What Is Better to Charter a Catamaran vs Yacht?
Those new to yacht charter and catamaran charter will often ask, what is Better to charter – a Catamaran or Yacht? To assess the catamaran vs yacht question, we need to understand the main differences. A catamaran is, strictly speaking, a yacht with two hulls and a yacht in this context and a sailing vessel with one hull, otherwise known as a monohull.
It’s easily arguable that a sailing yacht was more fun to sail, takes up less room when mooring, and is cheaper per berth than a catamaran. Alternatively, a more stable catamaran offers more space and is cheaper per sq. foot of space.
Until recently, the advent of catamarans in the America’s Cup competitions would show that catamarans are not the slowcoaches they were when you consider the catamaran vs yacht debate. All catamarans are very nice to sail just off the wind, which will leave some saying that my characterisation is a little skewed. Yet, I would say, in general, for charter catamarans vs charter yachts, the comparison holds.
Here are our 5 Reasons to Hire a Catamaran Vs Yacht
The Pros of a Catamaran Vs Yacht
The 5 Reasons to Hire a Catamaran Versus a Yacht
- Space. When weighing the Catamaran Vs Yacht debate, space is one of the key factors by far, but you’ll also see this appear in our list of disadvantages too. In terms of squarefootage, if you like to pack generously, or have plenty of space for sunbathing, then Catamarans vs Yacht is for you.
- Cabins. Along the same theme, Cabins are generally much more spacious than monohulls. The locker storage space is always much greater than that of a monohull. The greatest advantage is the considerably larger ports (windows), which, when sailing in August, not only gives you a great view but comes in super handy to let in the breeze.
- Stability. Catamarans are notoriously more stable than their counterpart. This can be beneficial for new or inexperienced sailors who haven’t got their sea legs yet or are prone to seasickness. Due to their two hull design, cats do not heel over more than 5 degrees. This means you don’t have to check that plates are not sliding off the table continuously!
- Draft. Catamaran’s shallow draft (depth of the hull and keel under the water) has some advantages. This is a particular advantage in areas with shallow waters, thus allowing you to anchor closer to shore.
- Power. Catamarans have twin engines. This, combined with the shallow draft, allows the yacht to cruise at higher speeds, whether under sail or using its engines. The two engines also allow greater manoeuvrability in confined areas or spaces, great in marinas or when picking up mooring buoys.
The Cons of Catamaran Vs Yacht
Four Things You Might Want to Consider With a Catamaran Vs Yacht
- Mooring. Due to the width (and size) of a catamaran, often, you have to pay a lot more to book a berth in a harbour for the night. However, some authors can be quoted as saying that anchoring in a cat is easier.
- Upwind Sailing. Catamarans don’t sail up-wind well! Performance cats make up for this with boat speed and by employing daggerboards to prevent leeway (sideways movement). It will be fun trying to sail upwind, but you might not make much progress!
- Steering. Sailors have noted that the helm (be it the tiller or a wheel) is not as responsive as a monohull, you don’t get the same feedback (weather helm) on a cat, and it can feel ‘limp’ to sail.
- The Feel. Most charter cats are built for comfort, so the sailing can be a little disappointing unless you’re on a beam reach.
The Pros of a Yacht vs Catamaran
Getting Into the Detail – Monohull Vs Catamaran Advantages
Monohulls offer the ultimate sailing experience for many sailors. Here’s why:
- Dynamic. When considering a monohull vs catamaran, remember monohulls can tack quickly, thus making them a lot more manoeuvrable than a cat. Nothing beats the rhythmic feeling of sailing whilst heeling over.
- Responsive. They are also fairly responsive to the helm.
- Up-Wind. These vessels are much more capable up-wind than most catamarans. They can sail much closer angle to the wind than a cat.
- Budget. Monohulls are cheaper to buy (fewer materials) than catamarans, often aimed at the luxury market and significantly less to charter. Berth for berth, cabin for cabin, a monohull is usually better value for money.
- Berthing Costs. With twin engines, expect to put a little more fuel in your cat. The cost of berthing in a harbour or at a marina tends to be significantly lower due to the reduced beam (width).
The Pros of a Yacht vs Catamaran
The Last Case for a Monohull!
There are good reasons to consider a catamaran vs yacht, but if you love being up close and personal with your crew and you love dynamic sailing, here’s the big advantages.
- Snug. Modern charter monohulls are wide with high ceilings and have plenty of space in cabins and for stowage. That said, the usable space on a monohull is much less than that of a catamaran.
- Heeling. The boat heeling or “leaning” over is perfectly normal and something you get used to quickly. This can be tricky for the young and old and makes handling the boat a little more adventurous.
- Draft. Due to the deeper keel (the stabilising fin below the yacht), you cannot sail in shallow waters and must be more vigilant of your depth.
Learn More About Chartering a Catamaran Vs Monohull
As you can see, there are many pros and cons to consider when deciding between a catamaran vs yacht. Whilst the debate between monohull sailors and multi-hull fanatics will rage, it largely depends on what you are using the boat for, where, your budget, and your crew.
If you have the opportunity to decide if you prefer a catamaran vs monohull, by sailing both types of boats, then take it so you can assess the benefits of both wonderful sailing boats.
If you are planning a sailing trip and are a little unsure, why not get in touch, and we can help you decide what is best for your location and crew.
