power catamaran vs yacht

Introduction

The benefits and compromises of owning a power catamaran are usually obvious for different consumers, depending on their circumstances, boating ambitions and level of experience. However, a rapidly growing number of seasoned boaters are learning the joys of owning a catamaran and end up becoming firm catamaran supporters.

We have witnessed amazing changes to how families go boating together on a catamaran. For many families, the catamaran yacht has enabled their kids to join and bring their friends without overcrowding the boat. Guests do not have to be seasoned yachties to enjoy the day in the stable and protected cockpit. While entertaining can be done with style and without stress.

The most compelling argument of all must be this: seasoned monohull boaters are converting to catamarans by the truckload. Many converted former motor yacht owners are now passionate advocates of power catamarans. For experienced yachties demanding performance, the advantages are simply too great to ignore.  It is rare to hear of any catamaran owners ever going back to a monohull. Once you become a catamaran owner, you are hooked for life.

“Why should I buy a power catamaran instead of a similar sized motor yacht?”

We are regularly asked by buyers “why should I buy a power catamaran instead of a similar sized motor yacht”. Like everything, there are benefits and compromises to the power catamaran. Despite ourselves being firm Catamaran converts and lifetime believers, below we offer a balanced comparison of the pros and cons.

Advantages of Monohulls

A monohull, as the name implies, has just one hull. This is the most common type of hull design, but why? To produce a well balanced comparison lets start by investigating the benefits of monohulls:

Slow roll period

• Many brands and builders to choose from

More usable space below waterline

Familiar handling.

While monohulls roll back and forth far more than a catamaran, monohull fans will argue that the slow roll period of a monohull has a comforting effect.

There any many brands and builders to choose from as most builders still only produce monohulls. Whilst this trend is changing, 50+ years of composite boat building has been heavily monohull focused. This does mean that there is a far greater selection of vessels, designers and brands and builders to select from.

Whilst the monohull comparably has less interior space, the wide waterline beam (width) allows for greater use of the internal hull height. This either enables builders to mount tanks and storage below cabin floors or to actually expand the cabin below waterline. As a catamaran gains performance via its light displacement and narrow waterline beam, this is often not practical on a catamaran.

Jumping from one boat to another will feel extremely familiar as the differences in handling between brands is minimal, with the exception of planning hull vs displacement hull. Focusing on planning hulls, however you will quickly feel familiar jumping from one boat to another. On the contrary, the difference in handling from a monohull to a power catamaran are immediately apparent.

Disadvantages of Monohulls

Now that we have seen the advantages of a monohull, lets analyse some disadvantages one might encounter while boating on a typical V-bottomed or deep-V motoryacht.

Low stability

Bow steering, rolling at anchor, significant bowrise.

Due to the wide flat hull shape required to get the monohull more quickly into planning mode, it can produce a rather bumpy ride when motoring through waves. Performance through waves can be significantly improved or diminished depending on the hull shape. For instance, a deep V hull will be more comfortable through waves than a shallow V. However, both are significantly outperformed by even the worst power catamaran designs.

A monohulls heel angle is directly affected by weight placement. Moving too much weight to port or to stbd will cause the vessel to heel. This is significantly noticeable when at anchor however even underway an incorrectly loaded monohull can dangerously heel. This can be overcome underway by the use of trim tabs. However, is best overcome by conscious weight placement and management.

Bow steering usually occurs when motoring at speed in a following sea or when passing another vessels wake. If you are inexperienced and do not know what is happening it can be quite frightening. Basically, the boat will suddenly and often expectantly turn hard in one direction while rolling hard in the opposite direction, despite your efforts to steer straight. Bow steering can be prevented with the installation of trim tabs. They can enable you to raise the bow up and out of the water when in a following sea. Trim tabs are not needed on a catamaran due to the natural separation of hulls bow steering.

At times you will undoubtedly come across anchorages that aren’t completely flat. When this happens, monohulls, that rely on the weight of their COG (center of gravity) to be aligned below their COB (center of buoyancy) to keep them upright, will start to rock from side to side. Things roll around inside, plates go flying. It’s uncomfortable or sometimes impossible to cook, and only the hardiest of yachties will be getting any sleep. 

While all of this is going on, at the next mooring ball, the power catamaran owners are sitting in their cockpits sipping sun-downers, barely noticing the movement, quietly getting tipsy before a long night’s sleep.

The degree of bowrise varies with monohull designs. However, for those of you unfamiliar with this term, bowrise is the tendency of a boat to point its bows up in the air before it gets into planning mode and then settles somewhat. This puts passengers through an uncomfortable, and sometimes unnerving experience whilst also exposing the vessel to a decreased level of stability and safety.

POWER CATAMARAN

Advantages of power catamarans.

Whilst individual designs can vary by design and their usage, the benefits below are typically universal for most catamarans. In comparison to the equivalent length monohull a catamaran shall deliver the following advantages:

Superior ride comfort

Enhanced stability at anchor and underway, up-scaled cabins and interiors, larger single level cockpit and saloon, significantly improved fuel consumption.

• Drastically improved close-quarter maneuvering

Catamarans experience slower deceleration through wave impact. This significantly reduces slamming through waves. This has been measured with accelerometers in like for like tests to have a 25% reduction in G forces when riding over waves.

Due largely to their wider beam, catamarans have a remarkably higher righting moment compared to monohulls. This prevents them from rolling side-to-side when at anchor, and keeps them sitting level both underway and at rest . This is regardless of placement of people or luggage, this also eliminates the need for catamarans to use trim tabs.

More interior volume, especially in power catamarans that carry their beam all the way forward. Even applicable in the smallest cats that will usually have stand up headroom in each cabin, unlike smaller monohulls. As a result of this increased volume, a power catamaran will always feel over sized – more fairly compared to a monohull 15-20% longer in length. A 35ft power catamaran for instance is more fairly matched against a 43ft motor yacht.

Catamarans generally provide far more living space in the main salon and cockpit in comparison to similarly priced monohulls. The galley, main salon and cockpit are also all on one level, above the water line … making life aboard as well as your view much more enjoyable.

Due to their reduced displacement and wetted surface area power catamarans are impressively efficient. The wider monohull bows create a large bow wake and greater resistance, which require more HP to get onto plane. Not only does this burn more fuel, but also enables a catamaran to get onto plane under just one motor. This is a significant safety advantage, enabling a boat with only one working engine to return to shore before dark rather than limping home at below planning speeds. The ability to plane at lower RPM’s enables cruisers not wanting to travel at groundbreaking speeds to achieve highly efficient low speed planning. Vastly expanding their cruising ground while not breaking the bank nor taking all day to get to the next anchorage. Learn more about power catamaran fuel consumption HERE>>

Drastically improved close-quarter maneuvering: A large separation between the port and stbd engine drastically improves close-quarters maneuvering. This enables a power catamaran to literally rotate within its own waterline length by simply putting one engine in reverse, and one in forward. Add a joystick control and you’re in command of one of the easiest boats that you will ever dock.

Disadvantages of Power Catamarans

Despite the significant benefits gained by the power catamaran, there are also a few unusual traits associated with powercats:

Outward banking

Snaking at anchor, tunnel-slap, unusual appearance.

When making sharp turnsm a monohull will bank (roll) into the turn. A catamaran, on the other hand, due to its increased stability and righting moment will actually bank slightly outward. If coming from a monohull background, initially this sensation will feel unusual. However, If you have no prior expectations regarding the outward bank offers ,no benefits or disadvantage over the inward bank.

Due to the power catamarans wide beam and asymmetry, when at anchor a shifting breeze will cause the vessel to turn to port and stbd in a snakelike movement.  If the wind has some strength and continues to shift, this movement can become uncomfortable. We therefore recommend attaching an anchor bridle whenever anchoring which completely eradicates this effect.

In certain conditions, catamarans can experience tunnel slap. This is where a wave passing under the tunnel rises up and slaps the wingdeck surface causing a thud or slapping sound. This effects different catamaran designs in various ways depending on whether they are of displacement or planning type. A displacement catamaran requires a high wingdeck to overcome the wave crest heights in order to ride over the top of the waves. Planning catamarans, on the other hand, should have narrower and shallower tunnels. This forces a compressed air mixture through the tunnel, creating a cushioning and lifting effect lifting the catamaran above the surface of the water with intensity increasing as speed increases.

When asked, many monohull owners claim they do not like the unusual appearance of a power catamaran. Whilst styling preference is subjective, at Makai we have worked hard to design a power catamaran that delivers all of the benefits of a catamaran. Whilst doing so with attractive and unmistakable styling.

CONCLUSION : Power Catamaran or Monohull?

Whilst each have their own advantages and disadvantages the final choice is completely down to personal preference. Clearly, we are die hard catamaran believers, but we also believe that what is most important above all else is just getting outside and on the water, having fun and being safe. So, when you find the boat that does all of the right things for you, go for it!

Learn more about MAKAI Yachts HERE>>

Learn more about the MAKAI M37 HERE>>

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Powered Catamarans Vs. Monohull Motor Yachts

Two hulls or one? It’s a debate that’s existed since the Polynesians first started exploring the Pacific Ocean in catamarans. Nowadays, our catamarans are much more refined. They can be powered both by sails or by diesel, but in this article we’ll only be comparing motor cats to other monohulled motor yachts, as sailing a catamaran is a completely different game. 

First, the obvious difference is in the shape. A catamaran is wider and boxier than a monohull yacht, and this difference comes with tradeoffs and benefits. The catamaran’s double hull design gives it greater stability both underway and while docked or moored. A catamaran is also much more fuel efficient on average than a monohull, due to the decreased amount of drag on it’s much slimmer hulls. However, monohull yachts are capable of handling larger, more powerful engines, and thus usually have a considerably higher top and cruising speed than catamarans. 

As for living space, it depends on which areas of the boat are most important to you. The wider catamaran allows for a more spacious salon, galley, and flybridge than all but the largest of monohull yachts. However, the cabins in a catamaran are located in the hulls, which are slim. This usually results in the overwhelming majority of the space in the cabins being taken up by the berth, leaving little room for in-cabin storage. In a monohull yacht, there are many more possible layouts for the V-berth, aft cabin, or guest cabins, and they are usually much more roomy. 

Finally, it’s necessary to consider where you’ll be keeping your yacht, catamaran or not. With a monohull, you can fit into many more slips in many more marinas. With a catamaran, especially a larger one, you’ll probably want to search out and end or side tie slip. These, of course, are less common than a normal slip. 

There is a different definition of “the best boat” for everyone. It’s impossible to say definitively whether or not a motor cat or a deep-V monohulled yacht is better, but it’s easy to decide which one best fits your needs when you have a list of their major differences at hand. We hope this article cleared up these differences, and, as always, happy yachting! 

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Who Makes The Best Power Catamaran?

By Robert Bowman | Posted On Sep 15, 2022 Updated On May 03, 2023

The story of the evolution of the power catamaran can be broken down to a simple act of marital duty. it was the 1940's and Ray Leger loved to fish off of the California coast with his wife Evelyn. Ray had been a carpenter and capitalized on the booming Southern California housing market after World War 2, later using his skills and equipment to construct fishing boats. Evelyn would routinely suffer from seasickness, a problem that Ray needed to solve in order to keep fishing. Knowing that a catamaran offered greater stability, Ray set out to build one with outboard motors. The first one, an 18-foot cabin cruiser, was outfitted with twin 33hp outboards. By the 1960's, construction had moved to fiberglass hulls and the popularity quickly soared.

Today, power catamarans are among the fastest growing segments in the marine industry, as are sailing catamarans . A recent report shows that the global catamaran market as a whole is worth over $4 billion and has an annual growth rate of over 6%. That's nearly double what the average CAGR (compound annual growth rate) is for the boating industry in total.

The transition to power cats really came from charter customers in the Caribbean that would vacation on sailing cats in the BVI's for weeks at a time. The catamarans offered greater stability, but also an incredible amount of space on board thanks to the wider beams. But people on vacation enjoying the trip would end up using the small engines most of the time as sailing comes with a certain amount of effort. Now it's common to see power catmarans in charter in the Caribbean, as well as privately owned boats behind someone's house.

As more boaters get exposed to the benefits of power catamarans, the number of builders has grown as well. Power cat brands like Aquila Boats , as an example, weren't around in the early 2000's, but are now a common boat to see all over Florida or the Northeast. Prestige Yachts also just released their very first power cat into the market, the M48. Trying to claim that one power catamaran builder is the "best" among all of the others is a tough decision as there are many factors. If judged by number of units sold over the last 10 years, then Leopard is the best power catamaran builder in the industry. Looking at boats sold globally in the MLS over the last decade, Leopard Catamarans sold 40% more vessels than the second leading power cat builder, Fountain Pajot . Other notable power cat brands that led in overall sales were Endeavor, Lagoon, and Aquila.

(Below: On the extreme luxury power catamaran market, the Sunreef 80 is among the best.)

Video by: @NautiStyles

While the number of boats sold into the marketplace is a sign of strength in a builder, it also may not necessarily equate to 'being the best power catamaran' in terms of quality. Like with monohulls, there are varying degrees of both quality and price when it comes to the subsects of the power cat industry. Both Sunreef and Horizon Yachts have expanded into large luxury power cats that, even when more than 10 years old, can still command more than $2 million as an asking price.

One way to tell if the catamaran you're buying is well-recognized for its quality is to look at some of the recent award winners. Many of the editors of multi-hull focused magazines are experts in this category and have real-life experiences on dozens of different models. Here are a few notable ones:

• Fountaine Pajot MY4.S won the 2022 Multi-Hull of the Year Award for its category (36.1' and reaches 22 knots!)
• The Aquila 54 won 2021 Multi-hull of the Year 
• The Leopard 53 Power Cat won 2020 Multi-Hull of the Year
• The Lagoon 55 won the 2021 British Yachting Awards

(Below: The new Fountaine Pajot MY4.S offers a new 'sport top' style for the longtime catamaran builder.)

Whether you're purchasing a new or pre-owned power catamaran, its resale value is of the utmost importance. Nothing can stifle your enthusiasm when you are trying to sell your existing yacht only to have it sit on the market for a long time while diminishing in value. If this is of concern to you, the best advice is to stick with the more mainstream, reputable catamaran builders. Boats with odd layouts, underpowered engines, outlandish decor, and other out-of-the-norm equipment can cause your boat to sit on the market longer than anticipated.

The market demand has also improved in recent years. Over the last decade, power catamarans took roughly 330 days to sell. Almost a full year! Since 2020, however, that amount of time has decreased by 19%. Among the builders that sold within 100 days of hitting the market, Aquila, Endeavor, Fountaine Pajot, Leopard, and Robertson & Caine were prominent. 

(Below: The Aquila 54 Power Catamaran has a tri-deck design with a beam of over 25-feet.)

At United Yacht Sales, we have over 250 experienced yacht brokers worldwide. Many have years of real hands-on experience with power catamarans, sailing cats, sailboats, and other similar vessels. We can assist you in the sale of your current yacht, or represent you in the purchase of a new one. Call us today at 1-772-463-3131 and we will connect you with the right sales professional that perfectly sits your needs and situation.

Also Read: Are Power Catamarans Good In Rough Water?

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Power Catamarans vs Sail Catamarans, What’s the Right Choice For You?

Sail and power catamarans are both great boats with distinct advantages. To choose what is best for you, think about how you will be using the boat. The good news is they both work with our Business Yacht Ownership ® program.

Sail Catamarans

• Sailboats are better if you want to follow the sun or do longer range cruising.
• With the right prop and engine, sailboats can do 9-10 knots and are very sea-worthy. They provide comfort at sea. If you just feel like laying back and relaxing, you can almost forget the mast is there. But, when the conditions are ideal, you will be able to sail. New designs and technological advancements make sail handling easier than ever.
• Sailboats are quiet and promote socialization. Generally, they can handle more guests at a time, whether they are socializing or sleeping.
• Sailboats cost less per cubic ft. of volume. The Helia 44 has as much or more room/volume than the Cumberland 47.

Power Catamarans

• They have low clearance. If your cruising plans involve a bridge with height restrictions, a power boat may be the better option.
• A properly, dedicated purpose catamaran powerboat gives significantly better speed and range than a comparable monohull powerboat.
• The Fountaine Pajot Motor Yacht offers the exceptional characterics of the catamaran platform, giving you a very comfortable ride and virtually eliminating rolling at anchor.
• The Fountaine Pajot Power cat is less expensive to run than a monohull and can compete with the economy of a trawler. The power cat also offers the efficiency of the hull, which allows you to go faster when you need to (up to 22 knots or so). This is not possible under normal conditions with a trawler or sailing cat.

Learn more about power catamarans

Senior Sales Consultant, Partner [email protected] 410-703-5655 More from Eric >>  Boat Business Webinars, Videos, Blogs, Learning center and more.

Disclaimer :  The  information,  views ,  opinions , and conclusions   expressed in  any  article , blog, video, or other form of media posted or linked herein  are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the  views of Atlantic Cruising Yachts, LLC.  Nothing contained herein has been approved or otherwise endorsed by Atlantic Cruising Yachts, LLC and such company shall have no liability for any content.

ESE, LLC is totally responsible for the content of this article. We are not tax advisers. You should obtain tax advice from a professional tax adviser for any matters relating to setting up a business, or tax implications .

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Catamaran Vs Yacht

Learn the difference between a catamaran vs yacht charter, what yacht should you charter catamaran vs monohull, what is better to charter a catamaran vs yacht.

Those new to yacht charter and catamaran charter will often ask, what is Better to charter – a Catamaran or Yacht? To assess the catamaran vs yacht question, we need to understand the main differences. A catamaran is, strictly speaking, a yacht with two hulls and a yacht in this context and a sailing vessel with one hull, otherwise known as a monohull.

It’s easily arguable that a sailing yacht was more fun to sail, takes up less room when mooring, and is cheaper per berth than a catamaran. Alternatively, a more stable catamaran offers more space and is cheaper per sq. foot of space.

Until recently, the advent of catamarans in the America’s Cup competitions would show that catamarans are not the slowcoaches they were when you consider the c atamaran vs yacht debate. All catamarans are very nice to sail just off the wind, which will leave some saying that my characterisation is a little skewed. Yet, I would say, in general, for charter catamarans vs charter yachts, the comparison holds.

Your Answer Will Depend on Many Different Variables Such as:

• Advantages of Catamaran Vs Yacht
• Disadvantages of Catamaran Vs Yacht
• Getting Into The Detail
• Thoughts on a Monohull Charter
• How to Book

Here are our 5 Reasons to Hire a Catamaran Vs Yacht

The Pros of a Catamaran Vs Yacht

The 5 reasons to hire a catamaran versus a yacht.

• Space. When weighing the Catamaran Vs Yacht debate, space is one of the key factors by far, but you’ll also see this appoear in our list of disadvantages too. In terms of squarefootage, if you like to pack generaously, or have planty of space for sunbathing, then Catamarans vs Yacht is for you.
• Cabins.  Along the same theme, Cabins are generally much more spacious than monohulls. The locker storage space is always much greater than that of a monohull. The greatest advantage is the considerably larger ports (windows), which, when sailing in August, not only gives you a great view but comes in super handy to let in the breeze.
• Stability.  Catamarans are notoriously more stable than that their counterpart. This can be beneficial for new or inexperienced sailors who haven’t got their sea legs yet or are prone to seasickness. Due to their two hull design, cats do not heel over more than 5 degrees. This means you don’t have to check that plates are not sliding off the table continuously!
• Draft.  Catamaran’s shallow draft (depth of the hull and keel under the water) has some advantages. This is a particular advantage in areas with shallow waters, thus allowing you to anchor closer to shore.
• Power. Catamarans have twin engines. This, combined with the shallow draft, allows the yacht to cruise at higher speeds, whether under sail or using its engines. The two engines also allow greater manoeuvrability in confined areas or spaces, great in marinas or when picking up mooring buoys.

The Cons of Catamaran Vs Yacht

Four things you might want to consider with a catamaran vs yacht.

• Mooring . Due to the width (and size) of a catamaran, often, you have to pay a lot more to book a berth in a harbour for the night. However, some authors can be quoted as saying that anchoring in a cat is easier.
• Upwind Sailing. Catamarans don’t sail up-wind well! Performance cats make up for this with boat speed and by employing daggerboards to prevent leeway (sideways movement). It will be fun trying to sail upwind, but you might not make much progress!
• Steering.  Sailors have noted that the helm (be it the tiller or a wheel) is not as responsive as a monohull, you don’t get the same feedback (weather helm) on a cat, and it can feel ‘limp’ to sail.
• The Feel.  Most charter cats are built for comfort, so the sailing can be a little disappointing unless you’re on a beam reach.

The Pros of a Yacht vs Catamaran

Getting into the detaila - monohull vs catamaran advantages.

Monohulls offer the ultimate sailing experience for many sailors. Here’s why:

• Dynamic. When considering a monohull vs catamaran, remember monohulls can tack quickly, thus making them a lot more manoeuvrable than a cat. Nothing beats the rhythmic feeling of sailing whilst heeling over.
• Responsive.  They are also fairly responsive to the helm.
• Up-Wind.  These vessels are much more capable up-wind than most catamarans. They can sail much closer angle to the wind than a cat.
• Budget. Monohulls are cheaper to buy (fewer materials) than catamarans, often aimed at the luxury market and significantly less to charter. Berth for berth, cabin for cabin, a monohull is usually better value for money.
• Berthing costs. With twin engines, expect to put a little more fuel in your cat. The cost of berthing in a harbour or at a marina tends to be significantly lower due to the reduced beam (width).

The Last Case for a Monohull!

There are good reasons to consider a catamaran vs yacht, but if you love being up close and personal with your crew and you love dynamic sailing, here’s the big advantages.

• Snug.  Modern charter monohulls are wide with high ceilings and have plenty of space in cabins and for stowage. That said, the usable space on a monohull is much less than that of a catamaran.
• Heeling.  The boat heeling or “leaning” over is perfectly normal and something you get used to quickly. This can be tricky for the young and old and makes handling the boat a little more adventurous.
• Draft.  Due to the deeper keel (the stabilising fin below the yacht), you cannot sail in shallow waters and must be more vigilant of your depth.

Learn More About Chartering a Catamaran Vs Monohull

As you can see, there are many pros and cons to consider when deciding between a catamaran vs yacht. Whilst the debate between monohull sailors and multi-hull fanatics will rage, it largely depends on what you are using the boat for, where, your budget, and your crew.

If you have the opportunity to decide if you prefer a catamaran vs monohull, by sailing both types of boats, then take it so you can assess the benefits of both wonderful sailing boats.

If you are planning a sailing trip and are a little unsure, why not get in touch, and we can help you decide what is best for your location and crew.

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All bookings and confirmations was always accurate with no delays. Our boat was also fabulously maintained and the Skipper new the area extremely well...

Everything was down to the tee.

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POWER CATAMARAN vs MOTOR YACHT

Introduction

The benefits and trade-offs of owning an electric catamaran are often obvious to different consumers depending on their circumstances, passion for boating and level of experience. However, a rapidly growing number of experienced boaters are learning the joys of catamaran ownership and eventually becoming firm catamaran supporters.

We have witnessed incredible changes in families’ boating habits with catamarans. For many families, the catamaran yacht has enabled their children to join and bring friends on board without overcrowding the boat. Guests do not need to be experienced yachtsmen to enjoy the day in the fixed and sheltered cockpit. One can be stylish and stress-free while having fun.

The most convincing argument has to be this: experienced monohull boaters are switching to catamarans by the truckload. Many former motor yacht owners are now passionate advocates of motorized catamarans. For experienced yachtsmen who demand performance, the advantages are too great to ignore. It is rare to hear of any catamaran owner going back to a monohull. Once you own a catamaran, you are hooked for life.

More usable space below the water line

Although the monohull has relatively less interior space, the large waterline beam (width) allows for greater use of the interior hull height. This allows builders to mount tanks and storage below the cabin floors or to extend the cabin below the waterline. This is usually not practical on a catamaran as a catamaran gains performance from its light displacement and narrow waterline beam.

Familiar use

Jumping from one boat to another will feel very familiar because, with the exception of the planning hull and the displacement hull, the differences in use between brands are minimal. Focus on planning hulls and you will quickly feel familiar when jumping from one boat to another. In contrast, the difference in handling between a monohull and a power catamaran is immediately noticeable.

Disadvantages of Monohulls

Now that we have seen the advantages of a monohull, let’s examine some of the disadvantages that can be encountered when sailing a typical V-bottom or deep V motor yacht.

Low stability

Rolling in iron, significant slope rise.

Due to the wide flat hull shape required to get the monohull into planning mode faster, it can provide a very bumpy ride when motoring through waves. Depending on the hull shape, performance in waves can increase or decrease significantly. For example, a deep V hull will be more comfortable in waves than a shallow V. However, both perform significantly better than even the worst power catamaran designs.

The yaw angle of a monohull is directly affected by weight placement. Moving too much weight to port or aft will cause the boat to heel. This is noticeable when at anchor, but even when underway an incorrectly loaded monohull can heel dangerously. This can be overcome by using trim tabs while underway. However, it is best overcome by conscious weight placement and management.

Bow rudder usually occurs when sailing fast in a following sea or passing through the wake of another boat. This can be quite scary if you are inexperienced and don’t know what it is. Basically, despite your efforts to keep the rudder straight the boat will suddenly and often unexpectedly turn hard in one direction while rolling hard in the opposite direction. Bow steering can be prevented by fitting trim tabs. These can enable you to lift the bow up and out of the water when in a following sea. Trim tabs are not needed on a catamaran because of the natural separation of the hull bow rudder.

From time to time you will undoubtedly come across anchorages that are not perfectly flat. When this happens, monohulls that rely on the weight of their COG (center of gravity) aligning under their COB (center of buoyancy) to keep them upright will start rocking from side to side. Things will roll around inside, plates will fly. Cooking is uncomfortable or sometimes impossible, and only the hardiest yachtsmen can sleep.

All the while, at the next mooring ball, the owners of motor catamarans are sitting in their cockpits sipping sunshine syrups, not even noticing the movement, quietly getting tipsy before a long night’s sleep.

The degree of bow lift varies for monohull designs. However, for those unfamiliar with the term, bow lift is a boat’s tendency to lift their bow into the air and then settle somewhat before going into planning mode. This gives passengers an uncomfortable and sometimes frustrating experience, while reducing the stability and safety of the boat.

POWER CATAMARAN

Advantages of electric catamarans.

While individual designs may vary in their design and use, the following advantages are typically universal for most catamarans. Compared to a monohull of equivalent length, a catamaran will provide the following advantages:

Superior driving comfort

Improved stability at anchor and underway

Elevated cabins and interiors

• Larger single-story cockpit and saloon

Significantly improved fuel consumption

• Greatly improved close-range maneuvering

Catamarans experience slower deceleration due to wave action. This significantly reduces the impact through the waves. This has been measured with accelerometers in similar tests and a 25% reduction in G-forces when passing over waves was found.

Due to their substantially wider beam, catamarans have a considerably higher righting moment compared to monohulls. This prevents them from rolling from side to side when at anchor and keeps them level both when cruising and at rest. This is independent of the placement of people or luggage, which also eliminates the need for catamarans to use trim tabs.

More interior volume, especially in powerful catamarans that carry their beams all the way forward. This is true even in the smallest cats, which often have standing room in every cabin, unlike smaller monohulls. As a result of this increased volume, a motor catamaran will always feel larger compared to a monohull that is 15-20% longer in length. For example, a 35ft motor catamaran will be fairer compared to a 43ft motor yacht.

Larger monohull cockpit and saloon

Catamarans generally provide much more living space in the main salon and cockpit compared to similarly priced monohulls. The galley, main salon and cockpit are also on one level above the waterline… making life on board and your view much more enjoyable.

Due to their reduced displacement and wetted surface area, power catamarans are impressively efficient. Wider monohull bows create a large bow rudder and more resistance, which requires more HP to get on board. Not only does this burn more fuel, but it also allows a catamaran to level off with a single engine. This is a significant safety advantage and ensures that a single-engine boat can get back to shore before dark, rather than returning home at speeds below planned. The ability to fly at lower RPMs allows cruisers who do not wish to travel at breakneck speeds to plan extremely efficient low speed planning. They do not break the bank or take all day to reach their next anchorage, while greatly expanding their cruising area. Read more about electric catamaran fuel consumption HERE

Close range maneuvers greatly improved: The large separation between port and stern motor greatly improves close-range maneuvering. This allows an electric catamaran to literally turn within the length of its own waterline by taking one engine astern and the other forward. Add a joystick control and you’re in control of one of the easiest boats you can dock.

Disadvantages of Motorized Catamarans

Despite the significant benefits that electric catamarans provide, there are also a few unusual features associated with electric cats:

External banking

Snake at anchor, tunnel slap, unusual appearance.

When making sharp turns, a monohull will lean sideways into the turn. A catamaran, on the other hand, will actually lean slightly outward due to its increased stability and righting moment. If you come from a monohull background, this feeling will initially seem unusual. However, if you have no prior expectation of outward leaning, it offers no advantage or disadvantage over inward leaning.

Due to the wide beam and asymmetry of power catamarans, a shifting breeze while at anchor will cause the boat to turn to port and aft in a snake-like motion. If the wind is a bit strong and keeps shifting, this movement can be uncomfortable. We therefore recommend that you install an anchor bridle when anchoring, which completely eliminates this effect.

In certain conditions, catamarans can experience tunnel slap. This is when a wave passing under the tunnel rises and hits the wing deck surface, causing a thud or slapping sound. This affects different catamaran designs in various ways depending on whether they are displacement or planning type. A displacement catamaran requires a high wing deck to overcome wave crest heights to pass over waves. Planning catamarans, on the other hand, must have narrower and shallower tunnels. This forces a pressurized air mixture through the tunnel, creating a cushioning and lifting effect that lifts the catamaran above the water surface, which increases in density as speed increases.

When asked, many monohull owners claim that they do not like the unconventional look of a motor catamaran. While styling preference is subjective, at Makai we have worked hard to design a motor catamaran that offers all the advantages of a catamaran. In doing so, we have used an attractive and seamless style.

CONCLUSION: Motorized Catamaran or Monohull?

While each has its own advantages and disadvantages, the final choice depends entirely on personal preference. Obviously, we are catamaran believers, but we also believe that what matters most above all is just getting out and getting on the water, having fun and being safe. So when you find the boat that does all the right things for you, go for it!

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Reviewed: Aquila 36

• By Chris Caswell
• Updated: August 15, 2018

When MarineMax approached the Sino Eagle Group, a Chinese boatbuilder, to create the Aquila series of power cats, the yacht sales firm had two goals: The first was to flesh out its MarineMax Vacations bareboat charter fleet in the British Virgin Islands, and the second was to create yachts suitable for private ownership.

Those are, in several ways, seemingly contradictory needs. Charter yachts need to be bulletproof: easy to maintain, easy to repair, easy to use. Private yachts, on the other hand, must be whatever their owners want them to be, even if using them takes a little extra maintenance now and then.

To satisfy both types of boaters, the Aquila line was created, first with a 48-footer and then with a 44-footer. The Aquila 36 is a departure from her sisterships in that she is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran, but she also adheres to MarineMax’s philosophies.

With a single main living level from bow to stern and a beam of 14 feet 7 inches, the Aquila 36 is like a bowrider on steroids. She has seating that can handle 20 adults for outings and barbecues, and there are two staterooms below, one in each hull, for family weekending. The staterooms have nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads, stowage and 6-foot-6-inch headroom.

Up on the main deck, under the optional fiberglass hardtop, are a dinette, cooktop, fridge, sink and smokeless grill. Forward, the seating transforms from benches to sun pads, and the anchor gear is hidden under a hatch with a wired remote control.

Aft, the choices include settees across the transom or a fishing/diving option with a bait tank and tackle station. Twin boarding gates allow for docking, diving or tender access.

The Siblings

Power choices are twin 250, 300 or 350 hp Mercury Verados, with the 350s pushing the Aquila 36 to nearly 35 knots.

A solid dayboat for the family or for fishing, the Aquila 36 is equally adept at weekending with friends.

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POWER CATAMARAN vs MONOHULL

Introduction.

The benefits and compromises of owning a power catamaran are usually obvious for different consumers, depending on their circumstances, boating ambitions, and level of experience. However, a rapidly growing number of seasoned boaters are learning the joys of owning a catamaran and end up becoming firm catamaran supporters.

We have witnessed amazing changes to how families go boating together on a catamaran. For many families, the catamaran yacht has enabled their kids to join and bring their friends without overcrowding the boat. Guests do not have to be seasoned yachties to enjoy the day in the stable and protected cockpit. While entertaining can be done with style and without stress.

The most compelling argument of all must be this: seasoned monohull boaters are converting to catamarans by the truckload. Many converted former motor yacht owners are now passionate advocates of power catamarans. For experienced yachties demanding performance, the advantages are simply too great to ignore.  It is rare to hear of any catamaran owners ever going back to a monohull. Once you become a catamaran owner, you are hooked for life.

“Why should I buy a power catamaran instead of a similar sized motor yacht?”

We are regularly asked by buyers “why should I buy a power catamaran instead of a similar-sized motor yacht”. Like everything, there are benefits and compromises to the power catamaran. Despite ourselves being firm Catamaran converts and lifetime believers, below we offer a balanced comparison of the pros and cons.

Advantages of Monohulls

A monohull, as the name implies, has just one hull. This is the most common type of hull design, but why? To produce a well-balanced comparison let’s start by investigating the benefits of monohulls:

Slow roll period

• Many brands and builders to choose from

More usable space below the waterline

Familiar handling.

While monohulls roll back and forth far more than a catamaran, monohull fans will argue that the slow roll period of a monohull has a comforting effect.

There any many brands and builders to choose from as most builders still only produce monohulls. Whilst this trend is changing, 50+ years of composite boat building has been heavily monohull focused. This does mean that there is a far greater selection of vessels, designers and brands, and builders to select from.

Whilst the monohull comparably has less interior space, the wide waterline beam (width) allows for greater use of the internal hull height. This either enables builders to mount tanks and storage below cabin floors or to actually expand the cabin below the waterline. As a catamaran gains performance via its light displacement and narrow waterline beam, this is often not practical on a catamaran.

Jumping from one boat to another will feel extremely familiar as the differences in handling between brands is minimal, with the exception of planning hull vs displacement hull. Focusing on planning hulls, however, you will quickly feel familiar jumping from one boat to another. On the contrary, the differences in handling from a monohull to a power catamaran are immediately apparent.

Disadvantages of Monohulls

Now that we have seen the advantages of a monohull, let’s analyze some disadvantages one might encounter while boating on a typical V-bottomed or deep-V motoryacht.

Low stability

Bow steering, rolling at anchor, significant bow rise.

Due to the wide flat hull shape required to get the monohull more quickly into planning mode, it can produce a rather bumpy ride when motoring through waves. Performance through waves can be significantly improved or diminished depending on the hull shape. For instance, a deep V hull will be more comfortable through waves than a shallow V. However, both are significantly outperformed by even the worst power catamaran designs.

A monohull’s heel angle is directly affected by weight placement. Moving too much weight to port or to stbd will cause the vessel to heel. This is significantly noticeable when at anchor however even underway an incorrectly loaded monohull can dangerously heel. This can be overcome underway by the use of trim tabs. However, is best overcome by conscious weight placement and management.

Bow steering usually occurs when motoring at speed in a following sea or when passing another vessel’s wake. If you are inexperienced and do not know what is happening it can be quite frightening. Basically, the boat will suddenly and often expectantly turn hard in one direction while rolling hard in the opposite direction, despite your efforts to steer straight. Bow steering can be prevented with the installation of trim tabs. They can enable you to raise the bow up and out of the water when in a following sea. Trim tabs are not needed on a catamaran due to the natural separation of hulls’ bow steering.

At times you will undoubtedly come across anchorages that aren’t completely flat. When this happens, monohulls, that rely on the weight of their COG (center of gravity) to be aligned below their COB (center of buoyancy) to keep them upright, will start to rock from side to side. Things roll around inside, plates go flying. It’s uncomfortable or sometimes impossible to cook, and only the hardiest of yachties will be getting any sleep.

While all of this is going on, at the next mooring ball, the power catamaran owners are sitting in their cockpits sipping sun-downers, barely noticing the movement, quietly getting tipsy before a long night’s sleep.

The degree of bow rise varies with monohull designs. However, for those of you unfamiliar with this term, bow rise is the tendency of a boat to point its bows up in the air before it gets into planning mode and then settles somewhat. This puts passengers through an uncomfortable, and sometimes unnerving experience whilst also exposing the vessel to a decreased level of stability and safety.

POWER CATAMARAN

Advantages of power catamarans.

Whilst individual designs can vary by design and their usage, the benefits below are typically universal for most catamarans. In comparison to the equivalent length monohull a catamaran shall deliver the following advantages:

Superior ride comfort

Enhanced stability at anchor and underway, up-scaled cabins and interiors, larger single-level cockpit and saloon, significantly improved fuel consumption.

• Drastically improved close-quarter maneuvering

Catamarans experience slower deceleration through wave impact. This significantly reduces slamming through waves. This has been measured with accelerometers in like-for-like tests to have a 25% reduction in G forces when riding over waves.

Due largely to their wider beam, catamarans have a remarkably higher righting moment compared to monohulls. This prevents them from rolling side-to-side when at anchor, and keeps them sitting level both underway and at rest. This is regardless of the placement of people or luggage, this also eliminates the need for catamarans to use trim tabs.

More interior volume, especially in power catamarans that carry their beam all the way forward. Even applicable in the smallest cats that usually have stand-up headroom in each cabin, unlike smaller monohulls. As a result of this increased volume, a power catamaran will always feel oversized – more fairly compared to a monohull 15-20% longer in length. A 35ft power catamaran for instance is more fairly matched against a 43ft motor yacht.

Catamarans generally provide far more living space in the main salon and cockpit in comparison to similarly priced monohulls. The galley, main salon, and cockpit are also all on one level, above the water line…making life aboard, as well as your view much more enjoyable.

Due to their reduced displacement and wetted surface area power catamarans are impressively efficient. The wider monohull bows create a large bow wake and greater resistance, which require more HP to get onto a plane. Not only does this burn more fuel, but also enables a catamaran to get onto a plane under just one motor. This is a significant safety advantage, enabling a boat with only one working engine to return to shore before dark rather than limping home at below planing speeds. The ability to plane at lower RPMs enables cruisers not wanting to travel at groundbreaking speeds to achieve highly efficient low-speed planning. Vastly expanding their cruising ground while not breaking the bank nor taking all day to get to the next anchorage. Learn more about power catamaran fuel consumption HERE>>

Drastically improved close-quarter maneuvering: A large separation between the port and starboard engine drastically improves close-quarters maneuvering. This enables a power catamaran to literally rotate within its own waterline length by simply putting one engine in reverse, and one in forward. Add a joystick control and you’re in command of one of the easiest boats that you will ever dock.

Disadvantages of Power Catamarans

Despite the significant benefits gained by the power catamaran, there are also a few unusual traits associated with powercats:

Outward banking

Snaking at anchor, tunnel-slap, unusual appearance.

When making sharp turns a monohull will bank (roll) into the turn. A catamaran, on the other hand, due to its increased stability and righting moment will actually bank slightly outward. If coming from a monohull background, initially this sensation will feel unusual. However, If you have no prior expectations regarding the outward bank offers, no benefits or disadvantages over the inward bank.

Due to the power catamaran’s wide beam and asymmetry, when at anchor a shifting breeze will cause the vessel to turn to port and starboard in a snakelike movement.  If the wind has some strength and continues to shift, this movement can become uncomfortable. We, therefore, recommend attaching an anchor bridle whenever anchoring which completely eradicates this effect.

In certain conditions, catamarans can experience tunnel slap. This is where a wave passing under the tunnel rises up and slaps the wingdeck surface causing a thud or slapping sound. This effects different catamaran designs in various ways depending on whether they are of displacement or planning type. A displacement catamaran requires a high wingdeck to overcome the wave crest heights in order to ride over the top of the waves. Planning catamarans, on the other hand, should have narrower and shallower tunnels. This forces a compressed air mixture through the tunnel, creating a cushioning and lifting effect lifting the catamaran above the surface of the water with intensity increasing as speed increases.

When asked, many monohull owners claim they do not like the unusual appearance of a power catamaran. Whilst styling preference is subjective, at Makai we have worked hard to design a power catamaran that delivers all of the benefits of a catamaran. Whilst doing so with attractive and unmistakable styling.

CONCLUSION : Power Catamaran or Monohull?

Whilst each have their own advantages and disadvantages the final choice is completely down to personal preference. Clearly, we are die hard catamaran believers, but we also believe that what is most important above all else is just getting outside and on the water, having fun and being safe. So, when you find the boat that does all of the right things for you, go for it!

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