The ancient debate about what is better – a catamaran or a monohull boat, probably began thousands of years ago on the islands of Polynesia and will never end. But it’s good, because it always gives us a spare topic for conversation in a cafe.
Multihull vessels have a number of pros and cons compared to the classics, but in general, representatives of both camps claim that their choice is based not only on cold calculation, but also on one or another philosophy.
Meanwhile, the popularity of motor catamarans has grown significantly, as their design is being improved, and the layout allows for the placement of large-area solar panels, which has become especially relevant these days.
In addition, many clients of charter agencies, having rented a catamaran for the first time, often never return to classic hulls. Why?
For a person who rents a yacht, the main desire is a calm and predictable holiday on the water: relaxation, enjoying the sea and the sun, glasses of delicious wine and beautiful plates of fruit on the table. And a catamaran can provide this even with a very modest length.
The design of the catamaran provides high transverse stability and a surprisingly large space for the whole family or friends. In fact, it is an ideal stable platform for relaxation. At the same time, cabins, distributed among different hulls, provide complete privacy for guests, which is unattainable on small monohull cruisers.
Advantages of catamarans
1. Space and habitability
This is the first and main reason for the popularity of multi-hull yachts. You get a huge saloon at the level of the main deck, an equally large flybridge, as well as an ideal place for sunbathing and dolphin watching in the bow between the hulls. Cooking, dining with friends – all this becomes much easier and more enjoyable on the spacious deck of the catamaran.
2. Economy
Modern displacement motor catamarans are efficient across almost the entire speed range. Despite the larger wetted surface area, the final resistance can be much lower than that of a monohull due to less wave formation. In addition, the wave systems created by parallel hulls interfere in antiphase (although not always), which can also reduce resistance.
However, all this is true only for good weather with a small sea swell. In conditions close to stormy, a monohull will most likely be more efficient and can become a leader in terms of efficiency.
But let’s now remember the current trends. Today, of the serially built yachts, only solar electric catamarans are capable of circumnavigating the globe without refueling.
3. Safety
Sometimes supporters of the classics argue that catamarans are not as safe as their monohull boats. However, a properly designed modern catamaran is very difficult to capsize or sink.
If catamarans were more dangerous than monohulls, then insurance policies would have a significant difference in cost, but this is not the case. Two hulls are more reliable than one in case of a hole. As, incidentally, are two independent engines.
4. Comfort
This is an important point, which often becomes decisive when choosing a yacht. Many yachtsmen over the years of owning monohull vessels have not been able to get rid of seasickness. Buying a catamaran solved this problem. But this is not always the case; the opposite cases are also known.
In fairness, it should be noted that modern motor yachts have active stabilization systems, which make yachting incredibly pleasant even for those suffering from seasickness. But a catamaran does not need these technical complications.
Disadvantages of catamarans
1. Cost
Yes, multihull boats are more expensive. This is inevitable, because the shipyard builds two hulls instead of one. And the price of motor catamarans continues to rise along with their popularity. Maintenance is also significantly more expensive. The fee for a berth in the marina will be higher, and some berths are not designed for catamarans at all.
Fuel efficiency does not always pay for all other expenses. For most yachtsmen, neither diesel nor solar catamarans justify their prices.
2. Noisy and shaky
Catamaran hulls have an excellent ability to dampen low side or diagonal waves, but a head-on or tangled medium-sized wave creates a continuous noise background when it gets stuck between the hulls and the bottom of the superstructure.
A strong impact (tunnel slap) on some designs causes unpleasant vibration. In general, it is recommended to choose a catamaran with a clearance of at least a meter.
5. Not suitable for high latitudes
Of course, you can go exploring northern Europe or Alaska on a catamaran, but a monohull will always be the best choice for this. The interior spaces are easier to heat and retain heat. In addition, solar catamarans can be completely helpless in the off-season.
When it comes to Arctic regions, the only option that will make you feel safe is a steel trawler. But in the equatorial zone and in the subtropics, everything is the opposite – the spacious saloons of catamarans will be unrivaled.
6. Low load capacity
Although this is more relevant for the commercial sector, we must mention this point. By the way, it is precisely the inability of catamarans to carry an acceptable payload that is one of the obstacles to their widespread use in the merchant navy.
7. Complexity of design
This is more of a problem for manufacturers, but ultimately affects the cost to the buyer, which we have already mentioned.
8. Not so romantic
We claim that monohull yachts are more romantic and beautiful than multihulls. It is impossible to argue with this, because classic designs are objectively much more elegant and harmonious, they are filled with nautical history and nostalgia.
While catamarans may have their own special charm and aesthetics, they nevertheless create a feeling of excessive practicality and the race for efficiency.