catamaran sailing events

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Catamaran Shows

Catamaran boat shows and multihull events.

Some of the highlights of the year include these yachting festivals!

Here are some of the yachting events planned for this year where you can take a look at some of the sailing catamarans featured on Katamarans.com.

International Multihull Boat Show

03-07 April 2024

Go to our International Multihull Show page here. This is evolving into the main catamaran boat show of the year, certainly in Europe.

We are proud to be an Official partner for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte!

This show is unique in that it is dedicated to multihulls with more than 60 boats exhibiting. Head to La Grande-Motte on the Southern Coast of France, which doubles up as a great week-end away on the beach.

This show is now run by the Fédération des Industries Nautiques (FIN) after their acquisition of M20, the previous organisers, in September 2023. They also run the Nautic en Seine Paris Boat show and Metstrade in Amsterdam.

Website: multicoque-online.com

Singapore Yachting Festival Show

25 – 28 April 2024

Website: singaporeyachtshow.com

Palma International Boats Show

25-28 Apr 2024

Over 600 boats with the Palma Superyacht Village. palmainternationalboatshow.com

Sydney International Boat Show

1 Aug- 4 Aug 2024

Seawind and Lightning Catamarans have a heavy presence here, of course, but this show also attracts catamaran manufacturers from around the world. It’s good to see this show as popular as ever!

Multihull Central will be there (HH, Seawind and Outremer dealers) plus Multihull Solutions and Multihull Group.

Website: sydneyboatshow.com.au

Cannes Yachting Festival

10-15 Sep 2024

The big one in Europe where you can visit the boats on the water: Cannes is Europe’s largest in-water boat show. These days there is a whole separate sailing section at Port Canto. Great if you want to see all the latest catamarans and monohulls including Gunboat , HH, Outremer, Nautitech, Lagoon , Fountaine Pajot, Bali, Catana , Windelo, C-Cats and many more.

Website: cannesyachtingfestival.com

Southampton International Boat Show

13 – 22 September 2024

The UK show is the one to head for if you want to take a look at a Dazcat, a Broadblue and many of the French manufacturers.

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

1-6 Oct 2024

A great place to view Neel, Nautitech , Bali, Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot . grand-pavois.com

Salon Nautico, Barcelona

October 2024

The cruising catamarans are well represented here, especially Bali, Lagoon, Excess, Leopard Catamarans and Fountaine Pajot. Sunreef are often there too (well, it’s pretty close for Rafa Nadal).

Salon Nautico

Annapolis Sail Boat Show

10-14 October 2024

The big one, certainly Stateside. There is so much going on at the Annapolis show. The boats, of course, but also sailing courses, presentations and more in Chesapeake Bay. This is a place to see the South African designs like Kinetic , Vision, Maverick and Balance Catamarans. Also Antares and Max Cruise.

In fact, this show probably has the widest selection of multihulls of all of the shows globally.

Website: annapolisboatshows.com

Nautic en Seine, Paris

15 – 20 Oct 2024

The Paris boat show is at the Paris, Porte de Versailles ( Paris 75015). This show has 100,000 sqm of exhibition space, and features over 650 boats and 800 exhibitors. the sailing boats are in Hall 1. nauticenseine.fr

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

Oct 30- Nov 03 2024

This used to be a show for large luxury motor yachts, but they have expanded and you’ll now be able to view a great selection of sailing and power catamarans.

Website: flibs.com

Boot Dusseldorf

18-26 Jan 2025

Boot is held in the Fair Ground, Düsseldorf boot.com

Miami International Boat Show

February 12-16 2025

If you fancy some February sun, then head to Miami and check out the sailing catamarans that will be exhibiting in Florida.

Website: miamiboatshow.com

Dubai International Boat Show

Website: boatshowdubai.com

Mostly luxury yachts and power catamarans. Sunreef will be exhibiting their ECO range. Also Ultimate Catamarans and VisionF Yachts

Browse, search and find your perfect catamaran!

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78 Old Fishermans Wharf

Monterey, CA 93940

10:00AM - 6:00PM

• (831) 372-7245

Info & Reservations

let's go sailing!

Enjoy a complimentary beer, hard seltzer, or juice

While Sailing a Spacious Catamaran on the Monterey Bay!

• Catamaran Cruises

Welcome aboard Monterey’s newest and finest catamaran! 

Daytime Catamaran Sailing Cruises

Experience beautiful Monterey Bay with friends and family.

• 7 - 18 Passengers
• Thursday - Monday
• Complimentary Beverage

Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruises

Departs about 1 hour and 30 minutes before the sunset.

Private Sailing Cruises

Choose between a Catamaran or a Monohull

Catamaran Private Cruises

Up to 23 People

Monohull/Keelboat Private Cruises

Up to 6 People

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Sail Monterey is our city’s only sailing activity center

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Public and Private Classes Available

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Check out our free interactive knot tying station!

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Give the gift of sailing! Gift cards are good for catamaran cruises, sailing lessons, boat rentals and more!

Common Questions

Sail Monterey offers the following

• Sailing Cruises 
• Sailing Lessons and Classes
• Sailboat Rentals

Sailing Cruises are mainly hosted on our 37ft Catamaran. However, you can also choose a keelboat to sail on. Keelboats are what most people picture in their mind when they think of a sailboat. You also have the option to host a special event on one of these boats! Sail Monterey has hosted weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, memorials, engagements and more!

Sailing Lessons  and classes are really fun! Start by signing up for the 2 hour introduction to sailing class. After that, you can get information on joining an ASA 101 class to continue your education. Checkout the “Sailing Classes” Tab above for more information.

Sailboat Rentals  are available for anyone who already knows how to sail or operate a boat. Most of our renters are our students who have taken at least the introductory and ASA 101 classes.

Sailing is an eco-friendly way to see the bay. Our sail boats use the power of the wind on 90% of each trip, burning diesel only to exit and enter the harbor. Meanwhile, other boating trips consume huge amounts of fossil fuels. Also, sailing is quiet and does not disturb marine life communication.

Professional and Safe  

Our captains are well trained, professional, and passionate about sailing. Most importantly, they put safety first and make sure that you are are comfortable.

Never crowded

Although our catamaran can carry 24 passengers, we limit our capacity to ensure everyone onboard enjoys space and comfort.

With 267 days of sunshine on average in Monterey California, any time is a good time. During Fall and Winter there is less traffic but in the Spring and Summer it is slightly warmer. If you visit Monterey for a few days, it is almost certain that you will experience some nice weather and some epic scenery. 

At Sail Monterey, we subscribe to the notion that our destination is the journey itself. After we exit the harbor, we will set sail and go wherever the wind blows. We will likely sail upwind for half the time, and downwind for half the time. We will ply our way a few miles out upon the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary whiles enjoying the view of Monterey Penninsula and the famous sand dunes surrounding the bay.  If you’d like to know more, read this article written by our very own captain, Dan Porter. Where Do We Sail?

We see different sights and animals on each cruise. Although this is not a whale watching trip or animal sighting tour, we have seen many different kinds of animals during our cruises. We have seen whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, sea otters, mola mola, jellyfish, sharks, birds and much more. In general, we encourage our guest to focus on enjoying the ride because we cannot guarantee the appearance of wildlife. 

Check out our blog for other ideas of what you can do in Monterey while on your visit. We have compiled bucket list experiences to cross off on your travels as well as our favorite activities and restaurants in the local area.  Sail Monterey Blog

If your are interested in relaxing with a beverage and enjoying the views, then book a public or private sailing cruise with us. These can both be found on our home page and you can choose which boat you’d like to sail on.

If you’re interested in a hands on experience to learn how to sail or to have some fun and help the captain, then book a sailing lesson or a private 6 passenger cruise.

Of course, If you are not sure, then give us a call and we can help you decide which adventure to choose!

Yes! From a short explanation of how sailboats work to a full range of sailing lessons and classes, we can help you accomplish your dreams of learning to sail. Your captain would be thrilled to explain the mechanics of sailing and give you a trick at the wheel. Don’t forget, we always have instructors ready to start you on your first sailing lesson. We teach a full curriculum of American Sailing Association courses along with casual sailing lessons and refresher courses. Our licensed instructors have taught and certified boat loads of happy students.  ASA certifications are valid for life and recognized internationally. Once certified, you can qualify to rent our boats.

Yes! Here are the requirements for those looking to rent a sail boat.

1. If you are one of our sailing students, you can rent the boat you are qualified for.

2. If you have an ASA certification from another school, you must preform and pass our rental check out process.

3. If you can provide us with your sailing resume and you can preform and pass our rental checkout process.

If you have little to no sailing experience, you may not be able to rent from us, so give us a call and find out.

Capt. Paul provided an outstanding tour of the bay! Experience was as if a friend took us out on his boat. Excellent directions to the landing point and perfect recommendations for local lunch restaurants. Definitely recommend this tour! - Laura

The introduction to sailing class was well done! Capt. Dan was professional, informative, and entertaining. The boat was clean and excellently maintained. Overall, just a great and fun experience - Richard

Booked same day, friendly workers, they provided complimentary snacks and drinks, 10/10!! - Anyssa

Paul was an excellent captain. We saw whales, and dolphins and had a great time! I highly recommend this experience when visiting Monterey. - Nikki

Consultation

• Sail Monterey Brochure
• Vessel Delivery
• Learn to Operate Your New Boat
• Pre-Purchase Vessel Inspections
• Travel Guide
• Meet Our Staff
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• Hotels Near Us
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• 78 Old Fishermans Wharf. Monterey, CA 93940
• Office Hours: 10a.m. – 6p.m.

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12 Best Catamaran Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 28, 2023

The appeal of the catamaran sailboats in terms of speed , stability, and the ability to embark on long-range cruising has made them hugely popular with today's sailors. But what are the best catamaran sailboats?

Even though catamaran sailboats have become increasingly popular in the last few years, they have a truly rich legacy as one of the most sought after vessels for bluewater cruising.

Thanks to their incredibly wide beams and bigger daft, catamarans have become remarkably favorable for sailors looking to go for long-distance voyages, overnight cruising, and day sailing.

And if space is paramount for you when out there on the water, a catamaran sailboat is the only way to go as they offer extraordinary space to allow you to spend more time on the water with friends and family.

But even with all these amazing features, you're probably still wondering; what are the best catamaran sailboats?

Like their monohull counterparts, choosing the best catamaran sailboat can be quite overwhelming since there are lots of them out there. They come in a wide variety of designs and sizes ranging from small catamarans to huge ones.

The best catamaran sailboats can easily clock 250-mile voyages, offer incredible performance, and have layouts that can be easily optimized for individuals, charter markets, and great accommodation. In essence, the best catamaran sailboats offer respectable performance and offer good load-carrying ability.

That being said, here are some of the best catamaran sailboats that you can get your hands on.

Table of contents

Best Catamarans

{{boat-info="/boats/manta-42"}}

Even though many multihulls are no longer built in the United States these days, the Manta 42 is a true American-built catamaran that brings good living and good value into one package. Designed cleverly for easy handling, this American built catamaran is a great choice for a liveaboard cruiser for sailors looking to go for long-distance voyages. Thanks to its trademark high bows and an enormously curved incorporated forward crossbeam, this catamaran is easily recognizable even from a distance.

It is designed with a uniquely fixed crossbeam, which is very different from conventional aluminum cross beams that support the tension of the forestay. This fixed crossbeam allows for a little bit of movement thereby helping in absorbing enormous twisting forces of the bows. As such, you have to keep in mind that there may be resultant stress crack particularly in the bow area of the vessel.

All in all, the Manta 42 is a superb offshore cruising catamaran that offers a good sail-area-to-displacement ratio as well as plenty of space and accommodation. The cockpit area is refined, luxurious, and is designed with additional stainless pushpit contraptions to help in holding objects such as wind vanes, dinghies, and solar panels. The boat's quality in terms of performance and stability is the benchmark of what a catamaran should be.

Fountaine Pajot Elba 45

{{boat-info="/boats/fountaine-pajot-elba-45"}}

Recently named the "Boat of the Year" for 2019 by Cruising World Magazine and Sail Magazine, the Elba 45 is the latest model in the incredible line of Fountaine Pajot catamarans. This boat was designed to replace the outgoing Helia 44 and stands to be one of the most popular catamarans with Fountain Pajot having sold over 100 Elba 45 hulls long before even the first one emerged from production.

This French-built cat brings to the fore a well-thought-out, safe, and dependable features with 10% less drag, efficient motoring, top-notch performance, and high speeds. It's also designed with fixed stub keels and slightly aft-raked bows, which are all essential in enhancing windward performance; something that most catamarans struggle with.

To improve on safety, the keels of this amazing catamaran sailboat are glued into a particularly designed recess in the hulls. This is to ensure that there are no keel bolts that can rip out and put the boat in danger if the boat gets grounded or in the event of a collision. The rig is also ICW friendly and is a true representation of a standard catamaran setup.

This is, without a doubt, a modern-looking cruising catamaran that has a low-profile lounging space on its deck, high topsides and bows as well as a more pronounced reverse sheer that's essential in minimizing the bulk of the windows while creating additional and useful volume below. This is a true catamaran that occupies a sweet spot for those looking to sail along the bay or for those adventurous sailors looking to set sail for more ambitious offshore cruising plans.

{{boat-info="/boats/leopard-48"}}

With its fine design, straightforward systems, and easy handling, the Leopard 48 has everything it needs to be ranked among the distinguished category of the best catamaran sailboats. This is an excellent multihull that is structured with advanced materials, designs, and innovations that are meant to be fun, spacious, and comfortable.

Designed in South Africa by Simonis-Voogd, is probably the best design in the Leopard family of catamarans. Its two hulls are vacuum-bagged using balsa core to offer maximum firmness while ensuring that the weight is on the minimum. This is done by articulately regulating the level of resin in the layup. With such types of hull shapes, this catamaran sailboat is very fast and can consistently clock 12 knots of speed against the currents.

The boat is also designed with shallow keels as they're filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam that's of great importance in increasing buoyancy and preventing water ingress. To enhance the safety of the vessel, the stern and bow both have bulkheads that are essential in keeping out that water if the sailboat is involved in a collision.

The hulls of this boat are deep and narrow, particularly below the waterline. They also curve higher up to practically reduce the wetted surface area while offering enough deck space and plenty of room for accommodations. Its cockpit is another excellent feature thanks to its lavish spaces that give you the chance of kicking back and relaxing.

This boat is designed to offer superior livability, quick and easy to handle features, as well as enough space for friends and family. It is designed with beautiful lines and immense practicality for those who want to go on long cruising voyages.

Antares 44i

While many people often believe that voluminous cruising catamarans should be used as charter boats, the Antares 44i brings a very different perspective altogether. Designed in Argentina as a complete bluewater catamaran, this is a boat that's specifically built for private boat owners looking for a sturdy and well-equipped bluewater cruiser. This is an absolutely gorgeous catamaran that has a fully-equipped cockpit just to ensure that you can safely operate it even when shorthanded.

Like most catamarans, the Antares 44i is designed with features that allow for long-distance voyages. It comes with a minimum bridge deck clearance of 30 inches, which is essential in mitigating bridge deck slap. The helm station is designed to offer excellent visibility over the coach roof without having to perch the helmsman high above the cockpit.

If you're planning to make those long-distance cruising to exotic places, you'll appreciate this boat's layout. The galley is put down in the port hull so that it doesn't compromise the size of the galley and the saloon. The forward-facing navigation station is up there with the best and is up to offshore standards. And that's not all; the Antares 44i comes with good mounting points for electronics, a large table, comfortable seats, and provides brilliant visibility outside.

This boat is perfectly suited for extended offshore cruising and is a great reminder for anyone who thinks that all catamarans are charter boats and all offshore boats are monohulls.

{{boat-info="/boats/dolphin-ocema-42"}}

Designed by Philipe Pouvreau in northern Brazil, the Dolphin Ocema 42 is a truly unique catamaran sailboat that goes against the conventional norm of catamarans. It is equipped with daggerboards, which are essential in enabling it to point higher on the wind while reducing the wetted surface when running or anchoring in shallow surfaces. This, however, requires a higher level of expertise in sailing. This is because lifting the daggerboards higher up will expose the rudders while the daggerboards can also interfere with the hulls in the event that the vessel runs aground.

But even with that, the Dolphin 42 balances incredible performance and cruising comfort in a very compact package; something that is not very easy in bluewater cruising. That's why it's designed using a foam core to make it lightweight by reducing weight wherever possible. This vessel will most likely never let you down if you want to circumnavigate the bluewater on a high-performance boat that is safe and comfortable.

So if you've been looking for a real sailing catamaran that doubles up as a very comfortable liveaboard sailboat , look no further than the Dolphin 42.

{{boat-info="/boats/catana-50"}}

Regarded as the best built and most stylish cruising multihull, the Catana 50 is a very huge catamaran sailboat. Measuring about 50 feet long with a beam of about 26 feet, this is an amazing catamaran that will test your sailing skills as a single sailor or if you're planning to sail shorthanded.

This boat is designed with a rig that gives you the option of using either a screecher or a self-tending jib. This may seem complex since the sheets are led to winches near each wheel while all other controls lead to a centerline winch that's located in the cockpit. But even with that, this sailboat can be easily tacked once on the course.

This is a real performance-oriented catamaran with efficient hulls and rigs allowing for top speed. This vessel is also designed with a long waterline and a subtle underwater shape at the bow to help in increasing volume while minimizing wave drag. The stern platforms can help in stretching the waterline length while also providing easy access from a dock or a dinghy. The board trunks are also very strong and sturdy to protect the integrity of the hulls if a collision occurs.

In essence, this is a very modern catamaran that's designed to safely make long-distance passages with ease. It is subdued in terms of styling but this doesn't mean that it falls short as far as performance is concerned.

Atlantic 42

{{boat-info="/boats/atlantic-42"}}

Designed in 1993, the A42 has cultivated a legion of fiercely loyal fans thanks to its efficiency and aesthetic. This is the smallest of the Atlantic cruising catamaran line and is hugely popular with sailors thanks to its ease of handling, ocean-going capabilities, and superb use of space. From the forward cockpit, pilothouse to the sleeping cabins, and brilliant galleys everything about this cat is a true classic.

Unlike most catamarans, the Atlantic 42 is designed with a waist-high cockpit that's located forward of the pilothouse just behind the mast. It brings forth a solid construction thanks to the large metal girder-like bearers that run across the bulkheads. This helps the vessel in having the utmost strength, better air circulation under the engine, and a high level of flexibility as far as the size of the engine and its positioning is concerned.

Initially, the boat's style and its outlook were considered conservative but it soon became clear that it is built of high-quality materials and to last. The internal construction of the boat is impressive, to say the least. The exterior looks very beautiful and perhaps much more beautiful than most boats today. Its large aft cabin accommodation is a top drawer while the space separating en suite heads and shower compartments are considered a bonus.

{{boat-info="/boats/fountaine-pajot-bahia-46"}}

If you were to board the French-built Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46, you'll agree that the high-quality of workmanship, layout, and efficient use of space is quite exciting, to say the least. This cat remains very popular among sailors thanks to its easy handling features and incredible performance under the sails. Well, this may not come as a surprise to many of us given that the Fountain Pajot is known for building some of the most remarkable cruising catamarans out there that it can be quite overwhelming to narrow down to a single vessel, but the Bahia 46 simply stands out.

This vessel is designed with hulls that are broader than those of many other catamarans. It's also designed with centerboards and daggerboards that are meant to enhance its performance. These are essential in minimizing draft while ensuring reliability, generous bilge, and in helping to protect the rudders and propellers.

This boat is big enough to manage any type of serious offshore sailing. This is one of the best cruising catamarans for anyone looking for the right vessel for long-distance sailing. This vessel has a very more generous rig than most cruising catamarans, which is essential in enhancing its performance. The six-post Bimini is very strong and clean and can perfectly hold dinghies.

In terms of its look, the Bahia 36 is designed with gorgeous lines with the deck and hulls sculpted with lines that add a touch of elegance to the overall look of an already excellent catamaran sailboat.

Gemini 105MC

{{boat-info="/boats/gemini-105mc"}}

Whether you're looking for a comfortable catamaran vessel to take you for a weekend sailing trip or a long sabbatical vacation on the oceans, the Gemini 105MC is a very satisfactory liveaboard catamaran vessel that offers spacious accommodation, thoughtful design, and a stable cruising platform for anyone who wants to have some good time on the water.

Designed by the legendary Tony Smith, this is somewhat a sailing cottage. Like a land cottage, it is cozy, comfortable, and very safe. This is essentially a 35 feet catamaran that offers great value for any sailing looking for a reasonably-priced catamaran sailboat for the weekend or holiday cruising.

This boat is designed with incredibly slim hulls, which are teardrop-shaped with flat bottoms and smaller wetted surface area. This is to ensure that drag is minimized and to lead to more leeway under sail. Each of the boat's hull is designed with a kick-up centerboard is of great importance in enhancing the vessel's windward pointing capability. This boat also has its rudders raised to enable it to seamlessly cruise in shallow waters where most vessels would otherwise run aground.

The eccentric narrow beam, which measures about 40% of the boat's length, is very different from today's 50%. However, its low center helps in keeping its stable, upright, and of course, safe.

Lagoon 450 F

{{boat-info="/boats/lagoon-450-f"}}

If you're looking for a catamaran sailboat that offers prestige at its peak, look no further than the Lagoon 450. This cat is widely known for offering an all-around comfort without compromising its beauty, spaciousness, class, and elegance. This is an elaborate French catamaran that brings to the table fantastic craftsmanship while leaving nothing to chance.

This is a very safe 45 feet catamaran that's not just comfortable but also very luxurious. The deck layout is centered on an amazing flybridge, which has been redesigned and redefined to offer both the traditional and modern outlook. You can very easily access the bridge, engine controls, steering station in a matter of seconds. As a result, this boat is efficiently designed to give you the ultimate control of almost every situation while on the water.

The spacious and luxurious interior of this boat is worth experiencing. The cabins and saloons are perfectly lit. We're talking about four to six cabins, eight to twelve berths, and up to four bathrooms. In essence, this boat can comfortably sleep eight to twelve people. This boat is designed to offer ultra-modern accommodations and amenities that come with little but amazing touches; all designed to make your life inside the catamaran enjoyable.

{{boat-info="/boats/gunboat-62"}}

An original performance catamaran cruiser from the iconic Gunboat manufacturer, the Gunboat 62 has truly cemented its place as one of the best catamaran sailboats to ever grace the oceans. Honestly speaking, this cat-inspired a whole range of other incredible boats including HH66 Catamaran and the Balance 526.

This is a boat that can perform admirably well in storms with a speed of over 35 knots despite being built using epoxy and E-glass with carbon-fiber structural components. It's designed with a distinct angular outline than most catamaran sailboats of its size and category. This is a vessel that was built for people looking to add more stuff and more gear for their voyages. In other words, you can have all the gear and equipment on this boat and still outperform a racing monohull of the same size.

Thanks to its lightweight feature, this vessel can sail upwind at speeds of over 17 knots and pinch up to 30 degrees. Just for comparison, the Gunboat 62 can tack through 95 degrees and still outperform the best racing monohulls. This boat is designed with a comfortable helm seat that offers 360-degree visibility as well as plenty of storage space, a functional working surface, and a luxurious cabin. Like many performance catamarans, the Gunboat 62 can attain about 20 knots if the conditions are right.

Privilege 615

{{boat-info="/boats/privilege-615"}}

Combining elegance, comfort, and style, the Privilege 615 is a lovely catamaran sailboat that seems to be always ready for a long offshore voyage. The roots of this incredible cat can be traced back to the 1980s when Philippe Jeantot opened up a boat-building company in France. As one of the best productions from the company, the privilege 615 sports a flybridge that comes complete with twin wheels, a sprawling sunbed, and other excellent features that will make your bluewater cruising a breeze.

Whether you want the charter version or a privately-owned version, the Privilege 615 is one of the most versatile catamaran sailboats. Step inside this vessel and you'll instantly notice the quality of the wood finish and the elegance of design. The advanced navigation station is not only ultra-modern but is perfectly stationed at a dedicated corner where you can control everything while still having a conversation with your friends and family.

This boat comes with multiple sleeping configurations to ensure that you and your guests can live aboard the boat for months on end. Although the boat appears like some sort of maze on the inside, you'll easily get used to it when you enter the forward section. That's not all; this boat has gorgeous lines that make the exterior beautiful just like the interior. Its sleek profile, incredible volume, and versatile interior make it one of the best catamaran sailboats out there.

There you have it; these are the best catamaran sailboats out there. It doesn't matter the one you choose, these cats will make your day out on the water and will serve you just right for your offshore voyages or for day sailing along the bays.

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Mastering Catamaran Sailing: Essential Guide & Tips to Navigate the Waters

Alex Morgan

Sailing a catamaran can be an exhilarating and enjoyable experience for both experienced sailors and beginners alike. Unlike monohull sailboats, catamarans offer unique advantages in terms of stability and speed. If you’re interested in learning how to sail a catamaran, it’s important to understand the basics and master the necessary skills. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to sailing a catamaran, from understanding the fundamentals to maneuvering and handling the boat effectively.

To begin with, let’s delve into the introduction of sailing a catamaran, followed by understanding the basics of a catamaran. We’ll explore what exactly a catamaran is and how it differs from a monohull sailboat. we’ll discuss the advantages of sailing a catamaran, highlighting why it has become a preferred choice for many sailors.

Before setting sail, proper preparation is essential. This section covers the importance of safety equipment and checks, along with understanding wind and weather conditions. Planning your route is crucial to ensure a smooth and enjoyable sailing experience.

Once you’re prepared, we’ll move on to the essential sailing techniques for a catamaran. This section will guide you through rigging and hoisting the sails, tacking and jibing, trimming the sails, and controlling speed and direction. Mastering these techniques is key to maneuvering the catamaran effectively on the water.

Handling the catamaran also requires specific techniques. We’ll cover important maneuvers such as docking and undocking, mooring and anchoring, and addressing emergencies like man overboard recovery. These skills are vital to ensure a safe and successful journey.

We’ll provide you with essential safety tips for sailing a catamaran. Understanding right-of-way rules, handling rough seas and heavy winds, and maintaining balance and stability are crucial aspects of staying safe on the water.

By the end of this comprehensive guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to sail a catamaran and be well-equipped to embark on your own catamaran adventures while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

– Sailing a catamaran offers the advantage of maximizing space with its two hulls, allowing for more comfortable living quarters and a larger deck area. – Catamarans provide a stable and balanced sailing experience, making them a safer option for beginners and those prone to seasickness. – Proper preparation, including checking safety equipment, understanding weather conditions, and planning your route, is crucial for a successful catamaran sailing experience.

Understanding the Basics of a Catamaran

Understanding the basics of a catamaran is essential for safe and enjoyable sailing. A catamaran is a boat with two parallel hulls connected by a deck. It has advantages over monohull boats. Catamarans are stable due to their wide beam, reducing the risk of capsizing . They can access shallow waters because of their shallow drafts . Catamarans also offer more space and comfort with larger cabins, living areas, and deck space.

To control a catamaran, the skipper uses the helm to control the rudders. Adjusting and trimming the sails allows the skipper to use the wind’s power and steer the boat efficiently. Balancing the sails and maintaining stability while sailing is important.

Knowing the key components, how to control the boat, and handle the sails will help you navigate the waters confidently. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a beginner, familiarizing yourself with the fundamentals of catamarans is crucial.

What Is a Catamaran?

A catamaran, also known as a cat , is a type of boat that features two parallel hulls connected by a platform or bridge deck. This unique design provides it with stability and speed, making it a popular choice for sailing enthusiasts. Unlike traditional monohull sailboats, a catamaran offers a wider beam , which results in more space and greater stability . As a result, the sailing experience on a catamaran is smoother and more comfortable .

There are several advantages to sailing a catamaran. One significant advantage is its shallow draft , which allows it to navigate in shallower waters that are inaccessible to other types of boats. The dual hull design of a catamaran minimizes drag and enhances speed , making it highly efficient for long-distance cruising . The spacious interior layout of a catamaran provides ample room for accommodations , amenities , and storage .

When sailing a catamaran, it is essential to consider the wind and weather conditions for safe navigation. Understanding the right of way rules and knowing how to handle rough seas and heavy winds are crucial skills for catamaran sailors. Maintaining balance and stability is of utmost importance to ensure a smooth sailing experience.

A fun fact about catamarans is that they have been utilized by Polynesian cultures for centuries, proving their effectiveness and versatility in various sailing conditions.

How Is a Catamaran Different from a Monohull Sailboat?

A catamaran is different from a monohull sailboat in several ways. A catamaran has two parallel hulls connected by a deck or bridge, whereas a monohull sailboat only has one hull. This dual hull design provides greater stability and balance on the water.

In addition, the hulls of a catamaran are wider and shallower compared to those of a monohull, allowing for a shallower draft and improved maneuverability . This also results in a higher cruising speed and faster sailing speeds for catamarans.

Catamarans also offer more interior space and are known for their spaciousness and comfort , thanks to their wider beam. When sailing upwind, catamarans experience less heeling , which translates into a smoother and more comfortable ride for passengers.

Catamarans are better suited for cruising in shallow waters and can anchor closer to shore due to their shallow draft . The dual hull design of catamarans also provides greater redundancy and safety in the event of hull damage or collision.

Unlike monohull sailboats, which typically have a keel, catamarans rely on centerboards or daggerboards to prevent sideways sliding. The main differences between a catamaran and a monohull sailboat lie in their stability , speed , comfort , and maneuverability .

Advantages of Sailing a Catamaran

– Stability: Catamarans offer excellent balance with their twin hulls, making them less likely to tilt or capsize compared to monohull sailboats.

– Spaciousness: The wide beam of catamarans provides more interior and deck space, including comfortable living quarters, larger cabins, and ample room for socializing and entertaining.

– Speed: The design of twin hulls reduces drag, allowing catamarans to sail faster and provide exhilarating experiences.

– Shallow Draft: Catamarans have a shallower draft than monohull sailboats, enabling them to sail in shallower waters and access a wider range of cruising grounds.

– Comfort: The wide beam and stable design of catamarans offer a smoother and more comfortable sailing experience, eliminating the heeling common in monohull sailboats and reducing the chances of seasickness.

– Maneuverability: Catamarans are more maneuverable than monohull sailboats, providing better turning ability for navigating tight spaces, docking, and anchoring precision.

– Sailing Performance: Catamarans excel in light wind conditions, thanks to their large sail area and light weight, allowing them to catch even the slightest breeze and maintain good boat speed. This makes them ideal for destinations with calm weather patterns.

Preparing for Sailing a Catamaran

Preparing for a thrilling catamaran sailing adventure requires careful planning and essential knowledge. As we dive into the section on “ Preparing for Sailing a Catamaran ,” we’ll explore vital aspects such as safety equipment and checks , understanding wind and weather conditions , and planning your route . Get ready to uncover expert tips and strategies to ensure a smooth and enjoyable catamaran journey on the open waters.

Safety Equipment and Checks

Prioritize safety when sailing a catamaran. Thoroughly check and prepare your safety equipment before setting off on your adventure. Consider the following important safety equipment and checks :

• Life jackets: Ensure enough properly fitting life jackets for everyone on board.
• Flotation devices: Have throwable flotation devices readily available for emergencies.
• Fire extinguishers: Have the appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers on board.
• First aid kit: Maintain a well-stocked kit for handling minor injuries or medical emergencies.
• Navigation lights: Ensure all navigation lights are functioning properly, especially for sailing at night or in low visibility conditions.
• Communication devices: Carry reliable communication devices such as a marine VHF radio or satellite phone for calling for help if needed.
• Engine and safety equipment checks: Regularly inspect engines, bilge pumps, anchor systems, and other safety equipment to ensure good working condition.

Remember, safety is crucial. Check your safety equipment before every trip and ensure proper working order. Familiarize yourself with specific safety requirements and regulations of the sailing area. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy your catamaran sailing adventure with peace of mind and be prepared for any unexpected situations.

Understanding Wind and Weather Conditions

Understanding wind and weather conditions is crucial when sailing a catamaran. You must have a comprehensive understanding of the wind direction, speed, and weather changes that may impact your sailing experience. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Wind direction: It is essential to know the direction from which the wind is blowing. This knowledge will assist you in planning your sailing route and selecting the appropriate sails.

2. Wind speed: Pay close attention to the wind speed as it could potentially affect the speed and maneuverability of your boat. Higher wind speeds may necessitate reefing the sails or adjusting your course.

3. Weather changes: Remain mindful of any approaching storms, rain, or fog. These conditions can have a significant impact on visibility and create challenges when sailing.

4. Sea state: Take note of the current sea state, which includes wave height and frequency. Rough seas may require you to adjust your sailing technique and speed to ensure the stability of the catamaran.

5. Weather forecasts: Always remember to check the weather forecasts before embarking on your sailing trip. This will provide you with an overview of the expected weather conditions.

By possessing a thorough understanding of wind and weather conditions, you can make well-informed decisions to ensure a safe and enjoyable sailing experience aboard a catamaran. Keep in mind that conditions at sea can change rapidly, so it is essential to stay vigilant and adapt your plans accordingly.

Planning Your Route

When planning your catamaran sailing route, it is important to consider several factors for a safe and enjoyable journey. One of the first things to do is assess the weather conditions by checking the forecast for potential storms or strong winds. It is crucial to avoid adverse conditions as they can pose risks to both the crew and the catamaran’s safety.

In addition, it is necessary to identify key destinations and conduct research on navigational challenges. This will help in finding suitable anchorages or marinas along the way. Creating a timeline is also essential to plan the duration of the journey, taking into account the distance to be covered and the catamaran’s speed. It is important to remember to account for any time constraints or events that may affect the plan.

Using navigational charts, it is advisable to plot the course, noting any potential obstacles along the way. It is also a good practice to plan alternative routes in case they become necessary. Considering currents and tides is another crucial aspect of route planning. Studying tidal patterns and current directions will allow for incorporating these factors into the planning process for greater efficiency.

Another important consideration is fuel and provisions . It is necessary to determine the locations of fuel stations and provisioning points along the route. Planning fuel stops and stocking up on supplies will ensure that you have everything you need during the journey. Communication and safety should not be overlooked either. Identifying channels to communicate with other sailors and emergency assistance is vital . It is also important to familiarize yourself with emergency procedures and have access to contact information in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

It is recommended to regularly review your route plan and make adjustments based on real-time conditions and feedback. This will help ensure that you are always up to date with any changes that may occur during the journey. By carefully planning your route, you can optimize your sailing experience, safely navigate waters, and fully enjoy your catamaran adventure.

Essential Sailing Techniques for Catamaran

Mastering the essential sailing techniques for a catamaran is the key to harnessing the power of wind and water. From rigging and hoisting the sails to controlling speed and direction, each sub-section in this guide will unlock the secrets that seasoned sailors swear by. So, get ready to tack and jibe , trim those sails just right, and experience the exhilaration of sailing a catamaran like a pro!

Rigging and Hoisting the Sails

To rig and hoist the sails on a catamaran, follow these steps:

1. Assemble the mast, boom, and rigging securely and properly aligned.

2. Attach the main halyard securely and tensioned to the head of the mainsail.

3. Attach the jib halyard properly tensioned and secured to the head of the jib sail.

4. Connect the main sheet to the boom to control the angle and tension of the mainsail.

5. Connect the jib sheets to the clew of the jib sail to control the angle and tension of the jib sail.

6. Attach the reefing lines to the mainsail, if applicable, to reduce sail area in strong winds.

7. Check all rigging and lines for proper tension and adjustments, ensuring everything is secure and aligned.

8. Raise the mainsail by pulling on the main halyard while guiding the sail up the mast, using winches or other mechanical aids if necessary.

9. Raise the jib sail by pulling on the jib halyard while guiding the sail up the forestay, using winches or other mechanical aids if needed.

10. Adjust the main sheet and jib sheets to achieve the desired sail shape and trim for optimal boat performance.

Rigging and hoisting the sails on a catamaran is crucial for a smooth and exhilarating sailing experience. By following these steps, you can confidently prepare your catamaran for sailing adventures.

Now, let’s appreciate the history of rigging and hoisting sails. Sailing has been a vital mode of transportation and exploration for centuries. The technique of rigging and hoisting sails has evolved from simple square sails to more efficient and versatile fore-and-aft sails used on catamarans. Today, catamarans are equipped with advanced rigging systems and modern materials that enhance speed and maneuverability. Rigging and hoisting sails remain a vital skill for sailors, connecting us to our seafaring ancestors and enabling exploration of the world’s oceans with grace and agility.

Tacking and Jibing

Tacking and jibing are essential maneuvers when sailing a catamaran. These techniques allow you to change direction and make the most of the wind. Consider these key points:

• Tacking: This maneuver is used to sail against the wind. Turn the bow of the boat through the wind to switch the sails to the opposite side. This allows you to zigzag towards your destination.
• Jibing: Use this maneuver to change direction with the wind at your back. Turn the stern of the catamaran through the wind to move the mainsail to the other side. Control the boom to prevent dangerous swinging.
• Preparation: Before tacking or jibing, ensure that the crew is aware and in a safe position for stability during the turn.
• Wind direction: Success with tacking and jibing depends on understanding the wind. Assess the wind and plan your maneuvers accordingly.
• Practice: Perfecting tacking and jibing requires practice. Start with gentle maneuvers in light wind conditions and gradually progress with experience.

During a sailing race, a crew utilized their knowledge of wind patterns and executed a flawless maneuver by tacking right before the finish line. This tactical advantage secured their victory.

Trimming the Sails

Sailing a catamaran requires mastering the skill of trimming the sails . Properly trimmed sails greatly impact the catamaran’s performance and maneuverability. Here are some important considerations for sail trimming:

1. Adjusting the tension: Properly adjusting the tension on the sails is vital for achieving the desired shape and angle. The main sail should have a slight curvature called camber , which generates lift and power. Trim the jib sail to maintain smooth airflow on both sides.

2. Controlling the angle: The angle of the sails in relation to the wind direction is crucial for maintaining optimal speed. Adjust the sheets to trim the sails closer or further from the wind based on sailing conditions and desired speed.

3. Monitoring the telltales: Telltales , small yarn or ribbon pieces attached to the sails, provide valuable airflow information and indicate proper sail trimming. Continuously observe the telltales to ensure smooth and even flow.

4. Reefing: In strong winds, reducing the size of the sails through reefing is necessary to maintain stability and control. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for reefing and ensure proper securing of the sails.

5. Constant adjustment: Sail trimming requires constant attention. Continuously monitor wind conditions and make necessary adjustments to optimize performance and maintain control.

Mastering the art of sail trimming leads to smoother sailing, improved speed, and enhanced overall performance on a catamaran. Practice and experience are essential for developing this skill, so head out to the water and start honing your sail trimming abilities.

Controlling Speed and Direction

To effectively control the speed and direction of a catamaran, it is important to follow these steps:

1. Sail Adjustment: Optimize the power and speed of the catamaran by trimming the sails. Utilize the mainsail and jib sheets to manipulate the sail angle, taking into account the wind direction.

2. Utilize the Traveler: Fine-tune the speed and stability by adjusting the traveler. This tool, located across the cockpit, allows you to modify the mainsail sheeting point and control the angle of the mainsail.

3. Sail Plan Modification: Alter the sail plan as necessary to either increase or decrease speed. Reef the sails in strong winds to reduce the sail area, and unreef them in light winds to allow for greater sail area.

4. Daggerboard Adjustment: Maintain stability and control the direction of the catamaran by raising or lowering the daggerboards. These adjustments contribute to achieving balance and maneuverability.

5. Rudder Tweaking: Make slight adjustments to the rudder angle using the tiller or wheel, ensuring smooth steering of the boat.

Pro-tip: Enhance your ability to control speed and direction on a catamaran through practice and experience. Continuously monitor wind conditions and make minor adjustments to optimize performance.

Catamaran Maneuvers and Handling

Get ready to conquer the waters as we dive into the art of sailing a catamaran. In this section, we’ll navigate through the thrilling aspects of docking and undocking , the essentials of mooring and anchoring , and the crucial skill of man overboard recovery . Brace yourself for a wave of practical tips and tricks that will enhance your catamaran sailing experience. So, grab your compass, adjust your sails, and let’s set sail on this exciting journey!

Docking and Undocking

Docking and undocking a catamaran can be daunting, but with the right techniques and precautions, it can be done smoothly. Follow these steps:

• Approach the dock slowly, keeping an eye on the wind and current.
• Assign crew members to handle lines and fenders for a safe docking process.
• Shift into reverse as you near the dock to slow down.
• Turn the helm to steer the catamaran parallel to the dock as you stop.
• Have crew members ready with fenders to protect the catamaran.
• Engage reverse to back closer to the dock, using brief forward bursts to maneuver if needed.
• Once close, crew members should step off the catamaran with lines to secure it to the dock.
• Secure the catamaran using docking lines , ensuring they are properly fastened and have enough slack.

True story: One summer, while docking our catamaran in a busy marina, a strong gust of wind made our docking process challenging. Thanks to our crew’s quick reflexes and knowledge, we maneuvered the catamaran safely and secured it to the dock without damage. It was a valuable lesson in being prepared for unexpected situations while docking and undocking a catamaran.

Mooring and Anchoring

Mooring and anchoring are integral skills when sailing a catamaran. It is important to consider several key points when engaging in these activities. Make sure to choose the appropriate anchor that matches the type of seabed you will be navigating. Inspect the anchor line thoroughly to ensure it is in good condition and securely attached. Next, carefully select a mooring spot in a protected area that offers solid holding ground. When approaching the mooring, take into account factors such as wind and current, and proceed slowly. To secure the boat, use mooring lines that are connected to cleats or deck fittings. Safeguard your boat from potential damage by utilizing fenders . Prioritizing safety and accounting for your boat’s unique conditions and requirements is crucial. By practicing these techniques, you can enhance your proficiency and guarantee a safe and enjoyable sailing experience.

Man Overboard Recovery

• Assess the situation: When facing a man overboard situation, it is important to stay calm and promptly evaluate the circumstances. Take into account the distance between the catamaran and the individual in the water, as well as any nearby hazards or obstacles.
• Alert the crew: Immediately inform the other crew members about the man overboard incident. This ensures that everyone is informed and prepared to provide assistance.
• Initiate the man overboard recovery process: Throw a life buoy or any floating object towards the person in the water, offering them something to hold onto. This will help keep them afloat during the recovery process.
• Turn the catamaran: Skillfully maneuver the catamaran to create a controlled loop or figure eight pattern around the individual in the water. This will slow down the vessel and facilitate their retrieval.
• Bring the person back on board: Once the catamaran is properly positioned, utilize a ladder, swim platform, or any available means to assist in bringing the person back on board. Assign crew members to provide support and ensure the individual’s safety throughout the recovery process.
• Monitor and provide medical assistance: After the person is safely back on board, promptly evaluate their condition and administer any necessary medical attention. Check for injuries, monitor vital signs, and administer first aid if needed.

Pro-tip: Conduct regular man overboard drills and practice recovery procedures with your crew to ensure that everyone is familiar with their respective roles and responsibilities. This will help reduce response time and enhance the likelihood of successfully recovering individuals in emergency situations.

Safety Tips for Sailing a Catamaran

Discover essential safety tips when sailing a catamaran in this section. From understanding right of way rules to dealing with rough seas and heavy winds, you’ll learn how to navigate challenging conditions with confidence. We’ll explore techniques for maintaining balance and stability, ensuring a smooth and secure sailing experience. So hop aboard and let’s dive into the world of catamaran sailing safety !

Understanding Right of Way Rules

Understanding Right of Way Rules is crucial for safe sailing. Follow these guidelines:

1. Sailboats have the right of way over powerboats. Be aware of your surroundings and give way to any sailboats in your path.

2. When encountering a vessel on your starboard side, yield and give them the right of way. Alter your course slightly to avoid a potential collision.

3. When overtaking another vessel, keep a safe distance and give them the right of way. Maintain a slow and steady speed to avoid creating a dangerous situation.

4. In narrow channels or crowded areas, vessels going uphill or against the current have the right of way. Yield to any vessels navigating in these challenging conditions.

5. Always be cautious and maintain a safe speed when crossing paths with other vessels. Slow down if necessary to ensure a safe passage.

By understanding and adhering to right of way rules, you can navigate the waters confidently and reduce the risk of accidents. Remember, safety should always be the top priority when sailing a catamaran.

Dealing with Rough Seas and Heavy Winds

Dealing with rough seas and heavy winds is crucial when sailing a catamaran. Here are tips to navigate challenging conditions:

1. Check the weather forecast before setting off. If rough seas and heavy winds are expected, consider delaying your trip or changing your route.

2. Ensure all crew members wear appropriate safety gear, such as life jackets and harnesses. Secure loose items on the deck.

3. Maintain a steady speed when encountering rough seas to keep the boat stable. Avoid sudden changes in direction or speed.

4. Adjust your sails by reefing to maintain control and prevent overpowering by strong winds.

5. Be cautious when navigating large waves. Approach them at a slight angle to minimize the risk of capsizing. Maintain a firm grip on the helm.

6. Be aware of the sea state. Avoid crossing large waves head-on; instead, cross them diagonally or at a slight angle.

7. Communicate effectively with your crew. Assign roles and responsibilities to ensure everyone is working together for safety and control.

In rough seas and heavy winds, safety should be the top priority. Stay alert, remain calm, and rely on your training and experience.

Pro-tip: Consider advanced sailing courses or consulting experienced sailors to enhance your skills and confidence in dealing with rough seas and heavy winds.

Maintaining Balance and Stability

Maintaining balance and stability is absolutely crucial when sailing a catamaran. It is important to ensure that weight is evenly distributed on both sides of the catamaran in order to achieve stability .

One way to accomplish this is by having passengers and crew members move to the opposite side when the wind picks up. Another key aspect of maintaining balance is properly trimming the sails to adjust their angle in response to wind changes. This helps to prevent excessive heeling and ensures stability .

Paying attention to the centerboards can greatly enhance stability . Deploying the centerboards can counterbalance the force of the wind and prevent tipping over.

Steering also plays a significant role in maintaining balance. It is crucial to steer steadily and in a controlled manner in order to keep the catamaran on course and avoid any imbalance.

It is important to be aware of weather conditions and understand how they can impact stability . When faced with heavy winds and rough seas, it is essential to adjust sailing techniques accordingly and make any necessary adjustments to maintain balance and stability .

Some Facts About How To Sail Catamaran:

• ✅ Sailing a catamaran requires adjusting to the different motion and sail trimming compared to monohull sailboats.
• ✅ Catamarans provide more space and stability compared to traditional monohull sailboats.
• ✅ Catamarans do not heel like monohulls, providing a less tiring sailing experience.
• ✅ Catamarans can sail in shallower places and prevent rolling in anchorage due to their lower drafts.
• ✅ The American Sailing Association (ASA) offers a specific course, ASA 114: Cruising Catamaran, to provide practical sailing skills and confidence when sailing a catamaran.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i sail a catamaran.

Sailing a catamaran involves adjusting to its different motion and sail trimming compared to monohulls. You’ll need to take a sailing course or gather practical sailing skills to ensure confidence and enjoyment while sailing a catamaran. The American Sailing Association (ASA) offers the ASA 114: Cruising Catamaran course designed specifically for individuals with monohull cruising experience transitioning to catamarans.

2. What are the advantages of sailing a catamaran?

Catamarans offer numerous advantages over monohulls. They are more spacious, providing larger living areas above decks and expansive cabins located in the hulls. Catamarans are incredibly stable, making them ideal for longer voyages and providing maximum comfort and relaxation. They also have lower drafts, allowing navigation in shallow reef passages and anchoring closer to shore. Catamarans do not heel like monohulls, providing a more comfortable and less tiring sailing experience.

3. How can I charter a catamaran from The Moorings?

The Moorings offers innovative and top-quality catamarans for sailing vacations. To charter a catamaran from The Moorings, you can visit their website and access their charter resources. They are known for their exclusive access to Robertson & Caine catamarans, distinguished for their quality and comfort. There, you can find information on boat availability, reputation, and customer reviews to choose the right catamaran for your needs and preferences.

4. What is the ASA 114: Cruising Catamaran certification?

The American Sailing Association (ASA) offers the ASA 114: Cruising Catamaran certification. This certification is designed for individuals with monohull cruising experience who want to transition to catamarans. The course covers the advantages and disadvantages of multihull sailing, as well as practical sailing skills specific to catamarans. Obtaining this certification ensures that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to confidently sail a catamaran.

5. Are catamarans safe for offshore sailing?

Yes, catamarans are safe and stable for offshore sailing. They are designed to offer stability and comfort in various conditions. Catamarans have two independent hulls, making them less likely to sink completely. They also have duplicate navigation systems, including two engines and rudders, for onboard safety. Catamarans remain stable even in bad weather and do not capsize easily. Their advanced design and safety features make them a reliable choice for offshore sailing.

6. Can I sail a catamaran without previous sailing experience?

Sailing a catamaran without previous sailing experience is not recommended. It is essential to have some sailing knowledge and skills before attempting to sail a catamaran. Taking a sailing course, such as the ASA 114: Cruising Catamaran course, will provide you with the necessary skills and confidence to safely operate a catamaran. Spending time onboard and obtaining a sailing diploma or certification will ensure a better understanding of catamaran sailing fundamentals.

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Welcome aboard, sailing enthusiasts! If you’re seeking an exhilarating and unique sailing experience, look no further than catamaran sailing. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll take you on a journey to uncover the joys of catamaran sailing and equip you with essential knowledge to set sail confidently. Let’s dive into the world of catamaran sailing and discover the wonders that await!

Table of Contents

Understanding catamarans.

Catamarans, known for their twin hulls and spacious decks, provide an exceptional sailing experience. Their stability, speed, and comfort make them popular choices for both recreational and competitive sailors. Unlike monohulls, catamarans offer increased living space, reduced heeling, and excellent maneuverability. Familiarize yourself with the anatomy of a catamaran, from the hulls to the rigging, to gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable vessel.

Essential Equipment for Catamaran Sailing

Before setting sail, it’s important to have the right equipment on board. Ensure you have a well-fitted life jacket, a reliable marine VHF radio, navigation tools like charts and compasses, and a first aid kit. Additionally, pack essentials such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and appropriate clothing for protection against the elements. Safety should always be your top priority, so don’t forget to check the weather conditions before embarking on your adventure.

Mastering Basic Catamaran Sailing Techniques

While catamarans are known for their stability, mastering basic sailing techniques is crucial. Start by learning how to hoist and trim the sails, understanding the role of the rudders, and practicing basic maneuvers such as tacking and gybing. As you gain confidence, you can progress to more advanced techniques like reefing, sailing upwind, and even trapezing.

Navigating Catamarans: Wind, Currents, and Tides

Understanding the interaction between wind, currents, and tides is essential for safe and efficient catamaran sailing. Learn to read wind patterns, anticipate gusts, and adjust your sails accordingly. Familiarize yourself with tidal charts and understand how currents can affect your course. By mastering these navigation skills, you’ll be able to plan exciting voyages and optimize your sailing experience.

Catamaran Maintenance and Care

To keep your catamaran in top condition, regular maintenance is crucial. Learn how to inspect the rigging, check for wear and tear, and perform routine maintenance tasks. Cleaning and protecting your catamaran from the elements will help prolong its lifespan. Remember to store it properly during offseasons or when not in use. A well-maintained catamaran ensures both your safety and enjoyment on the water.

Joining a Catamaran Sailing Community

Connect with fellow catamaran enthusiasts by joining local sailing clubs or online communities. These communities offer a wealth of knowledge, tips, and shared experiences that can enhance your sailing journey. Participate in races, regattas, or organized cruising events to expand your skills and meet like-minded sailors. Sharing your own experiences and insights can inspire others and foster a supportive community of catamaran enthusiasts.

Embarking on the adventure of catamaran sailing opens up a world of excitement and discovery. From the initial understanding of catamaran anatomy to mastering sailing techniques, and from navigating wind and tides to maintaining your vessel, this beginner’s guide has equipped you with the essential knowledge to start your catamaran sailing journey. So, hoist your sails, catch the wind, and experience the thrill of gliding across the water on two hulls – catamaran sailing awaits!

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How is Catamaran Sailing Different from Monohull Sailing?

Sailing a catamaran is very similar to sailing a monohull in most aspects. If you learn to sail on a monohull, most of the skills are easily transferable. However, there are a couple of subtle differences that one has to be aware of:

• When tacking, you must work hard to maintain your speed throughout the tack and often need to ease your mainsheet to prevent “windvaning”. Windvaning is when the larger mainsail on a catamaran tries to turn the boat back into the wind.
• When gybing on a monohull, you must be very careful of an accidental gybe, and so you gybe much more slowly. On a catamaran, you can use the increased speed to your advantage and maintain speed while gybing to help depower the main.
• On a monohull, as winds increase, the boat starts heeling which lets you know that you have too much sail up and it’s time to reef. On a catamaran, because they do not heel, you have to be very careful in terms of when to reef the massive main. Typically, you will throw in the first reef at 18-20 knots of wind speed (depending on the size of your vessel) and put in a second reef as the wind gets closer to 23-25 kts)

Most aspects of sailing a catamaran are very similar to a monohull, so making the transition to a sailing catamaran is usually not that challenging of a process!

Why are Catamarans Popular?

Catamarans have exploded in popularity in the last 5 years! There are many advantages to catamarans over monohulls.

• Much more space on a catamaran!
• Catamarans are far more stable than monohulls so they do not heel when sailing, and are less prone to rocking when at anchor. Making for a much more comfortable boat!
• Catamarans have a shallow draft which allows them to enter shallower areas. In the South Pacific, most lagoons are 6-8 feet deep. This is too shallow for monohulls to enter, but a catamaran can easily enter these lagoons.
• Speed: Often, especially downwind, catamarans are faster than monohulls
• More light and airy living area. On a catamaran, the living space is usually up in the middle of the boat, built on the bridge deck whereas in a monohull you go down into the hull where it is darker and feels less open.
• More storage space and room for extra systems like air conditioning, water makers, generators, larger fridges and freezers, etc… Again, having room for all these amenities makes for more comfortable living.

What is a Catamaran?

A catamaran is a sailboat with two hulls. These two hulls are connected by a bridge deck. Many people will be familiar with Hobie cats, small catamarans that are popular for sailing on lakes and in calmer waters. Cruising catamarans are based on this same principle but have large hulls that can fit many cabins inside, and house large structures on the bridge deck (like a galley, salon and living area).

Are catamarans safer than monohull sailboats?

Great question! Catamarans are much more stable than monohulls, and so people are less likely to fall overboard, which does make them safer in this aspect. They are larger, more stable boats, and so in most situations, this will make them a “safer” sailboat than a comparably sized monohull.

Catamarans also have the advantage of having 2 engines, which makes them “safer” when it comes to engine problems. On a monohull sailboat , if you have major engine problems you only have the option of sailing. On a catamaran, you always have a second motor ready to help out in an emergency!

Are catamarans easier to sail?

What makes monohulls harder to sail is heeling and more confined spaces. In stronger winds monohulls heel, making most tasks a little more difficult to manage. Whether you are going forward to reef, trying to winch in a sail or moving about the boat, sailing on a heeling boat is more challenging. Catamarans, however, because of their extra stability and room, allow for much easier movement around the boat as they do not heel. For this reason, catamarans are often considered “easier” to sail.

Can a catamaran cross the Atlantic?

Definitely! Early on many catamarans and trimarans were home-built from kits, and many of these boats gave catamarans a bad rap for offshore sailing. For decades now the major catamaran manufacturers have been improving these amazing vessels, and now catamarans are safe, stable and fast on offshore passages. In 2020 we completed an Atlantic crossing in our very own Never Say Never Lagoon 400S2 catamaran.

How fast does a catamaran sail?

Not all catamarans are created equal. Many of the production catamarans like Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot and Leopard are designed for cruising. This means that they are willing to sacrifice some performance in the interest of comfort for their owners and crew. These boats still are often faster than a monohull of comparable size when on a beam reach or downwind point of sail, often seeing speeds in the double digits. Upwind, catamarans do not usually have the same ability to point into the wind (as they have shorter, stubbier keels) and do not travel as quickly.

Some high-performance catamarans from manufacturers like Outremer, Gunboat and HH, make incredibly fast catamarans that can achieve speeds in the high teens and low 20s under ideal conditions.

Want to learn more?

Learning to sail a catamaran has it’s differences from monohulls. If you are planning on sailing catamarans, then it’s best to spend a week onboard one learning how to sail and operate these vessels. We offer catamaran sailing courses in the Grenadines (Caribbean), Sea of Cortez (Mexico), Mallorca (Spain) and Tahiti (South Pacific).

Our week-long live aboard courses truly are an incredible experience! You will spend the week learning over 100 different skills and learn to comfortably sail and operate the vessel. Upon successful completion of the course, you will earn ASA certification 101, 103, 104 and 114 (up to Cruising Catamaran certification) which allows you to charter catamarans internationally.

This intensive course will give you the knowledge, skills and experience to charter catamarans, or help you set sail on your vessel! All while having a blast, snorkelling, hiking and exploring exclusive bays.

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Catamaran sailing: expert multihull techniques

• Nikki Henderson
• February 18, 2022

Moving to a performance multihull can be a leap for even the most experienced cruiser. Nikki Henderson shares expert multihull techniques.

There has been a huge surge in the sales of performance multihulls and with them a need to know how to handle them particularly when it comes to specific multihull techniques. The market for these boats is broadening; multihull cruisers are upgrading, monohull sailors are upsizing, and even virgin boat owners are tempted.

Over the last 12 months, while coaching for Outremer , I’ve met hundreds of these owners, everyone from young families to retired couples moving aboard a new catamaran and setting sail on a circumnavigation. Handling a performance catamaran is achievable even for a novice multihull sailor. But there is a big difference between just ‘getting by’ on such a boat versus sailing efficiently, safely and in style.

The transition for even experienced sailors can be quite a step up. For a seasoned monohull sailor, the differences are obvious: increased volume and speed, and a lack of heel. Even for an existing multihull sailor, the handling and performance is noticeably less forgiving and requires a shift in focus and technique.

This winter, I set sail on a transatlantic with the new owners of an Outremer 55 . They have previously owned another less performance-orientated catamaran but invited me on board to coach them to fine tune the boat, assist with routing, and help them take best advantage of all the performance their new yacht offers. Here are a few of the topics we focussed on:

sailing at higher speeds will change everything from manoeuvre techniques to weather routing. Photo: Robin Christol/Outremer

Most non-planing monohulls will do approximately the same speed on all points of sail. However, a performance multihull might sail at twice, three, even four times its upwind speed on a reach.

For example, the factory polars of an Outremer 55 give its average speed in 20 knots of wind with a true wind angle (TWA) of 50° at 8.5 knots, but in the same windspeed with a TWA of 110° it’s 19.1 knots. That’s more than twice as fast. How do you make the most of this speed advantage? And how do you best manage it ?

In a monohull it often pays to slog it out for days sailing the best course to windward as this normally gives the best velocity made good (VMG). A dead downwind rhumbline route is the usual strategy for longer ocean passages, rather than sailing more miles and wider angles.However, on a performance multihull it is important to prioritise reaching when route planning.

aboard high performance catamarans, such as this TS42, you can race competitively in offshore events. Photo: Jacques Vapillon/Sea&Co

In upwind conditions on a long crossing, consider whether bearing off by even as much as 20° will result in a better VMG, even if it feels counterintuitive. In light winds bearing off to 70° or 80° TWA can be the difference between a totally stalled boat and 5 knots of boat speed .

Faster speeds open up the possibility of keeping up with pressure systems as they move around the globe. For example, if crossing the North Atlantic eastwards, ideally you’d leave the US in clear weather with a depression forecast to leave the American coast a few days later.

You could use its predicted track to decide how much north or south to add to your easterly heading, to ensure that as it catches up with you, you are sufficiently south enough of it to pick up its strong westerlies. As they approach, you will accelerate, and if you can hold the speed you can use that downwind airflow to push you most of the way across the pond.

Handling at speed

Controlling and handling the boat at these higher speeds requires a change in strategy. Increased speeds and acceleration mean that the apparent wind angle and apparent wind speed change much more frequently. So you need adaptable and flexible trimming and driving solutions.

Use twist to balance power and control. Photo: Robin Christol/Outremer

Downwind the boat should be carving S-curves through the water to ensure it achieves the best VMG possible. If you can get this right you will attain the momentous double figure average speeds that a performance multihull offers, while also going the right direction! Instead of allowing the speed to plummet at the end of each surf, as the bow sinks into the bottom of the wave, a performance multihull can just keep on going.

How to maintain speed:

1 Sail at higher angles to build up apparent wind speed (AWS) and boat speed.

2 Soak downwind as the apparent wind angle (AWA) surges forward with the acceleration.

3 Drive the boat back slowly upwind in time to maintain the average speed and continue the surf.

In an ideal world, to achieve this the boat would be hand-steered. But realistically, no cruisers want to be on deck for two weeks straight on a transatlantic crossing. Your best compromise is to invest in a top quality, well set up autopilot, as well as good wind instruments.

Set the autopilot to sail to apparent wind angle and watch how the boat slaloms through the ocean. The quality of the autopilot will really start to show its value when the sea state starts to increase. The best ones improve over time as they collect data and learn the wave patterns. If you aren’t sure exactly which AWA is ideal, choose a day that has very consistent wind and sail in open water. Set the autopilot AWA to 90° and then systematically increase the setting by increments of 5° at fixed time intervals until you get as low as you can before the foresail is shadowed behind the main. Measure the VMG by comparing the distance travelled at each of the different wind angles, and the average A to B course over ground (COG) achieved. This will give you a good starting point, and then it will shift further depending on sea states and wind strengths.

Sail setting

Another solution if you want fast speeds but don’t want to actively sail the boat to within an inch of its life is to use twist. Twist is a compromise between having a hardened sail that stalls when the wind goes aft, or a very eased sail that luffs when it goes forward. The more changeable the conditions, the more extreme the acceleration increases are, or the rougher the sea state is, the more twist you need.

Cats have the space and stability to hoist and douse, so keep weight low by dropping flying sails when not in use. Photo: Christophe Launay

The wide beam of a multihull allows for a long traveller, so most won’t have a vang. Sheet tension and traveller position are your primary controls to create twist in the mainsail. Begin by finding a full power setting in the main.

Set your autopilot to 35-40°AWA; most performance multis should make this upwind. Set your traveller at midships and over-ease your mainsheet so that the sail is luffing. Gradually tighten your mainsheet until the top telltale just flies. Manual winching offers better control here than electric.

Pull your traveller to windward until the boom runs down the centreline. The top telltale of the mainsail will now be flying about three-quarters of the time. If it is closer to 50% you may need to tighten the mainsheet further and then ease the traveller until you have achieved this (or vice versa). This is your full power sail shape, and your default car position upwind.

At this point some people like to mark the mainsheet (this doesn’t work with a continuous mainsheet). To begin with, just take note of the traveller position. If the conditions require more twist, ease the mainsheet, and pull the traveller to windward to keep the boom in the same position relative to the boat. You could keep a note of three traveller positions for each point of sail: full power, mid power, low power.

As the wind moves aft, you can add other ‘go-to’ traveller positions for different wind angles by easing the traveller down to leeward while keeping the mainsail shape set to ‘full-power’ mode. Once the wind goes aft of the beam, your traveller will be all the way down to leeward. Keep an eye on spreader chafe at this point.

Once you are happy with mainsail trim, you can trim the jib in a similar way, using car position and the sheet tension. Bring sheet tension in so that the leech shape looks very similar to the main: flat with a slight curve at the top. Then adjust the cars (if you can) so that the sail is not luffing, and the top telltales are also flying 50-75% of the time. Finally, walk forward to the forestay and view the slot between the sails. Do they look roughly parallel? If not, you may need to open up the slot a touch by moving the car outboard. This is your default jib car position for that point of sail.

Sailing the angles with an asymmetric. Photo: Kinetic Catamarans

When conditions increase, don’t forget to add twist to the jib too. Initially just ease a touch of sheet. Be careful moving the car too far inboard or you might close the slot. Moving the sheet attachment closer to the foot of the clew will open up the leech and create more twist.

Think of twist as the middle ground between sailing fully powered and reefing. Multihulls are much less communicative than monohulls. You do not have the obvious signs that the boat is overpowered, like a submersed toe rail or rounding up as the boat heels.

In time you’ll get to know your catamaran and build a connection to read how aggressively the boat is accelerating, its fore-aft pitching, sounds, and rhythm. But at first it’s useful to have some number guides and wind parameters of when to add twist and ultimately when to reef.

Generally a performance cat will require a reef much earlier because it’s lighter. I’d usually put in one reef at 20-25 knots, two at 25-30 and three reefs for 30-35 knots.

On our transatlantic crossing on the Outremer 55, contrary to my advice on the advantages of sailing angles downwind, we chose instead to sail dead downwind with the symmetric spinnaker up for the entire passage.

taking it easy dead downwind under symmetric Photo: Nikki Henderson

There are costs to taking full advantage of the speed of a performance catamaran. Averaging 15 knots boat speed is not everyone’s idea of comfortable. The hulls are so stiff that every wave that hits the hull sounds like the beating of a drum. The humming of carbon rigging, the swooshing of water screaming past the topsides, the slapping of the waves, the wind: it’s incredibly loud even when averaging 10 knots, let alone 15 or 20.

Performance multihulls are also so lightweight that they are really thrown about in a substantial sea state. Our decision to sail dead downwind rather than heating up and taking full advantage of the performance came down to the following reasons:

1. Lack of adequate autopilot We had one, but it wasn’t able to react quickly enough to the acceleration and resulting rapid change of wind angle that broad reaching would have created. It also struggled in a big seaway, so sailing with the waves square on to the stern was easier to cope with.

2. Sails We did not have a heavyweight asymmetric sail, which is what you need to sail these downwind angles (both our reaching sails were light weight).

3. Safety Akaroa II is hull No2 of a new design by Outremer. This was the first transatlantic crossing that this particular model of boat had ever done, so we were a testing ground and deliberately cautious.

Despite our conservative approach we still achieved 90% of the factory polars averaging 9.6 knots in sustained winds of 20 knots across the entire 2,700-mile route.

The trip took 11 days and 17 hours. The beauty of a performance multihull is that even if you don’t push it, you still manage brilliant speeds in the right conditions.

We calculated how much faster we would have gone, had we sailed the angles instead of running downwind. This assumes we would achieve the same 90% polars. TWA 140° appears to be the sweet spot.

Getting the main down when reefing can be problematic – rig up downhaul lines to help grind it down if needed. Photo: Nikki Henderson

Without any power being dispelled by heeling, performance multihulls will convert additional power into acceleration. With this increased speed comes increased loads on the lines, blocks, rudders, sail cloth and rigging. Winches are upsized. Jammers are used instead of clutches. Halyards are 2:1. You may be sailing on a 50-footer, but the loads are akin to a 70-80ft bluewater monohull.

A future owner recently reminded me of this, when he opened the main traveller jammer while holding the line with only one wrap on the winch. The lack of skin on his hand was gruesome evidence of how surprising the loads can be when a multihull is really powered up.

Interestingly, comparing a standard cruising multihull with a similar sized performance multihull, the opposite is true. A boat that weighs less needs less sail area to power it. For example, a Lagoon 450 has a sail area (main and jib) of 130m2 compared to an Outremer 45 (actually 48ft LOA) at 104m2. So, for the same apparent wind speed, there will be less load on the gear.

Watch out when sailing downwind. Due to a performance multihull’s ability to accelerate and hold high speeds downwind, it is easy to hold significantly more sail area in higher true wind speeds as the apparent stays low. However, if you do hit the bottom of a wave and stop dead in the water, the sail, rigging and lines will feel the full force of that wind.

Another reason to reef earlier than you think on a performance multi is that with swept back shrouds (needed to support the mast without a backstay) and a fully battened mainsail, even with the halyard eased downwind the sail may still not come down. You should be sailing with the minimum amount of sail cloth up to achieve the polars.

Reducing sail

1. Rig up downhaul lines from each reefing point on the luff to help grind down the sail. Keep an eye on chafe on the leeward side on each of the batten pockets.

2. Use the rotating mast to open the sail to the wind more.

3. If that isn’t enough, come upwind to help get the sail down.

Multihull trim

Switching to a performance catamaran may bring new trimming options: daggerboards, a rotating mast, and fully battened square topped mainsail.

Brush up on your fundamentals of sail trim so that you have a solid foundation to build on. When you first start sailing the boat, to avoid getting overwhelmed (which tends to result in people under-sailing their boat), begin by finding a base setting for all points of sail. Forget the rotating rig for now, but find enough twist in the sails that gives you enough height without too much power. Set the daggerboards as you would on a dinghy: down for upwind, up for downwind, mid-way for a reach. Then you fine tune.

Set performance cat daggerboards as you would for a dinghy at first: down for upwind, up for downwind, mid-way for a reach. Photo: Nikki Henderson

When adjusting daggerboards, make sure you have your GPS track switched on. See if dropping a little more daggerboard helps with the COG upwind. Downwind, if you feel like you are on an ice-skating rink, try dropping a little board for better grip. If on autopilot, take note of the rudder angle. If it’s taking the helm from full starboard to full port then it might need some more grip, if not then a reef.

Be cautious of the risk of ‘tripping up’ in big seaways. In sea states much over 3-4m, it’s safest to lift the daggerboards and allow the boat to glide over the waves rather than risk one of the boards digging into a wave and destabilising the boat. While exceptionally unlikely to happen, if a daggerboard digs in, the worst case scenario would be a capsize. If you see any slick in the water that suggests the boat is sliding sideways over a wave, or an increase in heel, or significant water over the deck – these are signs that it’s time to lift the boards all the way up.

Finally, play with the rotating mast. At a basic level, try to get the mast in line with the foremost sail position and curve. The easiest way to see this is actually to stand forward of the mast and look down the line of the sail. It is in itself a foil and when in the right position can add the equivalent of as much as 10% more sail area. In the same way, you can use it to depower by reducing the angle.

With a rotating mast you’ll generally be trying to get it in line with the foremost sail position and curve. Photo: Nikki Henderson

When fine tuning sail trim I’d recommend marking all your tracks and angles of mast rotation, and once you are confident you could mark the sheets and halyards themselves. This is an exercise for the detail-orientated and it pays to be specific. Keep a notebook at the helm station to record your learnings, and over time build up not just ideal trim settings for wind and waves, but also polars.

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Learning a performance catamaran’s sensitivity to weight can be a real learning curve. Compared to cruising catamarans, performance cats tend to be half the weight (or even less). Meanwhile, compared to a monohull the main difference is in the areas where the weight is most concentrated. A monohull’s weight is predominantly in its keel. Almost the entire weight of the boat is concentrated in around 15% of the boat’s length. Conversely, a multihull has no keel, so without that pendulum effect its centre of gravity is higher and less stable. On a multihull the weight is distributed along almost 90% of its length.

In practice, this means that what you carry, both below and above decks, has a big impact on the boat’s performance and safety. The first step is to become minimalists. Summon your inner Marie Kondo and ask yourself “Does this bring me joy? Does this keep me safe?” of every single item that moves from dock to boat. If it doesn’t – don’t take it.

Performance cats are weight sensitive so streamline your possessions onboard. Photo: Carl Newton

Step two is to arrange your belongings evenly around the boat. Ensure you don’t list the boat to port or starboard. Try to keep weight amidships and ideally low down. Avoid loading up the bow lazarettes or aft areas with too much weight.

When sailing, don’t forget that the worst kind place for weight is aloft. Without the keel, you significantly reduce the stability of the boat by having a furled Code 0 (for example) hanging around up the rig. It’s inconvenient to drop it every time, but it’s worth it.

Higher speeds, bigger loads, a lighter boat and higher centre of gravity don’t sound like the safest characteristics, and they aren’t if poorly managed. But you can also use them to your advantage. Being able to sail faster means you sometimes have an option to run away from bad weather.

But there are other safety drills that are worth thinking about ahead of time. What is your MOB recovery plan? With cats’ high freeboard, some owners plan to reverse up to the casualty and pick them up from the steps at the back. But how many have practiced that? Will it involve dropping the mainsail? Could the props injure the casualty? How does the back of the boat behave in a significant sea state? I’d recommend practising this until you have a plan that works for you on your boat with the equipment you have. The same should be said for plans to evacuate the boat, or deal with a fire on board.

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• Good Deals If you spend time on eBay or Craigslist you probably see items that look like they would be of interest to our community. You can share links here. Start a new thread for each item and use the [url] button to include the direct link to the item. Please only use this for items related to beachcat sailing. 732 Topics 2977 Posts Last post by westmatt Written on Feb 23, 2024 - 02:35 PM: San Diego - $30 cat trailer
• Events Announce and discuss all type catamaran events. Don't forget to also place your event in the calendar. 331 Topics 2296 Posts Last post by Written on :
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Use these forums to connect with sailors in your area and plan your sailing. Remember these are public forums so don't post email addresses or phone numbers unless you want them on the Internet for all to see. use Private messages for private arrangements.

If your area has a location specific forum below, use that instead of the General Forum.

Post a new topic here in the General forum to request a forum for your area.

"Subscribe to topic" to receive email notices when there are updates to a specific topic or "Subscribe to Forum" to receive an email every time someone posts anything to a particular forum.

Example sailing group title: St. Andrews Park, Panama City Beach, FL - June 15-16 Then organize your sailing using that topic.

You can also post "crew wanted" or "crew available" notices like: Crew Needed For 2014 Island Hop, Nacra 6.0 In your topic specify when and where details as well as your definition of the perfect crew including ideal weight and experience.

• Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay and the East Coast areas of Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks, North Carolina. 9 Topics 61 Posts Last post by jimshepp1 Written on Aug 24, 2023 - 06:45 PM: New sailor help with storage and launch
• California - Los Angeles Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Marina Del Rey and greater Los Angeles. 13 Topics 148 Posts Last post by jettywookie Written on Oct 03, 2017 - 01:37 AM: S.D. Beach Launch La Jolla Shores
• Florida - Tampa Bay Waters This is the local forum for Tampa, St..Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton and Sarasota areas! 10 Topics 178 Posts Last post by dwk Written on Feb 09, 2024 - 08:55 AM: Anyone sailing Superbowl weekend?
• Florida Space Coast Connecting catamaran sailors in the Space Coast region of the East Coast of Florida, including Titusville, Cocoa, Rockledge, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and surrounding area. 6 Topics 64 Posts Last post by SC19 Written on Dec 19, 2023 - 04:15 PM: Recommendations for Port St Lucie area?
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Also known as the "Redneck Riviera" Mudbug mania, camping on the barrier islands... "how-to" and sailing in our puddle around our piece of dirt! But IT'S ALL GOOD! 2 Topics 14 Posts Last post by dirtybanana Written on Jan 18, 2022 - 12:20 PM: Orange Beach, AL
• New England All of CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, and ME Where are the good spots? Where do you sail? Let's get together. 18 Topics 70 Posts Last post by jwilson321 Written on Aug 26, 2021 - 10:20 AM: Put in locations near saybrook CT
• Tennessee - Memphis Forum to connect sailors in the MidSouth in North Mississippi, West Tennesse, and Eastern Arkansas. 13 Topics 72 Posts Last post by DamonLinkous Written on Aug 26, 2019 - 04:04 PM: Delta Sailing Association DSA
• Texas Gulf Coast Lots of great beachcat sailing on the hundreds of miles of Texas coastline. 18 Topics 84 Posts Last post by saltlife77 Written on Oct 03, 2023 - 06:20 PM: Second Saturday Sail and Nacra Demo Day
• Utah - North Great Salt Lake (South Marina or Antelope Island), Utah Lake, Deer Creek, Pineview Res, Willard Bay, Bear Lake, RockPort and Yuba ( A little more central than north but still a good spot) 2 Topics 13 Posts Last post by cholley12 Written on Apr 19, 2022 - 03:13 PM: Anyone else in the area?
• Wisconsin Contact beachcat sailors in the Wisconsin sailing community. 6 Topics 39 Posts Last post by jack108136 Written on Jan 21, 2023 - 02:05 PM: Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin beachcat friendly lakes
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A unique florida experience, enjoy your next holiday with tropical sailing, fort lauderdale, full moon sunset sail – fort lauderdale.

Join us as we cruise along the Intracoastal waterway, you’ll be treated to a tour of the magnificent waterfront mansions and spectacular yachts. Sail under the shimmering glow of the full moon on this enchanting catamaran journey!

4th of July Party Cruise – Fort Lauderdale

Make the most of your holiday this year and escape the stress of life on land with a cruise getaway. Join Spirit Catamarans for our Annual 4th of July Party Cruise.

Valentine’s Day Cruise – Fort Lauderdale

Enjoy a romantic evening on this unforgettable Valentine’s Day Cruise aboard our state of the art catamaran “Spirit of Lauderdale”. Sit back and relax while we cruise the Intracoastal and then sail along the coast while listening to a variety of music, sipping on beverages and enjoying the ocean breeze.

New Year’s Eve Cruise – Fort Lauderdale

Cruise into the New Year a board the Spirit of Lauderdale!

Enjoy music, fun holiday lights and fireworks as we tour the waterways of Fort Lauderdale! View the fireworks from downtown and surrounding areas.

4th of July Party Cruise – Miami

Jump aboard The Caribbean Spirit, as it takes sail to find the prime location for viewing a wide array of Fireworks from multiple locations. Sit back and relax as the sun slips away casting fiery hues of orange and red, giving way to Fireworks filling the night sky.

Valentine’s Day Cruise – Miami

Enjoy a romantic evening on this unforgettable Valentine’s Day Cruise aboard our state of the art catamaran “Caribbean Spirit”. Sit back and relax while we cruise the Intracoastal Waterway and then sail along the coast while listening to a variety of music, sipping on beverages and enjoying the ocean breeze.

New Years Eve Cruise – Miami

Cruise into the New Year with spirit aboard The Caribbean Spirit!

Enjoy music, fun and fireworks as we tour the waterways of Miami! View the fireworks from Downtown, Fisher Island, The Grove and more!

Events and Seminars

Want to learn how we make a cruising yacht affordable.

We get lots of questions about how we got started, how to make your boat pay for itself, how to set up a crewed yacht business, how we manage to work remotely while onboard, etc. Whenever possible, we love to meet up with sailors, mostly at boat shows or during yacht ownership seminars at our office in Fort Lauderdale. We do live meetups and post videos on various subjects . We also host live-aboard seminars that are a huge hit for prospective buyers. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to our in-person events, but we do have virtual meetups over Zoom! Register to join us.

*Catamaran Guru™  not  in attendance at events marked with an asterisk.

Join us for learning, sharing, and keeping in touch with our sailing community:

• Yachty Gras Kemah Texas On February 3rd, the 25 th annual
• Lagoon 77 Reception Bordeaux, France – June TBD “America’s Largest Mardi Gras Boat Parade”

Get in on a seminar aboard our Bali 5.4.  Let us know your interest now! :

• Miami, FL – Feb 11-15, 2021 (tentative dates, check back for details)
• May 5 – 9: 2024 Catamaran Guru™ All-Catamaran Rendezvous
• January 25-28: Nassau Charter Yacht Show
•  February 14 – 18: Miami International Boat Show
• February 28 – Mar 3: Dubai International Boat Show
• March 21-24: Palm Beach Boat Show
• April 3 – 7: International Multihull Boat Show, La Grande Motte, France
• April 26 – 28 – Annapolis Spring Show 
• May 10 -12: VIBE Boat Show, Yacht Haven Grande USVI
• October 10 -14: Annapolis Boat Show
• Feb 29- Mar 3: Heineken Regatta – Sint Maarten 

READ MORE ABOUT OUR EVENTS & SEMINARS

Miami boat show 2024.

FYI: Stay tuned on Facebook & Instagram for our boat show video series: Learn some tips & tricks of how to navigate

2024 All-Catamaran Rendezvous Event

5th Annual Catamaran Guru Rendezvous & Regatta Abacos, Bahamas – May 5th through 9th, 2024 Catamaran Guru will

2023 Annapolis Boat Show Round up

This year was our 24th Annapolis Sailboat Show and it was without a doubt our best boat show

Annapolis Boat Show 2023

Meet with our team!   Want to learn more about the Bali and Catana Catamaran Brand? We are the

2023 Rendezvous Recap

Why a Rendezvous for Catamarans? Every year, we host our Annual Rendezvous for two reasons:  To to help

LA GRANDE MOTTE – INTERNATIONAL MULTIHULL SHOW

Join us April 12 – 16 for the International Multihull Show in La Grand Motte, France! We would

Miami Boat Show 2023

Join us for the boating event that is as glamorous and stylish as its host city When:  February

2023 All-Catamaran Rendezvous Event

4th Annual Catamaran Guru Rendezvous & Regatta Abacos, Bahamas – May 7,8,9,10, 2023. Catamaran Guru will host the

Cannes Yachting Festival

Join us at this exceptional boat exhibition in the heart of the French Riviera! We invite you for

Annapolis Boat Show 2022

Meet with our team!   Want to learn more about the Bali Catamaran Brand? We are the right people

Rendezvous 2022 Recap

Why a Rendezvous for Catamarans? Our goal with this annual rendezvous is two-fold. We lead our group on

2022 Miami International Boat Show

STRICTLY SAIL MIAMI BOAT SHOW  16-20 February 2022 This year promises to be a fantastic catamaran show not

2022 All-Catamaran Rendezvous Event

Dreaming of that refreshing coconut cocktail on a beautiful balmy island beach? The long wait is finally over.

Annapolis Boat Show 2021

Join us at the 2021 Annapolis Boat Show! We will be at the Bali Display, giving tours of

Boat as a Business Seminars

Starting in August we will be putting on a series of Boat as a Business seminars where we

Catamaran Guru & North Sails Summer Sailstice 2021

THIS EVENT IS CLOSED Friday June 18 @ 9:30 am: Meet outside Port Everglades Inlet, Fort Lauderdale at

Crewed Yacht Charter Seminar #2: An Informal Chat with Our Owners and Crews

We had so much fun chatting with some of our crewed charter yacht owners at our second crewed

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

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THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
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• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
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• Budget-friendly
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• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Diving Center Crocodile

21. Dive-Project

22. Mosparokhodstvo

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. FLOW Moscow

28. Moswake

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Between a Sailboat or Catamaran for Your Sailing Adventures

C hoosing between a sailboat and a catamaran for your sailing adventures is a significant decision that depends on various factors, including your sailing preferences, experience level, budget, and intended use. Here's an ultimate guide to help you make an informed decision:

1. Sailing Experience:

• Sailboats: Typically require more skill and experience to handle, especially in adverse weather conditions. Ideal for sailors who enjoy the traditional feel of sailing and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the art.
• Catamarans: Easier to handle, making them suitable for beginners. The dual-hull design provides stability, reducing the learning curve for those new to sailing.

2. Space and Comfort:

• Sailboats: Generally have a narrower beam and less living space. However, some sailboats may offer comfortable cabins and amenities.
• Catamarans: Wider beam creates more living space. Catamarans often have multiple cabins, spacious saloons, and expansive deck areas, providing a more comfortable living experience.

3. Stability:

• Sailboats: Monohulls can heel (lean) while sailing, which some sailors enjoy for the thrill but can be discomforting for others.
• Catamarans: Greater stability due to the dual hulls, providing a more level sailing experience. Reduced heeling makes catamarans suitable for those prone to seasickness.

4. Performance:

• Sailboats: Known for their upwind performance and ability to sail close to the wind. Some sailors appreciate the challenge of optimizing sail trim for efficiency.
• Catamarans: Faster on a reach and downwind due to their wide beam. However, they may not point as high into the wind as monohulls.
• Sailboats: Typically have a deeper draft, limiting access to shallow anchorages and requiring deeper marina berths.
• Catamarans: Shallow draft allows access to shallower waters and secluded anchorages, providing more flexibility in cruising destinations.
• Sailboats: Generally more affordable upfront, with a wide range of options available to fit different budgets.
• Catamarans: Often more expensive upfront due to their size and design. However, maintenance costs may be comparable or even lower in some cases.

7. Mooring and Docking:

• Sailboats: Easier to find slips and moorings in marinas designed for monohulls.
• Catamarans: Require wider slips and may have limited availability in certain marinas, especially in crowded anchorages.

8. Intended Use:

• Sailboats: Ideal for traditional sailors who enjoy the art of sailing, racing enthusiasts, or those on a tighter budget.
• Catamarans: Suited for those prioritizing comfort, stability, and spacious living areas, especially for long-term cruising and chartering.

9. Resale Value:

• Sailboats: Generally have a more established resale market, with a wider range of buyers.
• Catamarans: Growing in popularity, and well-maintained catamarans often retain their value.

10. Personal Preference:

• Consider your personal preferences, the type of sailing you plan to do, and the kind of lifestyle you want aboard your vessel.

In conclusion, both sailboats and catamarans have their advantages and disadvantages. Your decision should be based on your individual preferences, experience level, budget, and intended use. If possible, charter both types of vessels to experience firsthand how they handle and to help make a more informed decision based on your own preferences and needs.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Between a Sailboat or Catamaran for Your Sailing Adventures appeared first on Things That Make People Go Aww .

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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Shared Sailiboat Trip in Barcelona

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Boat hire and experiences in Barcelona enjoying the city from the sea

CONTACT NOW AN ENJOY THE BEST EXPERIENCE Whatsapp / Phone +34 639 433 079 [email protected] + Info America’s Cup Barcelona AMERICA’S CUP BARCELONA IS REDY !!!! Exclusive boat Small groups Private or Share Experience BOOK YOUR PLACE TO WATCH LIVE THE RACE

Enjoy in private groups for exclusive sailing trips in Barcelona

Share an exclusive sailing experience amongst your closest friends or family or even work colleagues. Spend an unforgettable sailing trip with your music, the sea breeze and included drinks, while enjoying the views of the city.

Exclusive Catamaran Barcelona

Rent our spacious catamaran for a private sailing trip in Barcelona. Enjoy a unique boat tour on the Mediterranean Sea with music, drinks and snacks.

Private Sailing Boat

Nuestro cómodo velero es la solución perfecta para la navegación en barco en grupos pequeños con patrón. Descubre la costa de Barcelona con un alquiler privado.

Organize your Hen weekend in Barcelona with a boat party! Celebrate the Bachelorette or Bachelor Party of your friend with an authentic catamaran sailing trip.

Corporate Event in Barcelona & Teambuilding

Incentivize your team with an unusual teambuilding in Barcelona. Bring your corporate event to the next level with an exclusive sailing trip.

SHARE A SPECIAL MOMENT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES WITH OUR SHARED TOURS

We offer a great variety of shared options, which allow you to experience exclusive sailing trips in Barcelona with old and new friends. Sail with us during the day, dancing to the music and jumping into the water, or escape during the sunset with chilled music in the background while enjoying a glass of wine.

Get fascinated by the colors of the sunset being reflected in the sea while sailing with our spacious catamaran along the coast of Barcelona.

Catamaran Full Moon Excursion in Barcelona

Spend this special happening a board our comfortable catamaran and get fascinated by the play of sun and moon, away from the city!

Discover the passion of sailing on our comfortable sailboat and spend an afternoon at sea with drinks, snacks music and our Stand-up Paddle Board!

Sunday Vermouth Sailing Trip in Barcelona

An unusual way to have a typical Sunday morning vermouth in Barcelona. Enjoy the drinks and snacks and get to know this special tradition with old and new fiends.

The perfect venue for bigger group events of up to 33 people who are looking for a stable and luxurious boat. Our catamaran offers with its couch and big table in the back and chill out space in the front, the infrastructure for any kind of event.

• Capacity: 33 people+ crew
• Length: 13,5 m
• Width: 7,5 m

More Information & Book

A comfortable and spacious boat, the ideal choice for small groups of up to 11 people. Beneteau designed this boat with the aim to combine stability and navigability, which makes our sailboat perfect for short day charters and holidays for several days.

• Capacity: 11 people+ crew
• Length: 13,1 m

More information & Book

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2024 Etchells World Championships at Fremantle Sailing Club - Day 1

International exhibition NEFTEGAZ-2022

Neftegaz (Oil and gas exhibition) is the largest exhibition in Russia, which is one of the ten most significant in the industry. Lots of business meetings. Sighning of contracts. Experience exchange. The exhibition is attended by over 500 companies from around the world.

Moscow International Film Festival

The film festival has been held since 1935. Second oldest after the Venice Film Festival. Moscow International Film Festival is one of the most important events in the film industry. This is not only an influential professional venue, but also an interesting event for muscovites and guest of the city.

Christmas Festival

This is the most favourite festival of Muscovites and guests of the city. Interesting events take place at 80 venues throughout the city. Numerous ice rinks, food zones, hockey courts, slides, a children’s snowboard park are open. Every day, in special chalets around the city, puppet shows and fairy tales are read. Concerts and master classes await visitors, where you can try yourself in Gzhel painting, clay modelling, decoupage. You can make jewellery, toys and gifts to loved ones, as well as send a letter to Santa Claus. On Red Square, everyone is interested in not only skating on the rink themselves, but also enjoying the colourful ice show from the famous Russian skaters.

Festival “Moscow Maslenitsa”

One of the brightest, longest events in Russia, dedicated to the seeing off of winter and the meeting of spring. Everyone will be able to learn how to cook pancakes, attend a lot of creative and craft workshops. Take part in traditional Shrovetide fun. Build a huge stuffed animal from straw and burn it, ride on crusts, take part in a masquerade parade. At numerous venues it will be possible to see street performances and performances by the best vocal ensembles and folk artists.

New Year on Red Square

The festive concert begins at 20.00. Then everyone lights the New Year tree together. At midnight, guests will be surprised by festive fireworks. Tickets are on sale in advance at the expected symbolic price of 2,025 rubles.

Easter Gift Festival

Easter festival is one of the most striking and major events of the city in April. Guests and residents of the city will be able to learn about the traditions of Easter, taste various options for Easter cakes, try other holiday treats. And also take part in charity events.

The solemn ceremony of the changing of the guard at the walls of the Moscow Kremlin

The ceremony is held every on the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin. This is a colourful sight introducing Russian military traditions. Every year, the organizers introduce new elements into the program, preserving the classic part. To enter the territory of the Kremlin, an entrance ticket is required.

Russia Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945

In May 9th Russia celebrate the day of victory of Soviet troops over Nazi Germany. On this day, parades, commemorative events, and festive fireworks are held solemnly throughout the country. The main military parade of the country takes place in Moscow on Red Square. Throughout the city, at special concert venues, art groups perform, songs of the war years are heard everywhere. People dance, relax. Many older people cry, remembering the horror of years gone by.

Night of museums

Museum Night is an annual project that will take place in Moscow 15 times. Most of the city’s cultural institutions traditionally take part in it. Most of the city’s museums and exhibitions are free to visit. In parks, country estates, thematic performances and entertainment cultural events are held. About 200 museums, exhibition halls and art spaces take part in the festival. Many sites prepare special projects on the topic for visitors.

Fish Week festival

This year the festival will be held in Moscow for the sixth time. Everyone can taste a variety of seafood dishes, as well as purchase fish, shrimp, caviar «take away”. Every day, gastronomic shows and various master classes for both adults and children will be held at the festival venues.

A cappella Moscow Spring international festival

Bright and talented performers and bands from different countries come to Moscow to demonstrate all their singing a cappella skills. The show takes place at different open-air scenes in the center of Moscow. Everyone can visit any city concerts, creative workshops, music, theatre performances.

Horse racing events

In Moscow, the racing season lasts from May to September. Purebred racehorse competitions are held at the Central Moscow Hippodrome. Throughout the entire period, horses demonstrate all their power, beauty and strength. By tradition, in the spring a big holiday is held, dedicated to the opening of the race.

Day of Russia

On this day, all cities of the country host ceremonies, entertainment programs, holiday concerts with the participation of popular performers. Everyone can participate in sports and youth flash mobs, visit museums and improvised fairs. And the culmination of the holiday will be a big fireworks.

Flower Jam Festival

Within the framework of the festival, the international competition of urban landscape design of the same name takes place. The task of the contestants is to come up with gardens, compositions that will beneficially affect the emotional and physical condition of the city residents. Across the city will appear compositions of fresh flowers. The city is blooming.

International Festival "Russian Cuisine"

This year the festival of Russian cuisine will be held for the forth time. Guests will be able to taste a wide palette of dishes from multinational Russia. Appreciate the skills of the best chefs in Russia. Taste ready-made dishes according to old Russian recipes. The largest outdoor food court in Moscow will open. Performances of famous pop singers and folk artists will complement the holiday atmosphere.

International Fireworks Festival Rostec

The largest festival of pyrotechnic art in Russia. The strongest pyrotechnics from different countries gather to show the audience all their highest skills and compete for the title of best. A diverse program is provided for guests and residents of the city: creative and sporting events, thematic spaces, quests and games, performances by musical groups and much more.

International Military Music Festival Spasskaya Tower

This holiday festival takes place on Red Square. This is one of the most ambitious and vibrant events of the year. Spectators are waiting for the parade of military bands, musical groups from around the world. Music from classical to pop sounds in the city center. Military bands from many countries demonstrate entire dance performances, performances with weapons. Colorful laser and pyrotechnic shows decorate this event. The grand fireworks on the closing day are unforgettable.

Moscow City day

Bright, large-scale and spectacular holiday. In 2022, Muscovites will celebrate the 875th anniversary of their city. Moscow greets this day on a grand scale. The whole city is seething. At various venues there are concerts and live music. Sports competitions for families, fairs for all are held. Everywhere – an atmosphere of joy and emancipation.

Moscow Balloon Festival

The festival will be held at the Expocentre on Krasnaya Presnya. This is the largest festival in Europe in terms of the number of participants, guests and sponsors. The best professional graphic designers from all over the world compete here. The program includes: an air show, master classes, an exhibition of sculptures from balloons, as well as exciting seminars from professional aero designers.

XI Moscow International Festival Circle of Light

One of the largest light festivals in the world. Grand multimedia shows await guests and residents: 3D mapping, pyrotechnic effects using high-altitude fountains, fire flames, laser projections. Many light installations of fireworks with musical accompaniment.

XVIII Moscow Gastronomic Festival

Hundreds of restaurants in Moscow present a signature tasting menu. It offers new tastes, unusual food combinations, bold culinary experiments. Special brunches take place all month. The city has a lot of thematic entertainment, promotions from the partners of the festival. At the end of the festival, a magnificent ball is held at which members of the international jury will choose the winner.

National Unity Day of Russia

In Moscow, the program of this general public holiday is especially solemn and vibrant. A variety of patriotic events, rallies, parades are held. In the evening, festive concerts of pop stars and musical groups will take place.

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Theater of Conquest: Moscow (Level 4 City Event)

The new Warpath game-mode Theater of Conquest: Moscow (Level 4 City Event) is coming soon with tons of new activities, maps, and rewards!

Theater of Conquest: Moscow

• New snowing city level 4 – Moscow
• Kremlin: This strategic place is the pinnacle of Glory in Moscow, and rests in the heartland of this territory.
• Forts: Forts enable either an attack DMG or DMG Resist Buff for Alliance Members. 4 Forts provide attack buffs and another 4 forts provide resist buffs.
• Settlements: Alliances can capture these to allow its members access to more exclusive Arms EXP and Ammo on the Black Market.
• Blockhouses: These defensive fortifications activate troop durability or troop firepower buffs (Four Blockhouses for each buff).
• Arms Factories: These Factories provide Alliance Members with a 5-star unit every 2 days after 12AM UTC.
• Gold Deposits: Collection sites where commanders can mine Gold.
• New achievement demonstration – seasonal medals, and so many more!

Theater of Conquest: Moscow Participation Processes:

The event takes place in 5 stages: Preselection, Matching, Warm-up, Conquest, and Reward!

Preselection Phase

Alliances in the same server undergo an intense contest for 8 days to decide who will qualify for the Conquest: Moscow.

The top 32 Alliances will be qualified for Conquest: Moscow. The number will vary due to different active player numbers in different servers.

The qualified Alliances will be locked that player cannot join or leave the Alliance, and the Alliance cannot disband. The locking state continues until the end of Conquest: Moscow.

Matching Phase

Your Adversaries will be selected from the qualified Alliances. Groups will be formed with 8 Alliances in each to enter the Conquest.

The matching will only take place within the same server for now.

Warm-up Phase

A Warm-Up Round is held before entering the Battle of Moscow, where alliances contend for alluring buffs.

Conquest Phase

The Warm-Up Round then closes as the War in Moscow kicks off. Alliance Members representing their League in the War can then enter Moscow to fight in the War.

Every 8 Alliances will be assigned into one match for the fights, but only one will win.

While the Conquest: Moscow is in progress, participating Commanders can move into Moscow from cities around the world for free, and can spend 1 Entry Permit to move back to the original city during this phase.

Reward Phase

After the Conquest Phase ends, all Commanders who participated will earn the new officer: Ivan Andreyevich Volkov (Winter Huntsman) , and his beloved dog Shemyaka.

The higher rank you and your Alliance have, the more rewards you will get.

Alliance leaders will be able to assign extra rewards to those who perform the best during Conquest: Moscow.

Download & Play Warpath PC

Avoid lags and battery-draining when doing prolonged combats. Bonus: Play multiple accounts easily !

Download & Play Warpath on PC