Sailors increasingly opting for multihull vessels
## Catamarans Gain Popularity for Ocean Voyages
In the world of sailing, catamarans are gaining traction as the preferred choice for ocean voyages. This shift is due to several compelling advantages that these dual-hulled vessels offer over traditional monohulls.
### Stability and Comfort
One of the most significant benefits of catamarans is their remarkable stability and comfort in rough seas. This is primarily due to their design, which compresses air between the hulls or uses knife-like hulls to cut through waves, providing a smoother ride for passengers[1][3].
### Space and Accommodation
Catamarans also provide more deck and cabin space than monohulls of similar length. This additional space allows for enhanced privacy with staterooms split between the hulls[1][3].
### Efficiency and Maneuverability
Catamarans are often more fuel-efficient than monohulls, requiring fewer horsepower to reach the same speed. Their wide engine spacing also allows for better maneuverability[1].
### Considerations and Challenges
While catamarans offer numerous benefits, they also present unique challenges. For instance, they are more sensitive to weight, which can make construction and maintenance more complex and expensive[2]. Smaller models may also struggle with windward performance[2].
Additionally, the dual-hull design can make certain repairs and maintenance tasks more difficult compared to monohulls, as access to some areas may be limited[2]. Marina fees for multihulls can also be expensive, with prices varying significantly[4].
### Real-life Examples
Many sailors have chosen catamarans for their ocean voyages. Richard Border and his partner Alex Mathisen, for example, opted for a catamaran due to its comfort and suitability for cruising and living aboard[5]. They have since tested the concept by chartering a Lagoon 45 in Greece and delivering a Lagoon 42 from Les Sables d'Olonne to Gibraltar[6].
Other sailors, like Petr Deuchner, the professional skipper of an Fountaine Pajot Samana 59, prefer multihulls for comfort and safety, especially when sailing with different ages on board[7]. Axel Doerwald, a Toronto businessman with a spinal cord injury, chose a catamaran for its practicality and the modifications that could be made to accommodate his needs[8]. Since purchasing his catamaran, he has sailed 25,000 miles.
### Future Plans
Many sailors are planning long voyages with their catamarans. Mike Broughton, a professional navigator and racing sailor, is about to go transatlantic with a charter group in a McConaghy MC75 catamaran[9]. After a year in the Mediterranean, Border and Mathisen plan to join the Grand Large World Rally and circumnavigate for three-and-a-half years[10].
However, owning a catamaran comes with additional costs. For instance, owners need to factor in extra costs such as servicing and maintaining two engines, and they may face restricted yard and haul out facilities for their multihull boats[11]. Shipping multihull boats back to Europe from the Caribbean can also be very expensive, with long wait times for a place on a ship[12].
In conclusion, while catamarans offer significant benefits for ocean voyaging, they also present unique challenges and considerations for sailors. Despite these challenges, their popularity continues to grow, with more sailors choosing them for their comfort, space, and efficiency.
[1] [The Benefits of Catamarans for Cruising](https://www.sailmagazine.com/sail/the-benefits-of-catamarans-for-cruising/) [2] [The Downsides of Catamarans](https://www.sailmagazine.com/sail/the-downsides-of-catamarans/) [3] [Why Sailors Choose Catamarans for Long-Distance Sailing](https://www.boats.com/sailing/why-sailors-choose-catamarans-for-long-distance-sailing-150246/) [4] [Marina Fees for Multihulls](https://www.multihullworld.com/marina-fees-for-multihulls/) [5] [Border and Mathisen's Catamaran Adventure](https://www.multihullworld.com/border-mathisens-catamaran-adventure/) [6] [Border and Mathisen's Catamaran Journey](https://www.yachtingworld.com/sailors/border-mathisen-charter-lagoon-45-les-sables-dolonne-gibraltar-44953) [7] [Petr Deuchner's Love for Multihulls](https://www.multihullworld.com/petr-deuchners-love-for-multihulls/) [8] [Axel Doerwald's Catamaran Journey](https://www.multihullworld.com/axel-doerwalds-catamaran-journey/) [9] [Mike Broughton's Transatlantic Voyage](https://www.yachtingworld.com/sailors/mike-broughton-transatlantic-voyage-mc75-catamaran-47116) [10] [Border and Mathisen's Future Plans](https://www.yachtingworld.com/sailors/border-mathisens-future-plans-46734) [11] [Owning a Catamaran: Extra Costs to Consider](https://www.multihullworld.com/owning-a-catamaran-extra-costs-to-consider/) [12] [Shipping Multihull Boats Back to Europe](https://www.multihullworld.com/shipping-multihull-boats-back-to-europe/)
Sports like sailing are seeing a shift towards catamarans, especially for long ocean voyages. This preference is driven by the catamaran's stability, comfort, and space, providing a smoother ride and more deck and cabin space than monohulls.
