Difference between catamaran and monohull?

Catamarans vs monohull sailboats are constant debate topic in sailing world. Should I charter a catamaran or a monohull sailboat? Here is our perspective about the topic.

Benefits of catamaran indeed are more space than sailboat, they have duohull and in each are cabins which are more comfortable and spacious. Each cabin usually has its own bathroom, which is not case in most monohulls (expect luxurious 4 or 5 cabin once). Typical catamaran catamaran has double sized cockpit than monohull, sometimes a flybridge and more than double sizes deck space. The galley, saloon and cockpit are all on one floor, above the water line, which makes sailing with 360 sea view more enjoyable. Catamaran generally provide far more living space in the main salon, galley and cockpit, than the space found aboard similarly priced monohulls. More space on catamaran automatically means more privacy, which means a lot if you have children aboard cause there is great space between living room (salon) and cabins, which allows children to normally sleep in a quiet environment. 

If you experience seasickness, you will most likely not feel it at all while sailing on catamaran cause of its stability, unlike on monohull, which makes it a lot easier especially if you are sailing with children. Also, if you are cooking aboard, this will be less challenging for you both while sailing or on anchor. 

In terms of safety, catamaran vs monohull, catamaran wins again. It is definitely safer and better option if you are sailing with children. It is pretty stabile cause its natural buoyance which make it unsinkable. Also, catamarans do not roll while anchored, which is not a case with monohulls. While sailing with children, catamaran vs monohull, catamaran wins again. As there is much more space on catamarans, there is also more space for children to play and to be under your safe supervision. This also includes children who are not on their feet yet, cause waves action does not affect boat so much as in monohull. 

Catamarans have shallower draft cause their stability comes from beam and duo hull which means here is one more benefit of catamaran – the possibility of entering shallower waters, which you cannot image to do with monohull.

In flat waters catamaran have less fuel consumption but in higher waters cause of its perfect design, monohull wins. As for manoeuverability, monohull wins cause its one hull offer higher level of navigation, you can make sharper turns and easily sail through narrow channels. But also, most catamarans can turn 360 degrees within their own length and no monohull can do that.

 On the other hand, although catamaran is faster than a monohull, catamaran sailing can be pretty uncomfortable. Monohull is designed perfectly to fit the environment while catamaran sailing is inefficient upwind and very slow.

While chartering, definitely more economic (cheaper) version is a sailboat. In the start, week price of catamaran is higher than monohull. Also, berths in Marinas are cheaper for monohull because there are not 2 hulls which demands more space.