows for light and circulation. It’s very hard to get space as bright and airy as catamaran saloons.

Less living space: With one hull and no bridge deck saloon, most monohulls feel cramped compared to spacious catamarans.

More prone to rolling motions : Only one hull makes monohulls susceptible to rolling in waves, and the movement can be quite uncomfortable.

Heeling: Tipping is just part of sailing monohulls upwind and is unavoidable. It can be reduced on some other points of sail, but not eliminated. Many people, especially non-sailors and new sailors, find this movement uncomfortable or distressing.

You might also be interested in: How to Buff a Boat | A Detailed Guide by a Boating Expert

Troubleshooting Pontoon Boat Battery

Pontoon boats are a great way to enjoy the water and spend quality time with family and friends. But just like any other boat, they rely on a battery to power various systems, including navigation lights, trolling motors, and other…

Boat Accessories

Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders in 2023

In search of the best ice fishing fish finders in 2023? Not all fish finders are created equal, particularly when it comes to ice fishing. Specialized features are crucial to ensure successful outings in harsh winter conditions. You require a…

Best Side Imaging Fish Finders in 2023

Navigating the world of angling equipment can be challenging. That's especially true when it comes to side imaging fish finders, given the extensive range of options available in 2023. This post makes it easy for you to narrow down your…

How to Choose a Fishfinder for Your Boat: A Comprehensive Guide

Today, we embark on a journey to unravel the secrets of choosing the perfect fish finder for your boat. As we navigate through an ocean of options, we'll explore different types of fish finders, delve into their key features, and…

Accessories

5 Best Portable Fish Finder in 2023

Looking for a portable fish finder for kayaking, ice fishing, or other activities? The good news is that there are a lot of solid products out there. The year 2023 has ushered in an array of advanced models, each brimming…

Charging Your Trolling Motor Battery with a Solar Panel

Charging your trolling motor battery with a solar panel is not just the right thing to do for the environment, it is extremely convenient. When you’re out on the boat, with any luck, you’ll have access to a good amount…

Don't miss out

Catamaran vs. Monohull: We Changed, Should You?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to monohull versus catamaran. We have done extensive cruising and lived aboard two monohulls and four catamarans over the past 25+ years . We experienced the good and the bad for both single hull and multihulls first hand. Quite honestly, the pluses for catamarans far outweigh the minuses. There are multiple benefits of catamarans. They are faster, more stable and spacious, and have shallower drafts allowing safer anchorage closer to shore. Being on a stable platform with no heeling cuts down on crew fatigue and seasickness leaving the crew more alert and in control of the vessel. Even novice sailors feel more confident on catamarans.

When we built our monohull Royal Salute in the early 90s, catamarans were not established and were looked upon with extreme suspicion by most cruisers, including ourselves. “Safety and the capsize” issue were always the first things to come up against sailing catamarans. It is a fact that monohulls can get rolled in heavy seas but will right themselves because of the heavy lead keel, and while crew and vessel will be battered, the roll is survivable.

However a catamaran once capsized, will remain upside down (jokingly referring to this state of the catamaran as “reaching its most stable position when upside down”). The inability of a catamaran to self-right was and still is a major bone of contention. However, what is not often discussed is that a monohull has about a 5,000 pound keel of lead that is constantly trying to drag the boat to the bottom of the ocean versus a catamaran that has no ballast and is in most cases with modern catamarans, unsinkable.

So the options are to either sail the world on a boat that, if it springs a leak, will sink like a stone or a vessel that cannot self-right in the event of a capsize but will not sink no matter what. So from a practical point of view, here are our observations over the last 25+ years of living aboard, on the advantages and disadvantages of a catamaran.

ADVANTAGES OF A CATAMARAN

1. speed equals safety.

The speed of a catamaran makes it possible to outrun bad weather. While catamarans do not point as high into the wind as a monohull (or if it does, it makes more leeway or slides sideways), it is about 20% faster than a monohull. This means that even if you sail upwind at a slightly wider angle to the wind than a monohull and have to cover more distance, you will still arrive at your destination long before a monohull.

A modern performance catamaran with daggerboards and good quality sails will point as high as a similar sized monohull. It will point the same as a comparable monohull and sail much faster and therefore arrive at an upwind position much sooner than a the monohull. It is important to note that most of the production catamarans on the market are under-powered and are equipped with standard smaller sails. In lighter breezes many of these designs perform poorly unless fitted with bigger headsails, a Code Zero and a square-top mainsail.

While we believe that more comfortable and safer in rough weather , we have to concede that when the weather gets really bad (60 knots of wind or more) we would personally prefer to be on a monohull from the standpoint of surviving. I would say that a monohull is preferable for serious offshore single-handed sailing because you can more easily hove-to in a monohull. We have been in some extreme weather on a number of catamarans and never really felt that we were in danger, although it takes some nifty seamanship.

A monohull could capsize in extreme weather or even roll in a storm, but they generally come back upright. A catamaran on the other hand, will not right itself. But the cat will generally stay afloat, offering a good place to survive while you wait out the storm or until help comes along. Well-designed modern catamarans are very hard to capsize though.

Having said all that, most catamarans can do 200 to 250 miles a day and with modern technology allowing one to pull down weather at will, there is no good reason why you should get caught in extreme weather. A faster boat is a safer boat as it will in many cases be able to outrun bad weather. With good weather routing information a catamaran can avoid most serious weather and, at worst, place itself in the most favorable position to avoid the brunt of a storm.

2. A Catamaran is a Stable, Safe Platform Underway

Catamarans have no ballast in the keels like monohulls do and therefor it relies on beam and buoyancy for stability. Typically cruising catamarans will have a beam to length ratio of roughly 50%, although many designs nowadays exceed the 50% rule of thumb. So, a 45-ft long catamaran will be about 22-ft wide, providing a very stable platform when sailing. Unlike catamarans, monohulls cannot overcome the rolling and pitching with their narrow beam and the lead ballast for stability.

This rolling and pitching makes the deck on a monohull very unsafe whereas on walking around on the deck of a catamaran while underway is far easier since the boat is much more stable, and it doesn’t heel. This makes sail changes and reefing much easier and a lot safer for the crew. Without the rolling and pitching motion, the danger of falling overboard on a catamaran is considerably less than on a monohull.

3. Crew Fatigue Reduces on a Catamaran

Because a catamaran does not heel over like a monohull, it offers far more comfort underway because the motion is mostly fore and aft pitching and very little beam-to-beam rolling. On all points of sail, a catamaran tracks upright and significantly reduces crew fatigue and seasickness. Seasickness is usually caused by things like anxiety, fatigue, hunger and cold, which all add to a sense of disorientation. This leads the crew to making bad decisions and seamanship errors that could be fatal to the crew and vessel. The more stable platform of the catamaran will hugely keep those issues at bay, making the crew more alert and energized.

Every action and chore including cooking is much easier on a catamaran when underway. It is much more pleasant to be on the deck level looking out rather than being stuck “down below.” It is also much nicer to sleep on a boat that doesn’t heel. I remember nights at sea in our monohull when I was rolling around in my bunk unless I was properly wedge in a little corner. That is simply not the case on catamarans.

All these factors ensure that your crew will not expend unnecessary energy to simply try and stay upright, onboard and safe on a long passage. Your crew on a catamaran will be well rested and alert and will be able to function well if a stressful situation arises.

4. Comfort at Anchor

Catamarans provide a wide platform and therefore offer lovely spaces to relax at anchor without the rolling motion that monohulls have a tendency to do in a swell. During our 15 years of cruising on a monohull, we have often had to leave anchorages that we really were not finished exploring because of a rolly, uncomfortable anchorage. Big rollers or swells coming into an anchorage can make conditions in an anchorage very uncomfortable and unsafe.

We were anchored off Funchal on the island of Madeira in our monohull Royal Salute once, when we were forced to leave our anchorage. The rolling became so bad, we were rolling from gunnel to gunnel. The anchorage became untenable to remain anchored, forcing us to go out to sea in foul weather in the middle of the night. This is an extreme case but believe me, we have left many an idyllic anchorage because of a rolling swell into the anchorage. Catamarans, on the other hand, do not roll from like monohulls have a tendency to do and are far more comfortable at anchor.

5. Anchor Bridal Setup

Catamarans are fitted with a bridle, attached to both bows and down to the anchor chain, resulting in a very stable position at anchor. What we found with our monohull was that because the bow acts as a sail (because of the high freeboard), the boat tended to sail at anchor in high winds. It sailed in one direction until the chain snatched and tacked over and sailed in the other direction, feeling like it might dislodge the anchor altogether. The catamaran on the other hand sits at anchor a lot more stable and doesn’t sail around as much.

6. Ease of Boarding on a Catamaran

Thank goodness we were much younger and more agile during our monohull days. Royal Salute and most monohulls of her generation or older, have high free-boards, making it quite a feat to get onto the boat from the dinghy. It was one of the most challenging things to do because unlike the more modern monohulls that have a scoop at the back, we had to climb up on the side of the boat to get on and off. We, of course rigged steps, etc. but it was always a hassle compared to the ease of getting on and off a catamaran from a dingy or from the water.

7. Shallow Draft Equals Better Anchorages

Catamarans have significantly shallower drafts than monohulls, allowing for safer anchorages closer to shore. Most catamarans in the 40-ft to 50-ft range draw between 3-ft to 4.5-ft, so they can anchor in places that a monohulls can not even consider. In the shallow waters of the Bahamas for example, the catamarans have a big advantage. We often anchor our own catamaran just a few feet away from a beach. It definitely allows one to be able to explore areas where the water is shallow without the fear of running aground.

The shallow draft also allows for emergency repairs in shallow water and even doing the bottom job when the tide goes out as we have done in places like Mtwapa Creek in Kenya, East Africa. The catamaran easily rests on her keels on the sand without help making it a breeze to do the “annual haul out” even in remote locations.

8. Dinghy Davits & Dinghy Size

All catamarans have a set of davits that make it very easy to raise and lower the dingy. Our monohull and most cruising monohulls do not have an efficient or easily accessible set of davits. This makes raising and lowering the dingy an elaborate production. Catamarans on the other hand, has davits systems easily accessible and some even have platforms to rest the dinghy on.

The lack of beam and difficulty of lifting the dinghy also limits the size and type of dingy that one can reasonably carry on a monohull. As we all know, the dingy is your transport to and from shore and diving or fishing spots, so the bigger and faster the dingy, the better off you are. A catamaran can carry both a heavier and bigger dinghy which makes the popular center consul dinghy so much more possible.

9. Interior Space and Comfort on a Catamaran

We sailed 32,000 NM on our 45-ft monohull, happy as clams, not realizing that sailing does not have to be done lying on your ear 24/7 while on passage or sitting knee-to-knee in the cockpit at anchor with your two other guests at the dinner table! One can liken sitting in a monohull cockpit to sitting in an empty Jacuzzi, you are always nice and close to the other folks.

Now that we are on our fourth catamaran, there are a few things that have become more evident to us than the incredible space and comfort of a catamaran, not only at anchor but also underway. The cockpit and living space in general are huge compared to a monohull, making for very comfortable and spacious living conditions. It feels more like you are at home, rather than just on a camping trip.

Knowing that one spends at least 90% of one’s cruising life at anchor, it’s important to have good open living space, which most modern cats nowadays offer. A lot of cats have walk around beds, lots of storage, every modern appliance including washer/dryer, etc. However, one has to fight the urge to fill the space if you want to keep the cat light and fast.

Sailing with guests onboard for extended periods of time, in close quarters can become claustrophobic but on a catamaran people are spread out and separated. With guests sleeping in one hull and the owners in another, catamarans offer much more privacy and separation. Some cats even have privacy doors that will close off the entire hull and has a separate entrance onto the deck, which really separates you from the guests completely.

There is very little heeling on a catamaran, so there is no need for hand grips and safety harnesses inside the boat. There is nothing better (and safer) than being able to walk from the cockpit into the living room (saloon) on one level or one step down at most. In a monohull, when heeling at a severe angle, you would have to claw your way from the companionway steps down to the living area, while fighting to stay upright, significantly tapping your energy.

Unless you hit extreme conditions, everything stays put on a catamaran reducing the anxiety before doing passages of having to stow and secure everything. This very issue makes a lot of cruisers reluctant to weigh anchor and explore more often. It is just too much effort to pack away all your stuff once comfortable in an anchorage!

One thing you will notice is that the stove on catamarans are not gimbaled like it is on monohulls and this should tell the story in itself. The stability and comfort on a catamaran is far superior. Cooking is easy and safer. I often open a nice cold beer, put it down to do something and forget about it only to find a warm beer later in the same place I left it. This is not something that happens on a monohull.     

10. Redundancy on a Catamaran

Unlike monohulls, catamarans have a lot of critical redundancies. That of course means two hulls to clean and anti-foul, double the engine maintenance, etc. but having two of the critical equipment like engines for instance, outweighs the downside.

With two engines, if one fails you still have adequate propulsion to go anywhere. If by some fluke the second engine also fails, you have a full set of spares to fix at least one of them. Our friends once hit a sleeping whale off Tanzania, and when it dove, it hit the prop, bending it. They limped into the narrow channel on the one engine but at least they could make it to a safe harbor where we surveyed and repaired their damage.

We often only use one engine when motoring while making passage in order to conserve our fuel. The one engine is totally capable of moving the boat along at a good speed unless you are in heavy seas and you may need more power. Other than that we only use two engines to dock or maneuver the boat in close quarters.

Because there are two engines there are also two independent charging systems via the alternator on each engine. If one alternator goes out, there is still another complete charging system. There are two rudders and if one fails or falls off (as has happened to our friends on a monohull off Columbia, where they almost lost their boat) you have a second rudder that is completely capable of steering the boat by itself indefinitely. That holds true for several things on a catamaran!     

11. Maneuverability

The engines are spaced far apart on a catamaran and it makes maneuvering much easier and more precise than monohulls, unless the monohull has a bow thruster. We did not have a bow thruster (not many monohulls do) and had to rely on prop-walk and using prop wash on the rudder. A modern catamaran can do a 360 turn on her own axis. A monohull cannot do this and have a bigger turning circle. However, a monohull under sail is much more maneuverable and certainly will tack a lot faster than a catamaran. The ease in maneuverability under engine on a catamaran in close quarters specifically, is vastly superior comparatively.

12. Rigging

Because of the beam on a catamaran the spinnaker pole has become unnecessary equipment. Hallelujah, I say. That pole on our monohull was a pain the behind and I always hated having to use it. On a catamaran, one can fly an asymmetrical cruising chute or spinnaker, using the bows to tack the clew or run a guy through a block so it is very much simplified, easier and safer.We also sail wing-on-wing with twin headsails when we sail downwind. We use our furling jib and furling Code Zero. It is as easy as one, two, three.

DISADVANTAGES OF A CATAMARAN

1. bridgedeck slamming.

One advantage most monohulls do have when underway is that they don’t slam. Catamarans with a low bridgedeck clearance can experience significant slamming in confused seas sailing upwind. This slamming can be quite disconcerting when you first experience it as we did on a Shuttleworth 44 design, our first ever catamaran experience, 20+ years ago. At times, it felt as though the boat was falling apart. Of course the boat was fine but nevertheless, the stress on the crew from the constant noise and discomfort was significant.

Monohulls don’t have a bridgedeck which means no slamming and are therefore a bit more comfortable than l ow bridgedeck catamarans when beating into severe confused conditions or “washing machine” conditions as we call it. Modern catamarans mostly have better bridgedeck clearance and the slamming is significantly less. However, not all cats have a good clear tunnel under the bridgedeck. Some manufacturers build beds into the bridge deck in order to make more space in the chest of the catamaran where the slamming occurs. These protuberances into the bridgedeck tunnel will likely increase slamming. So be mindful of that when selecting a catamaran. We currently own a Bali 5.4 and the bridgedeck clearance on this boat is more than adequate and the tunnel is clear. We therefor experience very little slamming compared to our Prout 45 that we previously owned (picture of sister ship below) with a much lower bridgedeck.

We Explain Bridgedeck Clearance

In the pictures below, the Bali 5.4 has very good clearance from the water to the bridgedeck and has a nice clean tunnel versus the very low bridgedeck of the Sunreef 50. 

2. Sailing Downwind

Monohull spreaders are set at 90 degrees to the mast whereas a catamaran has to have backswept spreaders. The reason is that, on a monohull, there is a backstay and using this, plus the intermediates you can get a nice pre-bend in the mast (the pre-bend is to flatten out the main sail and allow for better performance).

On a catamaran with no back stay, you need to use the back swept spreaders and the diamonds to pre-bend the mast. The reason I point this out is because on a catamaran, if you want to broad reach or run, the mainsail cannot be let out all the way because the backswept spreader tips could punch holes in the fabric.

On a monohull, the spreaders are at 90 degrees so you can let the main and the boom out much further which is, of course, much more effective. This is one of the reasons it is better to broad reach and tack downwind on a catamaran.

Whether a monohull or multihull, sailing dead downwind doesn’t usually make great VMG. Therefor a regular cruising cat, much like a monohull, needs a lot of sail area and has to sail deep downwind if it is to achieve a decent speed made good (VMG). This video demonstrates how we achieve this by sailing wing-on-wing downwind.

It is more difficult to find a dock either as a transient or a permanent slip for a catamaran in general because of the wide beam. But this is changing fast and will soon not be too much of an issue. In the USA dockage is charged by the length of the boat in feet, so there is no disadvantage there but, in some places, (the Mediterranean for example), dockage is charged at length times one and a half because of the additional beam.

Since the catamaran is stable at anchor, we mostly anchor out. We have more privacy, a better breeze and usually a stunning view.We have a nice dinghy with a good outboard engine and is big and comfortable enough to get to shore fast and together with the modern conveniences like the generator, watermaker and washer/dryer, docking becomes a non-issue.

It is definitely more difficult to find a travel lift with enough beam for a catamaran for a haulout, while, for a monohull, there are absolutely no problems anywhere. The wide beam of cats also greatly limits the number of shipyards that can haul them out. Most catamarans over 40-ft must be hauled out with a 50-ton travel lift. This not only increases the cost of the haulout, but greatly limits the choice of the shipyards for repairs and maintenance. With limited choice, prices are high for shipyard services.

Catamarans do tend to have a lot more windage than monohulls. This can be an issue especially when maneuvering in close quarters with a strong wind. But I have found that, provided the engines are powerful enough for the size of catamaran, that twin engines negate this problem. Also, many modern large catamarans now have a bow thruster fitted. It is super easy to dock.

The cost of getting into a catamaran is much higher than that of monohulls. That could put a serious dent in your cruising kitty or require you to put your dream on hold a little longer. Pre-owned monohulls on the other hand are very cheap to buy comparatively, because the supply presently far outweighs the demand.

Catamarans are in high demand and they typically hold their value much better and longer and the trend is now heavily in favor of the catamaran market. When prospective buyers contact us for catamarans under $250,000 the choices are very limited and catamarans under $100,000 is near impossible to buy. In this case, your best bet is to go with a monohull unless you go with much older boats like the Prouts or the less expensive Geminis.

Our Own Catamarans & Monohulls

FYI: Royal Salute , a Bruce Roberts 45 monohull, was the first boat we owned and sailed approx. 30,000NM on. Mythral, a Seafarer 30, was our “toy boat” while we were waiting for our catamaran to be built. Even though this classic little monohull sailed around the world, it didn’t have much in modern conveniences like running water. Siyaya was an Island Spirit 40 catamaran that we sailed from Cape Town to Florida on and then taught live-aboard sailing classes for several years. Zuri I was a Prout 45, a beautifully crafted catamaran but by today’s standards is considered old technology. Our Lagoon 450 SporTop ( Zuri II ) is a fantastic live-aboard catamaran. We lived and taught aboard her for three years but sold her last year and we currently own a Bali 5.4 ( Zuri III or Z3 as we call her now). Read about our various boats .

CONCLUSION: CATAMARAN vs MONOHULL

We were dyed in the wool monohull sailors for 15+ years. We loved the pretty lines of monohulls, the sailing ability and what we believed at the time to be much safer vessels. However, now that we have been avid catamaran enthusiasts, we simply can never go back to monohulls. Catamarans have come of age and with modern technology have overcome most objections that sailors of old had against them. They are well designed and built, are safe, and we simply love that they sail fast and upright. There is not a whole lot to dislike about a catamaran when you live aboard. We have weighed all the pros and cons of catamarans and found that the pros far exceed the cons. We made the change to a catamaran and do not regret it one bit!

We hope that this article will clear things up for all the prospective catamaran owners out there.

Contact us if you have any questions regarding catamarans, Fractional Yacht Ownership or our Charter Management Programs .

Estelle Cockcroft

Join our community.

Get the latest on catamaran news, sailing events, buying and selling tips, community happenings, webinars & seminars, and much more!

4 thoughts on “Catamaran vs. Monohull: We Changed, Should You?”

I read that the engineering on the catamarans were improved over the years. Whats the oldest year would you recommend designwise?

Scott, my apologies for the late reply. We’ve been traveling in Africa. Anyway, catamarans have come a long way and improvements in technology is happening at lightning speed. I reckon that even the older model catamarans are good. It depends on what your needs are. If you want something a little better performance wise, I would go for something no older than 15 years.

After buying a catamaran what is the difference in expense of a catamaran vs a monohull. Many articles state that not only the initial cost of a catamaran is more it the operating cost as well.

Hi Todd, it is more expensive. The annual dockage and haul out as well as maintenance will be more expensive. You obviously have two engines to maintain and various other pieces of equipment to service in both hulls. While there is more equipment there is also more redundancy and of course you have the comfort factor. So, depending on your situation, it’s probably worth it.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

First-annual virgin islands boating exhibition (vibe).

VIBE – It’s a Destination Boat Show! Join us May 10 – 12 at

BALI Catamarans Unveils The New Bali 5.8 Flagship

CATANA GROUP launches its 14th BALI CATAMARAN model, the BALI 5.8, for the brand’s

Love Stories At Sea…because it’s valentine’s day

Because it’s Valentine’s day, we wanted to celebrate all the couples that we helped

Your Go-To Resource for all your Catamaran Needs!

Check out our brochure to learn about all we have to offer and why

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.

• Stephen & Estelle
• Testimonials

Get Started

• Yacht Sales
• Used Yachts
• Charter Management
• Boat as Business Programs
• Seminars & Events

Call Us (561) 445-5664

Catamaran vs. Monohulls: Pros and Cons

Published Aug 30, 2021

Going on a trip but don’t know what boat to use? If you have been eyeing Catamaran and Monohull boats, you are in the right place. If you can’t choose between the two, knowing their pros and cons should help you decide. In this article, we will be battling catamaran vs. monohulls to determine which one is more suitable for you.

What is Catamaran?

A catamaran is a sailboat with multihulls that features two parallel hulls of equal size. This type of boat has been popular ever since because of its stability and size. In addition, vacationers tend to sail with catamaran boats because of their space above and below.

What are Monohulls?

Unlike catamaran boats, a monohull is a boat that comes with only one hull. Monohull boats are the most widely used form of waterborne vessel. Sailing in a monohull may satisfy a person’s inner sailor self and give them the whole sailing experience. In addition, this type of boat is cheaper than other boats since it only caters to one hull.

Since catamaran and monohulls are completely different boats, we should compare and contrast their characteristics.

Spaciousness

The multihulls of catamarans give the boat additional space for the galley, cockpit, and more rooms when it comes to space. Catamaran boats also feature shallower draft, smaller displacement, and less hull volume than monohull boats. Therefore, this boat is more spacious than a monohull boat. It should be what you’re looking for if you’re sailing with family or friends.

On the other hand, monohull boats provide limited space, and most spaces are below the waterline. This might be concerning, especially for non-sailors, like vacationers. However, long-time sailors are most likely used to this situation. In addition, a monohull is smaller than most catamarans since it only consists of one hull.

Stability and Comfort

Another advantage of having multi-hulls is inheriting more stability than a one-hull boat. Catamarans are less prone to rocking and heeling, which makes them an ideal boat for family vacations. Large families usually include kids or seniors that get out of balance easily. Sailing in a catamaran boat would surely be more comfortable for you. Catamaran also features a separated skipper cabin that separates the crew and boat guests. Some larger skipper cabins provide full equipment like an isolated shower, sink, and toilet. In catamaran boats, you can sunbathe, lounge, or even jump on a trampoline while onboard.

Monohull boats are obviously less stable than multi-hull catamarans. From the word “mono,” monohulls only have one hull, which makes it prone to being rocky than a multihull boat. A rocking boat might not be an ideal vacation boat for families. 

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of sailing for both boats:

Catamaran boats are often faster than monohulls when sailing downwind, reaches, and broad. Moreover, they have low bridge decks likely to slap on the undercarriage when the boat is sailing upwind. That is what slows the speed of the catamaran boats.

Monohulls sail through water without any slapping or pounding that may slow down the boat. They tend to be faster than catamaran boats when going upwind since the slapping slows down the multihull.  

Pounding and slapping

Multihulls are made so that guests and sailors can get the most out of their vacation. That is why producers of catamarans try their best to add as much platform in the boat as the low bridge deck. Unfortunately, the low bridge deck of a catamaran tends to pound and slap the undercarriage of the boat, especially when sailing upwind. Some people find the pounding and slapping sound annoying. 

Monohulls don’t have a low bridge deck, so sailing comes smoothly for monohull boats. Monohull guests wouldn’t have a problem with the noise at all. 

Maneuvering and docking

Multihulls are powered by two engines. Having two engines can be extremely helpful when it comes to an emergency. These engines make it possible for the boat to rotate to a full 360 degrees. Catamarans also have two rudders which makes it easier to dock the boat. 

Monohulls are easier to maneuver because of their size. However, the monohull only consists of one engine for the whole boat. The engine of the monohull can be combined with a front bow thruster so the yacht/boat can move sideways, which is helpful for tight spaces. This function makes it easier for the sailor to dock the boat.

Catamaran boats are more expensive than most monohulls because of their features. They are known as a high-quality boat that reassures sailor’s guests that it’s safer than most boats and costs a lot of building materials as catamaran boats are more spacious. Catamaran boats may cost more because it’s a high demand boat. The cost for docking for this type of boat also costs double the price of a monohull since it’s bigger.

Monohulls usually cost cheaper than most catamaran boats because of the monohull’s building materials. Multihull boats typically need to double the building materials required for a catamaran. Therefore, monohull boats with the same sleeping capacity and equipment as the catamaran may cost cheaper than buying a catamaran.

Catamaran vs. Monohulls: What to Choose?

Catamarans are more expensive, but it’s a family vacation-friendly boat that offers a lot of advantages. On the other hand, monohull boats are cheaper, simpler, and perfect for aspiring sailors. In the end, it all comes down to the person’s preference, budget, and what suits their needs. So I will ask you, catamaran vs. monohulls? (Related: What to Know Before Renting a Catamaran Charter )

Experience Yacht Charters With Seafari In Boca Raton Florida

Looking for a great time on the water in Boca Raton Florida? Seafari Yacht Charters is number choice for yacht rentals in Boca Raton . Book our yachts for parties , exciting day trips to the Bahamas, romantic yacht dinner cruises , and much more. Come experience all South Florida has to offer with us.

Fact Checked By Experts

Our team of internal experts has conducted rigorous fact-checking on this content. Explore the editorial standard for our website to dive deeper into our commitment to excellence.

About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn has a bachelors degree in Psychology and a passion for yachting in South Florida. She has a desire to be heard and to encourage others to make their voices heard as well.

Related Posts

Yachting Benefits You Might Not Know

Most Popular , Yachting

How To Charter A Boat From Miami To Key West

What To Know Before Renting A Catamaran Charter

Find us on social media.

© SeafariYachtCharters.com 2024

View Our Privacy Policy

Website design by Correct Digital

Catamaran Vs Monohull

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

August 30, 2022

Monohulls and traditional sailboats, once ubiquitous, are giving way to modern catamarans. But how do these designs differ?

Monohulls have a single hull, and catamarans have two hulls side-by-side. Catamarans are faster than monohulls of the same length and displacement, but monohulls are stronger and more spacious. Monohulls are also cheaper and easier to build than multi-hulls.

In this article, we’ll cover the differences between catamarans and monohulls, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each design. We’ll also cover the sailing characteristics of each and why catamarans so easily outrun equivalently-sized monohulls.

We sourced the information used in this article from trusted sailboat design resources, along with manufacturer specifications and boat market analysis.

Table of contents

‍ What is a Catamaran?

Catamarans are a kind of multi-hull sailboat with two hulls joined together. They are often short and wide, resembling a square or rectangle from above.

Catamarans are colloquially distinct from outriggers, which are double-hulled vessels with one large primary hull and a small outboard stabilizing hull.

Catamarans usually have hulls that mirror each other, both in size and arrangement. Sometimes, the interior layouts are mirrored, too—but this varies between designs and manufacturers. Catamaran hulls are narrower and taller than most monohull designs of equal lengths.

Catamarans have limited commercial and military utility, as these applications favor space and ease-of-construction over handling characteristics. That said, there are some commercial uses for catamaran designs—most commonly passenger and car ferries.

What is a Monohull Sailboat?

A monohull is probably what you traditionally think of as a boat. Monohulls are longer than they are wide. It features a single hull—it’s that simple. Sailing monohull designs have evolved over the centuries into many distinct types, usually distinguished by keel type.

Monohulls come in many shapes and sizes . For example, sailing monohulls designed for offshore use have long keels that sometimes extend much further below the waterline than the freeboard and cabin extend above it.

Monohull sailboats are also designed for other purposes, such as inland sailing and racing. These vessels have more contemporary characteristics, such as rounded shallow ‘canoe’ bottoms, V-bottoms, and fin keels.

Monohulls aren’t just sailboats. Virtually every cargo and container ship, warship, and many passenger ships are monohulls due to their strength, ease of construction, and high cargo capacity.

Are Monohull Sailboats More Common?

Monohulls are more common in every application, though multi-hulls are becoming more common for ferries. Monohulls have numerous benefits over multi-hulls, and these benefits only increase with scale.

Monohulls are easy to construct. They’re also cheap. Large monohull ships, such as container ships, can be built with very little material and effort. This is because the vast majority of the length of a monohull is just a box, with a bow and stern welded onto the end.

Sailboat construction is more intricate, but the costs are still lower. Plus, monohull designs are robust, and cabin space is plentiful. There’s a lot more study in the field of monohull design, which was the universal truth until somewhat recently.

But all in all, the reason why monohull sailboats are more common is that they work just fine. Most sailboat owners aren’t interested in breaking speed records or hosting dozens of people aboard their boats. As a result, a standard, simple, and easy-to-control monohull are more than sufficient.

Are Catamarans Faster than Monohulls?

Catamarans are most certainly faster than monohulls. This is almost always the case. Even the fastest production monohulls can’t hold a candle to the average cruising catamaran.

But why is this the case? Aren’t catamarans restricted by the same hydrodynamic forces as monohulls? As it turns out, they aren’t. This has to do with the unusual way hull waves impact speed.

Hull Speed Limitations

Monohull speed is limited by something called hull speed. Hull speed is determined using a formula that calculates the maximum speed a displacement hull can travel under normal power and conditions.

When a displacement hull moves through the water, it kicks up a set of waves at the bow and stern. These waves travel along the side of the vessel and create drag, which slows down the boat. Normally, the power of the wind can overcome this drag—but only to a point.

At a certain speed, the waves kicked up by the bow will sync with the waves kicked up at the stern and begin ‘working together’ against the boat. The speed at which this occurs is the hull speed, which is calculated from the length of the boat.

Hull speed limitations for monohulls aren’t universally true all the time. Some vessels exceed it, and some don’t—but the number is a useful estimate of the limitations of monohull designs. Modern monohulls with clever hull shapes can defeat hull speed calculations.

Do Hull Speed Limitations Apply to Catamarans?

Surprisingly no—hull speed calculations don’t work for catamarans. This is because, for one, the hulls are shaped differently. Alone, catamaran hulls wouldn’t float correctly. But together, they create different hydrodynamic effects and cancel out the effects of hull speed.

This means that catamarans can easily exceed the speeds of even the fastest monohulls of equal length—and sometimes beat them by a margin of 50% or more. It’s not unheard of for 40-foot catamarans to exceed 20 knots, whereas 40-foot monohulls rarely get past 10.

Are Catamarans More Comfortable than Monohulls?

Catamarans can be much more comfortable than equivalently-sized monohulls—up to a point. This is because catamarans engage in ‘wave piercing’ and have a wider and more stable footprint on the water.

Catamaran hulls, when properly designed, can slice through parts of a wave instead of riding over every peak and trough. This effectively reduces the height of the weight, which reduces the amount the boat rolls.

Additionally, the wide footprint of a catamaran allows some waves to simply pass right under it, keeping the boat level for longer durations. Catamarans also don’t heel under sail—instead, they plane slightly, raising the bows out of the water and reducing bumps.

Monohull Benefits

Monohulls are proven in all conditions. A well-designed displacement monohull sailboat can ride out the strongest storms, and monohull workboats can support enormous loads and move them efficiently. They can be fast, comfortable, and also easy to sail (even for beginners).

Monohulls are cheap to build and forgiving, as precision doesn’t have to be microscopic to get them to sail right. They’re robust and strong, featuring a naturally stress-resistant hull shape. They’re also easy to modify and aren’t required to meet as strict of dimensional ratios to operate.

With a monohull sailboat, you have a lot of interior room to work with. This means that monohulls are available in numerous cabin layouts and are just as easy to modify as they are to build. Monohulls often have a center of gravity at or below the waterline, which enhances stability at steep heel angles.

On the water, displacement monohulls can weather extreme conditions with ease. They lack the initial stability of multi-hulls, but they can recover from knockdowns on their own, and they’re very difficult to push past their rollover point.

Why do Catamarans Cost More than Monohulls?

Catamarans cost more than monohulls because they’re more expensive to build, more complex to engineer, and require more material. This isn’t always the case, but the design of catamarans requires much more careful engineering and strength-of-materials analysis than comparatively simple monohulls.

There are several critical structural points on catamarans that monohulls lack. In fact, the very shape of a monohull is physically strong—so it has inherent durability. Catamaran hulls must be joined in the middle, and the mast must have a strong point far from the inherently sturdy hulls.

This requires stronger materials and more care during design or construction. This is why catamarans remain a premium part of the sailboat market and why they still aren’t the most popular sailboats despite their numerous performance and comfort benefits.

Catamaran Cabin Layout

Catamaran cabins are split between the two hulls, and there’s usually a large pilothouse in the center. Pilothouse catamarans can be quite spacious, primarily due to the large space between the hulls.

The pilothouse is usually where kitchen and sitting areas are located, along with cockpit access and the controls of the sailboat. The mast is also located in this area.

Catamaran cabins sometimes mirror each other. For example, each hull may contain two identical bedroom/bathroom combos, while the center console area contains the kitchen and living spaces.

The two identical hulls sometimes make for unusual design decisions (such as small catamarans with four master bedrooms), but owners say this gives their passengers a much better experience than a monohull cabin.

Monohull Cabin Layout

Monohull cabins, with the exception of split-cabin sailboats with a center cockpit, have only one large interior space to work with. It’s usually much wider than catamarans of equal length.

Monohull cabins are usually accessible from the bow (via a flush deck hatch) and the stern via a traditional companionway. They run the span of the hull between the bow and the cockpit and sometimes include spare berths under the cockpit seats.

These spare berths are often used as convenient sea cabins, as they offer quick access to controls in case of an emergency. Catamarans often have convertible berths in the center console for the same reason.

Monohull cabins are traditional and include everything that catamaran cabins do—albeit with slightly less room overall. That said, individual spaces are often much wider, and facilities are more appropriate.

Related Articles

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

Learn About Sailboats

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

September 13, 2023

Best Small Sailboat Ornaments

September 12, 2023

Discover the Magic of Hydrofoil Sailboats

December 11, 2023

Popular Posts

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

December 28, 2023

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

June 15, 2022

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (866) 342-SAIL

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy

• Articles and Guides

Catamaran vs Monohull: The Great Sailboat Debate

16th jun 2023 by john burnham.

Do you love the natural sounds of water sliding past the boat’s hull and a breeze blowing across your rigging and sails while gliding ahead powered only by the force of the wind? If yes, you are well-suited to spending plenty of time on a sailboat, like so many generations of boat people before you. 

But do you take your lead from the Egyptians who rigged sails on their boats built of reeds along the Nile River or follow the path of the Polynesians, who used an outrigger for extra stability and sailed from one Pacific island to the next in the earliest catamarans?

The question of which is better for sailing, one hull or two, has been a matter of debate over thousands of years. Today, let’s explore these two basic types of sailboat, and while we may not settle the argument once and for all, hopefully in the process you will begin to discover which option is better for you.

What Are the Differences Between Catamaran and Monohull Boats?

The monohull and the catamaran (often referred to as “cat”) are the two most common categories of sailboats, and of the two, the monohull far outnumbers the catamaran in popularity due to its simplicity and sturdiness. Advocates of the catamaran, however, are typically even more convinced than monohull sailors that their boats are best due to performance potential and overall spaciousness.  

What are catamaran-style boats?

Catamarans are easily identified by their two-hull design. Two hulls sit side by side with an interconnecting deck or structural beams across the bap in the middle. Catamarans have been around since Pacific Islanders and other Austronesian people sailed them centuries ago, and they continue to gain popularity in a wide range of designs both as high-performance racing boats and ocean-cruising designs.

Although not part of this debate, a third sailboat type comparable to a catamaran is a trimaran. Trimaran sailboats are constructed similarly to catamarans but have three parallel hulls rather than two. Collectively, catamarans and trimarans are referred to as multihulls, and sailors of both types often refer lightheartedly to monohulls as “monomarans.”

What are monohull-style boats?

Monohull sailboats are the most common boat type because they feature a single hull, typically with a single mast and two sails. Rather than maintaining stability with a second hull creating a wider beam, monohull boats usually carry lead or other heavy ballast in their keel, or are stabilized by human weight as their crews lean out to counter the force of the wind. Monohulls can also be excellent racers and cruisers, depending on their size, volume, sail area, and displacement or weight.

Where Catamarans and Monohulls Excel 

Each type of boat has its advantages, depending on what the owner wants in a boat. Here are the main advantages of each type.

Catamaran advantages

• More space .  Catamarans have greater beam for a given length, which provides more space for the crew on a daysailer and larger living quarters on cruising designs, which are often laid out with berths in each hull and living quarters across the bridgedeck between hulls.

• Faster hull . If they are light enough, the sleeker shape and reduced wetted surface of two narrow, shallow hulls can produce quicker straight-line sailing speed than a single, deeper and wider hull.

• Comfort and stability . Two hulls provide better initial stability and generally heel less than monohulls, especially in light- or medium-strength winds and waves.

Monohull advantages

• Upwind sailing . When sailing against the wind, monohulls often sail at a closer angle to the wind and arrive more quickly at their destination.

• Easier motion . Heavier monohulls often have a slower, gentler motion in waves than a lighter catamaran. 

• Load carrying capability . A monohull’s performance is reduced less than a catamaran’s when the boat is loaded heavily with cargo or crew.  

• Righting characteristics . Larger monohulls have weighted keels that provide increased resistance to a capsize when the boat is heeled far over by wind or a wave and if capsized will return the boat to an upright position.

Catamaran vs. Monohull Sailing Speed

There are several reasons why a catamaran is often faster than a monohull boat. These include the fact that most catamaran hulls have less water resistance than monohulls, they are often lighter, and they can be more easily driven by a relatively small sailplan. At similar lengths, a catamaran can be dramatically faster than a monohull under similar sea conditions. However, weight is the enemy of a catamaran’s speed; a heavy or heavily loaded catamaran may be much slower than a lightweight monohull.

Catamaran vs. monohull power

A monohull under auxiliary power may be faster than a catamaran in certain conditions, like powering against a strong wind. In other wind and wave conditions, the catamaran is often faster. Also, with an engines on each hull, the cat is often much more maneuverable in close quarters or at the marina. While it may seem counter-intuitive, turning and controlling the boat is often less challenging than when sailing a monohull boat with the typical single engine. Monohull boats require more finesse when in tight quarters like berthing in a marina.

Catamaran vs. Monohull Efficiency

A sleek monohull may sail against the wind super efficiently, pointing close to the wind and making an excellent speed. However, the power-to-weight ratio of the catamaran allows it to make good use of whatever wind it has. Some fast, light catamarans can travel at speeds equal to or faster than the wind, something very few monohulls can achieve. When the wave action increases and you start sailing into the wind, the catamaran may lose its advantage, and in strong winds, the greater windage of the wide catamaran may have a pronounced slow-down effect compared to the sleeker monohull.  

Catamaran vs. Monohull Stability

Despite not having a weighted keel, a catamaran design is able to avoid heeling over in strong winds or bad weather due to its greater width or beam. As a result, the multihull also tends to be more stable at anchor and any time in calmer seas. However, if the winds are strong and the waves are large, a monohull, with its keel weight and ability to sail against the wind while controlling the sails, is sometimes the steadier of the two types. While a monohull with weighted keel can be knocked down by strong gusts of wind, it will only capsize in extremely large waves. Likewise, a cruising catamaran can only capsize in large ocean waves, unless it is a fast, lightweight catamaran, that can more easily tip over in gusty winds and waves.

Catamaran vs. Monohull Safety

Power catamarans and power monohulls are relatively comparable in terms of safety. But depending on the size of the mast and sails, the weight of the boat, and the wind and wave conditions experienced, many sailors believe that a monohull configuration is safer than a catamaran for a sailboat. That’s mainly because while a monohull will initially heel over further in a strong gust of wind, the weight of its keel provides increasing stability as described above and if completely capsized, the keel typically helps the boat self rescue.

It should be clarified that many sailing catamaran designs are conservatively configured and difficult to capsize except in extreme ocean wave conditions—and the same can be said for larger power catamarans. 

In terms of ultimate safety in the event of a capsize, however, the catamaran is considered safer because even should it turn once upside down, even if damaged, the catamaran with its two hulls and minimal ballast typically remains buoyant and provides a safer configuration in which to await rescue. By contrast, if a monohull’s hatches and port windows suffer damage in a knockdown, the boat can more quickly take on water and, weighed down by its keel or other ballast, be more difficult to keep afloat in extreme conditions.

Photo credit: Fountaine Pajot

Monohull vs. Catamaran Maintenance

Depending on size, age, and type of hull construction, maintenance costs will vary, but when comparing two fiberglass sailboats of similar length, the catamaran typically costs more to maintain. That’s because there are two hulls to care for, two engines, connecting structures that align the two hulls, and an overall larger boat due to the catamaran’s greater beam. Hauling and launching a catamaran can be more expensive at many boatyards, as well.

However, smaller catamarans of about 20 feet in length or less are often more comparable and sometimes cheaper to maintain than a similar length monohull. That’s because cats are often lighter and suitable for keeping on a trailer rather than in a slip or on a mooring.

Catamaran vs. Monohull Cost

Compared to similar length monohulls, a catamaran will likely cost more than a monohull boat. That’s mainly because when you purchase a 40-foot catamaran, you are buying two hulls and two engines, but you are also buying a bigger boat that typically has much more volume. In the case of a 40-footer, you end up with a boat that has a large saloon and three or four private cabins, whereas in the monohull, the saloon is smaller and you’ll have three smaller sleeping cabins. Annual maintenance will also be greater, as described above.  

Among smaller catamarans and monohulls, pricing will vary, and a lightweight beach cat may be less expensive than a heavier monohull keelboat of similar length.

Catamaran vs. Monohull, Pros and Cons

Depending on a variety of factors, there are plenty of catamaran and monohull pros and cons. These are some to keep in mind when comparing the two boat types.

Catamaran pros

• Comfort . On a cruising designed catamaran, two hulls with a wide beam create a stable and comfortable living environment with open spaces and plenty of standing room.

• Speed . Smaller, lighter catamarans are speed champions, especially in a moderate wind and modest waves. Cruising cats are often fast when sailing at reaching angles.

• Maneuverability . When equipped with two engines, a catamaran is highly maneuverable under power.

Monohull pros

• Upwind sailing . Although catamarans are often faster when sailing in a straight line, monohulls typically perform better against the wind.

• Self-righting . Except for unballasted monohulls that rely on crew weight for stability, the ballasted keel of a monohull prevents capsizing in most circumstances and the keel makes the boat self-righting.

• Maneuvering under sail . Monohulls turn more easily due to their shape, maneuvering in close quarters or tacking when sailing against the wind.

Catamaran cons

• Lack of feel when steering . Except in lighter, more performance-oriented catamarans, the broad platform with two rudders and two hulls sometimes isolates the sailor and provides little feedback through the helm when under sail.

• Sailing against the wind . Upwind sailing is generally not a catamaran’s best point of sail, but its straight-line speed can be such that it may arrive quickly at its destination, even though you will have traveled much farther than in a monohull.

• Pricing . Catamarans are typically more expensive than monohull boats due to their two hulls and other required build components and complexity.

• Not self-righting . Thanks to its wide beam and two-hull design, a catamaran is more difficult to flip, but it is not designed to right itself except for small beach cats where the crew can use their weight to re-right the boat.

Monohull cons

• Weight . Most monohulls have thousands of pounds of weight in the keel for ballast that is vital to its stability but can degrade performance.

• Wave motions .   Monohull boats are much more susceptible to rolling wave motions.

• Cabin . With the monohull cruising design, you'll typically find a darker interior with smaller port windows and fewer space options.

• Heeling effect . Monohulls will heel over in a moderate wind, which is normal but often uncomfortable for newer sailors.

Written By: John Burnham

John Burnham is a marine ​editor and writer with ​decades of journalism experience as ​Chief Editor of​ boats.com,​ Sailing World, Cruising World, and ​other boating websites. As a competitive sailor, he has led teams to world and national titles in the International One-Design, Shields, and other classes. Based in Newport, Rhode Island, John is a​ PCC leadership coach, a member of the ​America’s Cup Hall of Fame Selection Committee​, and a ​past board member of Sail America and US Sailing. For more, see  johnsburnham.com .

More from: John Burnham

Related Articles and Guides

20th Mar 2024

Best Wakesurf Boat Brands

4th Mar 2024

The Best Flats Boats Brands, Special Boats for Skinny Waters

21st Feb 2024

Best Lake Boat Brands for Fishing, Cruising, and Watersports

15th Feb 2024

Best Aluminum Fishing Boat Brands: Tougher, Lighter and More Affordable

• Explore Rightboat
• Boats for Sale
• Boating Articles
• Buyers Guide
• About RightBoat
• Sell Your Boat
• Boat Selling Advice

Enter your email to keep up to date with the latest news

Join for free

Sign up now for free and discover how easy it is to keep up to date with THE latest boats for sale. Find your right boat, and tailor your voyage to finding your next boat.

Benefits of becoming a member:

• Set up tailored alerts
• Personalise your experience
• Download full specifications and broker details
• Keep tabs on your favourite boats

Are you a broker? Join as a Broker

Rightboat - join for free.

Do you have an account already? Login

Save this search

Save your search and receive new boats in your email..

You can unsubscribe from your alerts whenever you like. By pressing the button you accept the Legal Terms and conditions

Catamaran vs Monohull - 6 Points To Consider Before Choosing Your Boat

Multihull or monohull? It’s an age-old (and ongoing) debate, and each option certainly comes with its own set of pros and cons. Whether you’re thinking of investing in a boat of your own, or planning on chartering one for a sailing holiday, one thing’s for sure: the type of vessel you select will have an impact on your cruising experience. Ultimately, what you intend to use it for will determine which type of boat would be best suited for the job. In this article, we considered the aspects of space & design; safety; stability; speed; manoeuvrability and cost, so do read on for our comparison of the multihull catamaran vs the monohull sailboat.

THE CATAMARAN VS THE MONOHULL – A COMPARISON

1. stability . which is more stable, a catamaran or a monohull.

Fact – by virtue of having two hulls, both under sail and at anchor, catamarans are more stable than monohull boats. If you are sailing with young children, seniors – or anyone who’s not all-too steady on their feet – a catamaran will provide you with a much smoother and stable cruising experience than a monohull. Being multihulled, catamarans are not nearly as susceptible to the action of the ocean’s waves. This prevents them from heeling as much as monohull vessels would under the same conditions. As anyone who suffers from seasickness will tell you, this can be an enormous bonus. What’s more, a cat’s multihull stability will also be highly appreciated by anyone prepping food in its galley (two hulls make for a somewhat more pleasant dining experience, too). Lastly, because of its superior stability, walking around the deck (and moving around the interior) of a catamaran is much easier than it would be on a monohull. The verdict? Catamarans are more stable than monohulls.

2. SAFETY . WHICH IS SAFER – A CATAMARAN OR A MONOHULL?

The inherent stability and natural buoyancy of a catamaran automatically increase its safety while out at sea. As catamarans don’t have heavy, lead-loaded keels, they will remain afloat, even when (heaven forbid) they are holed. This is because most modern catamarans have such a large amount of buoyancy built into them that they are almost unsinkable, making them much safer than monohull sailboats in this regard. Sure, catamarans can capsize, but being rescued from an upside-down, still-floating multihull is definitely preferable to sinking to the bottom in a monohull! The verdict? Contemporary catamarans are incredibly buoyant and virtually unsinkable, making them safer than monohull sailboats.

3. SPACE & DESIGN . WHICH IS MORE SPACIOUS AND PRACTICAL – A CATAMARAN OR A MONOHULL?

Due to the boat's shape (and the amount of usable space each design allows), when compared square-foot-for-square-foot, every area of a monohull vessel is usually smaller than its catamaran counterpart. Generally, catamarans offer more room to move in its galley, cockpit and saloon areas than similarly priced monohull boats. Often, catamaran cabins are more spacious too, with cabins of even the smallest cat offering stand-up headroom. Catamarans are also generally more private than monohulls, and more straightforward when it comes to separating living spaces. This can be a significant advantage when you are cruising with children or guests. As most of a cat’s living spaces are above the waterline (on a monohull, only the cockpit is above the waterline), you’ll also enjoy superior airflow through ventilation on a catamaran. If you’re a scuba-diving enthusiast, carrying all of your diving equipment will be easier on a cat. What’s more, catamarans have trampolines, which make them perfect for onboard sunbathing as well as stargazing in the moonlight – a big, romantic plus for sure! Catamarans also have shallower drafts, allowing you to drop anchor closer to the beach than a monohull would. The verdict? Compared square-foot-for-square-foot, catamarans are more spacious than their monohull counterparts. In terms of design, a catamaran is perfect for onboard sunbathing and stargazing and will allow you to anchor closer to shore.

4. MANOEUVRABILITY . WHICH IS EASIER TO STEER, A CATAMARAN OR A MONOHULL?

Most catamarans can turn 360 degrees within their own length, something very few monohulls are capable of doing. However, generally speaking, monohulls are quick to tack, more manoeuvrable, and quicker to respond to the helm than catamarans. At the helm of a catamaran, you’ll get less feedback from the wheel than you would from a monohull. This will require you to be vigilant in rough conditions, and you’ll also have to know when to reduce sail. Compared square-foot-for-square-foot, catamarans are much lighter than monohulls, which means they also slow down a lot quicker. For the most part, catamarans are easier to dock than monohulls, as they have two motors and two rudders which simplify things a lot. This also does away with the need for a bow thruster. The verdict? We’re calling it a tie. Although monohulls are generally more manoeuvrable than catamarans, thanks to their two motors and two rudders, cats are easier to steer than monohulls.

5. SPEED . WHICH IS FASTER, A CATAMARAN OR A MONOHULL?

Although catamarans cannot sail as close to the wind as monohull sailboats, most cats do sail faster than a monohull on a reach. On downwind runs, reaches, and broad reaches, in particular, catamarans usually beat monohulls when it comes to speed, going about 20% faster than a monohull (even outrunning bad weather when necessary!). Another plus is that sailing a catamaran requires less physical exertion than sailing a monohull. The verdict? Even if they don’t point as high into the wind, catamarans are faster than their monohull counterparts.

6. COST . WHICH IS MORE EXPENSIVE, A CATAMARAN OR A MONOHULL?

Generally speaking, catamarans with similar sleeping capacity and equipment are more costly than their monohull counterparts (both to own or to charter). Just keep in mind that catamarans typically hold their value better and longer (and tend to be in higher demand) than monohulls. Comparatively, previously owned monohulls are cheaper to purchase than cats, as supply tends to outweigh demand by a large margin. The verdict? Catamarans are more costly than monohull sailboats. However, a read-through of Points 1 to 5 might convince you that they are worth the extra expense.

CATAMARAN OR MONOHULL? – YOUR NEEDS WILL DETERMINE YOUR CHOICE

Looking at the list of pros and cons above, it would seem that the catamaran comes out the clear winner – at least when judged on aspects of safety, space & design, speed and stability. However, your budget, the requirements of the people in your sailing group, as well as your own needs and preferences will all play a significant role in the boat you end up choosing. Both catamarans and monohulls offer unique advantages, and whichever choice you go with, we wish you many happy ocean voyages and an abundance of adventure! Ps. If you’re still unsure which option is the right one for you, why not check out the verdict from ocean adventurers who have lived aboard two monohulls and four catamarans over the past 25 years?

Yacht Maintenance - Top Tips for Protecting Your Investment

Essential things to know about boat insurance, top things to know about yacht solar power, building a yacht: top things to know about the yacht-building process, get all the latest to your inbox, discovery awaits.

Catamaran vs. Monohull: Which Is Better?

Table of Contents

It used to be that sailors and powerboaters (blowboaters and stinkpotters, respectively) used to hold the loudest arguments about which was better– sailboats or powerboats. Today, the debate is centered around catamarans and monohulls— how many hulls are best? Is there a best?

Let’s look at what each boat offers— and continue to read for all Pro Boatsetter Tips .

Got a boat? Put it to work

The benefits of catamarans

Spacious for large crews, easier on your body, shallow drafts, safety system in case of emergencies.

Pro Boatsetter Tip: Did you know catamarans have seen a great surge in popularity over the last decade?

If you’ve got a large crew or plan on throwing parties aboard, you’ll probably benefit from the catamaran’s (also known as “cats”) roominess. Cats offer separation on deck with the aft cockpit , forward lounge or trampoline, and maybe even a flybridge .

Inside, cats have cabins and multiple heads for convenience. A cat of a given length (let’s say 40 feet) has 1.25 x the space of the same length monohull. In other words, it feels the same as a 50-foot monohull. It’s also usually laid out in a more user-friendly manner.

Cats have two hulls, making walking easier for kids, older folks, and pets! Because of its steadiness, you and your crew are less likely to be fatigued by the end of your boat trip. Maybe stay out longer to catch more fish.

Best of all, you’re less likely to feel seasickness because they don’t feel “on their ear” even when sailing in high winds and rough conditions. Not to mention, they’re much easier to sleep on.

Most sailing catamarans have a shallow draft perfect for skinny water cruising like the Chesapeake Bay and Florida. They can venture into areas previously off-limits to deep-draft monohull sailboats.

Most cats have double the systems, including bilge pumps, freshwater pumps, showers, heads, engines, etc. This means if one system fails, you’ve got a backup!

Twin screws also offer easier docking and increased maneuverability. It’s much easier to drive a large sailing cat than a single-engine monohull, especially in a cross-breeze and when docking, backing, or maneuvering in tight quarters.

The benefits of monohulls

• Performance
• Easy cruising
• Familiarity
• Availability & expense

Pro Boat Type Tip: Operating a monohull can be challenging! If this is your first time sailing on a monohull , make sure to rent with one of our pro captains.

Competitive performer

If you want to win a sailboat race, use a monohull. This boat’s design makes it a favorable contender even when weather conditions are working against you.

Let’s add a caveat here for cruising under power– cats tend to be more fuel efficient because they’re lighter and they’re not dragging a heavy keel through the water.

Easier motion

Monohull sailboats have their own groove. This motion is predictable and distinguishable by pro sailors. Cats, on the other hand, depend on the body of water’s condition state. Also, cats pound when going upwind into big seas if their bridge deck is pummeled by waves, while monohulls tend to slice through the waves.

Familiar handling

Monohulls have been around for centuries, and chances are that you learned to sail or powerboat on one, so their handling is more familiar. A cat’s dimensions may seem intimidating at first, especially if you are short-handed.

Availability & cost

Monohulls are more available, especially for rent. There are simply more of them. They’re also usually less expensive to rent and less expensive to moor in a marina.

The good news about catamarans and monohulls

There’s no right or wrong choice. It all depends on your budget but, above all, your boating lifestyle. So the better question is: what will you use your sailboat to do?

Party at hidden coves with your crew. Take the kids out for a fun sailing excursion. Sunset cruises with your partner. Enter a regatta; win! Rent it out for an extra income.

Learn more about boating types, gear, and fun water toys at Boating Resources .

Boatsetter is a unique boat-sharing platform that gives everyone — whether you own a boat or you’re just renting — the chance to experience life on the water. You can list a boat , book a boat , or make money as a captain .

List, rent, earn — Only at Boatsetter.

Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin. 

A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide. 

Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico. 

Browse by experience

Explore articles

Everything to Know About Fractional Boat Ownership

14 Water Activities to Do in San Diego

How to Get More Boatsetter Bookings

What You Need to Know to Make the Most of Lobster Season

Catamaran vs. monohull: Navigating the waters in style and comfort

• Catamaran vs. Monohull: Navigating the waters in style and comfort

Embarking on a journey across the open waters has long captured the human spirit of adventure. The realm of sailing offers a plethora of options, each delivering its own unique experience. Among these, catamaran sailing stands out as a modern and luxurious way to navigate the seas. In this article, we delve into the world of catamaran sailboats, compare them to monohull counterparts, and help you discover the ideal choice for your maritime dreams.

Unveiling catamaran sailboats

Catamarans, known for their twin hulls and spacious decks, have redefined the sailing experience. These impressive vessels offer stability, ample space, and a comfortable layout, making them a favorite among sailing enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a beginner, a catamaran promises a remarkable adventure on the water.

The thrill of sailing a catamaran

Sailing a catamaran brings a new level of excitement. The feeling of gliding through the water with minimal heeling is exhilarating. The wide deck areas provide plenty of space for relaxation, sunbathing, and socializing. Catamarans are also well-equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable journey.

Read our top notch articles on topics such as sailing, sailing tips and destinations in our Magazine .

Monohull sailboats: A classic choice

Monohull sailboats, with their single hull design, embody tradition and elegance. These boats are known for their responsiveness to wind and waves, offering an authentic sailing experience. While they may have less space compared to catamarans, their sleek design and maneuverability make them a beloved choice for purist sailors.

Choosing between catamaran and monohull

Deciding between a catamaran and a monohull often boils down to personal preferences. Catamarans excel in stability and space, making them suitable for larger groups and extended trips. Monohulls, on the other hand, offer a classic sailing feel and perform well in various weather conditions. Consider your priorities and the type of adventure you seek.

Sailing catamaran: A luxurious experience

Catamarans offer more than just a sailing experience; they provide a luxurious way to explore the waters. With spacious cabins, well-appointed kitchens, and modern bathrooms, catamarans feel like floating vacation homes. The comfort and opulence they offer have elevated the world of maritime leisure.

Navigating choppy waters: Monohull vs. catamaran

In rough seas, the design of a catamaran shines through. Its twin hulls provide excellent stability, reducing the rocking motion common on monohulls. If comfort during challenging weather is a priority, catamarans have a clear advantage.

Sailboat catamaran: Best of both worlds

For those who desire a mix of tradition and modernity, sailboat catamarans offer the best of both worlds. These vessels combine the classic aesthetics of monohulls with some of the space advantages of catamarans. Sailboat catamarans cater to sailors who value both performance and comfort.

Setting sail: Monohull yacht adventures

Monohull yachts, especially those designed for racing, offer a thrilling experience on the water. The feeling of harnessing the wind's power to glide through the waves is unparalleled. Monohull yachts are favored by competitive sailors and those who relish the art of traditional sailing.

Exploring the multihull sailboat

Beyond catamarans, the realm of multihull sailboats includes trimarans, which have three hulls. Trimarans offer a unique combination of stability and speed, making them suitable for both leisurely cruises and exhilarating races. They are perfect for those seeking a balance between comfort and performance.

Catamaran sailing yachts: Unmatched elegance

Sailing yachts built on the catamaran platform exude elegance and sophistication. These vessels are designed to provide a lavish experience, with spacious cabins, gourmet kitchens, and lavish lounging areas. Catamaran sailing yachts redefine luxury living on the open sea.

Catamaran landing near Anse Severe on La Digue Island, Seychelles

Monohull vs. multihull: Making the right choice

Choosing between a monohull and a multihull depends on your preferences and intended use. Multihulls, including catamarans and trimarans, offer stability and space. Monohulls provide a classic sailing feel and are favored by those who appreciate tradition. Consider your priorities and aspirations to make an informed decision.

Catamaran sailing safety and tips

Safety is paramount when sailing, regardless of the vessel type. Catamarans' stability reduces the risk of capsizing, but it's essential to follow safety guidelines and weather forecasts. Proper training, regular maintenance, and responsible navigation contribute to a safe and enjoyable sailing experience.

Catamaran sailing offers a blend of luxury, comfort, and adventure on the open waters. Monohulls continue to captivate with their classic charm and sailing prowess. Both options cater to different tastes and aspirations, ensuring that the world of sailing remains diverse and inviting.

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our range of charter boats and head to some of our favourite sailing destinations .

FAQs about catamaran vs. monohull

Catamaran Or Monohull? 27 Important Facts (Explained)

Catamarans and monohull boats are two very different kinds of vessels.  Each craft offers distinct advantages and disadvantages that you’ll want to consider before choosing between the two.

In this post, we’ll go over some of the important things to consider when choosing between catamarans and monohull boats:

Table of Contents

Cost & Availability

Both catamarans and monohull boats come in small recreational sailing versions, larger motorboat versions, and larger sailing models.  In all cases, the catamarans will cost more and will be harder to find.

The reason catamarans are harder to find because there are not as many of them, and they’re mostly made overseas.

Also, there aren’t as many catamaran manufacturers, so sailors have fewer options when buying them.

On top of this, catamarans have only recently become popular in the United States and other areas of the developed world.  This means the used market for boats doesn’t have as many catamarans on it.  You might find that you have fewer options when making a used catamaran purchase, which could bring costs up to a premium.

Two Times The Fun with Catamarans

Another reason that catamarans are more expensive than monohulls is the fact that catamaran buyers have to purchase two hulls, two engines, and two of all of the components that help make an engine work.

Traditional sailboats and large powerboats with one engine don’t have this cost issue.

On top of this, a catamaran is much wider than a monohull, and thus you have more space to build and equip.

On the other hand, once you’ve purchased the boat, you do get to enjoy the benefits of having two of everything.  We’ll talk about the advantages of this further down in this post.

Maintenance Cost Makes A Difference

The maintenance on a catamaran is also more expensive than the maintenance on a monohull boat.  This goes back to the fact that there is twice as much of everything to maintain.

Catamaran owners will need to do preventative maintenance on two different engines, and they’ll have two hulls and a large deck area to clean and maintain as well.  If they’re getting the bottom of the boat treated, they’ll have to do this twice (once for each hull).

Even the interior components can usually be found twice.

Each cabin will usually have a head in it, so you’ll have at least two toilets and sinks to maintain, which obviously has its plusses and minuses.

One positive aspect of this is that catamaran owners do have the option of deferring some of their maintenance.  For example, if one head is no longer functioning properly, you always have the second one that you can use.

It also adds a bit of safety as well.

This is because while the catamaran does have two engines to maintain, the owner does have power even if one of the engines happens to go down.

Some catamaran owners also like to point out that maintenance may not have to be done as frequently.  This is because the engines don’t have to work quite as hard, and other items like additional bathrooms and sinks might only be used half as much.

How Much Space Do You Need?

A catamaran has more space than a monohull.  This is because the boat is wider, and it has a much larger deck area.  It also has twice as many hulls, so you have more overall space between the two of them.

The additional space is great for people looking to throw parties on their boats.

Most boat owners would agree that the catamaran is usually the party boat of choice at the docks.

Even if you aren’t into throwing parties, the extra space can still be nice for relaxing on the deck or getting a suntan.  The wide-open space also makes it easy to use the boat as a fishing platform.

Additionally, you have more space for stuff like surfboards, rafts, and other items that can easily clutter up the deck of a monohull.  Even fishing can be easier from a catamaran as the deck provides plenty of space between different anglers.

Catamaran owners also have additional space for carrying fresh water and adding generators and solar panels.

Interior space is generally more plentiful on a catamaran, and luxury catamarans have an easier time fitting large items like washers and dryers inside of them.  You can have these on larger monohulls as well, but it will be harder to make them fit than it is in a catamaran.

On the other hand, all of the additional space means the catamaran owner has more space to maintain and clean.  Also, all of the additional items that can be brought onto the boat will make it heavier.  A heavier boat will use more fuel, and it will travel more slowly.

Living Quarters Vary Between The Two

The living quarters on a catamaran are much different than they are on a monohull.  Most people would agree that the berths in a monohull are much more spacious than in a catamaran.

A monohull offers people the opportunity to have a large bed with space on either side to walk around it.  This is great for couples who want to get out of bed without waking up their partner.

Catamarans, on the other hand, have the advantage of being able to offer large above-deck salon areas.  The galleys, the dining areas, and the living areas can all be above-deck, while the two hulls can provide heads and berths.

Some boat owners say that living in a monohull is akin to living in a basement apartment .  Other boat owners prefer the monohull because it brings them closer to the water and gives them the feeling of being at sea.

Privacy Can Be Prioritized On Catamarans

A catamaran offers up many different living areas that people can take advantage of.  For example, each hull will typically have its own bathroom and bedroom.

This gives each sleeping area complete privacy from the other.

The living quarters are usually up on the deck, so early risers can wake up and move to these quarters without waking up the others.

The same holds for night owls.  A night owl can stay up late without bothering the people who want to retire to their beds earlier.

With two hulls, large catamaran owners can hire a crew and give them their own hull to live in so that there is separation between the cruisers and the crew.  This is a wonderful advantage for honeymooners looking to have their own space.

The downside to all of this, of course, is that sometimes a family may not want the additional privacy.  For example, a family with small children might not want their children in a different hull than they are.

Additionally, the extra privacy can make it hard for people on the boat to communicate.  This could become a big problem in the event of an emergency.

For this reason, it is often recommended that each hull have a radio in it so that the occupants can quickly communicate with each other.  Remember, even in inland areas, cell phone reception may not be very good inside the boat hulls.

Recreation In a Monohull vs. a Catamaran

Most sailors agree that sailing a monohull boat is much more exhilarating than sailing a catamaran.  Traditional sailboats heel, and sailors get instant feedback while they’re sailing.  For the most part, catamarans stay stable, and you don’t get the same feeling with the movement of the wind and the water.

When it comes to monohull powerboats, you have the advantage of being able to pull water skiers, kneeboarders, and tubers with ease, as long as the boat has the power and a planing hull.  A power catamaran usually doesn’t have the speed or maneuverability to pull off these recreational opportunities because they are displacement hull designs.

Catamarans excel in more leisurely recreational activities.  A catamaran makes a great party deck as well as a great cruising deck.  Catamaran owners can comfortably walk around a catamaran without having to worry that the boat might knock them over the next time it decides to heel.  This allows boaters to sit and talk with one another comfortably.

A catamaran can also be used as a beaching vessel.  This makes it a great platform for people looking to go swimming or fishing around sand bars and other shallow water areas.  It also makes it a great boat for sailors looking to sail a larger boat on a river or lake known for having shallow areas.

Swimming and Diving

Swimming and diving off of a catamaran are usually much easier than doing the same from a monohull.  The wide stance of the two hulls offers boat designers the option to put in staircases at the back of both hulls.

In between these staircases, some boats will have an additional diving platform and/or a dedicated frame for pieces of equipment and dinghy storage.  This makes catamarans great for swimmers, snorkelers, and divers.

On the other hand, modern monohull sailboats can also have good transom stairs for easy access to the dinghy and swimming.  Both types of boats can easily travel far out to sea, giving boaters the option of diving in areas that can’t be accessed from beaches and developed areas.

Boat Draft In Shallow Waters

For the uninitiated, the boat’s draft refers to how deep the boat’s hull sits within the water.

A monohull typically sits deep within the water, while a catamaran sits much higher on the water.  This is why we stated that a catamaran is good for shallow waters.

The advantage of having a boat that can go into shallow waters isn’t restricted to just recreational activities like swimming and fishing.  A boat that can go into shallow water is safer to operate in areas where a boat with a deeper draft might become damaged.

Additionally, a catamaran has more stability on calm waters.  This helps make a catamaran more comfortable to relax or sleep on while at anchor or the dock.

The deeper draft of a monohull boat has its advantages as well.  A deeper draft provides more stability in rough waters and allows a boat to go further into the sea.

For this reason, many coastal cruisers will prefer catamarans, while many ocean voyagers will prefer monohull boats.  In fact, some areas of the Caribbean and the Florida Keys can be off-limits to boats with deep drafts as it simply isn’t safe for the boat to navigate these waters.

This isn’t to say that you can’t navigate these waters in a monohull boat, but you will have to be cautious depending on how deep your monohull’s boat draft is.  You wouldn’t have this issue in a catamaran.

Stability On The Sea

A catamaran offers a lot more stability in shallow waters, in calm waters, at the dock, and anchorage.  This makes the boat great for cruising and for relaxing in port.

A monohull offers a lot more stability in rough waters.

This makes this boat great for heading out to sea and for navigating vast distances.

Safety Issues To Consider

Both catamarans and monohulls can be built to navigate the waters they were made for safely.  This will be determined more by the boat’s category designation rather than the type of boat.

However, each boat deals with unsafe situations in different ways.  For instance, a monohull boat is likely to right itself if it is capsized.

This means that even in rough seas, you’re unlikely to find yourself permanently capsized.

The downside to this is that should you become completely swamped from a capsize in a monohull boat, you are much more likely to sink.  In fact, if there is a hull breach on a monohull boat, your boat could sink.

Catamarans are said to be unsinkable.  This isn’t completely true, but it is very unlikely that a catamaran will sink.  Even if a hull is breached, you still have a second hull to keep the catamaran afloat.

However, a catamaran can’t right itself.  If you capsize your catamaran, it will stay capsized.

One other safety concern to consider is that a monohull sailboat will heel while a catamaran will not.  This increases the chances that someone could fall off the boat or onto the deck in a monohull boat.

Catamarans Are Faster Than Monohull Boats

A catamaran is faster than the average monohull boat.

This is because they face less water resistance, and their narrow hulls don’t have to deal with their own bow waves as a monohull does.

Of course, catamarans aren’t always faster.  Old cruising catamarans may not go faster than 8 knots, and modern monohulls can exceed 10 knots.

Monohull boats tend to sail downwind and in choppy seas better than catamarans.  This gives them a speed advantage during ocean voyages.

We have a separate post with complete average speeds per type of catemaran . It’s a must read if you are at all concerned about speed!

Fuel Consumption Considerations

Catamarans have two engines to burn fuel, which can drive up fuel costs.

However, a catamaran is lighter on the water, so it usually takes less energy to move a catamaran.  This means you’ll end up using less fuel in a catamaran than you would in a monohull.

On top of this, catamarans can decide to use just one engine in low wind areas.  This further decreases the amount of fuel that a catamaran consumes.

These rules only apply to calm waters.

A monohull navigates waters with high waves and strong winds much more efficiently than a catamaran.  In this case, you’ll use less fuel in a monohull than you would in a catamaran.

Sailing Differences To Notice

Sailing a monohull boat can be exhilarating.  These boats can glide through choppy waters, and you get to feel the motion of the boat as the sea rushes by the cockpit and the wind causes you to heel.

This type of sailing also provides instant feedback as you’ll know what you need to do with the sails as you’ll feel what is going on through the boat’s motion.

Sailors all over the world have been using monohull sailboats for years, and you’ll find plenty of outlets for recreational sailing with a monohull sailboat.

Sailing catamarans do not heel like a monohull sailboat.

These boats, therefore, do not provide the sailor with instant feedback.  Also, if you incorrectly sail a catamaran, you do risk capsizing the boat more easily.

Training Can Be Quite Hard

Sailing a catamaran and sailing a monohull boat are two different experiences.  People looking to sail either should probably get professional training.

Obtaining this training will always be easier with a monohull boat.

This is because monohulls are more popular, so you’ll have more instructors available to you.

Do You (Or Your Friends) Get Seasick?

People who are prone to getting seasick easily might want to consider a catamaran.  A catamaran provides much more stability in calm waters, and you get a lot less movement.

On the other hand, people who are not prone to getting seasick might prefer a monohull in choppy waters.

This is because a monohull will deal with deep and choppy waters with high waves much better than a catamaran will.

As a result, a catamarans movement can seem extreme under these types of conditions.  People who have never gotten seasick before can end up sick under these conditions.

Here’s a separate article we wrote with everything you should know about seasickness on Catamarans . There are some things you can do and some things you should know!

Docking Is (Usually) Easier With A Monohull Boat

Docking a catamaran can be a difficult endeavor.

This is because catamarans are often too wide to be docked within the slips located in central areas of a marina.

Because of this, they need to be docked at the end of the dock.  This leaves them with fewer spots to dock.  It also makes docking more expensive.

Catamaran owners traveling through areas that are unlikely to have many catamarans in them may find it difficult to find a dock at all.  This is true in areas of the northern Atlantic where monohulls are much more popular than catamarans.

Storage Issues To Consider

Even storing a catamaran can be more difficult.  This is because storage facilities often do not have the equipment to get a catamaran out of the water.

The wide width of these boats requires special lifts, and not all boat marinas will have them.

Storage facilities that do get the catamaran out of the water will often charge more money for it.  They’ll charge additional fees for taking the catamaran out of the water, and they’ll charge additional fees for the actual storage of the boat as well.

Redundancy And Backup Equipment

We touched upon this earlier, but it is worth repeating that catamarans have many redundancy built into them.  This can be a big advantage when it comes to safety.

For example, if one rudder becomes inoperable, the boat can still be steered with the other one.  If one engine becomes inoperable, the boat can still be driven with the other one.

In extreme cases, a hull could become damaged, and you could still stay afloat because the other hull will keep the boat safely above water.  These safety advantages can save lives and keep people from becoming stranded out at sea.

The primary downside is the maintenance issue that we mentioned earlier.  All of these redundant components will need to be maintained.  As a result, maintenance costs will be close to twice as expensive in a catamaran.

Cooking Is Easier On Catamarans

Cooking on a catamaran is usually easier than it is on a monohull.  The main reason for this is that a catamaran doesn’t heel like a monohull, so you don’t have to worry as much about things falling over.

This not only makes cooking easier, but it makes cooking safer as well.

Additionally, catamaran galleys tend to have more space in them to move around.  Also, they are often up on the deck, so you don’t have to climb in and out of the hull with your dinner in hand.

Dinghy Storage

Monohulls and catamarans can both hold dinghies.  The larger the boat, the larger the dinghy can be.

However, catamarans have a wide area at the rear of the boat that is perfect for holding dinghies.

This makes getting in and out of the dinghy easier.  Also, people can often have larger dinghies on their catamarans because the boat’s stern is so accommodating.

Power Generation Is Easy On A Catamaran

A catamaran has a lot of space for solar panels and wind turbines.  Rigid panels can be placed in areas that won’t be walked on, like overtop of the bimini, and flexible panels can be placed in areas where the panels might end up getting stepped on.

The width of a catamaran even gives them more opportunities to put hydro generators into the water.

This means catamarans can generate more power than the average monohull boat can generate.

On the other hand, a monohull usually has less powered items to worry about.  Monohulls need less power to operate at full capacity, so you may not need all of the additional space for generating power.

Ventilation Issues To Think About

Some people feel that monohull boats don’t offer enough ventilation.  This is especially true in warmer areas of the world.

Catamarans also lack ventilation within their hulls, but fortunately for them, much of the living space is located up on deck.  This gives catamarans an edge when it comes to cruising in warm weather.

On the other hand, monohull owners aren’t exposed to the cold winds that you might find up on deck in harsher climates. 

This lack of airflow may actually be of benefit in this instance.

Some people find monohulls to be better looking than catamarans and vice versa.

This all comes down to personal preference, so you’ll have to decide for yourself which type of boat has the advantage in this case.

Some people think catamarans are the most elegant thing in the world while others prefer monohull boats as they look more classic.

Resale Value Is An Important Factor

If you read our extensive guide to boat depreciation per boat type , you know that no matter what boat you buy, it will always go down in value.  This is just a sad fact of boat ownership that people need to consider before buying a boat.

Many factors go into how much you’ll be able to get for your boat when you resell it.  These factors are the condition of the boat, the age of the boat, and the economy in general.  For example, people are less likely to want to buy boats during a recession.  This is especially true when it comes to smaller boats.

However, one additional factor that catamaran owners need to consider when thinking about resale value is the value of the dollar. 

People from the United States don’t have many American catamarans to choose from and will usually need to buy these overseas.

This means that a catamaran will be less expensive to buy when the dollar is strong compared to the Euro and more expensive to buy when the dollar is weaker in comparison.  This will affect the used market as well because higher values on new catamarans can help to bring up the value on the used market.

With a monohull boat, you may not have to consider situations like this as there are makers of monohull boats all over the world.

Don’t Let The Length Trick You!

One thought to keep in mind when comparing monohull boats and catamarans is that their different shapes account for different space advantages.

For example, a 40-foot long catamaran will have much more cubic space than a 40-foot long monohull.

Because of this, when comparing boats, you should look at the cubic space rather than the length. In this case, you may be comparing a 48-foot long monohull with a 40-foot long catamaran.

When you compare the two types of boats in this manner, the price differences aren’t quite as large, and the comparison is fairer.  It also may make the operating and maintenance costs more similar.

This is an important distinction to make because the length of the boats can trick you!

Consider Trying Both (Before Buying)

Boats can be an expensive purchase, so it makes sense to try them out before you decide to make your purchase.

Rent each type of boat and use it on the types of waters that you intend to cruise on the most.

Try the boat out in different weather conditions as well, and don’t be afraid to do multiple rentals before you make your final choice.  The time and money invested into making sure you get the boat you really want will be more than worth it in the end.

Click to share...

• About Sailonline

The One Source For Yacht Charters And Charter Yacht Ownership

• What is boat chartering
• Choose your best charter type
• Choose your charter company
• Choose a cruising area
• Choose the right boat
• Booking your charter
• Your sailing resume
• Yacht Charter Destinations Chart
• Catamarans vs. monohulls
• Bareboat Destination Skills
• Sailing Area Table
• Caribbean weather info
• What to pack for your charter
• Charter boat checklist
• Internet access on charter
• Briefing your charter crew
• Saving money on charter
• All boat charter tips in 1 file
• Budget Charter Fleets
• Provisioning a charter boat
• Booking directly with a boat owner
• The charter days you really get
• Managing your boat on charter
• Boat charter with kids
• Seasickness tips
• Starting a charter from the USVI
• If you damage a charter boat
• Flotilla charters
• Charter with a handicapped child
• Crewed yacht charter myths
• Organize a crewed charter
• Crewed charter tips
• Browse The Database
• Submit your Boat Listing
• Yacht Management Contract
• Buying a boat with a partner
• Bareboat vs. crewed yacht
• Charter Yacht Phase-out
• Phase-out punch list
• Yacht & Marine Surveyors
• Charter Boat Owners forum
• Yacht financial management tools
• 2nd tier fleets financial comparo
• Active ownership FAQ
• Layman guide to charter boat ownership
• Is Buying A Charter Boat For You?
• Buying a used charter boat
• Yacht buyer representation
• Bareboat vs. crewed yacht ownership
• Active Yacht Ownership
• Customers' Testimonials
• Cruising Logs
• Captain licenses
• 'Heaving to' maneuver: A must
• Charter Boat Seamanship Manual
• Yacht Crew Certification: All answers
• Snorkeling & kayaking safely
• Rules of the Road
• MOB Crash-Stop Maneuver
• 5 Knots you must know
• Flag Etiquette
• Emergencies on charter
• Distress calls at sea
• Navigation on a yacht charter
• Navigation aids sheets
• Estimate distances at sea
• Heavy weather basics
• Caribbean weather information
• VHF use: The basics
• Raising Main Sail | UnPC
• Anchoring technique & hand signals
• Catamaran sailing tips
• Docking: Avoid the embarrassment!
• Mooring technique
• Med-mooring technique
• Dinghy handling: make the best of it!
• Reefing a Catamaran

Remember Me

• Forgot your password?
• Forgot your username?
• Create an account

Catamarans - Monohulls: Pros and Cons

With catamarans vastly popular in the charter industry, and showing no sign of abating, let's compare the pros and cons of monohull and catamaran strictly on the charter work point of view . The reason why this distinction is important – and I write this as a monohull fanatic myself - is because for charter companies, catamarans are in huge demand due to the overwhelming number of advantages they offer. Out of charter use, there is no question for me that, when the offshore going gets tough, I would much rather be on a solid monohull than on a catamaran - although the catamaran builders have come a long way to strengthen comstruction. But this is just a matter of opinion!

Catamaran Pros

On deck The cockpit, highlight of catamarans, is usually huge, since it spans over both hulls. The cockpit and the salon are on the same level, which enhances the feeling of light and spaciousness, along with the typical huge panoramic windows. The foredeck area is very large as well and sports a big pair of nets between the hulls, the notorious trampolines, which make a great sun bathing area. In any case, it is a great observation spot and a kids' favorite. As a result of this roominess, a catamaran rarely feels crowded, as it is relatively easy to get some seclusion and quietness from other members of the party. Most cats are equipped with dinghy-davits at the transom, which is absolutely great: no more towing the dinghy, thus no more drag on the boat speed.

Down below The catamaran will provide you with considerably more room than a monohull almost everywhere on the boat: in the cabins and in the salon. Besides, there is ample headroom everywhere. A typical 43/47 ft. cat will have 4 large staterooms, with rectangular queen-size beds – no more of those pointy beds! - each with en-suite bathroom. A 38 to 42ft. will have 3/4 staterooms and 2/3 bathrooms. Most cats have an enormous salon/cockpit combination capable to entertain about 20 people in style! Because of the cats’ layout configuration, there is full privacy in every cabin and one does not hear anything from one cabin to the other.

Stability The key fact is that catamarans have a phenomenal stability: they do not heel under way and do not roll at anchor. This usually makes seasickness a non-event. Incidentally, it makes it somewhat safer for kids running around. Whether at anchor or under way, a catamaran is always much more stable than a monohull. Stability is also a good factor for elderly people and/or first time sailors. As a matter of fact, a catamaran will give the latter an excellent impression for their first cruise, instead of memories of being seasick!

Speed & maneuverability There is no question that catamarans are faster under power or sail. Whatever your cruising goals are, catamarans will usually move you about more quickly than a monohull. Catamarans have shallow drafts. This means catamarans can get into places monohulls yachts often cannot reach, and that they can also anchor closer to shore. However, more and more charter cats now have small "sacrificial" keels to improve close-hauled performance. Lastly, I personally enjoy the phenomenal maneuverability of the cats. With 2 engines spread apart, you can pivot a cat of any size literally around the boat's central axis – and without the help of the rudders. The autopilot works particularly well on cats, on a tracking standpoint.

Catamaran Cons

A hard-core monohull sailor once said: "When I sail a cat, it feels like I am driving my living room!" He meant that a cat does not convey the "real" feeling of sailing, with the "rail in the water" as sailors say. That is precisely because a cat does not heel, whereas a monohull does, and sometimes a lot. So if you are in for hard, pure sailing, you will not get that felling on a cat. Only a monohull will give you the full experience!

A cat does not typically sail well upwind and needs a different technique for tacking and anchoring. ( See tips for cat handling ).

It is often said that anchoring a catamaran can be more difficult. This is due to the fact that catamarans have more “windage” than monohulls, and, without keel and ballast, they have a tendency to “bob” on the water when a gust hits. ( See tips for cat anchoring )

Obviously, catamarans take up twice as much docking space as monohulls. This can be a bit of a problem in chartering areas where spending nights in marinas is a necessity.

If you are bringing with you a party of first-time sailors, or older people, or people who could feel apprehensive at sea, you probably will better off with a cat.

• PREMIUM FILES
• Pre-Owned Yachts
• Charter Boat Owners/Buyers Forum
• Favorite Links

Copyright ©2000 - 2022 Sailonline.com. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. Sailonline is not affiliated with any charter company.

Monohulls vs. Catamarans: Which One is Best for You?

If you’re considering purchasing a sailboat, you might be wondering which type of vessel is best suited for your seafaring adventures. Fear not, for we’re here to help you weigh the differences between monohulls vs. catamarans to make an informed decision.

Now, before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of hull design, sail handling, and the like, let’s take a moment to appreciate the quirky personalities of these two boats. Sloop rigged monohulls are the classic, old-school sailboats with a single mast and a triangular sail. They’re like the wise old grandpa who’s been sailing the seas for decades and has plenty of stories to tell. On the other hand, catamarans are the younger, hipper cousins of the boating world. With their twin hulls and sleek designs, they’re like the trendy millennials who are always up for an adventure.

But enough with the stereotypes, let’s get down to business. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of monohulls and catamarans across various factors such as stability, maneuverability, accommodations, and cost. By the end of it, you’ll have a better idea of which boat is best suited for your sailing style and preferences. So, hoist the anchor and let’s set sail!

What are classic monohulls?

Let’s start with the basics – what exactly are classic monohulls? Well, sloops. To put it simply, a sloop is a type of sailboat with a single mast and a fore-and-aft rigged mainsail. But there’s more to these boats than meets the eye.

Sloops are the OGs of the sailing world, tracing their roots back to the 17th century. They were the go-to boats for explorers, pirates, and adventurers alike, with their simple yet effective design making them perfect for long journeys at sea. Nowadays, they’re still a popular choice for sailing enthusiasts who appreciate the classic, traditional look and feel of a sloop.

One of the defining characteristics of a sloop is its versatility. They come in a range of sizes, from small day sailers to larger offshore cruisers, and can be easily handled by a single sailor. Their rigging is relatively simple, making them a great option for beginners or those who prefer a less complicated sailing experience. But don’t let their simplicity fool you – sloops can pack a punch when it comes to speed and performance upwind.

Of course, there are some downsides to monohulls as well. Due to their single-hull design, they can be less stable in high winds or rough seas. They also tend to have less living space below deck compared to their bigger brothers. But if you’re looking for a classic, reliable, and versatile sailboat, a monohull might just be the vessel for you.

What are catamarans?

Now let’s talk about the other contender in this seafaring showdown – catamarans. These boats are a bit like the cool kids in high school – they’re sleek, modern, and always turning heads.

So, what exactly are catamarans? Well, to put it simply, they’re boats with twin hulls that are connected by a platform. But don’t let their basic design fool you – these boats are anything but ordinary. Catamarans come in a range of sizes, from small day boats to luxurious yachts, and offer a unique sailing experience that’s hard to beat.

One of the biggest advantages of catamarans is their stability. With two hulls instead of one, they’re less likely to tip over or roll in rough waters. This makes them a popular choice for families or those who prefer a smoother sailing experience. They also have more living space above and below deck compared to monohulls, with spacious cabins, lounges, and kitchens that are perfect for extended trips.

But let’s not forget about performance – catamarans are no slouches when it comes to speed and agility. Their twin hulls create less drag in the water, allowing them to glide through the waves with ease. And with their sleek, aerodynamic designs, they can often outpace traditional monohull boats.

Of course, catamarans do have their downsides as well. They can be more complicated to handle compared to monohulls, and require more space to in marinas or docks. They also tend to be more expensive than other types of sailboats, but hey, you can’t put a price on luxury.

Hull design

Per definition, the hull design is the biggest differences between monohulls and catamarans.

Let’s start with monohulls. These boats typically have a single hull that’s shaped like a long, narrow tube. This design allows them to slice through the water with ease, making them great for speed and agility. The hull is usually rounded or V-shaped at the bow, which helps to cut through waves and reduce drag. At the stern, the hull flares out to create a wider, more stable base.

Now, onto catamarans. These boats have two hulls that are connected by a platform, giving them a unique look and feel. The hulls are usually wider and flatter than those of monohulls, which provides a greater amount of stability. This can be especially beneficial for those who are prone to seasickness or prefer a smoother sailing experience. The flat shape of the hulls also creates less drag in the water, allowing for higher speeds and better maneuverability.

When it comes to sailboats, stability is crucial for a comfortable and safe journey on the high seas. So, which type of boat – monohulls or catamarans – reigns supreme in this category?

Well, let’s start with monohulls. These boats have a single hull, which means that their stability comes from the shape and weight distribution of the hull. Generally speaking, monohulls tend to be less stable than catamarans, especially in rough waters. This is because the single hull has to work harder to maintain balance, and can be more prone to tipping or rolling.

With two hulls connected by a platform, catamarans are the kings and queens of stability. The twin hulls provide a wider base and more buoyancy, making them less likely to tip over or roll in rough conditions. This can be especially beneficial for those who are new to sailing or prone to seasickness.

Maneuverability

Let’s talk about maneuverability – the art of smoothly navigating your vessel through the choppy waters. When it comes to monohulls vs. catamarans, the level of maneuverability can vary depending on the design and size of the boat.

Starting with monohulls, these boats are typically designed for speed and agility, which can translate to better maneuverability in certain situations. Their narrow hulls and single keels allow them to slice through the water and make quick turns, which can be useful in tight spots or when navigating through busy marinas.

Now, onto catamarans. With two hulls and a wider beam, these boats can be more challenging to maneuver in tight spaces. However, they do have some tricks up their sleeves. For example, many catamarans have engines that can rotate 360 degrees, allowing for greater control and maneuverability in tight spots.

Of course, when it comes to maneuverability, the skill and experience of the captain also plays a big role. A skilled sailor can make even the most unwieldy vessel dance through the water with ease, while a novice may struggle with even the most nimble of boats.

So, whether you’re piloting a monohull or a catamaran, it’s important to keep your wits about you and stay alert to your surroundings. And if all else fails, just remember the time-honored sailor’s adage – “When in doubt, let it out!”

Accommodations

Starting with monohulls, these boats typically have a more compact interior layout, with limited headroom and sleeping quarters. However, this can be a trade-off for a sleeker and more agile vessel that can slice through the waves with ease. Plus, with some creative packing and organization, a monohull can provide all the basic amenities you need for a comfortable voyage.

With their wider beam and spacious design, catamarans offer more room for living and sleeping quarters, as well as additional amenities like a galley kitchen and a bathroom. This can make for a more luxurious and comfortable sailing experience, especially for longer voyages. In addition, the two-hull design offers more space on deck for dinner parties or sunbathing in the trampolines

Of course, when it comes to accommodations, everyone’s preferences are different. Some sailors may prefer the cozy intimacy of a monohull, while others crave the roominess and luxury of a catamaran. It all depends on your personal style and needs as a sailor.

Performance

Let’s delve into the topic of performance, which is a critical factor when selecting a sailing vessel. Each sailor may have a different perspective on what constitutes optimal performance, but generally speaking, it comes down to speed and efficiency.

When it comes to speed, catamarans have an advantage in downwind performance. Their wider beam and twin hulls give them more sail area and a greater ability to surf down waves, resulting in faster speeds. However, monohulls are often faster when sailing upwind, as their pointed hull allows them to sail closer to the wind.

The upwind angle is an important consideration for sailors, as it affects how close to the wind they can sail. sloop rigged monohulls are known for their ability to sail at a higher angle upwind, which can be a major advantage when sailing in areas with narrow passages or limited space to maneuver. Catamarans, on the other hand, may need to tack more frequently in order to reach their destination when sailing upwind.

Maintenance

When it comes to sailing, we all know that proper maintenance is key to keeping your vessel in tip-top shape. So, when it comes to choosing between a monohull vs. a catamaran, it’s important to consider the maintenance requirements for each type of vessel.

Monohulls generally have simpler systems and structures, which can make maintenance a bit easier and more straightforward. However, the tradeoff is that they may require more frequent maintenance and repairs due to their smaller size and simpler design.

Catamarans, on the other hand, can be more complex and may require more maintenance in terms of their twin hulls, rigging, and systems. However many important systems like engines, bathrooms, or water tanks are in both hulls which give you redundancy and options. Also, their larger size can make accessing and maintaining these components a bit easier.

Regardless of which type of vessel you choose, regular maintenance is a must. From checking and maintaining the sails and rigging to ensuring the engines and electrical systems are in good working order, taking care of your vessel will ensure that you’re able to sail safely and confidently.

When it comes to the cost of a sailing vessel, there are many factors to consider. Let’s take a closer look at how monohulls vs. catamarans stack up.

First off, monohulls are generally considered to be more affordable than catamarans, both in terms of the initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance costs. This is due in part to their simpler design and smaller size, which requires less materials and labor to build and maintain.

On the other hand, catamarans can be quite costly to purchase and maintain, especially if you opt for a larger or more luxurious model. The wider beam and heavier construction of a catamaran can also mean higher slip fees and storage costs at marinas. But don’t let that deter you! If you have the means and the desire for a more spacious and comfortable sailing experience, a catamaran might be worth the investment.

Of course, the cost of a sailing vessel is just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll also need to consider other expenses like fuel, insurance, and ongoing maintenance and repairs. And let’s not forget the most important cost of all: the cost of living your best life on the open sea!

So weigh your options carefully, and remember that the true value of a sailing vessel goes far beyond the price tag. May the winds of fortune guide you to the vessel of your dreams, and may you sail with joy and a full wallet!

Resale value

Resale value is an important consideration when it comes to buying any type of vessel, and monohulls and catamarans are no exception. Generally speaking, catamarans tend to hold their value better than monohulls due to their popularity among sailors and their reputation for being spacious and comfortable. However, resale value can also depend on the specific make and model of the boat, as well as its age, condition, and location.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some monohulls may have a cult following and fetch a higher price on the resale market, while some older catamarans may not hold their value as well as their newer counterparts. Additionally, factors such as maintenance, upgrades, and customization can also affect resale value.

In conclusion, when it comes to monohulls vs catamarans, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each boat has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the decision ultimately depends on your personal preferences, needs, and sailing goals. If you have the money, looking for a faster ride downwind and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of upwind performance, a catamaran might be the way to go.

Resale Value

On the other hand, if you want something cheaper, prioritize sailing close to the wind and want a boat that is more easily handled in a variety of conditions, a sloop rigged monohull might be the better choice. Of course, other factors such as accommodations, and maintenance also play a crucial role in the decision-making process.

So whether you prefer the sleekness of a monohull or the stability of a catamaran, make sure to consider all the options and weigh the pros and cons carefully before making your final choice. And as with any big decision, it never hurts to consult with experienced sailors, boat dealers, or brokers to get their expert opinions. Happy sailing!

Similar Posts

How Much Does Biofouling Slows Down your Boat?

Are you wondering how much biofouling can impact the performance of your sailboat? The amount of how much biofouling slows down a sailboat depends on various factors, such as the type of boat, its size, and the severity of the biofouling. On average, a sailboat with a heavily fouled hull can experience a reduction in…

What is a Ketch Sailboat?

Ketch boats are frequently seen in certain regions and offer various advantages in terms of handling. However, what is a ketch and how does it stand out? A ketch is a sailboat with two masts. The mainmast is shorter than the mast on a sloop, and the mizzenmast aft is shorter than the mainmast. Ketches…

What is a Sloop? Definition, Types and History

A sloop is a type of sailboat that has a single mast and a fore-and-aft rig. Sloops are a type of sailboat that has been around for centuries. They are known for their versatility and ease of handling, making them popular among sailors of all skill levels. Sloops have a single mast and a fore-and-aft…

Basic Sailing Terminology: Sailboat Parts Explained

Sailing is a timeless activity that has captivated the hearts of adventurous souls for centuries. But, let’s face it, for beginners, sailing can be as intimidating as trying to navigate through a dark, labyrinthine maze with a blindfold on. The vast array of sailing terminology, sailboat parts and jargon can seem like a foreign language…

Whats the Difference between Standing Rigging and Running Rigging?

Running rigging refers to the movable lines and ropes used to control the position and shape of the sails on a sailboat. Standing rigging, on the other hand, refers to the fixed wires and cables that support the mast and keep it upright. As the sun rises on another day, we find ourselves immersed in…

What is a Keel?: The Backbone of a Ship

As ships sail through tumultuous seas, their stability and maneuverability are tested to the fullest extent. The intricate design and engineering that go into a ship’s construction ensure that it can withstand the forces of nature and navigate through any challenging conditions. One of the most critical components of a ship’s design is the keel,…

Catamaran vs Monohull: Let’s Solve This (we Lived on Both).

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you make a purchase using one of our links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please read my full  Privacy Policy  for more information.

The ultimate question – catamaran vs monohull, which is better? This post will help solve the dilemma. It is packed-full of information, by real boaters!

We prefer catamarans, now that we have tried both. But we strongly recommend that you start with a monohull, if possible.

We cruised on a monohull for three years (two of which full-time), and then switched to a catamaran for two more years of sailing and living aboard .

We have years of boating experience and I spent lots of time making this post as helpful as possible, and fully human-generated .

All of our boat-life posts – Boat Life @ No Texting & Tacking

Top Catamaran Pros and Cons.

Here is what we loved the most and the least about our catamaran:

Catamaran Pros

• Stable while cruising
• Calm at rest
• Easy to dock
• Shallow draft

Catamaran Cons

• Jerk and slam cruising
• Cost to buy and maintain
• No sail feel

I am covering each in greater detail in this post, so keep reading.

Top Monohull Pros and Cons

Here is what we loved the most and the least about our monohull:

Monohull Pros

• Great sail feel
• See the crew at all times
• Best for solo sail

Monohull Cons

• Roll and heel
• Small space

Now that you have seen the short version of it, read below. Each of these pros and cons are discussed in much greater detail.

And I have a few more features too!

Monohull vs catamaran – are they even comparable?

Are we really comparing apples to apples ? Apart from the number of hulls, the two sailboats are, actually quite different.

A monohull is a sailboat with a single hull , while a catamaran has two – imagine Pirates of the Caribbean versus Moana (but nicer).

There is yet another kind – a trimaran – a sailboat with three hulls (which is where we might be headed next, if we venture out into the big blue again).

Since few people are sailing trimarans, I will focus on the two most common sailboats – cats and monos.

19 Things to Consider – Know Before You Compare.

Below are a few main features which will define the performance of a boat, as well as the overall cruising experience .

I am offering simple explanations and descriptions, so that anyone can understand and decide what matters most.

It is the sailor that makes mistakes, not the boat.

Monohulls can handle bad weather, if steered well – where each larger wave must be surfed. It really is up to the captain to make or break the journey in poor weather.

Catamarans are like small moving islands. They, too, can handle bad weather safely, but are a bit harder to yield to the wishes of the captain, as they are slower to respond.

We have made mistakes on both cats and monos and the weather was not even that bad – poor choices will affect safety far more than the number of hulls.

Both catamarans and monohulls can sail perfectly fine out in the ocean, around the world, more than once.

Boater’s Tip : The best favor you can do yourself, is to take sailing classes , practice and learn everything you can about your boat.

2. Stability

Monohulls have a heavy bottom, which constantly pulls the boat down. Catamarans are very hard to flip over.

If a monohull flips, it will right itself fairly quickly (unless it starts taking in water). If it takes in water, a monohull will sink quickly.

It is likely the mast will break, before a cat capsizes . Once they flip over, however, they stay that way and turn into a raft.

Let’s be real, though. If the boat is truly in such daring conditions that it flips over, the injuries and damage are the real danger, for those still conscious.

Boater’s Tip: Avoid bad weather in the first place – use Predict Wind App , have a guide during longer passages. Avoiding a major storm is perfectly doable.

Monohulls are far more affordable than catamarans.

There are also a lot more of them to choose from , making it a buyer’s market in almost all cases.

It is not unheard of to offer half of what a monohull is listed for and be able to get a great deal.

Catamarans have always been more expensive , but especially in the last few years. With more people able to be location-independent , catamarans have become the first choice for a floating home, for many.

Buying a catamaran? Read this: Buying a Catamaran in 10 Steps – Complete Guide.

When we first moved on a sailboat , we still had our house and its large mortgage , and we were not sure if that boating thing was going to work at all . So, we only looked at monohulls and were able to find our 1985 Grand Soleil 39 at a very good price.

Once we decided to switch to a catamaran, low-balling went out the window . It was a hot cats’ market out there. We looked hard , made tons of calls, but most of all waited as long as it took.

Patience can pay off and is a good financial habit to adopt.

For more good financial habits: 12 Practical Ideas to Spend Less

The prices for cats have been staying high due to many people being willing to finance a boat , kind of like having a mortgage on a home.

It sort of makes sense, if the boat is to become your new home.

4. Resale value

Flipping a fixer-upper boat is a risky business. Few venture into it.

Monohulls and catamarans are like cars , they lose their value over time.

Sure, one can buy a fixer-upper of a boat, update all the systems and end up with a beautiful boat, but the cost of boat upgrades and repairs is very high. Unless you do most of the work yourself, return on investment is zero.

Even catamarans do not hold their value. You have to rely on a crash in the luxury items market, or a hurricane leaving lots of boats with reparable damage, to snag a good deal on a cat.

We lost money selling our monohull, but made money on our catamaran – we did almost all the work ourselves and it was a good market, so we took advantage . It did cut our cruising short, unfortunately.

Boater’s Tip: Sell your boat “by owner” and do the listing right – here is a whole post about it: How to Sell a Boat by Owner, the Honest Way

5. Maintenance

Plan for around 10% of the boat value for annual maintenance cost.

Monohulls only have one of each to run and fix – one engine, one hull to paint, one AC unit.

Catamarans cost more to maintain and expenses add up quickly.

In addition, it costs more to haul out a catamaran , as few boatyards are equipped with a sling to accommodate the width of a catamaran.

There are even fewer options in remote island countries .

Boater’s Tip: If sailing internationally, do just the urgent repairs at the US/other developed country. Cheaper destinations offer a lot cheaper services. Buy spares, they are hard to find in remote places.

Both or our boats have been designed with speed in mind.

We have sailed at 11 knots downwind on our 42 ft Privilege catamaran. We usually reached 7-8 knots into wind, on our 39 ft Grand Soleil monohull.

That was in around 15-20 knots of wind.

Catamarans sail faster, with all other things being equal . A few factors contribute to higher speed in catamarans:

• Hull design and shape – the less of the hull in the water, the less drag.
• Lighter weight overall – aided by proper load distribution and boat material.
• The hull material, in performance cats – carbon fiber, or an inner foam layer.
• Larger sail surface area, calculated as the beam : length ratio.

A 50 foot sailing catamaran (and smaller), with proper hull and body design, can exceed 20 knots of sailing speed in 25 knots of wind.

More subjective factors that have major influence on the speed of both monohulls and catamarans:

• Boat load and distribution – lots of cargo means slower speed.
• Proper sails management – how much wind the sails can “grab” (I am a master of spilling wind on monohulls, because I hate going fast , call me for tips).
• Crew experience – wind speed and direction changes almost constantly. Sails have to be adjusted at the same rate, if you want to go fast.
• Cabin and cockpit design – the larger, higher and boxier that cabin / cockpit, the more it will slow down the boat.

Boater’s Tip: To increase boat speed during sail, buy folding propellers . Put the boat on reverse, so they don’t spin, to decrease drag. Just make sure you take the boat off reverse when starting the engine!

7. Wind feel

If you are starting new, with no sailing experience , start sailing a monohull.

A monohull allows you to be the one sailing the vessel. You can really feel the wind and gain a perfect understanding of how the wind and the sails work together.

Our monohull did not have an autopilot and even though overnight passages were hard, we became very familiar and comfortable with our boat. This is coming from a mama who never grew fond of sailing .

If going out for a day sail, for the sake of sailing, I would pick a monohull.

Catamarans are fast, but they kind of sail as they wish . It is almost impossible to feel the wind and its pull on the mast.

That is why catamarans are sailed by numbers – by reefing the sails following the manufacturer’s recommendations. With experience it becomes easier.

Boater’s Tip : Try sailing a monohull and a catamaran, to see the difference. Both will likely make you sick , so don’t let that be the determining factor.

8. Performance

I am discussing performance in terms of how the boat sails at different angles to the wind.

Monohulls sail great into the wind , making it easy to start a passage when the wind is blowing almost in your face. They achieve this by heeling over (leaning to one side).

Monohulls do not sail well downwind . You can have a spinnaker up, or spread the sails to grab the most wind possible, but it is hard for light apparent wind (true wind speed reduced by your boat’s speed, when sailing downwind) to move a heavy monohull.

Catamarans do not sail into the wind . Even performance cats need a winder angle into the wind to be able to move.

Downwind, catamarans will give you the most comfortable ride ever , while flying a spinnaker. That glass of wine they are talking about not spilling aboard – it is during downwind sailing.

Both cats and monos suck when sailed into beam wind (wind coming from the side). I know, I am not terribly technical here, but it feels like choosing between two evils – rolling and puking, or being jerked and puking.

Feeling sick? This might help: Seasickness Sucks – 21 Tried and Tested Tips to Stop it.

Boater’s Tip : Wait for a better weather window. Nothing can ruin a great adventure quite like sailing, scheduled by your calendar.

9. Maneuverability

When discussing maneuverability, I am featuring here behavior under sail .

Monohulls are very easy and responsive to tacking (changing the direction of the boat, while sailing upwind). All those movies where teams work in excellent synchronized movements to flip sails to the other side of the boat, show you examples of tacking.

Catamarans are hard to tack . They are very slow to respond , so you need lots of momentum and speed, as you prepare to tack. Once you wait a bit too long, the opportunity is gone. It is not a big deal, but in stronger winds, you can easily rip a sail when it starts flopping uncontrollably in the wind.

We are not fans of jibing on either boat (changing the direction of the boat during downwind sailing). True downwind sailing is never a good idea, because accidental jibing can hurt both the boat (done it!) and the crew , in stronger winds.

Boater’s Tip: No texting and tacking – teamwork pays off best when working together to sail against the direction of the wind 😉

10. Docking

The best part about docking is pushing off the docks. Marinas are expensive and the adventure is never, ever the same , if the boat is just tied in place.

Still, when considering docking keep in mind:

Catamarans are super easy to dock and can rotate a full circle on a very small radius. This is because catamarans have two engines and it is a breeze to control the boat, while using the engines to maneuver into tight spaces.

Monohulls are such a pain to dock ; it was our captain’s biggest nightmare. We were all threading very carefully when it was time to dock our monohull . That momentum the boat gives you while tacking, works quite against you when docking.

When we purchased our monohull back in 2017, we found the tiniest, cheapest marina on the Chesapeake Bay, and sailed on the weekends, practicing docking .

Only the marina owners laughed at us (even though they never admitted it).

Boater’s Tip : We like casting the spring line first, when docking. Some marinas have ridiculously strong currents – call ahead and make sure someone is there to help.

If you want to jump off and swim to the beach, you need a catamaran.

The draft of the boat is the distance between the waterline and the end of the keel. This defines how deep the boat can go without hitting bottom.

Catamarans are lighter and have a shallower draft , compared to monohulls. From around 3ft for a cat under 40ft, to around 6ft for larger catamarans. Our Privilege 42 drew 3.5ft.

Catamarans can go in shallower water. They can even be “beached” , meaning, you can actually take the boat all the way to the beach, then use the high tide to bring her back into the deeper water. Just ensure the access is free from any rocks and coral.

For the times you “beach” the boat accidentally, make sure you have towing help .

The photo above is from us sailing the Great Bahama Bank – an amazing shallow plateau that only a catamaran can handle.

Monohulls have a longer keel, which helps stabilize the boat . The keel must go fairly deep, in order to “hold” a monohull upright , and to counter the wind force on the sails.

The most common keel types you might see are:

• full-keel – a keel looks like a natural extension of the keel. It provides great stability, but makes the boat heavier and slower.
• fin keel – a keel that looks like a fin, attached to the bottom (the most common kind), for stability without sacrificing speed.
• lifting keel – An adjustable keel to change the draft of the boat, if needing to navigate shallow water. They are convenient, but not as sturdy.

Our 39-foot monohull drew 6 feet – quite a lot for such a small boat. It did limit our anchoring options.

We have seen both catamarans and monohulls stuck, by running aground . It is possible to free up the boat, if you are careful with the engines and don’t end up digging yourself deeper.

We had a Boat US membership the entire time we were coastal sailing the US. They even rescued our dinghy once.

Boater’s Tip : We always set our depth instruments to show smaller than actual depth, giving us a cushion with the uneven sea floor.

12. Cruise comfort

Comfort at anchor matters most, but a miserable passage can ruin the entire adventure very quickly.

So, let’s talk about passages – seasickness, heeling, slamming, rolling, keeping watch…

Seasickness happens both on catamarans and monohulls . We found it worse on catamarans, contrary to popular belief. Anything but downwind sailing makes the catamaran turn and twist in ways that only make sense to a catamaran.

The jerking of the catamaran almost feels like riding a tractor on a very bumpy road, but without the chance to stop and rest. On top of that, waves slamming under the boat (even with higher clearance), make the entire boat shake.

Seasickness on a monohull is an absolute given in beam winds . The entire boat rolls from side to side, with every single wave and such passages are downright miserable.

Heeling is a must on a monohull, if you wish to go anywhere. While this is great for speed, it makes life at an angle uncomfortable .

Personally, healing always freaked me out . I feared a kid might fall out of the boat and chased everyone below deck (where seasickness eagerly awaited).

Sleeping on a catamaran during passages is hard, because the slamming of the waves below is too loud and disturbing. I never got used to it.

Sleeping on a monohull during passages is actually a bit better, once you fall asleep. The movement of the monohull is predictable, which can, actually, rock you to sleep .

Boater’s Tip: Buy a Reliefband ! All of us got seasick, every single passage. We tried everything . Nothing worked like Reliefbands, and they come with zero side effects.

13. Comfort at anchor

The art of anchoring must be learnt along with the art of sailing. Otherwise damage to other boats is quite possible. Anchoring is simple math and common sense .

Catamarans behave much better at anchor, compared to monohulls. They are more stable and not affected as much by a wrap-around swell (when the waves are coming from the side, while the boat is facing into the wind).

Considering cruising is 99% standing still , it is not hard to understand why this single advantage can negate everything else.

Cats tend to “sail” on their anchor , meaning the boat may move about, being pushed by the wind. Just something to keep in mind in a tight anchorage.

Monohulls will roll a lot more at anchor , if the anchorage is not super calm. We have been seasick at anchor a few times, which the kids loved , because those “wind days” meant “no school aboard”.

Monohulls can counter wrap around swell by bridling – dropping a second anchor off the bow, in order to keep the boat facing into the waves, rather than into the wind.

No matter what boat you end up anchoring, keep in mind that with the changing wind, the boat position will also change.

Oh, and watch the boat behind you, please ( yes, I’m talking to you, St. Thomas guys, on that chartered boat ).

Boater’s Tip : a good rule of thumb, for normal sea conditions, is 5:1 – five feet of chain for every foot of depth.

14. Indoor space

The indoor space is a huge factor for many, when shopping for a sailboat .

It mattered a lot to us, as well. The most important things to keep in mind are:

• Ceiling height

I have a popular post all about space on a boat: Why We Never Missed Space, While Living on a Sailboat.

Catamarans have more indoor, living space , compared to monohulls (for same length boats). This should come as no surprise. The salon and hulls together make the cat feel like a cute apartment on the water.

Catamarans offer a much better view and lots of light . Monohulls offer no view, but they are not dark, because the hatches act like skylights. The photos, from our boats above, prove just how bright a monohull is.

If you want more of a performance cat, then the view will be sacrificed a bit, because the cabin must be curved and relatively low, to avoid extra windage.

Only certain model catamarans and monohulls will have ceilings suitable for tall people. Joe is 6’4″ and the only catamaran under 43 feet, which would accommodate him, was the Privilege.

Catamarans offer a perfect separation of living space and private cabins. Monohulls with a center cockpit do have a nice aft cabin, but everything else is tight, or a bunk-style closet. Again, focusing on boats under 45 feet.

With three teens aboard , privacy was high on our list. We loved the separate heads (bathrooms) for each hull, although having four of them aboard is excessive (we turned one into the laundry room , and another into a shower room).

Boater’s Tip : Do consider catamarans with the galley below – I loved it! You get a ton more counter-space, and the salon above is more spacious.

15. Outdoor space

Considering most boats sail in warm climates, the outdoor space is a crucial factor, when shopping for a boat.

Catamarans offer much, much better outdoor space, compared to monohulls . The cockpit was my favorite space, on our Privilege .

Unlike the patio of a house, the outdoor space of an anchored boat provides constant breeze and zero bugs (occasional bee swarms might happen in some places).

Another point for the catamaran is the bow trampolines , which are a favorite hang-out spot. It is easy to send the kids and their friends to the front, while the adults hang out in the cockpit.

With older kids , however, we just left them all boat-alone, while the adults gathered on a different boat.

Walking on deck during passages is easier on a catamaran , because the boat does not heel.

16. Sustainability

Sustainability is all in the hands of the crew , much like safety. It is never the boat’s fault, if the crew wants to motor, instead of sail.

Both catamarans and monohulls have plenty of surface area to attach solar panels and wind generators.

You will like this post: This Sustainable Lifestyle is the Fairest of Them All. 10 Reasons Why Living on a Sailboat Matters.

A few boating families we met swore by their solar ovens too. I bought a super cheap one and never got it to cook anything, but granola.

As far as the cats having two engines – many motor using only one of them, and the one engine aboard a heavier monohull uses plenty of diesel too.

Boater’s Tip : Forget the generator. They are super noisy and use lots of diesel. When you are at anchor, there is a constant breeze. Buy wind scoopers instead.

17. Fun and entertainment

Our kids were happy, as long as there were other boatkids . So, that should be on the top of the priorities’ list.

I have an excellent post on socializing the kids while on the water:

Sailing and Socializing Kids – 8 Ways to Find Friends on the High Seas.

Having said that, our catamaran was much more comfortable to invite company over, compared to our monohull.

Catamarans have an excellent division of space – both indoor and outdoor. Not to mention that on a hot day, a swim platform can go under the trampolines for shade!

Monohulls are best for swinging and playing catapult games , but they are not great for entertainment .

We have had family visit aboard our Privilege , and it did not feel crowded at all.

Boater’ tip : Be the party boat, at the anchorage, if you have kids, this will make them enjoy boat-life more.

18. The looks

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Captains are not the only beholders.

Both monohulls and catamarans can look amazing, or ridiculous. We liked both of our boats, the captain actually loved them both , which put me in a perpetual love triangle.

To be perfectly honest, Graceful was a better suited name for our Grand Soleil Monohull. We were not able to come up with a better name, and everyone knew us as the SV Graceful crew, so we kept the name for our catamaran .

There is also some romance surrounding the looks of a monohull , from paintings and movies, so I’ll give the beauty point to the monohull.

Boater’s Tip: Pick the one, which will make your wife less jealous.

19. The crew

Unless you are solo-sailing, you must consider the wishes of the crew .

When we first looked at boats, catamarans were out of the question, because they were expensive, and our captain thought they were ugly .

Three years later, two of which full-time living aboard our monohull, the boatkids spoke! They wanted to continue sailing, but on a catamaran . And we listened.

Check out the full story of our crazy adventures

In the end, we are the parents and there are decisions as well as consequences, which are not OK to dump on the kids.

But the crew is a true team on the water . So, everyone’s opinion matters (which is also why we returned to land life).

What is the right boat for you ?

Now that we have talked about the differences between the two boats, let’s see which one might be right for you, at this stage of your adventure .

Sailing with family

We believe that a catamaran is the best choice for a family , especially when traveling with older kids .

Teens will love the clever separation of space with cabins, providing plenty of privacy.

Our favorite Privilege, actually has a fully enclosed cockpit, for added safety.

A monohull might be best for couples with toddlers , requiring help and constant supervision (got for one with a centyer cockpit).

When the need arises, for both people to be handling the sails, it usually requires one’s full attention and a kid on a catamaran can run out of sight quickly.

The best thing you can do, if no other factors are at play, if to hop on both sailboats, enjoy a day-sail trip, then discuss it with the crew.

Sailing as a couple

A monohull would be the better choice for a physically fit couple , sailing without kids (or with young ones).

Owning a monohull is cheaper , and a couple might have the budget to stop at marinas more often and explore places in-land.

A retired couple might find a small catamaran more comfortable . The acrobatics and strain to sail at an angle, climbing in and out of the salon, as well as climbing on deck do require agility and a healthy body.

Sailing solo

It is hard to beat a monohull, if sailing solo .

If the boat is rigged for solo-sailing, the smaller cockpit of a monohull provides great space to handle the lines. Especially, if the instruments fail.

One person can solo sail a catamaran that is no bigger than 40 feet , with a small cockpit and rigged for solo sailing. Hop in the cockpit of a desired cat and try grabbing the lines on either side, alone, from the cockpit. Can you do it?

Sailing lifestyle

If planning to do lots of cruising, then either boat would be fine , depending on your preference, considering all the things mentioned above.

If planning to live mostly at marinas and travel to explore land, maybe a monohull is better, offering a lot more options for marinas at a lower cost.

If you need to haul out the boat frequently, during hurricane season, a monohull would be easier and cheaper.

Catamaran at a mooring field, in an expensive location , will grant you those million-dollar views , from your living room, for a small fraction of the cost that people pay ashore.

We loved Coconut Grove, Downtown Miami, USVI, from our quiet, private and affordable boat.

Speaking of waterfront living, I have a great post about living on a boat:

Can you Live on a Boat? Yes, and Now is the Right Time 

Just chartering for vacation?

A catamaran will be the better chartering option , if you are just sailing out for a week, or so. Here is why:

• Great views from the salon.
• Better separation of space, if diving the cost with another party.
• Larger space for entertaining.
• Easier to get in and out of the water.
• Catamarans are a lot more comfortable when anchored, than monohulls.
• Motoring between anchorages can get you there faster.
• You can anchor closer to the beach, because of the shallow draft on a cat.

What other boaters say.

Still uncertain? Check out the praises sung to both monohulls and catamarans below – all by our dear friends, who have sailed extensively and know what they are talking about.

Praises to the mono

SV Silent Thunder , “Mono- smoother ride as she cuts through the sea.”

SV Lady of Mettle dad, “I prefer monos. I never seen the need to go over the same wave twice. Mono’s are a more predictable swaying motion. Cats feel unpredictable and “twitchy” to me. Monohulls handle weight better than cats. If blown over, monos stand back up. Cats don’t.”

SV Lady of Mettle mama , “When we sailed a Cat with family in Key West, I didn’t like that the helm was outside and upstairs. In foul weather that would not be great along with always having to be outside to helm. In comparison we have an inside helm to get out of sun or weather. I also did not enjoy the bow, outside on the deck was not as enjoyable to watch he dolphins play, and the smallest wave splashes over, keeping you in the back while sailing.

Overall sailing, I think a Monohull, but staying still, probably a cat just because of the open galley and living room areas.

My boat has plenty space however, a cat would not hold our things. Also, cats all look the same. Also 2 hulls to clean and scrape…booo The Cat has to go overboard.”

SV Traveler, “I would like the additional living space on a cat but I really like that my husband can captain our monohull by himself and if we need dock space or a haul out it seems easier to find with a monohull.”

Praises to the cat

SV Half Dozen , “CAT allows for view and comfort at anchor.”

SV Varekai , “…I can honestly say that (monohull) it’s not as comfortable. Cockpit, salon, berths…we all feel less comfortable on the mono. I also miss being up where I can see out. The sugar scoops were nice for when docked and sailing. I’m not a fan of boarding on the side as much.”

SV Mojo , “Straight and smooth sailing no healing. I would hate having to be angled while moving. Loved the space inside and out. There’s a compromise in everything but that worked for us for a bit anyway, because then I needed more space. If you give a pig a pancake…right?!”

SV Colibri , “We love the room, light and layout of our cat. We rarely sway at anchor. It’s nimble and has enough space and privacy for a family with two teens (and a cat!). It can be single handed. The mast is 63″ so we can take the ICW. All in all, a dream boat (FP Lipari).”

SV Snowless , “Love the cat. Would definitely take the cat over a mono for most of the time. Yes the mono is great for going to to the wind aka, getting from us to Caribbean, but that is only a small portion of the travel. After that it’s mostly beam or downwind sailing. The trade off for being at anchor which is where you spend most is your time is unmatchable in my opinion.

However, when going upwind and I look ahead and see a mono healed over cutting through the waves with this mast holding steady, vs me and my mechanical bull that I am riding, I am envious.”

SV Aquafox , “I liked all the different living spaces we had on ours. I really liked the stability of it vs the movement you can get on a mono. Monos are awesome on speed and price though.”

Tours of our boats

Below are links to our boat tours, as well as episodes on Youtube, showing our boats, enjoy:

Our Catamaran Tour – 1995 Privilege 42

Our Monohull Boat Tour – 1985 Grand Soleil 39

Our 1985 Privilege 42 For Sale Video

Our first few YouTube episodes feature our monohull

In the end, I propose that Catamaran vs Monohull Battle be renamed to Sailor vs Sailor Battl e.

It really matters most what kind of cruising the sailor wants to do , and what matters most to the crew. And, just like in real battles, sides can be changed.

So, let’s focus on the crew and leave the poor cat and mono alone .

Links to what we recommend in this post

• Reliefband – excellent against seasickness. Zero side effects, we loved them.
• Sailing classes via the American Sailing Association
• Predict Wind – to always select the best possible weather window.
• Folding propellers – to help increase boat speed and protect the propeller.
• Boat US Membership – for peace of mind, while sailing the US coast.
• Wind scooper – for extra breeze inside the cabins – a must aboard!

Helpful posts about boating life

All of our Boat Life Posts

Buying a Catamaran in 10 Steps – Complete Guide.

Pros and Cons of Living on a Boat. By Experienced Boaters.

The cost of living on a boat for a family

How to Sell a Boat by Owner, the Honest Way

Can you Live on a Boat? Yes, and Now is the Right Time

Mina is the creator and owner of No Texting and Tacking. She is an award-winning author, a philologist, a registered nurse and a native Bulgarian. She turned into a travel blogger in 2018, when her family of five decided to sail and travel the world.

Catamaran VS Monohull Sailing – Which Is Best For You?

When it comes to choosing the right boat for your sailing adventures, the debate between catamarans and monohulls is a hot topic. Many novice and experienced sailors face the challenge of deciding which type of boat best suits their needs, preferences, and sailing goals.

Each of these vessels has its unique characteristics, and your choice will ultimately depend on factors such as the intended use, the areas you plan to sail, budget constraints, and your personal preferences.

In this article, you’ll find all you need to know about catamaran vs monohull sailing. So, let’s dive into it right now and see the key differences between these two popular types of watercraft.

Post updated: 25.10.23

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Understand the differences in design and performance between catamarans and monohulls.
• Consider factors like comfort, safety, and cost when choosing a boat.
• Gain insights into the pros and cons of each type of vessel to make an informed decision.

Design and Structure

Hull comparison.

When choosing between a catamaran and a monohull, one of the main differences lies in their hull structures. A  catamaran  consists of two parallel hulls connected by a beam, offering more stability and a shallower draft.

A  monohull  has a single hull and relies on a deep keel for stability. Monohulls often give the feeling of sailing closer to the water and provide the traditional sailing experience many enthusiasts enjoy.

Deck and Cabin

In terms of living quarters, catamarans offer larger, more open deck spaces and cabins than monohulls. This allows for a more comfortable living experience, with roomy kitchens and dining areas.

On a monohull , the living space can feel more confined, but some sailors appreciate the cozy atmosphere and the challenge of maximizing every inch of space.

Beam and Ballast

The beam refers to the width of the boat, and in the case of a catamaran , it is typically wider than a comparable monohull, as it stretches across both hulls. The increased beam improves stability, making catamarans less likely to rock or roll in waves when navigating in good conditions.

Monohulls, on the other hand, have a narrower beam and use ballast (typically in the form of a heavy keel) to assist in maintaining balance. This allows monohulls to lean or “heel” more while underway, providing a unique sailing experience for those on board.

Helm and Rudders

Both catamarans and monohulls have helms and rudders to control the boat’s direction and maneuverability. The key difference lies in the positioning and number of these components.

On a catamaran , there are typically two rudders, one behind each hull, providing more responsive steering and faster turning.

Monohulls have a single rudder, which might make steering more challenging in strong winds or high seas.

Performance

Speed and efficiency.

When comparing catamarans and monohulls, one of the first things that comes to mind is their speed and efficiency.

Catamarans are generally faster than monohulls of the same length and displacement.

This is primarily due to their lighter weight and slim hulls, which offer less water resistance and drag.

In fact, a catamaran can often sail at half the speed of wind, which is about 30% faster than a monohull. However, this also depends on factors like sail configuration, wind conditions, and sea state.

Handling and Maneuverability

Handling characteristics differ significantly between catamarans and monohulls. Generally, monohulls are more responsive to trim adjustments and wind pressure, providing a more engaging sailing experience for the sailor.

On the other hand, catamarans are less maneuverable under sail since they lack the deep keel of a monohull, which is essential to track and coast.

Nonetheless, catamarans excel in maneuvering when under power, thanks to their twin-engine configuration. They can pivot the boat into position more easily, making docking a breeze.

Monohulls rely on prop walk and reverse to position themselves, which can be challenging for some sailors.

Upwind Sailing

Sailing upwind is an essential aspect of any sailing adventure. Here, monohulls have the edge, as they can sail closer to the wind. This means that when you’re racing or trying to reach an upwind destination, a monohull might get you there faster.

Catamarans, on the other hand, struggle to tack upwind as efficiently due to their wider hull separation and lower resistance.

Water Resistance and Drag

Water resistance and drag play a crucial role in a sailboat’s performance. Catamarans have slender hulls with minimal wetted surface area, which reduces drag and allows them to cut through the water more efficiently.

This design contributes to their speed advantage over monohulls . On the contrary, monohulls have a larger wetted surface and a deeper draft, which increases water resistance and slows them down in comparison.

Both catamarans and monohulls have their unique strengths and weaknesses in terms of performance. While catamarans are generally faster and offer better maneuverability under power, monohulls excel in upwind sailing and provide a more engaging sailing experience. 

Comfort and Space

Spaciousness and comfort.

Regarding comfort and space, catamarans have a clear advantage over monohulls. Thanks to their wide beam, catamarans offer more spacious accommodations, especially in the main saloon and cockpit areas.

The twin-hulled design provides greater stability, resulting in a smoother sailing experience with less heeling and rocking.

This makes catamarans ideal for those who prioritize comfort and want plenty of room to move around during their sailing adventures.

Kitchen and Dining Experience

A key difference in the kitchen and dining experience between catamarans and monohulls lies in the amount of space and layout.

Catamarans typically feature roomier galleys with ample counter space for meal preparation, making it easier for everyone to lend a hand in the kitchen.

The dining area in catamarans is often designed as an extension of the cockpit, allowing for seamless indoor-outdoor socializing and easy access to both the galley and the deck.

In contrast, monohull sailboats have smaller galleys, often in a U-shape or along one side of the hull. The dining area might be more confined, usually within the main salon. While it may be cozy, it lacks the open and airy feel of a catamaran’s dining space.

Privacy and Living Quarters

Another aspect to consider is the privacy and living quarters in both types of sailboats.

Catamarans usually have separate hulls for the living accommodations, which can provide greater privacy and personal space for guests or crew members as the cabins tend to be physically separated from the common areas.

Additionally, because the cabins are situated in the hulls, they are less affected by noise or disturbance from the main salon and cockpit.

Monohull sailboats, on the other hand, usually have more compact living quarters located within the same hull. Privacy may be slightly compromised due to the closeness of the cabins to the common areas.

That said, monohulls can still provide adequate living space and privacy, depending on the layout and size of the sailboat.

Safety and Stability

When comparing catamarans and monohulls, safety and stability are important factors to consider. In this section, I’ll explain the differences between the two boat types regarding capsize and buoyancy, seasickness, motion, dealing with waves and bad weather, and docking and anchoring.

Capsize and Buoyancy

Catamarans are known for their stability due to their two-hull design, which increases their resistance to capsizing.

Conversely, Monohulls can roll over more easily but can right themselves due to their heavy, lead-loaded keels. However, catamarans have natural buoyancy and can remain afloat even if they are holed, while a monohull may sink if it takes on too much water.

Seasickness and Motion

Seasickness can be a major concern for boaters, and the motion of a catamaran is generally more stable and comfortable than that of a monohull.

Catamarans are less susceptible to roll, which can reduce the chances of seasickness for those onboard.

Monohulls , however, tend to pitch more in rough seas, which can lead to a more uncomfortable ride for passengers.

Dealing with Waves and Bad Weather

While catamarans are known for their speed advantage over monohulls, heavier cruising catamarans may not be as fast if they have smaller rig sizes for ease of handling.

In bad weather, a catamaran’s speed can help outrun storms, while monohulls rely more on their stability in rough waters.

Waves in an anchorage that induce violent roll in a monohull may, however, only cause a catamaran to bounce or bob.

Docking and Anchor

When it comes to docking and anchoring, there are differences between catamarans and monohulls.

Catamarans don’t coast well primarily because they don’t have a deep keel to track. They require a different approach to docking, utilizing engines to pivot the boat into position instead of relying on coasting and prop walk.

Monohulls typically need more depth when anchoring due to their keels, while catamarans benefit from their shallow drafts, allowing them to access shallower areas and anchor closer to shore.

Cost and Maintenance

When considering catamarans and monohulls, it’s important to take into account the cost and maintenance of each type of vessel. So, let’s explore the differences in maintenance and equipment, fuel consumption, and demand and resale value between the two.

Maintenance and Equipment

Generally, catamarans are more expensive to buy and maintain than monohulls. This is mostly due to their double-hull design, which requires extra maintenance and equipment costs.

On average, catamarans are 19-66% more expensive when new and have about 60% higher annual fees.

Although monohulls ‘ maintenance and repair costs are often lower, both boat types require regular upkeep to stay in good shape.

Some key maintenance differences between catamarans and monohulls include:

• Hull and rigging maintenance:  Catamarans have two hulls, which can lead to double the maintenance costs for bottom painting and cleaning. However, their typically lighter and simpler rigging system can result in lower maintenance costs than monohulls.
• Engine maintenance:  Catamarans usually have two engines, one in each hull, increasing overall maintenance costs. Monohulls generally have one engine, which can result in lower maintenance costs over time.

Fuel Consumption

When it comes to fuel consumption, catamarans tend to be more fuel-efficient than monohulls, especially at slower speeds. This is due to their hydrodynamic design, lightweight materials, and relatively less water resistance.

Although monohulls may consume more fuel, they often have a smaller fuel tank, which can result in lower overall fuel costs.

Demand and Resale Value

When purchasing a vessel, it’s important to consider the demand and resale value of both catamarans and monohulls.

Catamarans hold their value better due to their growing popularity and scarcity in the used boat market. This means that if you decide to sell your catamaran, you are likely to get a higher percentage of your investment back.

Monohulls, on the other hand, are more common on the used boat market, resulting in lower resale values. However, they typically have a lower initial purchase price, which may be more attractive for those on a budget.

Pros and Cons of Catamarans and Monohulls

Now, let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of both catamarans and monohulls to help you decide when choosing the right boat for your needs. Let’s dive right into it!

Advantages of Catamarans

One of the main advantages of catamarans is their  comfort . They’re more stable and less prone to heeling, making it less likely for passengers to get seasick.

Catamarans are also more  spacious  due to their dual-hull design, providing ample living space above the waterline with bright and airy saloons. This makes them perfect for sailing with family or friends.

When it comes to  speed , catamarans generally perform better than monohulls. They usually sail faster and are more maneuverable in tight spaces due to their shallower draft, allowing for safer anchorages closer to shore.

Most catamarans in the 40-ft to 50-ft range draw between 3 ft to 4.5 ft, so they can access places that monohulls can’t even consider.

Disadvantages of Catamarans

Unfortunately, catamarans do have some downsides. One of the main disadvantages is their larger  windage .

The increased surface area can make them more difficult to handle in strong winds.

Additionally, their  maintenance  can often be more specialized and expensive due to the unique design features.

Advantages of Monohulls

Monohull boats have their own set of advantages. They provide a more classic  aesthetic  that many sailors find appealing.

When it comes to sailing performance, monohull boats  heel  naturally, which can give more direct  feedback  to the sailor and make for a more exhilarating experience.

In terms of speed, modern monohulls can sometimes exceed catamarans, particularly downwind and in choppy seas. Some can reach speeds of 10 knots or more.

Disadvantages of Monohulls

On the flip side, monohull boats often have less living space, and most spaces are below the waterline, making them feel more cramped and darker compared to catamarans. The heeling experience is a double-edged sword, as some passengers might enjoy it while others may feel more prone to seasickness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: which is safer in rough seas: a catamaran or a monohull.

When it comes to rough seas, both catamarans and monohulls have their safety advantages. Catamarans are known for their stability on the sea, and their speed can make it possible to outrun bad weather.

However, monohulls are considered to be stronger and may provide more space for emergency equipment and supplies. Safety ultimately depends on your skills as a sailor, the boat’s design, and the specific conditions you encounter.

Q: Can both catamarans and monohulls be used for offshore fishing?

Yes, both catamarans and monohulls can be used for offshore fishing. Catamarans are famous for their stability and ample deck space, which can provide a more comfortable fishing experience.

Monohulls, on the other hand, often have a deeper draft, allowing them to access deeper waters and a wider range of fishing spots. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your personal preferences and the type of fishing you plan to do.

Q: How do catamaran and monohull liveaboards differ?

There are notable differences between catamaran and monohull liveaboards. Catamarans typically provide more living and storage space, as well as more privacy due to their dual-hull design.

They’re also known to have better stability, which can make for a more comfortable living experience onboard.

Monohulls , however, can be more affordable and easier to maintain, and offer better sailing performance in certain conditions.

Q: Which type of boat is more suitable for Yacht Week: a catamaran or a monohull?

Both catamarans and monohulls can make for a fantastic Yacht Week experience, and the choice ultimately depends on your preferences and the specific event you’re attending.

Catamarans are ideal for those who prioritize stability, speed, and a more spacious layout for socializing.

Monohulls may be better suited for those who enjoy a more traditional sailing experience or are looking for a more budget-friendly option. Always consider the preferences of your crew and the requirements of the event when making your decision.

Final Words!

In summary, both designs offer their own unique advantages and drawbacks.

However, you should consider factors like your sailing goals, preferences in boat handling, and the type of waters you’ll be frequenting when deciding between a catamaran or monohull.

Both options have their merits, and your decision will ultimately be shaped by what best suits your unique needs and desires. Happy sailing!

Want More Tips? 

Subscribe to Cruising Sea newsletter  to receive every two-week the latest post straight to your inbox

Which yacht do you prefer, a catamaran or a monohull? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments below.

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.

10 thoughts on “Catamaran VS Monohull Sailing – Which Is Best For You?”

This is a very interesting article, but I think it’s very clear which side you come down on! I would tend to agree and you have laid the key points out nicely to create a strong argument for the cat. I have been on both, but I’m definitely not a sailor, but the thing I remembered the most was the smoother ride that you get with the cat. So I agree with you!

Yes, you get a smoother ride with a Cat than with a Mono due to the two hulls and not to forget that the Cat is lighter than a Mono:)

Thank you for the comment

I wish you a great day!

Hello Daniella, I am mostly a ballast when sailing but thank you for this nice article. I’ve been curious what are the differences of catamarans vs monohulls and thanks to You now i have a little better understanding. And since i was sailing on monohull now it’s time to check out catas 😉 Maybe You could you provide some more information about renting prices of catas vs mono ? I couldn’t find it here and I think it could also play a big factor when chartering a yacht. Cheers!

You are right, I didn’t mention this important detail. Sorry about it! Here is the answer. A Catamarans is generally more expensive than a monohull of the same size and the reason is because the cat is a larger boat. But you’ll get the payback in the comfort and space.

I hope it helped!

Thank you for the comment and wish you a nice day

For myself I have always owned a mono haul sailboat for the fun of sailing around. To actually do a trip on one with others, I would choose the more spacious catamaran for down south in the warmer waters.

Not knowing much about the catamaran, it was nice to read a side by side description to have a better understanding between the two.

I am glad you found this article helpful and I hope it will help you to make the right choice. If you have never tried a catamaran, then I highly suggest you to try it, I am sure you will love it!

Thank you for the comment and wish you to sail soon!

Have an awesome day

I’ll go for Monohull in this case. I’ll rather sail alone or take a person with me on board. Not keen on having a group.

As I mention before, design is one thing I emphasise on but there are lots of people on board, I think I’ll stick by having more space than more passengers.

Thanks for sharing by the way, Daniella! They’re very analytical and informative, just like the previous debate I red. Good stuff!

As long as you feel good with your choice, then no matter what you’ll choose, it will be the good decision!

I personally love catamarans:) I feel much more comfortable and safe on these boats and the seasickness is reduced to 80%, so I won’t give up on Cats!

A Catamaran sounds awesome to me! I love that there is more living space and that they can be faster in the right winds. I’ve always thought they were so cool whenever I’ve seen one. So much space to relax and enjoy the ocean. I personally do more dinghy sailing and like for sailing to be more of a workout – hiking upwind and such. What big boats sail most like a dinghy?

Yes, I totally agree with you, Catamarans are great boats for cruising. As you said, cats have everything in order to sail comfortably and in luxury as well. As far as I know, a dinghy will always be a boat and you can try to workout as you do it on a dinghy on a bigger boat like a catamaran or a monohull. If you want to navigate the boat by yourself, then you’ll need to check if you are required to have a license for bigger vessels. You might need to do a sailing course.

However, I hope it helped and if you need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time, I’ll be glad to assist:)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. *

Catamarans vs Monohulls: Which Is Better for You?

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site.

In general, boating is an excellent pastime, but there are many things to consider before heading out and getting a boat. It’s important to ensure to get a boat that you are happy with and fits your needs, and one of the biggest debates in the boating community is whether catamarans or monohulls are best. But is there a clear winner, and what are the biggest differences?

Catamarans differ from monohulls in some very significant ways; Cats are more stable, faster, offer more space, and have two hulls. Monohulls offer heeling, faster steering response, less noise from water slapping, are cheaper to buy and maintain and have one hull.

Today we will be getting into the details you want to know regarding the differences and pros & cons between catamarans vs. monohulls. There are key aspects of each to be aware of before making an informed purchasing decision, and so if you would like to learn more, we encourage you to stick around and read further. 

Table of Contents

Why Is It Important To Choose a Boat Carefully?

If you’ve ever shopped around for a boat , it’s no secret that they are large investments. And unless you are particularly wealthy, it will be a large expense where you want to get the most for your money. Buyer’s remorse is never a good thing, and avoiding it before you spend your hard-earned money is very important.

Boats come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and not all will have the features you are looking for. Are you looking for something where you can hang out on the waters with friends and family – possibly with kids involved? Then stability and room are likely going to be your priority. On the other hand, if you prioritize the sailing aspect of boating, then getting something designed to be nimble in the waters is something to consider. 

There is more to boating than simply saying “a boat’s a boat,” and the comparison between catamarans and monohulls brings this point home.

What Are Catamarans?

Catamarans , commonly referred to as “cats” for short, feature two hulls separated by a bridge deck rather than one central hull that most boats have. The hull is the body of a ship and is specifically designed to allow the boat to float rather than sink. Additionally, while some boats are more stable than others, the goal is always to ensure that the hull is as balanced as possible within reason (nimbler boats will generally be easier to rock). 

Stability is the number one thing cats are known for; the two hulls ensure that it is nearly impossible to flip them over because they are spaced out over a large distance (aka wide beam). Think of it as standing with your legs far apart vs. tightly together, the physics word similarly with boats. 

They also feel the most like standing on land since they are not prone to rocking back and forth, making them ideal for people prone to seasickness or who just want a stable platform for cooking activities. 

How to stop sea sickness?

Catamaran Pros

• Unrivaled stability. As we stated above, the biggest thing cats have going for them is that they are almost impossible to flip over, and they don’t rock back and forth as much as monohull boats. If you are on still waters, it can feel as if you are on land which is beneficial for people who aren’t used to walking and standing on a boat that is constantly shifting around. 
• More space. Due to how wide catamarans are, they are generally more spacious than the comparable monohull. This means more room for gear and people. If you plan to party on a boat, then a cat is likely going to be your best option.  
• More privacy. A cat will have a different layout from a monohull, and these layouts typically feature more separation between the main living space and the cabins. If you plan to spend a lot of time on the boat with others, having the option of privacy may be an important feature. It’s always best to judge each boats’ layout if you value privacy, however. 
• They Stay Level. This goes back to the stability of cats. A catamaran will heel only 5 to 10 degrees, which is a lot less than a monohull boat. This makes it easier to do certain activities such as cooking, and it provides a more comfortable experience for all onboard overall. A cat is the perfect type of boat for socializing with others. 
• They are fast. While a monohull is elegant, a cat will usually have a higher top speed(want to understand sailboat speed? ). The reason for this is because they don’t have a heavy keel weighing them down. If you are the type you enjoy fast sailing, a catamaran will be right up your alley! 
• Safety. Cats are hard to sink and capsize; it would take extreme weather and waves to defeat a catamaran. Because of this, they are regarded as one of the safest boats. In addition, it is rare for someone to be tossed overboard while on a cat due to the stability benefits. If you value the member’s safety onboard your boat, a cat won’t let you down.  When do catamarans capsize?
• Shallow water cruising. Catamarans have low draft keels, which allows them to cruise in shallow waters. Additionally, you are less likely to misjudge a body of water being deep enough since chances are you’ll just pass above the reef or rock without ever noticing. 
• Bridge deck view. Because cat decks are high up, you can get a better view of your surroundings. A higher deck’s advantage is that it allows for better sightseeing, and it can be viewed as a safety feature.

Catamaran Cons

• Different sailing experience. The stability of a cat is also seen as a downside from some people. Many sailing enthusiasts feel that sailing a cat is like sailing a houseboat, while monohulls offer the “true” sailing experience. If you are after exhilarating (or at least heeling) sailing, then a monohull may be better for you.
• They take up more space. Cats may have a lot of space, but they also take up a lot of space, which leads them to be more difficult to dock in certain areas, and in many instances, you may not be able to dock exactly where you want. Also, they often cost more money to dock simply due to their size. 
• Noisy to sail upwind. Due to some cats having a low bridge deck clearance, waves can smack up against its underside and emit a very noticeable water slapping sound. This can get annoying when you are trying to enjoy a quiet sailing session. If you want to learn more, read this!
• Less feedback when turning. Due to their stability and overall wideness, you won’t get as much feedback from the wheel as you would a monohull. This means you will need to be more vigilant if you find yourself in rough waters and high winds. Some people also feel like there is a lag while steering a catamaran.
• More expensive. Besides higher docking fees, cats sometimes cost more upfront, catamaran vs monohull costs is a complex topic. When is a catamaran cheaper than a monohull?

What Are Monohulls?

As the name suggests, monohull boats have one hull. This design is likely what you think of when you think of what a boat is. You might be wondering why most boats aren’t catamarans given their stability advantages, and the answer to that is responsiveness, size, nimbleness, and sailing experience.

One advantage with a monohull boat is that it can slice through water like butter mitigating noise at higher speeds. Additionally, they are cheaper to produce (generally speaking) overall, making them even more attractive for both manufacturers and consumers. 

Many would also argue that monohulls are aesthetically pleasing. Think of the best looking Yachts and speedboats you’ve ever seen – they are highly likely to be monohulls. 

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves; there are plenty of differences and pros & cons between cats and monohulls, and stacking them up together is the easiest way to make an informed decision on which one is best for you.

Monohull Pros

• Quiet sailing. Because of how monohulls are shaped, they don’t suffer from water slapping against a flat hull. They cut through the water, which allows for a quieter sailing experience overall. If you hate repetitive, annoying sounds, you might want to look into a monohull for this reason.
• More exhilarating sailing experience. This is the main argument from people who are fans of monohull boats. You can heel in them, and they are more responsive when steering. You’ll also “feel” the waters more as the boat gets sloshed around. If you are looking for that heeling motion a monohull or a trimaran is probably what you should get. In addition, monohulls are easier to tack . 
• Aesthetics. This is subjective, but more people seem to prefer the aesthetics of monohull boats. A good looking monohull is simply gorgeous and sleek looking. I love the look of cats, but I do believe most people fancy the mono!
• Dock in more places. Monohulls are smaller, which means they can dock almost anywhere without special accommodation. Additionally, they can maneuver through tighter spaces. Even though shallow water can sometimes be the enemy of a monohull boat, you’ll likely feel like you aren’t as limited as a catamaran. 
• Less expensive. A furnished out monohull boat is usually going to be less expensive than a cat. If you want amenities such as sleeping quarters and cooking tools, you’ll save money using a monohull.

Can catamarans be cheaper than monohulls?

Monohull Cons

• Small quarters. Any area you go to inside of a monohull is going to be smaller than the cat equivalent. So while monohulls are cheaper, you are receiving less space; you will need to look for a bigger monohull if you want living quarters that are closer to a cat. 
• Ventilation. Monohulls aren’t as good at ventilating as a cat. Things can get quite toasty on a warm day, which isn’t ideal if you are sleeping in your boat. You can use fans, or AC to help mitigate this issue, however.
• Stability. Monohulls rock a lot more easily than a cat, which can be disorienting to people not used to being on a boat. Additionally, it makes certain activities such as cooking harder than they should be. Not to mention it can be downright uncomfortable for some people. Some monohulls are more stable than others, but their nature generally means they won’t be as stable as a cat. This is one of the main reasons I’m switching to a cat!
• Lower sitting. Because the below deck areas sit below the waterline, it can make some feel like they are living in a hole. If you are claustrophobic, then this may be an issue for you. Some people like this aspect of monohulls since they feel hidden and secure, but it’s not for everybody.
• Safety. This is a big one to keep in mind. The hull on a monohull boat is simply the bottom of the boat. Unlike cats, which have holes on each side with the deck and below deck portions being in the monohulls don’t have protection against sinking due to a puncture. If there is a hole made on the hull, water will come in, and the boat will sink. This, however, is only a tiny fraction of what should be considered when discussing sailboat design safety. Why do catamarans capsize? 

Also, it’s more likely to be tossed overboard if you are on particularly wavy waters and fall the wrong way. We’re not saying there is a high chance of this happening, but it is possible. Remember to wear a life jacket when on deck, such as this Self-inflatable I used in the Bahamas.

Who Should Buy a Catamaran?

Consider if you value the thrill of heeling or comfort. Putting together the pros and cons of cats, the conclusion can be made that they are better for people who want more of a “houseboat” experience. They are larger, more stable, and offer a superior deck view since they sit high. This is not true of all catamarans, the more performance-oriented boats are a true adventure to sail!

Additionally, If you enjoy passing other boats or just like to get to your destination quicker, you’ll enjoy the speed advantage of a catboat. You’ll also have more peace of mind that you are much more protected against punctures and sinking than a monohull. 

In short, if you value a more “homey” experience and aren’t too fond of your boat rocking when you are trying to walk and cook. Additionally, if you are prone to seasickness, you will have an easier time with a cat. 

If you are looking for a more “involved” sailing experience, you might be disappointed with a catamaran since it can feel as though you are gliding along in a boathouse. But if that is your thing, then a catamaran is for you. 

Who Should Buy a Monohull?

Monohulls are the more traditional of the two choices and are still preferred by many boat people— the main reason being that the whole “boating experience” is more pronounced with monohulls. You’ll feel the waters more, and you get to do fun stuff, such as healing. You will also be closer to the water since sections are much lower than they are in a cat. 

Furthermore, these boats are usually the less expensive option.

You won’t get any of that annoying water slapping noise prominent with cats when the waters start getting rough. 

Last but not least, monohulls (by popular vote) generally look better, and so if you want to stand out in a good way and show off your expensive investment, getting a monohull is going to be your best bet.

Overall, if you love connecting with the waters and want to feel like you are on a boat, a monohull will be more for you. Cats are great, but some traditionalists say “monohulls are the sailor’s boat”. 

Want More Insight?

If you would like more insight on this topic, we recommend checking out this debate between two sailors on catamarans vs monohulls. You’ll receive two points of view regarding various factors regarding speed, fuel, etc. There is a reason why there are so many back and forth arguments in the boating community on this topic and exploring both points of view may help you make an informed decision based on what matters to you.

There are compelling reasons to go with one or the other boat styles. Cats will offer a more relaxed experience with their stability, spaciousness, and higher view. They are also extremely hard to sink due to the small draft. If you are prone to seasickness or just simply hate it when a boat rocks, then getting a catamaran is going to be the right call for you. 

On the other hand, if you are looking for a more heeling experience, then a monohull is the best choice.

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!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

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...

• Catamaran vs. Monohull: What Type of Boat is Right for You?
• Sailing Hub
• Sailing Dilemmas
• Catamaran vs. Monohull - which one should you choose?

When you are planning a sailing holiday, you’ll be faced with a choice; catamaran vs. monohull. Each type has many benefits, but it’s important to think about what your needs are because that will tell you just which one to pick!

Let's dive right in!

Ease of sailing

Maneuverability, space/layout, holiday vibe.

You may also like:  Sailing holiday destinations for your next boat trip

One of the top considerations you should have is what type of sailor you are because catamaran vs monohulls offer a distinctly different sailing experience. If you are a first time sailor and just want something incredibly easy to handle, then a catamaran will probably win out. 

Catamarans have great control when it comes to maneuvering in tight places. Since they have twin engines and rudders, you get a lot of control and can turn pretty much 360 degrees with ease.

Catamarans also have a shallow draft, which will allow you to explore much closer to the shoreline than a monohull would be able to venture. 

In the catamaran vs monohull speed debate, it might be more of a draw. Catamarans are typically 25-30% faster than a comparable monohull, but some argue that it comes at a price. When catamarans are sailing full speed you might experience a lot of slapping from the waves. Monohulls are designed to cut through the water. Also note that catamarans can be inefficient upwind and tack slowly. 

When considering sailing conditions , a catamaran vs monohull in rough seas will perform very differently. 

During rough sailing, you must be more vigilant when on a catamaran. The feedback from the wheel of a cat is not as obvious as that from a monohull. In high winds, you’ll need to know when to reduce sail. 

However, monohulls tend to roll more in stormy weather, while catamarans stay pretty level even in rough seas.

When thinking about catamaran vs monohull stability, the stability that catamarans offer is a huge draw for many. Since cats bounce with the waves less, it is easier to walk around and enjoy the yacht while in motion. The increased stability is also great for children, or seniors, or anyone who might be prone to seasickness. When it comes to catamaran vs monohull seasickness, catamarans come out on top.

Although it is worth noting that monohulls swing less than catamarans if placed side by side in an anchorage.

If you’re deciding on a catamaran vs. monohull, you’ll have to think about what type of group you have. For family sailing holidays , maybe a catamaran is the best choice. Catamarans are very spacious, offering a large living space, and many cabin/head options. This makes them optimal for parties that want to spread out. Whether you’re a family, a big group of friends, or even couples looking for a 5 star, luxury experience who appreciate the extra space and comfort even if it’s not needed, a catamaran can fit your needs.

If thinking about catamaran vs monohull liveaboard readiness, the catamaran is a top contender. With far more living space and a much more spacious kitchen, Catamarans are great for people and groups that want to focus on entertainment and lounging.  

Catamarans also typically have more spacious cabins and more privacy due to the layout with the cabins separate from the living area. This way you can send the kids to bed, and still enjoy the kitchen, dining, and living area. 

While catamarans are often touted for being roomy and luxurious, it’s worth nothing that monohull yachts can also be large and luxe. The Oceanis 62 and the Jeanneau 64 are top choices for those who want to live in the lap of luxury during their sailing holidays , while still getting that real sailing yacht experience.

In terms of catamarans vs monohull price , a monohull will definitely win. Charter prices for a catamaran can be 50-100% higher than that of a comparable sailing yacht. But that can be boiled down to the fact that you’re getting more space and more equipment with a catamaran! 

A monohull, will only have one of everything - like it’s name suggests. It has one hull, one engine, one rudder, whereas a catamaran has twice the equipment and twice the living space of a monohull of the same length.

Another catamaran vs monohull cost to consider is the mooring costs. A catamaran, due to its twin hulls, might use two spots. Monohulls take less space to moor, and will be less expensive in that regard. 

The cost of fuel should also be a consideration and in the question of catamaran vs monohull fuel efficiency, catamarans are the winner. With easy to drive hulls, and super light weight, they have great fuel efficiency. 

Lastly, there is an abundant supply of monohull charters yachts, so the charter costs tend to be less to match the demand. 

In the end, what it all comes down to is preference. In terms of performance, price, and comfort, catamarans and monohulls both have a lot going for them. You just need to decide what kind of holiday vibe you’re looking for, and Yacht4Less can help you with the rest! 

At Yacht4Less we recommend fully crewed catamaran charters if you’re looking for top-of-the-line luxury and a super relaxing holiday where you don’t have to lift a finger. These boats will offer the space and comfort you’d expect from a 5-star hotel. 

If you’re looking for a hands-on sailing adventure holiday, you might want to do a skippered charter with a monohull.. Your captain can show the ropes and help you learn how to sail. Or if you’re already an experienced sailor, go for a bareboat monohull charter . The exhilarating feeling of sailing a monohull is unmatched. It’s the classic romantic sailing experience, and makes for a thrilling holiday. 

For those looking for a sailing experience somewhere in between extravagant luxury and exciting escapades, Yacht4Less is here to help you find the perfect boat for your needs.  More sailing holiday dilemmas? We got you covered! Sailing Holidays vs. Land-Based Holidays  » Party Sailing vs. Natural Wonders  »

Get a free & non-binding quote

• Course Checklist
• Important Information
• How to Get to Us
• Our Instructors

Catamarans vs. Monohulls

Which is better, a monohull or a catamaran.

This question gets asked a lot in sailing. Especially if you are looking to take your friends or family out for the week: which will be better, a catamaran (aka cat) or monohull (aka mono)? The short answer is it depends what sort of experience you are looking for. Let's explore this further.

Tell me more about monohulls and catamarans.

Monohulls are boats that have one hull. They are the classic sailing yachts that you see old black & white photos of, racing off Newport or Cowes.

Catamarans on the other hand have two hulls. They tend to be newer, and are said to be less traditional, although some of the earliest sailing boats ever developed may well have been catamarans.

Image: monohull (left) and catamaran (right)

Things to consider

Now that we understand the difference between catamarans and monohulls, let's look at attributes that are important in sailing. Once we have explained these, we can look at how each boat-type deals with them:

For obvious reasons, you want to have a stable boat. Monohulls are a bit like a roly-poly doll, where when pushed over, they tend to right themselves. That is unless they reach what is termed the "angle of vanishing stability" or AVS. Catamarans deal with stability in a different way.

Catamarans tend to be much more stable in most conditions, but should they capsize, they quickly become stable, albeit upside down.

Nevertheless capsizing is such a rare occurrence that "stability" here really means comfort when sailing.

Angle of Vanishing Stability (AVS) graph, image thanks RYA: rya.org.uk

Living area

Your boat needs to strike a balance between sailing well and being comfortable to spend time in. The layout of the boat is important in this regard: what level it is on, how large it is, and how square the space is.

Lagoon 450 Living Area. Image thanks vivisail.com

The draft of a boat is how far in the water it goes. "How much does she draw" means "what is the minimum depth of water that this boat needs so she doesn't go aground". Monohulls by definition require a keel, a heavy piece of iron or lead that goes deep into the water. Catamarans do not require this, and therefore tend to have a "shallower draft".

Draft and Freeboard explained. Image thanks thecampfirecollective.com

Maneuverability

Being able to easily maneuver your boat is clearly an advantage in tight situations, such as when docking in a crowded marina. Both monohulls and catamarans have their pros and cons here, which will be explained further below.

Maneuverability, image thanks Cruising World (cruisingworld.com)

The speed of a sailboat is not as simple as for a motorboat. The angle of the wind has a large effect on the speed of a sailboat. Some boats can sail faster when close to the wind - monohulls normally fall into this category - while others can sail very fast when the wind is on their side (aka a beam reach) - catamarans usually like this sort of "reaching" sailing.

F50 catamaran in the fastest sailing competition in the world. Image thanks SailGP and James Wierzbowski

Having natural light and a decent view can make the living space much more comfortable. With monohulls, most of the living space is "down below" whereas for catamarans, most of the living area happens "up" in the saloon which is located between and above the two hulls. This creates two different environments. One person's "cozy" is another person's "claustrophobic". Just the same, one person's "light and open atmosphere" is another person's "soulless". So there is a fair degree of taste to this particular aspect.

Interior of the incredible Nautor Swan 48, image thanks Nautor Swan

"Feeling Sailing"

By this we mean the feel of the boat responding to the wind as she slices through the water. Some people sail for this feeling, while others simply sail as an ecological, efficient way to move from A to B. Monohulls and catamarans offer very different visceral experiences here.

WallyCento Tango sails off Monaco, image thanks Gilles Martin-Raget/Wally Yachts

In breaking down the pros and cons of monohulls and catamarans, we found that a pro for one was a con for another. With that in mind, we think it is more helpful to list the pros of each, so you only read it once. Here goes:

8 Pros to Catamarans

1. catamarans are inherently stable..

Two hulls provides a wide base, which means in most sea states, less "bobbing". Every now and then, when the space between wave tops is a certain distance, the cat can lurch. But this is more the exception than the rule.

Great illustration of reduced rolling on a catamaran, image thanks aeroyacht.com

Here are some more pros of stability:

• Stability is a big factor for families with young children or seniors. It suits "non-sailors" in the group;
• Stability is very helpful for those prone to sea sickness (although scopolamine patches are probably still required if someone is very susceptible to getting sea sick);
• Stability means things are more comfortable at anchor, and for cooking;
• Because cats don’t heel over nearly as much, storage and stowing of provisions and household items is much easier.

Apologies for resolution, a brilliant graph on catamaran stability, thanks sailingcatamarans.com

2. Catamarans have more space.

Catamarans generally have much more living space in the main salon, galley and cockpit, and in the cabins. This can allow for greater privacy when chartering with friends or children, as the two sleeping areas (one in each hull) are separated by the living area. Here are some more pros of space:

• More space on a catamaran for preparing food, which means the cooking experience tends to be less a balancing act, and more like the kitchen at home;
• More space on a catamaran for storing things, which means people are not tripping over them throughout the trip.
• The space on a catamaran is square-shaped, akin to an apartment, as opposed to a monohull which tends to be more rectangular.

Interior of a Lagoon 620, image thanks Indigo Bay Yacht Charters

3. Catamaran living space is above the water line.

On a monohull, almost all living space on a is at least partially below the water line, which limits light and view, and can lead to claustrophobia in some. Catamarans on the other hand, sit above the water line. In addition:

• Ventilation in the main saloon area on catamarans is generally excellent, given their above-water design.
• Most of the living quarters are also above the water line, which allows for more light and a better view, as well as better circulation of air.

4. Catamarans can venture into shallower areas.

The lack of keel on a catamaran results in a shallower draft, allowing to anchor in shallower water, which is especially valuable around reefs in the tropics.

Shallow draft of a catamaran, image thanks aeroyacht.com

5. Catamarans can turn on a dime.

Because catamarans have two engines and two rudders, maneuverability in tight spaces is improved, with most cats being able to turn 360º within the length of the boat.

6. Catamarans (usually) sail faster.

Without the need for a heavy keel, catamarans are lighter than an equivalent monohull. That, plus the fact that they keep their sails perpendicular to the wind, means they sail faster than monohulls, especially on a run or broad reach.

The magnificent HH66 catamaran, image thanks Sail Magazine

7. Catamarans are harder to sink.

Without the need for a lead-weighted keel, catamarans are not just lighter and faster, they are also harder to sink. Monohulls have been known to "lose their keel", by hitting something such as a semi-submerged container or even a whale. When this happens, the boat will tend to sink within minutes. Catamarans do not have a keel to lose, which means in this (admittedly very rare, blue-water) event, catamarans come out trumps.

8. Catamarans allow spooning.

Most catamarans have a trampoline or net at the front. This allows for spacious and comfortable cuddling under the stars - not to be underrated.

Monohull Pros

1. monohulls look great..

You can’t beat a monohull sailboat for good looks. Classic, sleek, beautiful, there is a timeless beauty to monohull sailboats.

Catamarans on the other hand have a “non-traditional” aesthetic that some consider to be a little harsher on the eyes. Let's face it, many are downright ugly.

2. Monohulls are a romantic, evolving tradition.

Do you love the old photos of well-dressed people sailing their immaculate wooden monohulls in beautiful surroundings? If you answer yes to this question, take a good look at monohulls. That romance and tradition is still there.

3. Monohulls give you more options.

Due to the sheer volume of monohulls made over the last century, there are many more options for a boat that meets your individual lifestyle, personal aesthetic, or budget.

4. Monohulls carry a lower cost.

• Monohulls take up half the space at a marina than catamarans, and therefore generally cost you half as much.
• Monohulls are more readily available used in good shape, and cost less to charter for equal sleeping capacity.

5. Monohulls sail better upwind.

Due to their keel, monohulls can sail higher into the wind than most catamarans. Some of the more exotic catamarans have daggerboards which serve the same purpose as a keel, and therefore improve windward performance substantially. However 95% of cruising cats (ie. those you can charter) do not have daggerboards. Furthermore:

• A monohull will be far easier than a catamaran to tack.
• Monohulls slice through the water effortlessly. On some catamarans you get an irritating slapping of water on the bridge decks in rougher seas.
• A monohull is generally faster to respond to the helm (in other words, they turn faster). This is because most cruising cats have little "spade rudders", with their depth dictated by the need to have a shallow draft. Whereas with a keel, a monohull can have a far deeper (read: more responsive) rudder for its draft.

Monohull sailing upwind, image thanks Sail Magazine

6. Monohulls give you more feedback when sailing.

This factor (and lower cost) is why most sail training happens on monohulls. If you have too much sail out for the wind, your overpowered monohull will heel over and become a pain to sail, before anything breaks. 

On a catamaran you get less feedback at the wheel, which if you are not being very attentive can get you into trouble in big winds.

Then there is the visceral joy of "feeling sailing". A monohull will heel (meaning it is designed to tip over anywhere from 10º to say 50º) whereas a catamaran won't. While their increased heeling can be a performance disadvantage, it can also be an advantage as it is a lot of fun. 

7. Tacking is easier on a monohull.

While they can accelerate faster, catamarans also decelerate much quicker, and as such can have a harder time maintaining momentum through a tack. It depends what sort of sailing you are after. If it is about enjoying being outside, and not so much about the sailing itself, then a catamaran is fine. But if you are out there sailing for sailing's sake, then you will probably find more enjoyment on a monohull.

8. Monohulls tend to swing less at anchor.

While they may rock more in a side to side motion than their equivalent catamaran, monohulls tend to swing less at anchor.

Libertas on a mooring ball. Monohulls exhibit less "sailing on their anchor" when moored.

Conclusions

The above shows that there are no clear winners to the Catamaran vs. Monohull debate. At Sailing Virgins we teach and cruise on both monohulls and catamarans. If you have to make a decision yourself it really comes down to:

• How much hard-core sailing you (and your crew) intend to do;
• What your budget is;
• How much space you need;
• How shallow the bays are that you would like to visit.

We hope that helps your decision making. If you would ever like to know more, if you become a Sailing Virgins Patron, you can take part in any of our once-per-month live Q&A sessions, where absolutely any sailing-related question if yours can be asked and answered. Patron support starts from as little as $3 per episode. Click here for more information.

Related posts

Essential Gear for Your First Sailing Adventure (2023)

Embarking on your first sailing adventure: must-have gear and essential tips.

If the call of the...

Unveiling La Paz, Mexico: An Unforgettable Sailing Destination

Welcome to la paz, an irresistible paradise for adventurers.

Ahoy, adventure-seekers! If you're...

How To Avoid Seasickness: 10 Tips For A Smooth Ride

Seasickness, or motion sickness, is a common problem that can ruin your sailing adventure. It’s...

Recent Posts

• August 2016 (11)
• May 2023 (11)
• April 2023 (10)
• September 2016 (8)
• November 2016 (5)
• June 2016 (3)
• July 2017 (3)
• March 2018 (3)
• November 2018 (3)
• June 2019 (3)
• June 2023 (3)
• October 2016 (2)
• January 2017 (2)
• February 2017 (2)
• May 2017 (2)
• August 2017 (2)
• October 2017 (2)
• February 2018 (2)
• December 2018 (2)
• June 2022 (2)
• July 2022 (2)
• November 2015 (1)
• April 2016 (1)
• May 2016 (1)
• December 2016 (1)
• April 2017 (1)
• September 2017 (1)
• November 2017 (1)
• December 2017 (1)
• January 2018 (1)
• April 2018 (1)
• July 2018 (1)
• September 2018 (1)
• January 2019 (1)
• July 2019 (1)
• September 2019 (1)
• January 2020 (1)
• March 2020 (1)
• April 2020 (1)
• May 2020 (1)
• June 2020 (1)
• April 2021 (1)
• August 2022 (1)
• October 2022 (1)
• December 2022 (1)
• July 2023 (1)
• August 2023 (1)
• January 2024 (1)
• how to (21)
• sailing (14)
• Sailing Tips (12)
• corporate (9)
• sailing course (7)
• General (6)
• Insider (6)
• professional development (6)
• vacation (6)
• Mindfulness (5)
• leadership (5)
• Performance (4)
• group travel (4)
• opinion (4)
• opinions (4)
• qualifications (4)
• Interview (3)
• Trip Notes (3)
• Uncategorized (3)
• adventure (3)
• sailing virgins (3)
• Instructor Course (2)
• Self-Care (2)
• catamarans vs monohulls (2)
• charter boat (2)
• island adventure (2)
• networking (2)
• preparation (2)
• sailing guide (2)
• youtube (2)
• Athlete (1)
• Beginner (1)
• City Guides (1)
• Failure (1)
• First Time (1)
• Maderia (1)
• check out (1)
• fishing (1)
• french polynesia (1)
• gear tips (1)
• golf vs sailing (1)
• safety brief yacht (1)
• the yacht week (1)
• trip review (1)

The founders of Sailing Virgins started things as a result of having some incredible sailing seasons in the Mediterranean and Caribbean working for sailing company The Yacht Week. James then worked for and for a while managed Tortola Sailing School. In 2016 he branched off and started Sailing Virgins. We LOVE how sailing is changing. Top speeds in the America’s Cup were thirteen knots not so long ago. Now they’re 45 knots. If you’re excited by that, we’re with you. Giddy up!

• Village Cay Wickhams Cay 1 Road Town VG VG1110, Road Town, British Virgin Islands
• +1 (284) 442-2288
• [email protected]

© LOVE SAILING VIRGINS 2016-2019

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Fraud Policy Statement
• Affiliate Program

Introduction

The benefits and compromises of owning a power catamaran are usually obvious for different consumers, depending on their circumstances, boating ambitions and level of experience. However, a rapidly growing number of seasoned boaters are learning the joys of owning a catamaran and end up becoming firm catamaran supporters.

We have witnessed amazing changes to how families go boating together on a catamaran. For many families, the catamaran yacht has enabled their kids to join and bring their friends without overcrowding the boat. Guests do not have to be seasoned yachties to enjoy the day in the stable and protected cockpit. While entertaining can be done with style and without stress.

The most compelling argument of all must be this: seasoned monohull boaters are converting to catamarans by the truckload. Many converted former motor yacht owners are now passionate advocates of power catamarans. For experienced yachties demanding performance, the advantages are simply too great to ignore.  It is rare to hear of any catamaran owners ever going back to a monohull. Once you become a catamaran owner, you are hooked for life.

“Why should I buy a power catamaran instead of a similar sized motor yacht?”

We are regularly asked by buyers “why should I buy a power catamaran instead of a similar sized motor yacht”. Like everything, there are benefits and compromises to the power catamaran. Despite ourselves being firm Catamaran converts and lifetime believers, below we offer a balanced comparison of the pros and cons.

Advantages of Monohulls

A monohull, as the name implies, has just one hull. This is the most common type of hull design, but why? To produce a well balanced comparison lets start by investigating the benefits of monohulls:

Slow roll period

• Many brands and builders to choose from

More usable space below waterline

Familiar handling.

While monohulls roll back and forth far more than a catamaran, monohull fans will argue that the slow roll period of a monohull has a comforting effect.

There any many brands and builders to choose from as most builders still only produce monohulls. Whilst this trend is changing, 50+ years of composite boat building has been heavily monohull focused. This does mean that there is a far greater selection of vessels, designers and brands and builders to select from.

Whilst the monohull comparably has less interior space, the wide waterline beam (width) allows for greater use of the internal hull height. This either enables builders to mount tanks and storage below cabin floors or to actually expand the cabin below waterline. As a catamaran gains performance via its light displacement and narrow waterline beam, this is often not practical on a catamaran.

Jumping from one boat to another will feel extremely familiar as the differences in handling between brands is minimal, with the exception of planning hull vs displacement hull. Focusing on planning hulls, however you will quickly feel familiar jumping from one boat to another. On the contrary, the difference in handling from a monohull to a power catamaran are immediately apparent.

Disadvantages of Monohulls

Now that we have seen the advantages of a monohull, lets analyse some disadvantages one might encounter while boating on a typical V-bottomed or deep-V motoryacht.

Low stability

Bow steering, rolling at anchor, significant bowrise.

Due to the wide flat hull shape required to get the monohull more quickly into planning mode, it can produce a rather bumpy ride when motoring through waves. Performance through waves can be significantly improved or diminished depending on the hull shape. For instance, a deep V hull will be more comfortable through waves than a shallow V. However, both are significantly outperformed by even the worst power catamaran designs.

A monohulls heel angle is directly affected by weight placement. Moving too much weight to port or to stbd will cause the vessel to heel. This is significantly noticeable when at anchor however even underway an incorrectly loaded monohull can dangerously heel. This can be overcome underway by the use of trim tabs. However, is best overcome by conscious weight placement and management.

Bow steering usually occurs when motoring at speed in a following sea or when passing another vessels wake. If you are inexperienced and do not know what is happening it can be quite frightening. Basically, the boat will suddenly and often expectantly turn hard in one direction while rolling hard in the opposite direction, despite your efforts to steer straight. Bow steering can be prevented with the installation of trim tabs. They can enable you to raise the bow up and out of the water when in a following sea. Trim tabs are not needed on a catamaran due to the natural separation of hulls bow steering.

At times you will undoubtedly come across anchorages that aren’t completely flat. When this happens, monohulls, that rely on the weight of their COG (center of gravity) to be aligned below their COB (center of buoyancy) to keep them upright, will start to rock from side to side. Things roll around inside, plates go flying. It’s uncomfortable or sometimes impossible to cook, and only the hardiest of yachties will be getting any sleep. 

While all of this is going on, at the next mooring ball, the power catamaran owners are sitting in their cockpits sipping sun-downers, barely noticing the movement, quietly getting tipsy before a long night’s sleep.

The degree of bowrise varies with monohull designs. However, for those of you unfamiliar with this term, bowrise is the tendency of a boat to point its bows up in the air before it gets into planning mode and then settles somewhat. This puts passengers through an uncomfortable, and sometimes unnerving experience whilst also exposing the vessel to a decreased level of stability and safety.

POWER CATAMARAN

Advantages of power catamarans.

Whilst individual designs can vary by design and their usage, the benefits below are typically universal for most catamarans. In comparison to the equivalent length monohull a catamaran shall deliver the following advantages:

Superior ride comfort

Enhanced stability at anchor and underway, up-scaled cabins and interiors, larger single level cockpit and saloon, significantly improved fuel consumption.

• Drastically improved close-quarter maneuvering

Catamarans experience slower deceleration through wave impact. This significantly reduces slamming through waves. This has been measured with accelerometers in like for like tests to have a 25% reduction in G forces when riding over waves.

Due largely to their wider beam, catamarans have a remarkably higher righting moment compared to monohulls. This prevents them from rolling side-to-side when at anchor, and keeps them sitting level both underway and at rest . This is regardless of placement of people or luggage, this also eliminates the need for catamarans to use trim tabs.

More interior volume, especially in power catamarans that carry their beam all the way forward. Even applicable in the smallest cats that will usually have stand up headroom in each cabin, unlike smaller monohulls. As a result of this increased volume, a power catamaran will always feel over sized – more fairly compared to a monohull 15-20% longer in length. A 35ft power catamaran for instance is more fairly matched against a 43ft motor yacht.

Catamarans generally provide far more living space in the main salon and cockpit in comparison to similarly priced monohulls. The galley, main salon and cockpit are also all on one level, above the water line … making life aboard as well as your view much more enjoyable.

Due to their reduced displacement and wetted surface area power catamarans are impressively efficient. The wider monohull bows create a large bow wake and greater resistance, which require more HP to get onto plane. Not only does this burn more fuel, but also enables a catamaran to get onto plane under just one motor. This is a significant safety advantage, enabling a boat with only one working engine to return to shore before dark rather than limping home at below planning speeds. The ability to plane at lower RPM’s enables cruisers not wanting to travel at groundbreaking speeds to achieve highly efficient low speed planning. Vastly expanding their cruising ground while not breaking the bank nor taking all day to get to the next anchorage. Learn more about power catamaran fuel consumption HERE>>

Drastically improved close-quarter maneuvering: A large separation between the port and stbd engine drastically improves close-quarters maneuvering. This enables a power catamaran to literally rotate within its own waterline length by simply putting one engine in reverse, and one in forward. Add a joystick control and you’re in command of one of the easiest boats that you will ever dock.

Disadvantages of Power Catamarans

Despite the significant benefits gained by the power catamaran, there are also a few unusual traits associated with powercats:

Outward banking

Snaking at anchor, tunnel-slap, unusual appearance.

When making sharp turnsm a monohull will bank (roll) into the turn. A catamaran, on the other hand, due to its increased stability and righting moment will actually bank slightly outward. If coming from a monohull background, initially this sensation will feel unusual. However, If you have no prior expectations regarding the outward bank offers ,no benefits or disadvantage over the inward bank.

Due to the power catamarans wide beam and asymmetry, when at anchor a shifting breeze will cause the vessel to turn to port and stbd in a snakelike movement.  If the wind has some strength and continues to shift, this movement can become uncomfortable. We therefore recommend attaching an anchor bridle whenever anchoring which completely eradicates this effect.

In certain conditions, catamarans can experience tunnel slap. This is where a wave passing under the tunnel rises up and slaps the wingdeck surface causing a thud or slapping sound. This effects different catamaran designs in various ways depending on whether they are of displacement or planning type. A displacement catamaran requires a high wingdeck to overcome the wave crest heights in order to ride over the top of the waves. Planning catamarans, on the other hand, should have narrower and shallower tunnels. This forces a compressed air mixture through the tunnel, creating a cushioning and lifting effect lifting the catamaran above the surface of the water with intensity increasing as speed increases.

When asked, many monohull owners claim they do not like the unusual appearance of a power catamaran. Whilst styling preference is subjective, at Makai we have worked hard to design a power catamaran that delivers all of the benefits of a catamaran. Whilst doing so with attractive and unmistakable styling.

CONCLUSION : Power Catamaran or Monohull?

Whilst each have their own advantages and disadvantages the final choice is completely down to personal preference. Clearly, we are die hard catamaran believers, but we also believe that what is most important above all else is just getting outside and on the water, having fun and being safe. So, when you find the boat that does all of the right things for you, go for it!

Learn more about MAKAI Yachts HERE>>

Learn more about the MAKAI M37 HERE>>

• Get Newsletter
• Privacy Policy

Your source for the latest news on yachts, boats and more. Read through our articles to find out how to compare boats and find the right fit for you!

Catamaran vs. Monohull Fishing Boats - Which is Better

Dec 14, 2023

less than a min

When selecting a fishing boat, anglers face a significant choice that can impact their experience on the water. The type of boat you choose - be it a catamaran or a traditional monohull - plays a pivotal role in defining your fishing adventures. Both catamaran and monohull boats have distinct features and advantages, and understanding these differences is key to finding a vessel that aligns with your fishing style and preferences. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just beginning to navigate the world of fishing, we'll help guide delves into the nuances of catamaran and monohull fishing boats.

Catamaran Fishing Boats: Stability Meets Performance

What are catamaran fishing boats.

Catamaran fishing boats, with their distinctive multihull design, are gaining acclaim among anglers for their exceptional stability and comfort, particularly in challenging sea conditions. The dual-hull structure of these boats not only reduces water resistance, leading to improved fuel efficiency but also ensures a smoother ride. For instance, the "Offshore Fishing Catamarans," which typically range from 20 to 40 feet in length, are equipped with features tailored for serious anglers, including fish boxes, live wells, and rod holders. These boats are adept at handling rough offshore waters, making them ideal for pursuing species like king mackerel or wahoo.

Offshore Fishing Catamarans

Design : Power catamarans , designed for offshore use, are equipped with features like fish boxes, live wells, and rod holders, essential for serious anglers.

Handling Rough Waters : They excel in handling choppy offshore waters, making them suitable for trolling species like king mackerel or wahoo.

Versatility : Not limited to saltwater, they are also effective in large freshwater systems like the Great Lakes.

Comfort for Extended Trips : Many models offer cabins for overnight stays, enhancing their appeal for longer fishing expeditions.

Average Length : 20 to 40 feet

Propulsion : Twin outboard engines

Capacity : 8 to 10 people

Hull Type : Multi-hull

Another notable example is the "Small Fishing Catamaran," averaging between 8 and 14 feet. These smaller variants offer enhanced stability and buoyancy compared to traditional flat-bottom boats and are particularly suitable for shallow water fishing. Their lightweight and easy-to-transport nature, combined with the option for paddle or small outboard motor propulsion, make them a great entry-level choice for new boaters.

Small Fishing Catamaran

Ideal for Beginners : These boats offer an entry-level option with better stability and buoyancy than flat-bottom boats.

Shallow Draft : Their shallow draft allows easy beaching and shore pull-up, ideal for coastal fishing.

Average Length : 8 to 14 feet

Propulsion : Outboard engine or paddle

Capacity : 1 to 3 people

Both types of catamarans exemplify the blend of practical design and angler-centric features, making them a compelling choice for a wide range of fishing activities.

Monohull Fishing Boats: The Traditional Choice

Monohull fishing boats, revered as the traditional choice in the angling world, have long been the backbone of the fishing community. Characterised by their single-hull design, these boats offer a classic approach to fishing, blending time-honoured maritime traditions with modern advancements. Monohulls are known for their straightforward handling and predictable performance, making them a familiar and reliable option for many anglers. Their design allows for deep V-hulls that can cut through waves, offering a smooth ride and a distinct fishing experience. 

Advantages of Monohull Fishing Boats

Space Utilisation : Monohulls offer a larger single space below the waterline, allowing for bigger cabins and storage areas.

Roll Period : They have a slower roll period, which means the motion is less abrupt compared to some catamarans.

Predictability : Handling characteristics are more consistent and predictable.

Variety and Resale : There's a broader selection of monohulls available, and they tend to be easier to resell.

Monohull Disadvantages

Stability Issues : They can lean significantly with weight shifts on the deck.

Bowrise and Steering : Monohulls experience noticeable bowrise when coming onto plane and may exhibit bow steering.

Catamaran vs. Monohull: Which is Better for Fishing?

Handling and maneuverability.

Catamarans are highly manoeuvrable due to their dual engines and hulls, offering better control, which is crucial when fishing in tight spots or near structures.

Monohulls have predictable handling, but their performance can vary significantly based on the design and sea conditions.

Space and Amenities

Catamarans provide more living space, making them suitable for extended trips and anglers who prioritise comfort.

Monohulls have more space below the waterline, which can be advantageous for storage and cabin size.

Draft and Accessibility

Catamarans, with their shallow draft, allow access to areas that might be challenging for some monohulls.

Monohulls might have limitations in shallow waters but often perform better in deep sea conditions.

Economy and Maintenance

Catamarans are generally more fuel-efficient, but they may have higher maintenance costs due to their dual systems.

Monohulls are traditionally less expensive to purchase and maintain but might not offer the same fuel efficiency as catamarans.

Tailoring to Your Fishing Style

The decision between a catamaran and a monohull fishing boat should be based on your specific fishing style, preferred locations, and comfort requirements. Catamarans are ideal for anglers seeking stability and comfort in various water conditions, while monohulls are suitable for those who prefer traditional handling and may not require extensive space. Ultimately, the right choice will enhance your fishing experience, ensuring safety, efficiency, and enjoyment on the water. Whether you're drawn to the traditional charm of monohulls or the stability of catamarans, TheBoatDB provides a user-friendly platform to assess each option side-by-side. Visit TheBoatDB to delve deeper into the specifics of each type and discover the boat that perfectly aligns with your fishing style and needs.

You might like these too

Sailboat or Motorboat – Learn the pros and cons lg ...

Aug 24, 2022

Which is better a wooden boat or fiberglass boat lg ...

Which is the Best Economical Catamaran lg ...

Oct 04, 2021

Trimaran Sailboats: Pros and Cons lg ...

Sep 22, 2021

Find Out the Lagoon 42 Catamaran Top Speed lg ...

Best Small Boat for Ocean Crossing and Sailing lg ...

Sep 16, 2021