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Differences between a sailboat and a catamaran

Guide to choosing the perfect boat for your cruise

If you are about to embark on your first skippered cruise, you are surely asking yourself this question: is a catamaran or a sailboat better?

What are the differences between a sailboat and a catamaran?

It all depends on what you are looking for (feel, comfort), what is on offer (availability, budget) and where you want to go. Here are some quick answers answered.

  • Comfort: catamarans (especially those over 12 meters) are more comfortable than a sailboat, both in sailing (the boat tilts under the force of the wind) and in terms of living on board (more space inside and on the deck).
  • Sensations: if your main goal is sailing and learning to sail, a sailboat is a better option. It offers more intense sensations than a catamaran (you feel the speed more and the contact with the sea is more authentic). Catamarans are more stable, heavier and often less sporty.
  • Availability: in general, there are many more sailboats than catamarans in most destinations. So it may be easier to find your dream cruise on a sailboat than on a catamaran.

Budget: because catamaran cruises are rarer, they are also more expensive than sailing cruises. This is also justified by the fact that there is more space on board and a catamaran costs more to purchase and maintain than a sailboat.

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Sailboats (Monohulls): real emotions

Sailboats composed of a single hull and inside it (below deck) is a large subdivided functionally to accommodate the crew.

There are monohulls dedicated to racing, on which construction technology is at the highest level and the sole focus is on performance, and cruising monohulls that prioritize aspects of comfort.

Cruising monohulls are mainly built of fiberglass and almost always feature a single mast with 2 main sails (mainsail and genoa/jib) and a few accessories (Gennaker, Spinnaker, Code 0).

In terms of sailing, monohulls sail more easily upwind (head wind) than catamarans; they allow for very precise navigation and more careful sail tuning.

The helmsman has a very direct feel at the helm because of its responsiveness to wind and waves.

Space, while much greater than in the past, is less than on a catamaran. Conversely, due to a smaller hull width finding space in a harbor is generally easier and cheaper with a monohull. Sailboats take up less space than catamarans and are therefore easier to moor. Moorings in marinas are also cheaper because monohulls are narrower than catamarans (check local rates first, depending on the size of the boat).

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Catamarans: stability and comfort

Unlike a sailboat, the catamaran is a multihull ( two hulls parallel to each other). This type of boat has been very popular since the 1980s due to the many advantages of its unique architecture. Like sailboats, they are used for racing and pure cruising.

Two hulls mean more space, more comfort and more stability. The interior of a catamaran is undoubtedly larger and allows for greater agility of movement, the cabins are more spacious and more like real bedrooms, and the dining area is comfortable and has large windows. Those who choose a catamaran (especially if it is their first sailing vacation) definitely want to experience a comfortable vacation. In addition, catamarans are equipped with bow trampolines where, during the day, you can easily sunbathe and share an evening drink with friends.

In terms of stability, the catamaran glides on the water and does not dive like a sailboat. Thus, comfort is a characteristic of catamaran sailing, which is not overly affected by wind, remains upright and does not give the feeling of tilting.

Finally, catamarans have a shallow draft, which means they can sail in areas that monohulls cannot enter. The shallow draft also provides more opportunities for anchoring in roadsteads.

catamaran is perfect for a Caribbean cruise, for example.

Apart from shape and performance, there is a big difference between a boat and a catamaran. So before you go on a boating trip to the Caribbean or the Mediterranean ask yourself what you really want, what your needs and personal beliefs are! Choose what you like and what suits you. Either way, both will give you emotions that only a boat can give.

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