Catamaran vs Monohull — Which is Right for Your Holiday?

Catamaran or monohull: how to choose

It's the first question every first-time charterer asks, and for good reason. The choice between a catamaran and a monohull sailing yacht shapes every aspect of your charter week — the feel of the sailing, the comfort at anchor, the layout below decks and, significantly, the cost.

Here's an honest breakdown of both options.

Space

Catamaran wins decisively. A 44ft catamaran has approximately the same living area below decks as a 58ft monohull. The twin hulls each contain two to three cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom. Nobody is sharing a heads.

Above decks, the cockpit is enormous — a social space big enough for eight people to eat together comfortably. The forward trampoline (the mesh net between the two bows) is where catamaran sailors spend most of their time at anchor, lying in the sun inches above the water.

Stability

Catamaran wins. A monohull heels — leans over — under sail. Typically 15–25 degrees in a moderate breeze, occasionally more. This is entirely normal sailing behaviour and most people adapt quickly. However, for anyone prone to motion sickness, or for families with young children who need to move freely around the deck, it can be challenging.

A catamaran sails almost flat. The twin hulls balance the lateral force. This makes life below decks significantly easier — cooking, sleeping, and moving through the cabin are all more comfortable. Seasickness is far less common on a catamaran.

Sailing performance

Monohull wins. A monohull is a more responsive, tactically rewarding sailing machine. It points closer to the wind, accelerates more quickly through gusts and feels more connected to the elements. For sailors who genuinely love the act of sailing — trimming the spinnaker, feeling the boat accelerate on a reach — the monohull is the more satisfying choice.

A catamaran is inherently resistant to heeling over, which is its stability advantage, but also means it doesn't transmit the same sailing sensations. It's more like driving a campervan than a sports car.

Draft

Catamaran wins. Most sailing catamarans draw less than 1.2m of water. A comparable monohull might draw 1.8–2.2m. In practice, this allows a catamaran to anchor in bays and lagoons inaccessible to monohulls — closer to the beach, in shallower water, in the heart of the most beautiful spots.

In the British Virgin Islands, the shallow flats around Anegada and the beach at White Bay, Jost Van Dyke are best accessed by catamaran. In Greece, dozens of small coves open up when your draft drops below 1.2m.

Price

Monohull wins. A catamaran costs 30–50% more to charter than a comparably-sized monohull. Marina fees are also higher — a catamaran occupies double the beam of a monohull berth. Fuel consumption is similar.

For groups where budget is a priority, a well-chosen monohull sleeps eight people very comfortably at significantly lower cost.

Who should choose a catamaran?

• Families with children under 12 (stability, safety, space)
• Groups of 6–10 who need separate cabin privacy
• Anyone with a history of motion sickness
• Those prioritising comfort over sailing feel
• Cruisers in the BVI, Seychelles or French Polynesia (where catamaran is the dominant charter type)

Who should choose a monohull?

• Couples or groups of 4–6
• Experienced sailors who value sailing performance
• Those on a tighter budget
• Those chartering in Croatia, France or the UK where monohulls are the norm

Our verdict

For your first charter, with a mixed group and no strong sailing background: catamaran. The stability and space eliminate the most common first-timer complaints.

For experienced sailors who want the genuine sailing experience: monohull.

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