best liveaboard power catamaran

THE PRINCESS PASSPORT
Email Newsletter
Yacht Walkthroughs
Destinations
Electronics
Boating Safety
Ultimate Boat Giveaway

The Power Catamaran Compilation

By Yachting Staff
Updated: December 21, 2018

Power Catamarans have been growing leaps and bounds in popularity, and, in lengths and widths. And for good reason. These cruise-centric yachts offer homelike livability for avid travelers, are fuel efficient and are fairly intuitive to run. Power cats are popular in the bareboat charter market too, for these very reasons.

Here, we take a look at 12 catamarans ranging from a cruising-couple-size 36-footer to a 78-footer for friends, family and some more friends. And there are myriad power options: outboards, diesel inboards, hybrid or even all-solar power.

Fountaine Pajot MY44

The Fountaine Pajot MY44 , a creation of Italian architect Pierangelo Andreani and French designer Daniel Andrieu, has a main deck that’s open from the aft-deck seating all the way forward to the starboard helm station. The sense of spaciousness is significant, for several reasons. First, four glass panels aft can all slide to port, creating an indoor-outdoor space with the aft deck and salon. In the salon, 32-inch-high windows extend for 12 feet down the sides of the yacht, with three sections per side, bringing in natural light along with the three forward panes that comprise the windshield. Finally, 6-foot-6-inch headroom provides vertical clearance, with a 21-foot-7-inch beam that adds interior roominess while keeping the yacht stable.

Silent-Yachts 55

The ideas about which solar panels, electric motors, inverters and the like to use — and more importantly, Michael Köhler says, how to configure them — became the basis for the brand Silent-Yachts. The company offers 55-, 64- and 79-foot catamarans that run on solar-electric propulsion. The Silent 55 premiered this fall, and the 64 is sold out for the next two years, Köhler says.

Horizon PC74

As founder and director of The Powercat Company, a Horizon Power Catamarans distributor, Stuart Hegerstrom had long believed that catamaran builders needed to design their yachts to more stylish standards.

“The boats were very boxy,” he says, based on his years of experience with cats in the charter market. He and his partner, Richard Ford, asked Horizon to produce models that had high-end finishes and looked good inside and out.

The Horizon team brought in mega-yacht designer JC Espinosa to work with its own craftsmen. The result aboard the Horizon PC74 is a catamaran with exterior styling, layout and functionality that should appeal to private and charter owners alike.

Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Lagoon is a division of Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest builder of sailing yachts, and the Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat is a developmental sistership of its Seventy 7 super sailing cat. The Seventy series yachts are built at Construction Navale Bordeaux in France, which had to add a new yard to construct these catamarans because they require separate stern molds for the power and sail versions.

Horizon PC60

To understand the Horizon PC60 power catamaran , you need to put aside preconceived notions about midsize yacht amenities. For example, main-deck master suites are the province of yachts over 100 feet length overall. Incorrect. This 60-footer has an elegant and spacious owner’s stateroom on the same level as the salon. If you want a 14-foot center console tender on a 60-foot yacht, you have to tow it. Wrong again. On the PC60, you hoist it onto the upper deck, no problem.

40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef is known for pushing the boundaries of catamaran design, incorporating four adjustable hydrofoils into a twin-hulled speedboat.

The Polish builder is one of several European builders (including Evo, Fjord, Wider and Wally) transforming the open day-boat category with creative designs. Beyond its hydrofoils, the 40 Open Sunreef Power ‘s cockpit has side “wings” along the aft gunwales that fold out at anchor, widening the beam from 17 feet to 22 feet 9 inches.

Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Sunreef Yachts introduced its 50 Amber Limited Edition , with plans to launch just 10 hulls of the exclusive design.

The Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition will have a carbon fiber mast and boom, four layout options and numerous amber-colored elements, including the hull.

Read more: Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fitted with the optional twin 300-horsepower Volvo Penta D4 diesels, the Lagoon 630 MY burns only 1.64 gph total at 6 knots, giving a theoretical range of 2,952 nautical miles with standard tankage of 793 gallons. Hull No. 1 had an optional 502-gallon tank, giving it transatlantic range.

Luxury, stability and economy are all hallmarks of Lagoon’s return to luxury motor yachts. If you can take a ride, it will be worth your time.

Fountaine Pajot MY 37

The Fountaine Pajot MY 37 easily accommodates the seafaring family with three- and four-stateroom options. In the three-cabin version, called Maestro, you’ll find an owner’s suite in the portside hull with a queen-size berth and en suite head. Two double-berth cabins and one more head are available for the kids. If your brood is bigger, the Quator setup features four double cabins with two heads.

The 37 is a traveler and can be powered with twin 150 hp or 220 hp Volvo Penta diesels. Top speed with the smaller engines is 17 knots, while it’s 20 knots with the bigger power plants. Interestingly, at 7 knots, the fuel consumption is the same, with either set of motors offering voyagers a 1 ,000-nm range.

Solarwave 64

Many yachts boast eco chops because they have a handful of solar panels that power the microwave or navigation lights. The Solarwave 64 , launched last summer, has the potential to run on sunshine alone. The vessel’s 42 solar panels generate 15 kW that are stored in batteries weighing about 1,300 pounds. They connect to electric motors.

Glider SS18

This British builder says it strives for design innovation and the Glider SS18 displays that DNA, the result of 8 years of research and development. She has a head-turning, catamaran hull form constructed from aluminum and composite materials. She is 60 feet LOA with a 17-foot beam, and has a relatively shallow 1-foot draft. Powered by quad Yamaha 300 hp outboards, she can reportedly reach 50 knots, and with her Stability Control System (SCS), should give a smooth ride while doing it.

Meet the Emissions-Free Colombo 25 Super Indios E

Offshore Fishing Boats and Insurance Prices

Discover the Princess Yachts Y95

Aquila 47 Molokai Reviewed

A Pair of Custom Lines for Charter

For Sale: 2021 Ferretti Yachts 850

Digital Edition
Customer Service
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Email Newsletters
Cruising World
Sailing World
Salt Water Sportsman
Sport Fishing
Wakeboarding

13 Best Liveaboard Catamarans (For All Budgets)

If you want to enjoy long-term living on the water, a liveaboard catamaran can provide the perfect combination of comfort and adventure. However, buying and owning a catamaran can cost you a fortune. If you're not sure which one suits your budget, here are 13 of the best liveaboard catamarans on the market today, covering a range of budgets and lifestyles.

The 13 best liveaboard catamarans for different budgets are:

Nautitech 46 Open

Lagoon 450f, nautitech 46 fly.

If you're on a tight budget but still want to enjoy the liveaboard lifestyle, the Leopard 40, Lucia 40, and Lagoon 400 are some of your best options. If you have a slightly higher budget to live up to your dream life aboard, let's see which of these catamarans will suit your needs best.

Low-budget liveaboard catamarans cost anywhere from $350,000 to $450,000, while high-budget options range from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.
The living space of the best liveaboard catamarans ranges from 77 sqm to 215 sqm, with the higher-budget options generally offering more space.
Most catamaran models come equipped with one galley and multiple heads, with the number of heads ranging from 2 to 4.
High-budget catamarans like Lagoon 52 and Catana 50 are built with advanced safety features such as a self-tacking jib and an automatic reefing system.


$400,000 - $500,000	78 sqm	1 galley, 2 heads	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
$450,000 - $550,000	82 sqm	1 galley, 2 heads	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
$350,000 - $450,000	78 sqm	1 galley, 4 heads	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
$350,000 - $450,000	77 sqm	1 galley, 4 heads	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
$600,000 - $700,000	105 sqm	1 galley, 4 heads	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
$500,000 - $600,000	100 sqm	1 galley, 4 heads	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
$500,000 - $600,000	95 sqm	1 galley, 2 heads	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
$700,000 - $800,000	130 sqm	1 galley, 4 heads	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
$700,000 - $800,000	106 sqm	1 galley, 4 heads	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
$700,000 - $1,000,000	186 sq. ft.	Fully equipped	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
$600,000 - $900,000	140 sq. ft.	Fully equipped	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
$1,000,000 - $2,000,000	161 sq. ft.	Fully equipped	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
$1,000,000 - $2,000,000	215 sq. ft.	Fully equipped	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When choosing the best liveaboard catamaran, there are questions you need to ask yourself such as:

Are you planning to live aboard full-time or just part-time?
Will you be traveling extensively or staying in one location?
Do you plan to fish or engage in other water activities?

If you plan to sail around the world and are not sure what catamaran size is perfect for your goal , you can get some tips from this article.

You may also need to check your budget. Keep in mind that the purchase price is just one aspect of the cost of owning a catamaran. See how much it actually costs to buy and own a catamaran in this article.

You may also need to factor in ongoing maintenance, repairs, and other expenses, such as docking costs. Docking costs depend on the location of the marina and the actual size of your catamaran, but to give you an idea of how much it costs to dock a catamaran , here's an article that can help you.

The best liveaboard catamarans have these most important features :

Living space Look for a catamaran with an open layout, large windows, and plenty of natural light to create a spacious and inviting living area.

Galley and heads Choose a catamaran with a well-designed galley that is easy to use and has plenty of storage space. The heads should be spacious and comfortable, with a separate shower area if possible.

Performance and handling You might want to opt for a catamaran with a good sail plan and sailing controls that are easy to operate. If you plan to do offshore cruising, perhaps consider a catamaran with a shallow draft and good seaworthiness.

Safety and seaworthiness Choose a catamaran with sturdy construction and good safety features, such as handrails and lifelines. You might want to make sure also that the catamaran is designed for single-handed sailing if you plan to sail solo.

Estimated price range: $400,000 - $500,000

Living space inside Leopard 40

The Leopard 40 has a spacious interior with a modern and stylish design. It features four cabins and two heads, providing ample living space for up to 8 people.

The cabins are well-ventilated and well-lit, with large windows that offer panoramic views of the sea. The saloon is also spacious, with comfortable seating and a large dining table.

Galley and heads of Leopard 40

The galley is well-equipped with a large refrigerator, freezer, gas stove, oven, and plenty of storage space. The heads are also well-designed, with separate shower stalls and electric toilets.

Performance and handling of Leopard 40

The Leopard 40 has a sleek and streamlined design that allows it to move smoothly through the water. The twin engines provide plenty of power, and the boat is easy to maneuver even in tight spaces.

The boat also comes with a range of performance features, such as a large sail area, a self-tacking jib, and a full-batten mainsail.

Safety and seaworthiness of Leopard 40

The Leopard 40 is built to the highest standards of safety, with a strong and durable hull, high-quality rigging, and a range of safety features such as lifelines, handrails, and safety harnesses.

The boat also has excellent stability, which makes it very safe and comfortable to sail in rough seas.

Estimated price range: $450,000 - $550,000

Living space inside Lucia 40

The Lucia 40 is a spacious catamaran that offers plenty of living space for a family or a group of friends. It has a large saloon with a U-shaped sofa and a dining table that can comfortably seat six people.

The saloon is surrounded by large windows that provide plenty of natural light and a great view of the surroundings. The catamaran has four cabins and two heads, which provide ample sleeping space for up to eight people. The cabins are well-appointed and offer plenty of storage space.

Galley and heads of Lucia 40

The galley on the Lucia 40 is located in the saloon and is well-equipped with a three-burner stove, oven, fridge, and plenty of counter space for food preparation.

The two heads are located in each hull and are equipped with a shower, toilet, and sink. They are spacious and provide plenty of privacy.

The Lucia 40 is a performance-oriented catamaran

The Lucia 40 is a performance-oriented catamaran that is designed for cruising in comfort. It has a sleek and modern design that allows it to sail efficiently in a wide range of wind and sea conditions.

The catamaran is equipped with a full batten mainsail and a furling genoa, which provide excellent sail performance. The helm station is located on the flybridge, which provides excellent visibility and allows for easy handling.

The Lucia 40 is a safe and seaworthy catamaran

The Lucia 40 has a solid fiberglass hull and a structural bulkhead that provides excellent strength and rigidity. The catamaran is equipped with all the necessary safety equipment, including life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, and a first aid kit.

It is also equipped with a comprehensive navigation system, which includes GPS, radar, and an autopilot, to ensure safe and accurate navigation.

Estimated price range: $350,000 - $450,000

Living space inside Lagoon 400

The Lagoon 400 offers ample room for passengers to relax and socialize. The main saloon is located on the same level as the cockpit, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.

The saloon features a large dining table and comfortable seating, while the cockpit provides additional seating and a table for outdoor dining. The cabins are also spacious and comfortable, with plenty of storage space.

Galley and heads of Lagoon 400

The galley is well-equipped with a stove, oven, refrigerator, and sink, making it easy to prepare meals while underway. The heads are also well-designed, with separate shower stalls and electric toilets.

The Lagoon 400 has good sailing performance

This boat has a generous sail area, a powerful rig, and a light displacement, which allows it to sail well in a variety of conditions. The boat's twin hulls also help to reduce drag and increase stability, which makes it easier to sail in choppy seas or high winds.

The Lagoon 400 is also equipped with twin engines, which allow it to be easily maneuvered in tight spaces or when docking. The boat's shallow draft, which is one of the advantages of sailing a catamaran , also makes it suitable for exploring shallow waters or anchoring in secluded bays.

The Lagoon 400 is designed to be safe and seaworthy

The boat's twin hulls provide excellent stability, which reduces the risk of capsizing. See a detailed comparison between catamaran and monohull in this article.

The boat is also equipped with a range of safety features, including a solid fiberglass hull, watertight bulkheads, and a high freeboard, which helps to keep the boat dry and reduce the risk of swamping.

The boat is also built to withstand rough seas and strong winds, with a reinforced hull and high freeboard. It also features a range of safety features, including lifelines, safety harnesses, and an emergency tiller.

The Bali 4.0 is a catamaran that offers ample living space

The cockpit and saloon are on the same level, which creates a large open-plan living area. The saloon has a U-shaped seating area, which can comfortably seat six people, and a large table that can be lowered to create a double berth.

Galley and heads of Bali 4.0

The galley of Bali 4.0 is located aft of the saloon and is well-equipped with a three-burner stove, oven, refrigerator, and sink. The boat has four cabins, each with its own en-suite head and shower. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, and the heads are modern and well-designed.

Performance and handling of Bali 4.0

The Bali 4.0 has a self-tacking jib and a fully battened mainsail, which makes it easy to sail short-handed. The boat is also equipped with a Code 0 sail, which provides additional downwind performance. The boat's helm is responsive and easy to control, and the boat is stable and predictable in a variety of conditions.

Safety and seaworthiness of Bali 4.0

The Bali 4.0 is a seaworthy boat that is designed to be safe and comfortable in a variety of conditions. The boat has a high freeboard, which provides additional safety and protection from waves and spray.

The boat also has a solid foredeck, which provides additional safety when moving around the boat. It is also equipped with a full suite of safety equipment, including life rafts, life jackets, and safety harnesses.

Estimated price range: $500,000 - $600,000

Living space inside Bali 4.3

The Bali 4.3 has a large saloon with panoramic views, plenty of natural light, and a modern design. The saloon is equipped with a large U-shaped sofa, a dining table, and a chart table. The cockpit is also spacious and features a dining table, a sunbathing area, and a helm station.

Galley and heads of Bali 4.3

The galley and heads on the Bali 4.3 are well-designed and offer plenty of space and storage. It is located in the saloon and features a 3-burner stove, an oven, a large refrigerator, and plenty of counter space. The heads are located in each hull and feature a separate shower, electric toilets, and plenty of storage.

The Bali 4.3 is a fast and agile catamaran. It features a self-tacking jib and a square-top mainsail, which make it easy to handle and maneuver. The boat is also equipped with twin engines, which provide good speed and maneuverability.

The Bali 4.3 is a very safe and stable catamaran

The Bali 4.3 features a solid construction, a high freeboard, and a wide beam, which make it very stable and comfortable even in rough seas. The boat is also equipped with a number of safety features, including lifelines, safety harnesses, and life jackets.

Living space of Catana 42

The Catana 42 has a spacious interior layout with plenty of natural light and ventilation. The saloon and cockpit are integrated into one living area, which provides a comfortable and functional living space.

Galley and heads of Catana 42

The galley is located in the port hull and features a three-burner stove, oven, refrigerator, and ample storage space. The heads are located in the starboard hull, with one head serving as the owner's suite en-suite and the other serving the remaining three cabins.

The Catana 42 an excellent performer

The catamaran is designed to be fast and stable, with a high bridge deck clearance and a narrow hull-to-waterline beam ratio. It also has a large sail area, which provides good speed in light winds.

The Catana 42 is built with safety and seaworthiness

The boat is designed to be self-righting in the event of a capsize , and the hulls are foam-filled for added buoyancy. The boat also features a robust construction with a reinforced keel and rudder, making it suitable for offshore cruising.

Estimated price range: $600,000 - $700,000

Living space of Nautitech 46 Open

The Nautitech 46 Open is a spacious and comfortable catamaran that offers ample living space, a well-equipped galley, and multiple heads for convenience. The living area is open and airy, with large windows and plenty of natural light.

Galley and heads of Nautitech 46 Open

The galley is fully equipped with modern appliances and ample storage space, making it easy to prepare meals and entertain guests. The heads are also well-appointed, with modern fixtures and plenty of space for comfort.

Performance and handling of Nautitech 46 Open

The Nautitech 46 Open is a capable and responsive catamaran that is easy to sail and maneuver. The boat's twin hulls provide excellent stability and make it easy to handle in a variety of conditions.

The boat's rig is designed for performance, with a large sail area and a well-balanced design that allows for easy handling and excellent speed.

Safety and seaworthiness of Nautitech 46 Open

The boat is built to the highest standards of safety and durability, with a strong and sturdy construction that can withstand the rigors of offshore sailing. The boat is also equipped with all the necessary safety features, including life rafts, life jackets, and safety harnesses, to ensure that you and your crew stay safe on the water.

Estimated price range: $700,000 - $800,000

Living space inside Lagoon 450F

The Lagoon 450F is a spacious catamaran that offers plenty of room for living and entertaining. The saloon is large and open, with plenty of natural light and ventilation.

The cockpit is also spacious and comfortable, with a large dining table and seating for up to eight people. The cabins are well-designed and offer plenty of storage space, and the bathrooms are modern and well-appointed.

Galley and heads of Lagoon 450F

The Lagoon 450F has a well-equipped galley that is perfect for preparing meals while at sea. The galley features a large refrigerator and freezer, a three-burner stove, an oven, a microwave, and plenty of counter space. The heads are also well-designed and offer plenty of space and privacy.

Performance and handling of Lagoon 450F

The Lagoon 450F is a fast and stable catamaran that is easy to handle. The boat is powered by two Yanmar diesel engines, which provide plenty of power and speed.

The boat is also equipped with a high-performance sail plan, which allows for easy and efficient sailing.

The Lagoon 450F is designed to handle a variety of weather conditions

This boat is built to the highest standards of safety and quality and is equipped with all of the necessary safety equipment, including life rafts, life jackets, and emergency flares.

The boat is also designed to be self-sufficient, with a large water tank and generator, which allows for extended periods of time at sea.

Living space inside Helia 44

The Helia 44 has a spacious and well-designed interior that maximizes living space. The saloon features large windows that provide plenty of natural light and offer stunning views of the surrounding scenery.

The seating area is comfortable and can accommodate up to 8 people. The cabins are also spacious and well-appointed, with plenty of storage space and en-suite bathrooms.

Galley and heads of Helia 44

The galley on the Helia 44 is well-equipped and designed for easy use. It features a large refrigerator, a 3-burner gas stove, an oven, and a microwave. The heads are also well-designed, with separate shower stalls and plenty of storage space.

The Helia 44 is designed for excellent performance and handling

The Helia 44 has a powerful rig and a high aspect ratio sail plan that provides excellent speed and maneuverability. The boat also has a shallow draft, which makes it easy to navigate in shallow waters.

The Helia 44 is built to the highest safety standards

This boat has a solid construction that provides excellent stability and strength. It also features a range of safety equipment, including life rafts, EPIRBs, and fire extinguishers.

Estimated price range: $700,000 - $1,000,000

Living space inside Leopard 48

The Leopard 48 features a spacious saloon with a comfortable seating area and a large dining table. The saloon is surrounded by panoramic windows that provide plenty of natural light and stunning views of the surrounding scenery.

The catamaran also has a large cockpit area with a dining table and comfortable seating, perfect for outdoor dining and relaxation.

Galley and heads of Leopard 48

The galley on the Leopard 48 is well-equipped with modern appliances and ample storage space. It features a large refrigerator, a freezer, a three-burner stove, and an oven. The catamaran also has three heads, each with a shower, sink, and toilet.

Performance and handling of Leopard 48

The Leopard 48 is a high-performance catamaran that is easy to handle and maneuver. It has a powerful sail plan and lightweight construction that allows it to sail smoothly and efficiently even in light winds.

The catamaran is also equipped with a powerful engine that provides excellent speed and maneuverability.

Safety and seaworthiness of Leopard 48

The Leopard 48 is a safe and seaworthy catamaran that is designed to handle even the toughest ocean conditions. It has a sturdy construction and a stable platform that provides excellent stability and safety.

The catamaran is also equipped with modern safety features such as a GPS navigation system, a radar, and an autopilot.

Estimated price range: $600,000 - $900,000

Living space inside Nautitech 46 Fly

The Nautitech 46 Fly is a spacious catamaran that offers plenty of room for living and entertaining. The interior is bright and airy, thanks to large windows and an open floor plan.

There are four cabins and four heads, making it a great option for families or groups of friends. The salon is comfortable and features a dining area and a well-equipped galley.

Galley and heads of Nautitech 46 Fly

The galley on the Nautitech 46 Fly is well-equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, stove, oven, and plenty of counter space. There is also a double sink and a dishwasher. The heads are spacious and comfortable, with separate shower stalls and electric toilets.

Performance and handling of the Nautitech 46 Fly

The Nautitech 46 Fly is a pleasure to sail, with good speed and handling. The boat is responsive and easy to maneuver, even in tight spaces. The twin engines provide plenty of power and make docking and maneuvering a breeze.

The Nautitech 46 Fly is a safe and seaworthy vessel

The boat is designed to handle rough seas and strong winds, making it a great option for offshore sailing. There are also plenty of safety features, including lifelines, safety harnesses, and a well-equipped first aid kit.

Estimated price range: $1,000,000 - $2,000,000

The living space of Catana 50

The living space is designed for comfort and entertainment. The spacious saloon offers panoramic views and ample seating for guests.

The interior is finished with high-quality materials and features modern amenities such as air conditioning, a fully equipped galley, and plenty of storage space. It also has four spacious cabins and four heads, making it ideal for families or groups of friends.

Galley and heads of Catana 50

The galley on the Catana 50 is well-equipped with a large refrigerator, freezer, oven, and stove. The countertops are made of durable and easy-to-clean materials, and there is plenty of storage space for food and cooking utensils. The heads are spacious and feature modern fixtures and finishes.

The Catana 50 is designed for performance and speed

The catamaran's lightweight construction and high-tech materials make it fast and agile, while its twin daggerboards and rudders provide excellent maneuverability and control. The boat is easy to handle, even in challenging conditions, and offers a smooth and comfortable ride.

The Catana 50 is a safe and seaworthy vessel

The catamaran's hull design and construction are engineered to withstand the rigors of offshore sailing, and the boat is equipped with all the necessary safety equipment, including life rafts, EPIRBs, and fire extinguishers.

Need a complete list of safety equipment for your boat ? Here's an article that might be helpful for you.

The vessel also features a high freeboard, wide decks, and a sturdy rigging system, making it a stable and secure platform for sailing in all conditions.

Living space of Lagoon 52

The Lagoon 52 is known for its spacious interior and exterior living areas. The main salon is located on the bridge deck and features a large dining table, comfortable seating, and panoramic views.

The cockpit is also spacious and has plenty of seating for outdoor dining and lounging. The cabins are well-appointed and offer plenty of storage space and natural light.

Galley and heads of Lagoon 52

The galley on the Lagoon 52 is equipped with modern appliances and ample counter space, making it easy to prepare meals for large groups. There are also multiple heads on the boat, each with a shower and toilet, making it convenient for guests to freshen up after a day of exploring.

Performance and handling of Lagoon 52

The Lagoon 52 is designed for optimal performance and handling. It has a powerful sail plan and a lightweight construction that allows it to move swiftly through the water

The boat is also easy to handle, even with a small crew, thanks to its user-friendly design and advanced technology.

Safety and seaworthiness are top priorities on the Lagoon 52

The boat is built to withstand rough seas and harsh weather conditions, with sturdy construction and advanced safety features such as a self-tacking jib and an automatic reefing system.

The boat also has a spacious cockpit and wide decks that make it easy to move around and handle the boat in all conditions:

You may also like, catamaran vs monohull in rough seas: which is better.

Catamarans and monohulls have different designs that affect how they handle rough sea conditions. In fact, they have an advantage over each other when sailing in …

Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Catamaran (With 4 Examples)

Can a Catamaran Capsize? The Surprising Answer

Cost of Catamaran vs. Monohull: Which is more expensive?

How Much Does It Cost to Dock a Catamaran? (7 Locations)

Yachts for Sale
Sales Report 2024
FAQ – Luxury Crewed Yacht Charters
FAQ – Bareboat charters
FAQ – Sell your Boat
FAQ – Buying a Yacht
How Much does it Cost to Charter a Luxury Yacht?
All Blog Posts and News
Yachting for beginners
Indian Ocean
Mediterranean
Sales & New build
Motor Yacht
Event & News

Best Power Catamarans in 2024: Our Selection

Power multihulls have grown in popularity for the last decades. From the original power catamarans to the most recent innovative hybrid trimarans, the multihull market is constantly evolving and has a lot to offer for the years to come.

A motor multihull is the opportunity to sail a comfortable boat, easy to handle, easy to maintain with optimised outdoor living spaces. A powercat or a motor trimaran will seduce you for coastal sailing in areas with simple and short navigations, as well as if you are simply tired of having to manage the sails of your sailing yacht…

Discover our favourite selection of multihulls for this year and you are guaranteed not to go wrong!

Robertson & Caines: a solid range of power catamarans

Robertson & Caines is one of the world leaders in the catamaran market with its Leopard catamaran brand.

Founded in 1991 by John Robertson and Jerry Caine, Robertson & Caine Ltd has its production site in South Africa, in Cape Town.

It owes its leadership to the care it gives to every detail of its boats. Leopard boats offer refinement, comfort and performance.

Leopard power catamaran, for whom?

The Leopard will please those who want to make a reliable investment. They are very good units to put into rental management for those who wish to reduce the maintenance costs of their yacht.

In the Leopard powercat range, discover the Leopard 46, Leopard 43 or Leopard 53 .

Leopard 43 Power Catamaran, Charter and Sale

The Leopard 43 PC is a 13m unit that can be found in 3 or 4 double cabin versions, with a fully equipped galley and a large flybridge.

You can rent this Leopard Powercat on bareboat charter : from €8,700 per week in the Virgin Islands , in Martinique from €7,500 per week or in the Bahamas, from €8,214 per week.

Leopard catamaran for sale

The reputation of the Robertson & Caine shipyard is well established and the quality of their yachts for over 20 years now proves it. You can find used Leopard catamarans from €680,000 or up to €1,500,000 for a new yacht excluding options.

WI Yachts’ opinion on Leopard Power Catamaran

In the Leopard range, let yourself be tempted by the Leopard 53 Powercat for its elegance and its large volumes. Voted best multihull of the year in 2020, it would be a well thought out investment!

Fountaine Pajot Power Catamarans: a very elegant option

The elegance, refinement and precision of Fountaine Pajot ‘s boats are no longer in question. Designers and builders of boats since 1976, their know-how is unique and gives birth to exceptional yachts.

Fountaine Pajot Powercat, for whom?

For those who want to enter the luxury motor catamaran range, without committing to units that are too big and too expensive. Fountaine Pajot has managed production costs well and delivers quality yachts.

Fountaine Pajot motor yacht MY44

This yacht offers tremendous volumes equivalent to those of a 20 metre monohull. Its living spaces are breathtaking, with a large flybridge, a large saloon, a galley and cabins that offer privacy and satisfaction in impressive dimensions. The shipyard rebranded the MY44 to MY6 in 2021, to harmonise the names of the units in their engine range.

Charter a Fountaine Pajot MY44

Discover this motor yacht catamaran in a 3 double cabin version in various destinations:

From €5,800 per week from Athens, Greece , with skipper.

She is also available without crew in the BVI from $12,900 per week or on the French Riviera from €7,000 per week.

Fountaine Pajot Motoryacht MY44 for sale

WI Yacht offers for sale a second hand MY44 as new with all options for €895,000. She is an elegant yacht with unparalleled space for a vessel of her size.

2020

€ (approx. $) : € 895 000/ $ 1 012 850

13.4M

owner version

Available in

WI Yachts’ opinion on the Fountaine Pajot Motor Yacht

The brand has made an effort to design the bows of its catamarans and has optimised the storage space and volumes to save space.

All in all, these PowerCats have comfortable relaxation and reception areas worthy of the most luxurious catamarans.

Read also: Top 6 motoryachts around 80 feet

The Sunreef 60: a well balanced luxury Powercat

Sunreef is the world leader in the construction of custom multihulls. From the first drawings to the smallest finishing details each yacht is designed with the utmost care to offer you the perfect balance of comfort, safety and design!

Since 2002, the yachts have been built in Poland. Sunreef knows how to surprise with technological innovations, notably with their Sunreef Eco yacht, and the announcement of their motor trimaran: 210 Sunreef Power Trimaran, a mega yacht with more than 1000m2 of living space!

Sunreef Powercat, for whom?

Sunreef Power catamarans are versatile and modern motor yachts with a contemporary and sporty look. They are elegant and easy to handle luxury catamarans. Ideal for all types of groups. Prefer to hire a qualified crew to look after your yacht maintenance.

Luxury Sunreef Power 60

The Sunreef Motoryacht 60 is the smallest of the multihull motor yachts offered by the Polish yard. It is therefore a perfect choice for both bareboat and crewed sailing.

Rent a Sunreef 60 power catamaran

The 60 Sunreef Power OTOCTONE is an ultra-modern motor yacht offering exemplary sea keeping and a high level of comfort.

Otoctone can accommodate up to 8 guests in a large double cabin, two guest cabins and a twin cabin.

She has an extremely spacious saloon and large living areas.

Available from €30,000 per week + expenses in Italy.

WI Yachts’ opinion on the Sunreef power cat

Sunreef shipyard opens the doors to luxury aboard multihulls. The yachts are customisable and offer exceptional finishes. Let yourself be tempted if you are looking for a super luxurious floating hotel.

Lagoon: the leader shipyard with many worldclass power catamarans

Lagoon Catamaran shipyard is one of the world leaders in the construction of cruising catamarans. Designed by the famous designers Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prevost, Lagoon’s reputation is well established.

The French shipyard builds its yachts using a composite vacuum infusion and injection method that guarantees their process.

Lagoon Motor Yacht, for whom?

Lagoon motor cruising catamarans offer luxury and comfort. Their silhouettes and shapes are harmonious and are therefore very popular for all sailors and boat lovers.

The Lagoon MY: Lagoon Seventy 8 and Sixty 7

The French shipyard offers us two Powercat in their power range. The Seventy 8 is the Lagoon flagship, over 24m long, with an elegant silhouette and luxurious spaces.

The latest revolution was the Sixty 7 with continuous open spaces linking the interior and exterior of the yacht.

Charter a Lagoon Seventy 8 Catamaran

Frenchwest Lagoon 78 is available for charter in the Caribbean from €50,000 per week. Version with 4 double cabins to accommodate 8 passengers comfortably with 3 crew members, discover the blue waters of the Caribbean aboard a Lagoon power catamaran!

Lagoon Seventy 8 for sale

Depending on the options requested, the price of a Lagoon motor catamaran starts at 4.3 million euros. If you wish to put your yacht under management to optimise its occupancy and reduce your annual maintenance costs, it is advisable to combine essential options and a professional crew used to chartering. Take professional advice.

WI Yachts’ opinion on the Seventy 8

Lagoon offers you one of the best luxury Powercat on the market: stability, volume, multiple living areas. It will surprise you with its richness of space. Think of fitting out your yacht in a practical way according to your use!

READ ALSO : Lagoon Sixty 7: a dive into Lagoon’s Latest Luxury Power Catamaran

Catana power catamarans: the Bali models are a good choice for families

The Catana shipyards have brought out the Bali brand, which is popular thanks to the layout of their rigid cockpit, which has a tilting door that opens up the outside living space to the inside.

Obviously the Bali brand has moved into power catamaran construction and has kept the codes and design that make the brand so successful on these sailing boats, notably that characteristic tilt and turn door.

The Bali 4.3 MY and the Bali Catspace MY

The 4.3 is recognisable by its resolutely modern lines, combined with a carefully selected choice of noble and classic materials. As for the new Catspace catamaran, it is the ultimate in cruising innovations. The shape of its hulls gives it excellent seaworthiness and it has an exceptional ease of movement in its very large spaces.

Both catamarans offer superb spaces where everything is designed for conviviality.

Bali 4.3 Motoryacht for charter

Discover the Aegean Sea on board a Bali 4.3 MY in a 3 double cabin version with professional skipper from €7,110 per week plus expenses.

The opinion of WI Yachts on the Bali MY catamaran

The design of the Bali motoryacht range from the Catana shipyards has been chosen to resemble the famous Trawler, a habitable vessel perfect for families wishing to spend time together. These are affordable vessels for first time buyers and those wishing to sail in less formal seas.

WI Yachts’ opinion on the Bali MY catamaran

The design of the Bali motor yacht range from the Catana shipyards has been chosen to resemble the famous Trawler, a habitable vessel perfect for families wishing to spend time together. These are affordable vessels for first time buyers and those wishing to sail in less formal seas.

Part of the success of the Nautitech yard lies in their ability to recognise the true spirit of a catamaran. They are redefining the open concept of life on board, combining the saloon and cockpit into one highly functional living space.

Their catamarans are built in Rochefort, France, known for its excellence in ship production. Nautitech motor yachts are designed and produced according to the most stringent standards that make up the shipyard’s know-how.

Nautitech motor catamarans, for whom?

Thanks to their robust, demanding and marine design, Nautitech is recognised as a brand capable of putting navigation at the heart of the sea experience. You will find the Nautitech 40, 46 and 47 Power Cat available for charter.

Nautitech 47 Power Cat

The best finishes have been given to this Nautitech multihull. Its performance is ensured by two engines known for their great reliability. It has all the necessary fittings for comfortable cruising in the sun, as well as enough power to reach 20 knots.

Available in 3 or 4 cabin versions, it combines comfort, aesthetics and performance.

Nautitech 47 Powercat for sale

Wi Yacht can offer you a used Nautitech 47 for sale in excellent condition!

2020

830 000 € (approx. $936 991)

12.2M

3 cabines

Available for viewing in

WI Yachts’ opinion on the Nautitech 47

This motor catamaran is based on the sail model. Its spaces are well optimised, and its performance is surprising for a vessel of this size. Overall it is a catamaran with a pleasant, efficient and powerful line. s

NEEL power trimarans: the cutting edge of the sustainable power trimarans

In 10 years, the Neel shipyard has designed trimarans that stand out for their quality of design and unique know-how. Their trimarans combine elegance, design and performance.

The Neel shipyard teams, always at the forefront of the search for performance and eco-responsibility, have embarked on the motor trimaran adventure at the beginning of 2021, with their Leen power cat range.

LEEN trimarans, for whom?

The LEEN trimaran range offers two models, the Leen 56 and the Leen 72.

These hybrid trawler yachts are equipped with an innovative and efficient propulsion system. The shipyard announces their reliability for offshore and coastal cruising.

Read also: Trimaran versus Catamaran: what are the differences

Motor Trimaran LEEN 72′

With its hybrid engine, its unique design and its ergonomics, it is part of this new futuristic trend in yachting which aims to make sailing more ecological and sustainable.

READ ALSO: LEEN 72 the future of hybrid trimarans is here

WI Yachts’ opinion on the LEEN trimarans

The Leen trimarans are a safe bet thanks to the know-how of the trimaran builder. The brand is mainly focused on safety and performance, making these boats ideal for all types of sailing.

The power catamaran or powercat market is developing in the nautical world in the same way as the vessels presented. The shipyards have been able to deliver fast and luxurious yachts for cruising. The engines have been improved for performance and autonomy, the noise of the engines reduced and the spaces offer hyper luxury multihulls / motoryachts!

Also noteworthy are manufacturers such as Hammer Yachts who are launching catamarans powered by very seaworthy outboards.

‍ Characteristics of Liveaboard Cruising Catamarans

Generally speaking, blue water catamarans that are suitable for offshore cruising and living aboard are between 40 and 50 feet in length. Some well-designed catamarans between 25 and 39 feet in length can also be used.

A good liveaboard cruising catamaran should have adequate berthing and galley facilities, along with an enclosed cockpit. Catamarans without enclosed cockpits, especially smaller vessels, aren’t spacious enough in the hull to accommodate good liveaboard facilities.

As far as cruising is concerned, the best Bluewater catamarans are designed for durability and seaworthiness. A vessel’s sea keeping abilities rely on more than just smoothness and speed. These vessels should be water-tight in key locations, positively buoyant, and equipped with all the right extras.

Factors that Increase Catamaran Seaworthiness

There are several additions that manufacturers commonly include with sea-going blue water catamarans. These include water-tight hatches, radar units, a backup generator, and a berth close to the cockpit.

The latter is particularly important, as the captain and crew need to be able to grab the controls in the event of a nighttime emergency.

Other add-ons, such as automatic winches and controls, are extremely beneficial to blue water catamarans. These devices allow the sails to be controlled remotely without the crew needing to walk on deck.

Cruising Catamaran vs. Bluewater Catamaran

Fundamentally, cruising catamarans and ‘blue water’ catamarans are one and the same. When companies classify a catamaran as a ‘cruising’ catamaran, they usually do so because of a few notable design features.

These include cruising accommodations such as large-capacity water tanks, large fuel tanks, onboard power supplies (like a generator and a battery bank; sometimes solar panels), and long-distance communication systems. Radar is another perk, and it’s available on most cruising catamarans.

Best sea-going Liveaboard Catamarans

We searched the market, researched specifications, and listened to the owner’s opinions to find the best sea-going catamarans on the market.

These vessels are also spacious and comfortable enough to live aboard, both at sea on extended voyages and in a marina. Here are our top picks.

1. Manta 42

The Manta 42 is a well-known and popular cruising catamaran with a reputation for seaworthiness and exceptional comfort for its size. This vessel, while on the smaller end for cruising catamarans, is quite seaworthy and handles well in all conditions.

The Manta 42 is powerful—it has a large sail area for its size, which gives it incredible speed in both low and high wind conditions.

The Manta 42 has an unconventional design feature that makes it stronger than the competition—and technically, more seaworthy than many larger and fancier catamarans. The feature we’re referring to is the Manta 42’s fixed crossbeam, which is stronger than typical designs.

The Manta 42’s interior is really well-designed and ideal for living aboard. The hulls feature large berthing areas, and the center cockpit area features a full-size marine galley and sitting areas. This vessel is popular with families, as there’s plenty of room for parents and one or two kids.

2. Lagoon 42

Here’s another 42-foot cruising catamaran with exceptional seaworthiness, shallow draft, and spacious accommodations. The Lagoon 42 is a modern and advanced sailing catamaran with numerous cruising features, such as a self-tacking jib and a flybridge.

This model has extensive sleeping capacity. Standard versions can sleep up to 12 adults, which is much more than many catamarans in the 40 to 45-foot range. The vessel also features four separate heads, which ensures privacy for guests and family members.

This vessel is designed for comfort, and therefore it's a bit beefier than some slimmer and less spacious models. It’s a heavy boat with a 25-foot beam, and it has excellent sea keeping abilities.

The primary drawback of the design is that its size and hull shape limits speed. But this isn’t as big of an issue on long voyages, and it’s still much faster than an equivalently-sized monohull.

3. Leopard 45

This premium catamaran is a bit larger and more comfortable than the vessels we’ve discussed so far. It’s a luxury catamaran with everything you’d expect for the half-million-dollar price point.

This vessel shines on the open water where it can let out its sails and stretch its legs. The vessel is lightning fast in the right conditions, and it has an astounding 700-gallon fuel capacity for when the wind isn’t blowing. You can sail it, motor it along, or do both at the same time for even greater speed.

From the factory, the Leopard 45 sleeps around 12 adults at its maximum capacity or four couples in separate staterooms—each with its own bathroom and shower. The center cockpit is also quite spacious, and the vessel can be navigated from the flybridge above the central living area.

4. Lagoon 450

Here’s another 45-foot catamaran that comes from one of the world’s most respected catamaran builders. Lagoon, which is currently producing several catamaran models, is known for its high-quality material choice and construction.

The Lagoon 450 is a flybridge sailing catamaran. Its design is based on the best-selling Lagoon 440—a slightly smaller model that proved itself over years of use and countless miles sailed between owners. And though it’s only 45 feet long, this catamaran is massive both inside and out.

The vessel is fast and nimble, and it has excellent sea keeping qualities. Below decks, the surprisingly wide hulls have room for full-size staterooms both fore and aft. But what the Lagoon 450 is known for is its deck space. There’s a ton of room on the decks for hanging out, living activities, and entertaining guests.

The center cockpit of the Lagoon 450 is like something out of a luxury condo. The styling is impetuous and airy, and there’s more than enough room to prepare a full meal for ten people or more. The settee can double as a sea cabin, with more than enough room for a small crew.

5. Prout 45

Here’s a sleek and fast catamaran that’s a superior choice for cruising and living aboard. The Prout 45 debuted in the 1990s and was a huge success.

Impressively, over 2,000 individual Prout 45 cruising cats were eventually produced. That’s a lot for a production catamaran—especially a large 45-foot model with a hefty price tag.

This sea-going catamaran has unconventional features, including pointed monohull-like bows and a nearly flush cockpit.

The interior arrangement of the vessel is unconventional as well, but many owners eventually learn to prefer it. For example, oddities include a galley in one of the hulls instead of the center, where catamarans often keep such facilities.

This is a fast cruising catamaran with a very shallow draft. Three feet six inches of draft, to be precise.

This means that the Prout 45 is ideal for sailing in shallow locations, such as around tropical coral reefs and in areas known for sandbars. The draft of this vessel is much closer in depth to that of a 20 to 25-foot displacement monohull than to a full-size 45-foot catamaran.

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

Best Sailboats

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

September 13, 2023

Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom

December 28, 2023

Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

June 15, 2022

Best Electric Outboard Motors | Life of Sailing

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands | Life of Sailing

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Yachting World

Digital Edition

Best catamaran and multihull: We sail the very best yachts on two and three hulls

Toby Hodges
March 20, 2024

Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the best catamaran and multihull category in the much-anticipated European Yacht of the Year Awards

There are many categories in the European Yacht of the Year awards, from the best luxury yachts and performance yachts to the best yachts for families and event a best specialist yacht category. But with multihulls rapidly increasing in popularity, the best catamaran and multihull category was possibly the most hotly anticipated.

The small number of entrants in this category in no way reflects the rich range or huge demand for multihulls. Many new models were launched by the big yards in the preceding years and they’re struggling to keep up with bulging order books.

However, these three shortlisted represented a choice pick of the latest fast cruisers and each, in their own very different ways, are responding to this insatiable demand for high end space and pace cruising.

Best catamaran and multihull

Best catamaran and multihull winner 2024 – outremer 52.

My highlight test of 2023? Sailing this Outremer 52 for 200 miles over two days and nights! Quite how such a large vessel, one that is capable of doing laps of the planet in true comfort, is also capable of providing such enjoyable sailing is the secret sauce that helps scoop this prize.

And it was pushed hard for this award by the disruptive HH. But the Outremer is such a well rounded, measured and thought out yacht for bluewater cruising at a reliable speed – it’s the full package, a dream boat for family bluewater sailing and arguably the French yard’s best and most refined model to date.

Designer VPLP was tasked with replacing the popular and well proven 51 with more comfort and stowage, while maintaining the performance. It says it took the best of the 55 (which won this award two years ago), and the best of the 51’s deck plan to create this 52. The result means too many good features to point out here, from the variety of helm positions, including a completely protected position inboard using the swing pedestal, to the well conceived spaces. I’d therefore recommend reading our full test report online or in YW’s June 2023 issue!

Neel continues to enjoy its cruising trimaran niche, using the wow factor of bridgedeck accommodation combined with the type of sailing enjoyment and feedback monohull sailors appreciate.

The impressive lightwind performance and direct feel of a Neel I am used to. But I don’t think I’ve ever been so surprised by the amount of cabins or space as I was on this 52. It’s available with four to six cabins plus the option for two crew cabins aft! Some of this maze works well, other areas, such as the forward cabins in the main hull not quite so well. Horizon and rig sightlines and some finishing also leaves room for improvement.

The HH44 seemingly manages to achieve the space and pace balance in a compact 45ft package, while also being one of the most innovative and exciting new production yachts I have sailed. From its looks to layout, to practical on deck solutions such as swing pedestals, side gates through the bulwarks and transom gates that double as swim platforms and boost cockpit security, it’s packed with fresh thinking.

And on the subject of ‘fresh’, the natural ventilation encouraged into the yacht through those massive forward facing coachroof windows which open – a feat made possible thanks to a stiff carbon composite structure – negates any aircon requirements.

With its deep carbon boards and tall carbon rig the HH44 is a powerful, reactive animal to sail. However, it’s the incorporation of the first parallel hybrid electric drive units which really makes this high tech high performance cat stand out. The electric motors are attached to the aft end of conventional diesel engines, not only providing silent power, but renewable energy through regenerative drives while sailing.

Best catamaran and multihull 2023

Best catamaran winner – nautitech 44.

If the very best catamaran delivers the ideal comfort to performance compromise, here’s a catamaran that seems to strike the perfect balance.

For those who cite a lack of visibility and protection as reasons not to choose this aft helm route, try sailing this first – direct steering brings so much more helming pleasure that you get the enjoyable feeling and communication more associated with a monohull. The attention to keeping weight low and central, vacuum infused vinylester build and a low coachroof and boom all aid this performance. The fine entry Lombard-designed hulls allowed us to properly point upwind at 8 knots (in 13), but it was the hands-on steering sensation that really stayed with me.

While there’s no real inside/outside boundary – the saloon bridges both – the Chedal-Anglay interior design works well. It is not as voluminous as some, but is certainly enough to be smugly comfortable at anchor, finished to a good quality, with walnut Alpi trim as standard. The layout option for a ‘smart room’ office/laundry/bunk room or stowage cabin is indeed really smart.

Out of all the multihulls nominated or sailed last year, this cat impressed me the most under sail. It’s the ideal size to go distance sailing, with good performance, low draught and space for family and friends. It had me dreaming.

Balance 482

I was drawn to the Balance 482, thanks to the combination of good looking modern design, high average speeds and, chiefly, the profusion of clever thinking and practical ideas that it brings. The South African build uses a foam core with E-glass laminate and cored furniture for a light weight of 11.3 tonnes, but also with the ability to take a generous payload.

An electric furler option combined with screecher sail helps offer effortless handling and fun sailing, although the 482 prefers a breeze in the double figures. Smart options such as load cells on the rigging, a bowsprit camera to monitor the anchor chain, plus engine room and mast cams all help for maintaining vigilance. Other features we like include the solar panels properly installed on raised brackets, raincatchers built into the coachroof, and how all sheets and lines are led to the helm station. But the prize solution is the VersaHelm, which allows you to swing the wheel inboard, close off the helm station, and stand watch and steer from a fully protected position.

Catana Ocean Class

The Catana Ocean Class is a bulky model which is geared more towards creature comforts than the higher performance of its predecessors. That said, it uses carbon in the structure and roof, foam cored furniture, the tanks are mounted low in the hulls and it has daggerboards and fine entry bows. The weight savings help it offer a massive 5.5 tonne cruising payload, plus there’s capacious stowage and large tank, refrigeration and laundry capacity.

Positioned between Lagoon and Outremer, the Catana echoes a bit of its sister brand Bali’s concept with its internal cockpit-cum-saloon layout while providing good ventilation via large sliding doors and opening windows. We liked how it’s easy to handle solo from one helm station, including the electric remote control of the boards, plus the layout of the galley and navstation.

Those chasing speed and helming pleasure should perhaps look to the C-Cat 48, as it’s as close to helming a fast monohull as a cruising cat is likely to get and one of the rare times we enjoyed sailing upwind in light breezes on a multihull! This is largely thanks to a lightweight, stiff build – the Comar yard has managed to save 1.7 tonnes over the first boat (9.5 tonnes light) and increased the draught of the curved daggerboards to 2.95m.

A carbon roof and rig comes as standard, as well as an epoxy hull, full carbon deck, bulkheads and compression beam. It is a little quirky with comparatively small volumes, but this François Perus design will outperform most other performance cats and monohulls of a similar length.

The Excess 14 shares that direct sensation you get from aft helms and some of the performance of the C-Cat, but in a more balanced, voluminous layout for cruising. The Excess 14 benefits from the research of VPLP’s Vannes racing office, where attention was focused on weight reduction, with savings particularly in furniture, on improved stiffness (PET foam cored sandwich for main structural bulkheads), and the efficiency of deeper fixed keels.

The result is telling on the water, as it should be for any best catamaran contender, where you can log easy miles: we clocked late 7s upwind, reached in the late 8s and regularly averaged 9 knots with gennaker in 12-15 knots. Clear glass windows give acceptable visibility from the helms through the coachroof and the comparatively minimalist interior. In short it offers a good mix of volume, reasonable performance and enjoyable sailing – see our full review last month.

Sailing performance was another key facet in the battle of the big cats from the big cat yards, Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot. Both models offer luxurious amounts of space for home from home comfort, as watersports bases for long term cruising.

The decision to push the mast to the front of the coachroof to allow for a larger genoa than its recent preference for self-tacking jibs has paid off on the Lagoon 51. It helped us sail efficiently into the waves (albeit not pointing too high) before clocking double figures reaching with the code sail in 15 knots.

The Lagoon’s large flybridge with dual access is a USP at this size that will be a hit or miss deal breaker for many. The 51 offers unrivalled accommodation volume in three, four or six cabins, and relaxation zones, and good circulation through these big spaces. Once again the jury applauds Lagoon for thoroughly testing the prototype model during a six month tour. Over 100 have already sold.

We saw in our December issue how the experienced owners of the Fountaine Pajot test boat choose to live and work full time aboard their Aura 51. It’s a design that promotes space, enough to take friends, family and crucially for them, all the toys to enjoy at anchor. Its capability of averaging 8-10 knots also appeals, although the single side helm and hydraulic steering result in scant connection to the sailing in light winds (the same applies to the Lagoon).

The fact the yard already offers this in a hybrid version and has an electric and hydrogen model in the pipeline could sway some, but the decision between the FP and the Lagoon will likely come down to preference between a central flybridge or offset bulkhead helm together with interior design and layout.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Longreach 1200 – 600HP

Longreach 1400 – 460Hp & 500Hp

Longreach 1400 Hi-Performance

Longreach 1900 Expedition

Longreach 1900 Bluewater

About the LR1400

The new 1400 is built on a super-efficient displacement hull, developed with Powerplay’s 20 years of experience building power cats. The hull is optimised for minimal drag, with a reversed bow for buoyancy and extended waterline length forward, plus docking keels and a protected prop for beaching. Each boat can be built to meet AMSA commercial survey standards, to provide an additional layer of robustness and allow commercial operations if one chose to.

The Longreach 1400 blends an attractive mix of style with a super practical layout and configuration, designed in conjunction with cruisers to provide a genuine motor catamaran cruising alternative. Natural ventilation, large shaded living areas, easy walkway access to the forward deck, and construction efficiency

HELM & FLYBRIDGE

Up top the flybridge again has another huge entertaining area, wet bar and centrally located helm with twin helm seats protected by high quality clears forward. There is a 16″ touchscreen chartplotter and integrated fishfinder, engine management screen, Yanmar VC10 electronic controls and hydraulic steering. There is access to the forward deck via forward steps down to the Muir anchor winch which can be controlled from an electric chain counter at the helm also.

SALOON & COCKPIT

The Saloon features two large opening hatches forward for natural ventilation, with massive panoramic views from windows all around and cooled by 64,000 BTU air-conditioning throughout. The comfortable saloon lounge and dining setting looks onto a flat screen TV and 10 speaker sound system, but can convert into another bed with a telescopic table.

The galley opens out into the cockpit and features all of the appliances you would expect at home, including a large upright refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, convection microwave oven and of course stove tops.

INTERIOR CABINS

The owners master cabin features the huge king-sized bed, four hatches for natural ventilation plus air-conditioning, TV and a walk-in wardrobe for personal storage and an ensuite including a fresh water electric toilet.

While the guest cabins enjoy comfortable beds with large windows alongside.

Certificate CE Class A with Lloyds Scantlings

Vessel layout.

Complete for an info pack or request a guided walk through tour.

" * " indicates required fields

Who is longreach
LR1200 500HP
LR1400 460HP & 500HP
LR1400 HI-Performance
Request an Information Pack

How We Chose the Best Liveaboard Catamaran

pin of close up of catamaran anchored in a channel

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn from other affiliate websites. See our full disclaimer .

close up of anchored Lagoon 380 catamaran

It was eye-opening when we began our preparation to shop for a cruising catamaran. We didn’t have many clues as to what to look for. We did know that we needed to research (a lot) and rely on others’ knowledge and experience.

We listened and learned throughout our six-month process of buying a sailing catamaran. We also figured out which advice to take to heart.

Here are the five important things to look for and take into account when choosing the best liveaboard catamaran and the perfect boat for you and your crew.

1. What Size Catamaran Do You Need?

The most common advice we found was to buy the smallest sailing cat we could comfortably live aboard.

Here are a few tips for deciding on your catamaran’s length.

The smaller the boat, the less boat to maneuver, dock and maintain. As new boat owners, this didn’t go unnoticed. We would pay for any gluttonous purchase with more sweat, tears, and cash later.
The layout of the saloon and galley can play a part in how big a boat feels. Getting inside different catamarans, whether at a boat show or by other means, will give you more knowledge of your preferred interior space layout.
Sailing on a catamaran generally becomes more comfortable on larger models. If you are planning to do a lot of offshore sailing, things like bridge deck clearance, beam-to-length ratio, and other performance indicators will become drastically more of a priority when purchasing your boat.
Another significant factor for us was the ceiling height of the boat. At 6’3, Ross could step on a boat and know almost immediately if it was a contender. (Ceiling height can vary in different models and isn’t always correlated with the length or size of the catamaran.)

Sunnyside crew demonstrating the height in a catamaran cabin

Ross still has to watch his head, but he’s getting better at subconsciously ducking.

WHAT WORKED FOR US: As a two-human, one-feline family that was planning to do mostly coastal cruising, the ideal catamaran length for us turned out to be in the 37-40 foot range for most production catamaran lines.

2. the fixer-upper catamaran sailboat.

Learning the ins and outs of our first boat, including learning to sail a catamaran, was already overwhelming.

Considering also needing to fix many major working parts made my eyes cross. We would have our hands full even with almost everything in working order.

Replacing rigging right away? No, thank you.

Sunnyside crew inspecting the main sail on a Leopard 38

We found other experienced sailors agreed, at least for our first boat.

Yes, we’d miss out on the attractive cost savings. But we would be able to spend our precious time getting to know the boat, its systems, and this new lifestyle.

NOTE: There are a lot of opinions about purchasing a charter boat (a boat that has been retired from the charter market). These can be good sailboats, and the average price is often lower than a boat that hasn’t been chartered. Just be aware there could be additional wear and tear, and of course, hire a reputable surveyor.

What worked for us: there will always be things that need to be fixed when you buy a boat, even a new catamaran. we found a pre-owned catamaran that needed minor repairs but was overall ready to set sail., 3. what systems do you need onboard.

At first, we found ourselves looking for a catamaran with all the systems (we thought) we needed. Insert watermaker, generator, air conditioning, etc., here.

There is a wide range of what is said you “need” on a boat. Every sailor is different. Some people live without refrigeration; some consider a washing machine essential.

Lagoon 380 under sail with Sunnyside captain on the bow

The only way to know what sacrifices and trade-offs you’re willing to make is to live the sailing life. Cruise how you plan to in the future, and see what works. Then you can start answering questions.

How frugal do you want to be with water? How conservative with energy? How do you want to handle the heat?

Changing your mindset to buy a boat capable of living off the grid but without all the additional comforts can be a good idea.

When you start cruising more remotely, you can decide if you want the convenience of a watermaker, more solar, or a generator for backup power.

Sailing legends Lin and Larry Pardey are famous for their sailing quote , “Go small, go simple, go now.” And although I don’t believe they were referring to a 40-foot cat, I still think we can take away a reminder to keep things simple and get on the water – especially newbie sailors.

WHAT WORKED FOR US: We landed on the most important system to us – solar, and went from there. We found that by getting started cruising, we could live without many of the conveniences we thought we needed. In the meantime, we were able to enjoy not having an overabundance of systems to learn and maintain.

4. owners’ version catamaran.

Whether you choose a charter version or an owners’ version catamaran will have a big impact on the boat’s cabin layout and purchase price.

What is an owners’ version catamaran? This desirable catamaran layout has three cabins instead of four cabins (referred to as a charter version because this layout is the standard for charter companies). Meaning there is a spacious bathroom (head) in the place of the fourth cabin in the owners’ hull.

These sailing catamarans are a little scarce and come at a premium, but it’s one a lot of folks are willing to pay an additional cost to have, including us.

In one hull, the forward cabin is replaced by an expanded bathroom. This allows for a more open layout and storage space. On catamarans under 40 feet, the 2-cabin, 1-bath hulls can be especially tight.

WHAT WORKED FOR US: This was our most inflexible condition. If we were going to live in this tiny floating home, we wanted to maximize the hull’s limited living space better. A larger bathroom, a more open layout in the hull, and more storage space would let us do that.

Also, I can’t imagine the fiasco of Ross trying to shower in a wet bath where you shower with the toilet. I would most likely end up living with a very smelly guy! Lucky for my nose, with a little patience and persistence, we were able to find our three-cabin home.

5. Choosing a Catamaran Manufacturer

One of the big questions I find future cruisers have is, ‘What is the best cruising catamaran?’ There are a ton of opinions out there about the right catamaran to purchase. Remember, the answer will depend on your cruising style and the price range of your budget.

How much offshore cruising do you want to do? Will you be sailing single-handed? Balancing your needs and budget will be a big part of the process.

Production Sailing Catamarans

Many people asked if we were looking for a Lagoon catamaran when we were shopping.

The truth is, we didn’t know what we wanted, so we looked at as many boats as we could. From the popular South African-built Leopard Catamarans to the smaller U.S.-manufactured Gemini, we looked at various makes, models, and years of catamarans on the used market.

In the end, we found purchasing a highly-produced boat would make our lives easier as new sailors.

Catamaran sailboats are not cars. They are made on demand. For many models, 100 (or fewer) boats might be manufactured.

However, catamaran manufacturers, such as Lagoon , Leopard, and Fountaine Pajot, may design and produce quite a few more.

Our Lagoon 380 is hull number 322, which was a lot when it was built in 2005. I recently saw in a Facebook group that the tally is creeping up to 900.

Whoa, that’s a lot of boats. Or, as I like to call them, my newfound sailing friends whom we can inquire about how to fix this or get to that.

From forums and Facebook groups to people we meet, someone out there has already done what we are trying to do on our model boat.

WHAT WORKED FOR US: For us rookies, access to more information and the comfort of knowing a certain model production boat had been tested could save us oodles of time and money. Ultimately, the Lagoon 380 layout and availability of a boat that ticked all our other boxes made this the right choice for us.

Buying the best liveaboard catamaran.

Buying a catamaran came with many hard decisions because, let’s face it, it’s a lot of money for something you keep putting money into.

Things like how you want to cruise, how long you want to cruise, and other circumstances will help you decide what catamaran is best for you.

sailboat crew watching the sunset from the dock

Ultimately, given our knowledge, personal preferences, market climate, and many other factors, we sought to make the most informed decision possible.

Our Lagoon might not be the biggest or fastest boat out there. But so far, Sunnyside has been the right boat for us. She got us out cruising and living this sailing lifestyle, which makes her the best sailboat we could ask for.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Our post featuring 5 Important Tips to Remember When Buying a Catamaran .

For more about our Lagoon 380 catamaran, check out the link below.

Want more tips on how to start cruising on a boat?

View our guide to get a real look at life on a boat, including the cost of cruising and priceless tips for learning how to live aboard.

Like this post? Save it on Pinterest for later.

Morgan, the founder of The Home That Roams, has been living nomadically for over five years. She began her journey traveling across the U.S. in a motorhome and cruising on a liveaboard sailing catamaran. Currently, she lives full-time in a travel trailer, sharing resources on RV living and boat life to help others downsize their lives and thrive in an alternative lifestyle.

That’s really nice post. I appreciate your skills, Thanks for sharing.

Thanks so much!

Sign Me Up!

Learn how to live on a boat.

Get weekly tips on how to start traveling full-time on a boat.

View our privacy policy .

Privacy Overview

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Build Your Antares 44 Hybrid
Build Your Antares 44 GT
Antares Hybrid Details
Optional Salon Layout
GT and Hybrid Overview
Hybrid Design
Standard Features
Specifications & Layout
Performance
Building the Antares
Antares Design Concepts
Electrical Systems
Antares Line Management
Ted Clements – The Legend
Antares Owner Roundtables
Owner Satisfaction Survey
Antares University
Owner Adventures
Interior Photos
Exterior Photos
Featured Videos

Antares 44 Hybrid

Timeless Design

Meticulously Crafted

Great Performance

New hybrid tour.

Welcome to the NEW Antares design. It is best to view this virtual tour in full-screen mode. After pressing play, select the top right brackets to enlarge.

NEW Antares Tall Rig Option

We are pleased to announce a NEW sail configuration for the Antares. We have collaborated closely with Selden, UK Sails, and our engineers to enhance our design and increase sail area for customers who want to maximize light wind performance.

The new Tall Rig option takes the already high-performing Antares to a whole new level. With our improved infusion process, we have managed to reduce the weight by over 1,000 pounds, while maintaining our focus on safety and seaworthiness for our discerning bluewater cruising customers. We are proud to have engineered a new level of performance for Antares.

New Interior Color Option!

We have a new lighter-colored wood interior, with a new layout option for the port aft cabin. This is another example of Antares listening to our customers and creating enhancements that make the Antares the ‘Wold’s Best Liveaboard.’

New Hybrid & GT Cockpit Design

We completely redesigned the cockpit, increasing space, increasing window sizes, adding streamlined seating that is easier to lounge, without compromising our excellent helm position or the ability to manage all lines in the cockpit easily.

Catamaran Design Discussions

Saildrive vs. Shaft Drive - Which is better? Which is safer?

Whether you are buying a monohull or catamaran, understanding the difference between shaft drives and saildrives is important!

Are Performance "Cruising" Catamarans Safe?

Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of performance catamarans and dive into research done by the Univerisity of Southhampton, UK, about why multihulls capsize. Topics covered include catamaran stability, 2021 World...

Safe Catamaran Cockpit Design for Bluewater Sailing

Watch this short video to learn about safe cockpit designs for cruising catamarans. All too often, buyers overlook key safety considerations when buying a catamaran.

Catamaran Performance - Hype vs. Reality

In this episode of "All Things Antares," we discuss performance ratios, boat polars and hear from Antares owners about their sailing experiences in diverse conditions around the world.

Losing steering at sea is a potentially severe issue. Mechanical systems can be selected, and consistent maintenance schedules must be used to protect the safety of crew and vessels under challenging situations.

In this episode, we detail how the Antares hybrid catamaran is designed and demonstrate the hybrid systems on the water with our special guest, the CEO of Hybrid Marine.

Learn about Hybrid Catamaran design, the failures, and successes over the past 15 years. What are the design considerations for a global cruising hybrid catamaran? Are hybrid catamarans ready for world cruising?

Using a Parasailor Spinnaker on a Catamaran

In this episode, learn how to rig, deploy and trim a parasailor on an Antares Catamaran.

In this episode, we discuss the design considerations of galley up versus galley down and the differences between both options.

Superior design is as timeless as the sea. It never compromises safety or dependability for the latest market trends.

Meticulous craftsmanship takes time. Nothing is built well that is built fast.

Continuously refined.

Always improve, never settle. Every new Antares incorporates refinements, continuously improving our design.

Exclusively liveaboard.

Antares owners are part of an exclusive community. Their desires and expectations are to own the world’s best-designed liveaboard catamaran.

Owner testimonials.

“I love the comfort and dependability of our Antares. As we’ve sailed the world with our family, it has allowed us to be safe at home wherever we are.”

“Of all the catamarans available on the market, there is no other catamaran available in this size range we would choose at this time. All boats have pros and cons, the Antares provides a great balance in design, comfort, livability, sail capability, and crew safety.”

“The design of the Antares is well thought out, from the ease of maintenance, to comfort at sea. The contemporary design, wood throughout, large galley, and panoramic salon views make it more than a boat we live on. It makes it our home.”

“We were essentially non-sailors when we purchased the boat. Our first season, we sailed 8,000 miles. Then proceeded to spend the next 7 seasons exploring the Caribbean. I cannot imagine we would have found a boat that would have better served our needs. A truly special chapter in our lives.”

“The Antares is a versatile boat that can be used for various purposes, including ocean crossing, anchorage, scuba diving, ICW exploration, marina residency, and Bahamas home. It is easy to maintain and dock, making it suitable for new cruising owners. The Antares community aims to help make dreams come true without drama.”

“We have had a fabulous experience cruising on our PDQ Antares 44i. We purchased her in New Zealand and have enjoyed 5 years cruising around the South Pacific. We had had great support from the Forum and the Antares company over the years.”

“After owning the Antares 44 for 6 years, I still have not found another cruising catamaran that I’d rather have.”

“Antares is unique and special, and we love showing off our beautiful home!”

“The longer we had our boat, the more we appreciated the design, particularly in terms of safety and efficiency.”

“The safest, most well-designed couples / liveaboard cruising catamaran on the market – period.”

My Cruiser Life Magazine

9 Best Liveaboard Catamaran: Sail Away and Explore the World in Style!

Liveaboard catamaran sailboats are some of the most comfortable vessels on the water for long-term living and traveling. The choices when shopping for a cruising catamaran can be daunting, however.

So, without further ado, here are some of the best liveaboard catamaran sailboats that are 40-plus-foot and comfortable for long-term offshore cruising.

9 best catamaran for liveaboard, 1. antares 44, 2. knysna 440/500, 3. leopard 42/43/45/47 (circa 1998–2004), 4. lagoon 42/46 (circa 2018), 5. manta 38/40/42, 6. alliaura marine privilege 42/435/45/445/465, 7. catana 401/42/431/471, 8. fountaine pajot orana 44/helia 44, 9. voyage/norseman 380/400/440/470, why a liveaboard catamaran, questions to ask before choosing a liveaboard catamaran, performance cats vs. cruising cats, size — what’s too small and what’s too big, build quality and longevity, owners vs. charter layouts, galley up vs. galley down, open transom/traveler up vs. closed cockpit, best features of a liveaboard catamaran, 1. downsize and organize, 2. learn to conserve, 3. maintenance skills, 4. safety first, 5. stay connected, 6. embrace the lifestyle, 7. financial planning, 8. health and well-being, 9. environmental responsibility, 10. education and learning, which is the best catamaran for liveaboard cruising, best catamaran for liveaboard faqs.

Picking the right liveaboard catamaran for your crew is a big choice. This list has been handpicked based on personal experience of years living on the water.

Boat	Pros
Antares 44	Gorgeous, seaworthy, comfortable, good support
Knysna 440/500	Extremely well built, high quality, pretty
Leopard 42/43/45/47	Shaft drives, good looks, spacious, popular
Lagoon 42/46	Self-tacking jib, modern design, open layout
Manta 38/40/42	Quality construction, good reputation
Privilege 42/435/45/445/465	High quality, well-designed
Catana 401/42/431/471	Performance-oriented, dual helm stations
Fountaine Pajot Orana 44/Helia 44	Good balance of features, right size
Voyage/Norseman 380/400/440/470	Open cockpits, easy walkaround, low windage

Note that some of these are grouped based on the boat model. Many times, a boat goes out of production, and the hull molds get bought by another yard. They change the name and sell it under their brand. As a result, you will find a lot of boats listed with multiple names.

Are you looking for a smaller, cheaper option? Check out our list of cheap catamarans , including many older and smaller models that can be gotten for a bargain.

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Options

Originally built by Canadian builder PDQ, it’s now produced by an Argentine company. The Antares 44 is one of the few purpose-built yachts for owners and cruisers.

They include training with new boat sails and have excellent after-sales support. The boats are gorgeous and some of the most seaworthy and well-appointed catamarans on the market, with high bridge deck clearance and everything to make life aboard as comfortable as possible.

Knysna is a boutique, semi-custom yacht maker from South Africa. Their boats are extremely well built to a very high standard. The designs came from the St. Francis boats (also really nice options!) but have been updated and redesigned. Knysnas are some of the prettiest cruising cats you’ll ever see.

These early Leopard models had a lot going for them. The 43 is probably the most popular, but the 42 is in the same boat but a few years older.

The Leopard 43 was made popular recently by the Gone With the Wynns YouTube sailing channel. What’s to like? They’ve got shaft drives (not sail drives, so less maintenance), good looks, spacious cabins, and lots of living spaces.

This newer line of Lagoons has a self-tacking jib and sleek, modern design. What we like most is the layouts, which have wide open spaces between the salon, cockpit, and helm station.

Manta was a US builder with a great reputation for building quality boats. They only built one model, which started as the 38 and progressively got more and more added to the transoms (sugar scoops).

These older French boats were built to a much higher quality standard than current charter boats. They’re well-designed, even if the layouts are a bit dated by modern standards. There are many offshore cruisers that have been comfortably live aboard Privilege owners for years.

Catana is a performance-oriented French company. Their boats have distinctive daggerboards, narrow hulls, and asymmetric hulls. Catana now also makes the new Bali line of charter liveaboard catamarans. One of the company’s trademarks are the dual helm stations mounted aft on each hull, a really fun place to sail from.

Many FPs could be on the list, but the 44s are my favorite. They have just the right balance of good looks, useable space, and a workable layout, and it is just the right size. For tours and videos of the Helia, check out the Out Chasing Stars YouTube channel.

A South African yard from the early 2000s, the Voyage boats have a nice feature set and are built well. Unique for the era, these boats have open cockpits and easy walk-around side decks. Compared to many of today’s cats, these have low windage and low-slug decks for a sleek, seaworthy look.

Whether you want to set off and sail the world or just live comfortably while tied to a dock, catamarans are a great way to do it.

Catamarans first became popular with charter companies because they had more space to sleep more people . But something else became apparent quickly—non-sailors liked them. While they have all the parts and equipment to sail, they also have more space for guests to spread out. Everyone can have a private cabin, and there’s tons of space on deck to lounge where ever you like.

What’s more, the space on a catamaran feels different. The salon, the main living area in the cabin, is up high on the bridge deck. It has large windows that let in lots of air and light. A sliding patio door opens directly into a large cockpit , usually with bench seating for up to ten people and a dedicated large table for meals. All of this is separate from sailing controls and the helm, which is nearby but not in the way.

The dream of sailing and living on a sailboat appeals to many people until those people see the inside of a typical monohull sailboat.

You see, the classic sailboat is cramped and dark. Many sailors describe the cabin of their sailboat as a “cave.” Windows are limited. Every inch of space in a sailboat has a purpose, so the space is usually packed with furniture, storage lockers, and need-to-have items. The outdoor space, called the cockpit, is crammed around the sailing controls and the helm or wheel. Getting between the cabin and cockpit requires climbing a steep ladder. The deck space is taken up with lines and sails, with no room designed to stretch out and enjoy yourself. And then you step on a catamaran.

The difference between a regular monohull sailboat and a catamaran is night and day. If you look at pictures of the two, the monohull is undoubtedly a boat. But the promo shots of a catamaran could be a seaside cottage or tiny house. It’s more comfortable and more approachable for the non-boater despite the spacious interior. And for boaters, it represents a huge step up in space and comfort .

Here are some critical questions to ask yourself before making this investment:

Purpose and Use : What is your primary purpose for the catamaran? Are you planning long-term cruising, weekend getaways, or perhaps a mix of living aboard and chartering? Understanding your primary use will help guide your choice in terms of size, layout, and features.
Budget : What is your total budget, including purchase price, outfitting, and ongoing maintenance costs? Remember, the purchase price is just the beginning; insurance, docking fees, maintenance, and potential upgrades can add significantly to the overall cost.
Size and Layout : What size of catamaran suits your needs? Consider the length and beam in terms of living space, comfort, and handling. Additionally, how many cabins and heads (bathrooms) do you need? The layout should accommodate your living and privacy needs, especially if planning to have guests or family aboard.
Sailing Performance vs. Comfort : What is your preference regarding sailing performance versus living comfort? Some catamarans are designed for speed and agility, while others prioritize spacious living areas and amenities. Your sailing plans (long passages vs. coastal cruising) will influence this decision.
Single-handed Sailing Capability : Will you often be sailing solo or with a crew? It’s crucial to consider how easily you can manage the catamaran by yourself or what kind of crew you will need for longer passages.
Equipment and Amenities : What equipment and amenities are essential for your lifestyle? Consider navigation equipment, safety gear, kitchen appliances, energy systems (solar panels, generators), water makers, and storage capacity.
New vs. Used : Are you considering buying a new or used catamaran? New boats offer the latest designs and technologies, along with warranties, but at a higher cost. Used boats can offer significant savings but may require more upfront maintenance or upgrades.
Inspection and Survey : Are you prepared to have the catamaran thoroughly inspected by a professional marine surveyor? This is crucial for identifying any issues or potential maintenance concerns, especially with used boats.
Docking and Mooring : Have you considered where you will dock or moor your catamaran? Availability, costs, and accessibility of marinas or mooring spaces can vary significantly by location.
Lifestyle Fit : Does living aboard a catamaran align with your lifestyle and comfort level? Consider the implications of living in a smaller, mobile space, including storage limitations, privacy, and the need for a certain level of physical mobility and adaptability.
Insurance and Registration : Have you researched the insurance and registration requirements for your catamaran? These can vary by location and the type of sailing you plan to do.
Exit Strategy : Finally, what is your exit strategy? Consider how long you plan to keep the catamaran and how easy it will be to sell when the time comes.

Reflecting on these questions can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your sailing aspirations, lifestyle preferences, and financial situation.

Picking the Best Catamaran for Liveaboard Life

There’s a lot to look at when thinking about catamaran liveaboards.

Here are a few things to consider as you browse Yachtworld, Sailboat Listings, and Catamaransite.

Cats are unfairly divided into two groups, but it’s often oversimplified. All catamarans are built for cruising once they’re above a certain size (about 35 feet). At the same time, all catamarans are built for some amount of performance. The trick is figuring out which manufacturers balance these two things the same way you do.

Cruising catamarans are generally charter cats from companies like Lagoon, Leopard, Fountaine Pajot, and Bali. These boats lean on the side of having bigger hulls, stub keels, and easier-to-sail rigs . They still sail well, though. Unless you’re a racing sailor, know that most owners are very happy with how these catamarans sail.

There are also a few companies making cruising cats that are aimed at private owners. Antares and Knyesna are two examples of spacious cruising catamarans perfect for living aboard. These are built semi-custom and are more likely to have space dedicated for storage, workspace, and offices.

Performance catamarans usually have smaller accommodations and sleeker profiles . They are also likelier to have daggerboards than stub keels, narrow hulls, and more sail area. Brand examples include Catana, Outremer, Maine Cat, and Gunboat. They’re built as lightly as possible out of the best materials and aim for the highest speeds and the most miles sailed per day. Boats in this category are much more expensive due to their higher construction costs and more advanced features.

More and more companies are spouting up with their own balance of performance vs. cruising space. No company picks one or the other; they all make compromises somewhere.

Picking the right size for your catamaran is important. If you’ve been boating on a few types of vessels, you might have some ideas. But if you’re shopping online, it is almost impossible to tell.

As a rule of thumb, the smallest liveaboard catamarans are usually between 35 and 40 feet long. This isn’t just about accommodations, it’s about weight-carry capacity. It’s very easy to overload a catamaran, affecting both its performance and stability. If you’re a couple and want to go long-distance cruising, a 38-foot-class cat is best. This has space for you, your stuff, and an occasional guest or two.

If your budget allows, a 42 to 44-foot class boat is superior in a few ways. If you often have guests or more kids coming with you, this size boat is about right. They also carry more load, perform better (more miles per day), and ride better in a choppy sea.

Of course, there are couples cruising out there who couldn’t possibly do it on anything less than 65 or 70 feet! The size of your boat is a personal choice based not only on your budget but what you are comfortable with.

You really won’t know where you fit until you get on some boats. Visit a major boat show to get aboard some boats. Even if they don’t have the exact models you like the most, you can probably get an idea of what sizes work. If you’re close to buying, you can also enlist the services of a buyers broker to show you around some boats and help you pick the right size for your trip.

However, It must be said that bigger boats come with bigger price tags—for as long as you own it. Just looking at asking prices, you’ll quickly see that they leap at intervals as the boats become more complex. A nice, sail-away-ready 38-footer can be found for $250,000, but a 45-footer in similar condition will likely be over $400,000.

But everything is more expensive on a bigger boat, not just the purchase price. Dock space, boatyard fees, and most labor tasks (waxing, bottom paint, rerigging, etc.) are priced based on the boat length, not time. It is always beneficial to buy the smallest boat you’re comfortable on and save the extra money for longer cruises and future boat projects!

When shopping for a catamaran, it’s really important to gauge the build quality of the boat. This can be a daunting task for first-time buyers as you learn about how these boats are made and the differences between manufacturers.

The bottom line is this—since catamarans are built for speed and performance, they are built lightly with modern techniques and materials. Unfortunately, most boat builders aren’t paying much attention to how that boat will last after ten or twenty years of pounding across oceans. Stress and flexing issues on these boats are real, as are manufacturing issues that don’t appear until years later.

If you’re looking to buy a used boat, you want to ensure it’s been built by a reputable builder and has been taken care of. Therefore, a survey from a professional who knows about catamarans is really important.

Features of the Catamaran Liveaboard

For liveaboards, a few layouts and features set catamaran designs apart from one another.

Owners vs. charter layouts
Galley-up vs. galley-down design
Open transoms vs. closed cockpits

Since many catamarans were designed and built for charter use , their layouts often feature as many staterooms as possible with en suite heads (bathrooms) . This enables groups of couples to pool their resources and travel on a boat but still have personal space and privacy. It also allows hiring a crew to work the boat for your charter and for everyone to have separate accommodations.

The result is a pretty common layout found in many catamarans that features four cabins and four heads. The 4/4 will have a bunk on each end of the hull, each connected to a small bathroom and shower. If the catamaran is under 40 feet, it might be a 4/2 with only one larger bathroom in each hull. If you assume two per bed, and the salon settee converts into a fifth bunk, this boat could conceivably sleep ten.

A private owner probably doesn’t need or want this many bunks. Most boats are owned by cruising couples that occasionally have friends visit or small families with one or two kids. Two bunks are plenty.

For this situation, the owner’s version layouts are much better. In this case, the owner’s stateroom takes up an entire hull . There’s extra storage space , a very large head, and a more spacious cabin . Plus, you usually get a very roomy separate shower that feels like home. All that extra space can make an office space or room to install amenities like a washing machine. The other hull shares the same layout as the charter version, with a smaller cabin on each end and one or two bathrooms in between. So, the owner’s version is either a 3/2 or 3/3.

Owner’s versions are slightly harder to come by and usually more expensive. However, many go into charter service despite the name, so they are out there. They’re more desirable and have higher resale value. On the other hand, the charter versions are often the cheapest liveaboard catamaran options because they’re common and less desirable in the resale market.

The next feature is how the boat is laid out with the galley.

Most modern charter cats have adopted the galley-up layout, which has the galley in the upper salon . That way, it’s right next to the indoor and outdoor dinettes, and the cook can be part of the social action.

A galley-down design has the galley tucked into one of the hulls . It’s more common on smaller boats where the upper salon is too small for the galley. But having the galley down is a safer and easier arrangement if you are cooking at sea, where the chef needs to brace themselves against a counter to get things done.

Galley up or galley down? It’s a matter of personal preference. Some like being up with the views and fresh air while cooking, while others like the counter space and useability of a well-laid out galley down layout.

One big difference between modern charter catamarans and early models (and older monohulls) is the cockpit’s layout.

On catamarans, the cockpit is open and easy to walk around. You can step out onto the boat’s transom or side deck without stepping over any seats or deep coamings . This is a much more comfortable arrangement for living aboard.

But, if you’re crossing an ocean and the weather turns ugly , being tucked inside a deep cockpit with a tall coaming is pretty comforting.

A common feature to look for is an arch or hardtop over the cockpit. The main sheet, the line that controls the mainsail, attaches to a control called the traveler. If this is on the deck at the back of the cockpit, it’s very hard to work around it. But if this is on top of a hardtop or arch, the cockpit will feel more open and spacious. Many older Lagoons and FPs had deep cockpits with the traveler on deck. Leopard catamarans were among the first to put it on an arch and open up the cockpit.

Again, it’s a matter of personal preference. But you definitely want to consider what you like and why before purchasing a catamaran because these are not features you can easily change.

Here’s a list of the best features to look for, tailored to ensure a harmonious balance between sailing performance and liveaboard lifestyle:

Spacious and Comfortable Living Areas : Look for a catamaran with ample living spaces, including a large saloon, comfortable cabins, and multiple heads with showers. Adequate headroom and natural light can make the interior feel more spacious and livable.
Efficient Galley : A well-equipped galley (kitchen) with sufficient storage, counter space, and appliances such as a refrigerator, freezer, stove, and oven is essential for daily living and entertaining on board.
Good Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Heating Systems : Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent condensation and maintain a comfortable living environment. Additionally, having air conditioning and heating systems can extend the comfort range to hotter and colder climates.
Ample Deck Space : A catamaran with generous outdoor spaces, including a comfortable cockpit, foredeck, and trampolines, provides additional living and relaxation areas, enhancing the onboard lifestyle.
Water Maker : Having a water maker on board can be a game-changer for long passages and remote anchoring, reducing the need to frequently dock for water supplies.
Energy Independence : Features like solar panels, wind generators, and efficient battery storage systems ensure a sustainable and independent power supply for your electrical needs.
Easy Handling and Maneuverability : A catamaran designed for ease of handling, possibly with features like electric winches, a furling mainsail, and bow thrusters, can make sailing and docking less strenuous, especially for short-handed crews or solo sailors.
Safety Features : Essential safety features include a robust navigation and communication system, life rafts, fire extinguishers, automatic bilge pumps, and a well-thought-out design for safe movement around the boat.
Storage Capacity : Adequate storage for provisions, spare parts, personal belongings, and water toys is crucial for long-term living and voyaging.
Dinghy and Davits : A reliable dinghy and an easy-to-use davit system are essential for accessing the shore when at anchor and for general exploration.
Strong Build and Hull Design : A catamaran with a solid build quality and a hull design suited for your intended use (coastal cruising vs. blue-water passages) provides safety and comfort in various sea conditions.
Bridge Deck Clearance : Sufficient clearance between the water and the bridge deck reduces slamming in rough seas, contributing to a smoother and more comfortable ride.
Protective Helm Station : A helm station that offers protection from the elements while maintaining good visibility around the boat is essential for safe navigation.
Accessibility and Maintenance : Consider the ease of access to engines, generators, and other systems for maintenance. A well-designed layout can save time and effort in upkeep.
Liveaboard Amenities : Additional amenities such as a washing machine, entertainment systems, and outdoor grilling areas can make life aboard more enjoyable.

That said, each potential owner’s priorities will vary, so it’s important to consider which features align best with your lifestyle and sailing plans.

Tips for Liveaboard Catamaran Life

Living aboard a catamaran is not just about adjusting to the physical constraints of boat life; it’s also about embracing a lifestyle that is both challenging and immensely rewarding. With the right preparation and mindset, you can make your liveaboard experience truly unforgettable.

Downsize Belongings : Space is a premium on a catamaran. Carefully consider what you need versus what you want. Downsize your belongings to the essentials and a few comforts that make you happy.
Organize Intelligently : Use space-saving storage solutions and keep your belongings organized. Every item should have a designated place to avoid clutter and ensure safety while underway.
Water Conservation : Fresh water is precious on a boat. Get accustomed to water-saving habits like short showers and using saltwater for preliminary cleaning.
Energy Conservation : Be mindful of your energy use. Rely on renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind generators, and invest in energy-efficient appliances.
Develop DIY Skills : Basic maintenance and repair skills are essential for a liveaboard lifestyle. Being able to troubleshoot and fix issues with the engines, sails, and electronics can save time, money, and prevent potential dangers.
Regular Check-ups : Stick to a strict maintenance schedule to prevent small issues from becoming big problems. This includes checking the hull, rigging, sails, and all onboard systems regularly.
Invest in Safety Equipment : Ensure you have all necessary safety equipment onboard, including life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares, a life raft, and an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).
Be Prepared for Emergencies : Regularly practice safety drills with everyone onboard. Everyone should know how to operate the safety equipment and what to do in case of an emergency.
Communication Tools : Invest in reliable communication tools, including a VHF radio, satellite phone, and internet access, to stay in touch with the outside world and for emergency communications.
Build a Community : Connect with other liveaboards and sailors. They can be a great source of support, advice, and companionship.
Be Flexible : Living on a catamaran means being at the mercy of the weather and the sea. Be prepared to adapt your plans according to conditions.
Enjoy the Simplicity : Embrace the simplicity and closeness to nature that comes with living on a catamaran. It’s a chance to focus on what truly matters to you.
Budget Wisely : Understand and plan for the costs associated with liveaboard life, including marina fees, maintenance, insurance, and daily living expenses.
Emergency Fund : Always have a financial cushion for unexpected repairs or emergencies.
Stay Active : Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and yoga are great options.
Healthy Eating : Plan and stock up on nutritious foods. Fresh produce may not always be available, so consider growing herbs or sprouts onboard.
Respect the Ocean : Practice eco-friendly habits to minimize your impact on the marine environment. This includes proper waste management, using eco-friendly products, and avoiding activities that harm marine life.
Navigation and Sailing Skills : Continuously improve your sailing and navigation skills. Knowledge and experience contribute significantly to safety and enjoyment.
Learn Local Regulations : Familiarize yourself with the regulations of the waters you are sailing in, including fishing laws, protected areas, and anchoring rules.
Knysna 440/500
Leopard 42/43/45/47
Lagoon 42/46 (circa 2018)
Manta 38/40/42
Alliaura Marine Privilege 42/435/45/445/465
Catana 401/42/431/471
Fountaine Pajot Orana 44/Helia 44
Voyage/Norseman 380/400/440/470

The good news is that we live in a time when catamarans have become mainstream. They’re exceedingly popular and more exciting new models are coming out each year. We’ve moved past the years when the only boats to choose from were built for charter. There are now great choices aimed at liveaboards and cruising families.

What is a good size catamaran to live on?

For most cruising couples, the smallest catamaran they’d want to consider is in the 35 to 38-foot range. Small families prefer a slightly bigger boat, from 40 to 42 feet, while those with older kids or more people on board like something in the 45-foot range. Everyone is different, of course, and you’ll find families of 4 or 5 living happily on 35-foot cats and couples that could never live on anything less than 60.

Are catamarans good in rough seas?

Yes and no. Most catamarans 38 feet and over are certified for offshore sailing and can safely handle any conditions—so long as they are sailed conservatively. In general, as long as you reduce sail early and travel carefully, catamarans are safe at sea.

But are they comfortable in rough seas? This is a question for which everyone has a different answer, and a lot depends on the model of the catamaran. Catamarans are built light in order to move quickly over the waters. Unfortunately, the two hulls mean that the boat is slammed by each wave twice. In some conditions, this makes for a choppy ride that makes some people seasick quickly.

Can you sail a 40-foot catamaran by yourself?

Yes. Most catamarans are set up for short-handed or single-handed sailing . Much of it is simply how the boat is rigged and whether or not all the control lines are led to the helm. Even if a boat isn’t set up this way, it’s usually fairly straightforward to make it so.

What is the minimum size of a liveaboard?

People live on all sizes of vessels, so there’s no minimum. It’s a personal choice and depends on how you like to live. The most common size for liveaboard boaters is between 35 and 45 feet. These boats are small enough to be easy to drive, store, and maintain while still having enough space to live comfortably.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Search Used Yachts For Sale
Search Boats By Brand
Search Boats By Type
Search By Location
Search By Price
What's My Boat Worth?
Search Boats Just Listed
Small Yachts
Custom Sport Fishing Boats
Finance A Boat
Amer Yachts
Aquitalia Yachts
Cabo Yachts
Century Boats
French Yachts
Gulfstream Yachts
Hatteras Yachts
Shelter Island Yachts
Solaris Yachts
Sunpower Yachts
Sunreef Yachts
Vela Boatworks
Virtus Yachts
Why List With United?
Why Own A Boat Or Yacht?
Custom Website For Your Yacht
United Sold Boats
Buy A Yacht With Crypto
Find a Yacht Broker Near Me
Search For Broker By Name
Meet The United Support Team
Our History
Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Stuart Boat Show
Miami Boat Show
Palm Beach Boat Show
Other Boat Shows
Yachting News
Yacht Closing Services
River Forest Yachting Centers

Search All Yachts

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?

Interesting Boating Links

Worldwide yacht sales.

Trawlers For Sale in California
Yachts For Sale NC
Used Mega Yachts For Sale
Boat Trader Canada
Yacht Locator
Boats For Sale Charleston SC
Boats For Sale Cape Cod
Custom Sportfish For Sale
Trawlers For Sale New York
Nicest Yachts
Boats For Sale Washington
Million Dollar Yacht
Virginia Yacht Brokers
50 Million Dollar Yacht
Boats For Sale in Maryland

Luxury Boats & Yachts

Trawlers For Sale in Texas
Prestige Yachts
Yachts For Sale Near Me
Rybovich For Sale
Azimut Yachts Price
Sabre 42 For Sale
Yachts For Sale by Price
Hinckley Yachts For Sale
Used Center Console Boats For Sale in Florida
Broward Yachts
Yacht Brokers Near Me

Popular Builders & Models

Sea Ray 58 Sedan Bridge
Sea Ray 460 Sundancer For Sale
Offshore Racing Boats For Sale
Motor Yacht
54 Hatteras Motor Yacht For Sale
Used Edgewater Boats For Sale
44 Sea Ray Sundancer For Sale
Motorsailer
Power Catamaran
Aft Cabin Boats For Sale
50 Ft Viking

Trending Brands & Types

Ranger Tug Boats For Sale
Smith Boats
Kadey Krogen Yachts
Beneteau For Sale
Ocean Alexander 72 For Sale
Used Jupiter Boats For Sale
Davis Boats
Contender Bay Boats For Sale
Carver For Sale
Used Egg Harbor Boats
60 Marquis Yacht
Meridian For Sale
Yachts For Sale Fort Lauderdale
Cheoy Lee Boats
Sport Fishing Yachts For Sale

SEND UYS A MESSAGE

2022 Boat of the Year: Best Cruising Catamaran (Under 50’)

By Cruising World Editors
December 15, 2021

During and in the four days immediately following the US Sailboat show in Annapolis, Maryland, the Cruising World judges inspected and sailed on 27 boats vying for recognition. Learn more about the boats in our 2022 Boat of the Year »

The sweet spot for cruising catamarans, for most multihull sailors, is right there between 40 and 50 feet: manageable by a couple, not so large that finding a place to park or dock is prohibitive, and with lots more room to spread out and bring the toys and kids than a monohull of similar length. This year’s set of nominees features industry stalwarts Leopard and Fountaine Pajot—both of which have enjoyed plenty of success in previous Boat of the Year competitions—and a pair of relative upstarts from Bali, the cruising offshoot from French builder Catana. The former are all-around cats with plenty of versatility; the latter aim to cater more toward the cruising/liveaboard part of the equation. Choices, choices! It proved to be a challenging quartet of cats for the judging panel to evaluate and sort out.

The larger sibling of the two Bali cats entered for BOTY 2022—all the Bali offerings feature an innovative “garage door” separating the saloon and cockpit, which when raised creates a seamless indoor/outdoor living space that has proven to be highly popular—was the 46-plus-foot 4.6. It’s yet another one of this year’s catamarans with the ever-popular flybridge that has become a design staple for many cat builders. Judge Tim Murphy found it a pleasure to sail. “On some of the other cats, you felt you were fighting the sail controls,” he said. “Not here. It’s laid out nicely. It has a double-ended mainsheet system with no traveler but control at both ends, so you’ve got a port and a starboard sheet, and I think that’s a fine way to control the mainsail. It’s arguably easier to jibe with that system than a standard traveler; you have good athwartships control throughout the maneuver. Bali cats are known for comfort, but this one sails well too.”

At 40 feet, the Bali Catspace—the second of two boats from the brand entered in the 2022 BOTY contest—is the smallest offering in the Bali line, but judge Murphy found the open floor plan particularly alluring: “The living experience of being able to open up the back end of these cats so you create an indoor/outdoor platform is terrific. I didn’t give it much thought until I chartered a Bali, and it was totally delightful. The sailing performance was actually fine, but it was that back porch that made the trip.”

Dream Yacht Charters has added more and more Bali cats to their fleets, and it’s easy to see why. With their vast interior space; plenty of amenities including air conditioning and multiple fridges, including ones that would not be out of place in any well-equipped household kitchen ashore; and surprisingly effective sailing prowess given their systems and accommodations, these boats are almost synonymous with the word “vacation.” Take the interior layout of the Catspace: It has four staterooms with private heads, the forward pair with berths aligned athwartships and the aft set laid out in a fore-and-aft configuration. It’s hard to imagine a better use of space for four couples or a family in 40 feet of waterline.

Yes, a 40-foot catamaran is a design challenge; it’s fairly easy to accommodate loads of features in a 50-foot multihull, but it’s quite another to include all the creature comforts and niceties in considerably less real estate. But Murphy felt that the Isla 40—another 40-footer like the Catspace, but this one from longtime cat leader Fountaine Pajot—pulled it off well. The Isla also had a tall order to fill in that it replaced a previous cat of the same size in the builder’s lineup, the highly successful Lucia 40. “The mission for this boat was described in thirds,” Murphy said. “Bareboat charter, crewed charter and private ownership. I think they’ve created a boat that accomplishes all those missions. The boat sailed well, but it was also laid out well. In fact, the owner’s cabin to starboard was superb, one of the nicest places on any boat we inspected. We toured a lot of much bigger boats that didn’t have that sort of space.”

But when all was said and done, the Bali Cats and the Isla ran into a juggernaut with the Leopard 42, which proved to be a powerhouse BOTY entrant. It’s pretty clear by now that the relationship between South African builder Robertson and Caine; their lone client, the Moorings; and naval architects Simonis and Voogd, who bring the Leopard brand to life, is strong and fruitful. And they have a wall full of BOTY award-winning plaques to prove it. It’s time to make room for another. The judges found much to like about the latest Leopard, including the offset steering station to starboard and the lounge space forward accessed via a front door in the saloon. But the Leopard sealed its victory with an awesome sea trial in which it overhauled and passed a popular new monohull that shall remain nameless. Cats can’t point? Wrong!

What put the boat over the top wasn’t just the sailing performance, which was obviously terrific, but also the tools with which to sail the boat, and its overall deck layout, all of which optimized the experience. Murphy said, “With the Leopard, you have visual eye contact from the raised helm station to starboard down into the cockpit, you’ve got a visual line of sight into the saloon, and you’ve got a pretty good visibility over the top of the cabin top everywhere. You had access to your main sheet right there where you needed it. This was one of the boats that had no traveler, but instead had a windward and leeward block on the mainsheet. I think that’s a fine system, I like the control you have. Jibing works fine and is easily controlled.”

It was one little thing in a series of them, all of which added up to a boat—the Leopard 42—that was the unanimous winner in the 2022 category of Best Cruising Catamarans (Under 50’).

More: bali catamarans , Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year 2022 , Fountaine Pajot , leopard catamarans , Sailboats
More Sailboats

For Sale: Little Harbor 63 Ketch

Sailboat Review: Fountaine Pajot Aura 51

A Superyacht Approach at Southerly Yachts

Sailboat Review: Seawind 1170

Off Watch: School Daze

Paradise Pummeled

A Guide to Cruising Paperwork

Digital Edition
Customer Service
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Email Newsletters
Cruising World
Sailing World
Salt Water Sportsman
Sport Fishing
Wakeboarding

Best Sized Catamaran for Ocean Sailing and Liveaboard?

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site.

Buying a boat is a tricky thing, but once you start figuring out what you’re going to use it for things begin to become more apparent. I’m assuming you’re here because you are interested in knowing how small of a sailing catamaran you can get while balancing factors such as price, length, and space. If so, you have come to the right place!

The perfect sized catamaran for ocean sailing (including around the world sailing) is around 40ft; it is small enough to be sailed by one person but big enough to provide safety and speed. Of course, there are many variables to consider, and below we will discuss many of them.

Before we can decide which one is perfect for our needs, we need to look at all ends of the spectrum: the smallest, biggest, cheapest, and most expensive.

Table of Contents

What is The Smallest Sized Catamaran for Ocean Sailing?

The size of the smallest suitable catamaran that can safely, and somewhat comfortably, cross big oceans is according to consensus in the sailing community, around 30ft. It is possible with less, but a smaller boat has some real downsides, which I will discuss below .

Anything smaller than 30ft is starting to become too much of a tradeoff. When it comes to dealing with huge waves and strong winds, size is an issue. Too small of a catamaran and every wave appears as a mountain.

It also has a significant effect on the crew; if the boat is never at rest always pitching and yawing it really takes its toll on the team, this will sooner or later impair the crew’s ability to make the right decisions, something that is a must in a situation of crisis.

One of the most significant issues with small catamarans is the low bridge deck clearance; most catamarans make some noise when sailing upwind. These loud noises are due to waves coming towards the boat only to get projected with high speed and force straight into the deck’s underside.

This makes for massive noise and vibration, something that isn’t dangerous but adds to the crew’s fatigue while also making for a horrible trip. There are really only two things that you can do to prevent bridge deck slamming, either you get a big boat with a high bridge deck clearance (more on that here) or you sail downwind.

Usually, fitting all the gear you need for a long trip on the boat is not an issue. But there might be a problem with balancing the ship once you have filled it with all that weight, having weight too far out on either the bow or the stern is a safety issue and can lead to unnecessary pitching and in a worst-case scenario make you dive right into a wave instead of staying on top of it.

Why is a Bigger Catamaran Better For Sailing Around The World?

Having a bigger boat offers a lot of advantages, some of them are;

Speed is not only fun, but it is also something that adds to the safety of the trip. If you’re doing ten plus knots instead of just five, that means you will only need half of the time at sea, and if there is a storm on the way, you definitely want to get into safe harbor before it strikes.

It also means that you could “outrun” or at least out-steer a storm, so speed gives possibilities and therefore, safety.

Another aspect of speed is how much fun it is:

“Sailing my old 35ft monohull, it was always a slug, slow and steady wins the race they say, we won nothing but boredom, and when you realize that your speed is so slow that on an average jog you would easily outrun your boat, that sucks.” Gabo

But when you are starting to surf waves and semi-plane, it’s a whole different world; it’s exhilarating, and you go from thinking when is this horrible experience over to thinking, let this never end!

Getting a bigger boat also means a lot more space , and that means more places to store all the fun stuff you want to bring, scuba gear, snorkels, surfing boards, and other fun stuff. Having a smaller boat might mean you won’t have space enough to fill up your dive tanks, so you miss out on many great opportunities.

Another aspect of space is the problem with headroom if you are a tall person and/or you want to bring tall friends onboard then having a saloon where you don’t have to hit your head on the ceiling is a significant factor, and to be honest small catamarans usually don’t have this. This is often not a big issue for short trips, but going on a cruise for multiple days, being comfortable is a big thing.

And speaking of bringing friends along, a bigger boat equals more berths , the bigger ones (40+ft) have full-sized rooms with large beds that are so comfortable that not even grandma will complain, so if you don’t want her to stay for too long, you should probably get a smaller boat.

What Sized Catamaran is Too big For Ocean Sailing?

A too big of a catamaran is for most sailors anything longer than 45ft, more specifically a boat which is too expensive, something you can´t handle on your own and that has more space than you need .

This once a little more tricky, a general rule of thumb for many is that you should be able to sail it on your own because you might have to sooner or later.

Bigger boat means sails that are harder to raise and sometimes only possible with an electric winch and having too much electrical stuff are for many a big NO GO. for me it’s not a big deal, just make sure you are able to repair it if it breaks, just like any mechanical system.

A bigger boat means more sail area, which usually means more power, which means higher speeds and sometimes a bit more complicated to handle for a beginner. Make sure you try to get a boat that you are comfortable handling and know precisely how and when to reef.

Since catamarans don’t heel ( more on that here ) they offer handling-feedback a little bit different, for example since they don’t have deep keels and don’t lean to their side they tend to almost “sit down “a little on their leeward side (the hull of the lee side of the boat).

This sensation can be a little bit awkward at first but is something that the catamaran captain needs to get used to if he or she wants to understand how to properly reef and maintain the sails. If this is not correctly done the catamaran might be at risk of capsizing .

For most people, anything over 45ft is just too much to handle short-handed.

Balancing Price and comforts

Size in ft	Comforts	Maintenance & repair costs	Price	Potential income	Notes
Up to 30	Small berths, full height only in hulls.	$	~30 000 USD	Not many options	Low bridge deck clearance
~30	Full height only in hulls,	$	~ 60 000 USD	Maybe chartering	Not big, not small
~40	Full Height in saloon and hulls, large outer deck,	$$	+150 000 USD	Chartering, AirBnB, paying crew,	Not big, not small
Above 45	Full Height in saloon and hulls, large outer deck,	$$$$ *	+250 000 USD	Chartering, AirBnB, multiple berths, paying crew	Big boat demands an experienced captain

*Exponentially higher costs since the amount of stuff you have to do usually exceeds the time you will have to fix it. Let’s use bottom paint as an example, you can do it yourself trying to save some money, but since the boat is soo big, you’ll end up spending a lot of work hours painting.

And every day spent hauled out is expensive (especially for such a big boat), so trying to do it yourself might even be more costly than hiring a few workers (since if you are the only one working on the ship it needs to be hauled out for a longer time).

Potential Income From a Bigger Boat

When it comes to the potential income I would argue that the bigger boat you have, the more money you can make, not only could you attract high-paying customers since now you are offering luxury yacht sailing instead of low-end stuff aimed at backpackers. This could be a massive resource of income.

I tried taking people out on my boat, but since it was quite small and not even close to what someone wanted to pay a lot of money for, it didn’t really generate much money.

If you find yourself staying at a marina for a longer time and having a couple of berths available, you could AirBnB those to out to people in the area . This is a great way to make some extra income, and it’s also a great way to make some friends. I would definitely recommend this!

Bigger boats also mean the possibility to have a larger paying crew, instead of not being able to take a single crew person, on a 43ft you could have seven people both working and paying to stay at your boat. That’s a sweet deal and a lot of fun!

Bigger Boats = Higher Expenses

Size matters; nothing is more accurate in the boating world, but when it comes to the amount of expenses and the size of your pride.

Haul out and placing on stands when it’s time for your repair and maintenance should be thoroughly planned and executed. This is a good tip since you will most definitely pay by the length of your boat, and if you are sailing around in a catamaran, be ready to pay a premium, many times 25 – 50 percent more than the standard price per foot.

So before you take your boat out of the water, make sure you have a solid game plan that includes a rigid timeline of when the contractors should arrive, what the different phases of your maintenance will be, and then push hard to execute according to plan.

If you do it this way there is a lot of money to be saved, what you don’t want to happen is that you have four contractors ready to get to work, but you haven’t bought the paint or the gear needed for the repairs, so they are just sitting around and costing money.

The Best Sized Liveaboard Catamaran

Most ocean-capable catamarans are also more or less suited for living aboard. This means that the best-sized liveaboard catamaran should be around 40-45ft.

When it comes to long-term living on a catamaran, some things are more important than if we only do a single crossing; a liveaboard is about enjoying your house on the water.

In contrast, a catamaran made for hardcore sailing is more about speed and excitement.

Liveaboard-demands usually include a lot of space to store your stuff, wide hulls with large-sized berths, and for many getting a used charter boat is the right decision. Beware when buying an old charter boat that they are usually made for coastal waters, and not all are suited for offshore multiday sailing.

Living on a boat means you will spend a lot of time doing the usual stuff you would also be doing in an ordinary house, including cooking cleaning, and working.

Once you understand your needs there is a better chance you can find a boat that will suit your needs in the long run. Catamarans in the “cruising” category usually have a lot of space to store gear, this means that they have wider hulls.

Having wider hulls creates more drag and will hinder the boat from going as fast as a catamaran with narrow hulls ( Check out catamaran hull speed explained ).

But having these hulls will greatly improve your comfort since it allows for wider berths(beds) and a boat that is easier to move around in, this might sound like a small thing and you might think that it’s not a big deal. But…

After a couple of weeks sharing a few square feet, every time you bump into someone or something will be a little annoying so I cannot be frank enough when emphasizing how important internal space is when it comes to comfort but also staying good friends with your crew.

If you have an online job, or maybe just a job that you can do from your computer there might also be a need to have a desk or room that is relatively separate and quiet so you can get some work done.

Cruising, Liveaboard, and Ocean Crossing. Guidelines on How to Choose Your Catamaran!

To summarize this article I have put together a shortlist of guidelines that you can use when scouting for a suitable catamaran.

What is the smallest I can go that still satisfies my needs? This is a great question to ask yourself because, as you have seen above, the smaller you can go, the more money you can redirect into outfitting the boat in a way that you want.
In a situation where your the only one in “sailable” condition, will you be able to handle the vessel single-handed? Out of a safety perspective, this is very important since you might have to do a man overboard maneuver on your own. This is also a question that only you can answer. If you have a lot of experience and are a very confident sailor, maybe you’ll be okay with a 45ft, but smaller is more appropriate for most people.
How big of a boat can you afford when including the cost of maintenance , repairs, haul out and all other stuff you have to put money into. Don’t forget BOAT really stands for Break Out Another Thousand.
When it really comes down to it, do you want speed or space ? You can’t have both, unless your filthy rich, then you can have both 🙂

Hope you find this useful! Take care!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

Practical Boat Owner

Digital edition

Best second-hand sub-40ft liveaboard boats: sail and power

Duncan Kent
August 19, 2024

Seasoned boat tester Duncan Kent chooses the sub-40ft power and sailing boats most suitable for long-term living aboard

The Beneteau Oceanis 351 has a masthead rig with deck-stepped mast. Credit: Paul Wyeth Credit: Paul Wyeth

The best second-hand sub-40ft liveaboard boats: sail and power

Under 25ft, cruising yachts rarely offer standing headroom, making it tricky for cooking or dressing, not to mention the chronic back ache from constant stooping.

Headroom should be a priority on liveaboard boats.

Cruising for extended periods also requires some ‘normality’ in your facilities, so you feel relaxed about washing, dressing, cooking and eating.

Sleeping quarters can be rudimentary, provided the berths are large enough and well padded, but lack of space in the galley and heads often causes frustration.

The key to a successful liveaboard galley is plenty of prep space and stowage.

Most boats use bottled gas (LPG) for cooking. If you plan to live mainly in a marina, however, you can use an electric hob, microwave and air fryer.

Privacy is rare on a small boat, but a separate heads compartment is vital unless you live alone.

Saloon settees make good berths on liveboard boats, especially if crew suffer from seasickness. Credit: David Harding

An electrically pumped hot water system is also needed if you want to shower on board, along with a large waste tank.

Though most sailors navigate from a display in the cockpit these days, a decent nav station is useful.

Having a dry, secure area to passage plan and check/log your course is important. Plus, it’s a perfect spot for non-waterproof comms equipment such as a laptop.

Saloon settees can make good berths and are often better for anyone prone to seasickness, as they impart the least motion.

Voluminous aft cabins with wide berths are fine at anchor or in a marina, but often not useable at sea, especially transverse berths. And forepeak bunks are undoubtedly the noisiest and most affected by slamming and wave motion.

On smaller boats, the cockpit will inevitably become part of the accommodation, so a good tent with see-through panels is invaluable.

In terms of comfort and security at sea, high coamings and a deep, well-drained footwell are preferable.

At anchor, though, the bigger the cockpit the better, so a compromise is required.

Catamarans have an edge on the equivalent length monohull; their wide, flat-bottomed hulls easily house double berths and luxurious heads.

Liveaboard boats: 25-30ft LOA

Sailing yachts.

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 29.2 ’s spacious cockpit and roomy accommodation provide a good level of home comfort.

Her saloon has a straightforward layout with a central table and two straight settees, allowing six to be seated comfortably.

The galley is compact but easily workable with a cooker, sink, cool box and nearby stowage.

Opposite is a forward-facing chart table with room for instruments and a dedicated seat. The sleeping accommodation is where she excels.

The large aft cabin spreads across two-thirds of the stern and contains a spacious double berth, hanging locker and dressing area.

Liveaboard boats: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 29.2’s sleek hull is fun to sail but stable enough for family cruising. Credit: David Harding

In the other quarter is a roomy heads compartment with a shower, sink, toilet and wet locker.

While there’s no floor area in the forecabin with the infill in place, the berth is a good size and comfortable and there’s ample storage beneath it.

On deck, the 29.2’s large cockpit is ideal for entertaining in good weather while remaining safe and practical at sea.

Her side decks are wide and uncluttered and provide easy and safe foredeck access.

She was available with a fixed fin keel or stub keel with centreboard for those wanting to sail in shallow waters.

Her hull is sleek and easily driven , which results in an exciting performance under sail while remaining safe and stable for family cruising.

Tiller steering was standard but there was a wheel option.

Twin rudders keep her directionally stable even when heavily heeled and her powerful fractional rig carries more than enough sail to keep her gliding along at a respectable speed in light airs.

Being quick, yet agile and well-balanced, they’re easy to sail single-handedly without drama and are surprisingly close-winded thanks to the coachroof-mounted jib sheet tracks.

Modern and spacious, the Bavaria 30C offers big boat comforts in a compact and affordable package.

She has an open, bright, yet woody interior with plenty of opening portlights and lots of useful stowage, including lockers above the saloon settees.

Unlike the 29.2, Bavaria only built the 30C with a two-cabin layout.

She has a well-equipped galley with a full-size cooker, a deep fridge/cool box, a sink and plenty of space for cutlery and crockery.

Opposite is a nav station worthy of a 35-footer, with a seat, drawers under, chart stowage and instrument mounting space.

Behind this is the door to the heads, which is a little small, but still has a shower.

Liveaboard boats: A conventional all-rounder, the Bavaria 30C is well-balanced and agile. Credit: Marco McGinty/Alamy

The saloon is cosy yet spacious. Long, straight settees allow six to eat together in comfort around the drop-leaf table, or two to bed down at night.

The two cabins are surprisingly roomy, both offering comfortable double berths for tall adults and good-sized lockers.

While her cockpit isn’t massive, it’s ideal under sail and the table and binnacle provide extra support.

At anchor , it doesn’t offer a huge lounging area, but it’s fine for four to relax and watch the sunset.

Over the years, Bavarias of all sizes have been thrashed to within an inch of their lives by charterers, and survived relatively unscathed, which says a lot about their build and seaworthiness.

The medium displacement 30C is agile and well-balanced, quick to tack, points well upwind and is fun to sail.

She is easily handled by any member of the crew, including young learners, and keeps sailing in the gentlest of breezes.

The first Hurley 30/90 was launched in 1974 and sported a shallow fin keel containing 1.7t of encapsulated lead ballast and a skeg-mounted rudder.

She’s comfortable and practical to live on for extended periods, and steadfast enough to undertake a lengthy offshore passage.

Thanks to her comparatively wide beam it is roomy down below. The sleeping accommodation is comfortable, though rudimentary.

The forepeak vee-berth is a little short, but the port settee converts into a comfy double and the quarter berth is a good size.

Headroom is a generous 1.90m/6ft 3in everywhere except the forecabin.

The heads is forward of the saloon and has a pull-out sink, though showering space is limited.

Liveaboard boats: The Hurley 30/90 (30ft/9m) was the largest of Ian Anderson’s designs for Hurley. The boat was later known as the Anderson 30 after Ian Anderson bought the moulds and began producing the boats. Credit: David Harding

Her cockpit is wide and long, with a cut-away aft, and though her vertical transom makes boarding from the water awkward, it’ll save on marina fees.

There’s abundant stowage in deep lockers plus cave lockers for smaller items.

The primary winches are well forward on the coamings and her mainsheet track is on the bridge deck.

While neither presents a problem with a tiller helm, both are out of the helmsman’s reach in the wheel version.

She has a stout masthead rig with a tall, deck-stepped mast. This provides a high-aspect sail plan that keeps the boom short and clear of the cockpit.

As in most boats of this era, the bulk of the driving power comes from her ample genoa.

She is a cruising yacht and as such, her round-bilged, full-bellied hull creates some drag under sail.

That said, her relatively high displacement means she exhibits a sea-kindly motion and carries well when the going gets choppy, resulting in good passage times, even in heavy seas.

The original 12hp Yanmar diesel engine was a little underpowered and the prop is slightly offset, which can make her tricky to manoeuvre.

Built over 20 years ago, the high build quality of the Swedish-built Nimbus 280 Coup e means she still feels ‘new’.

Though not cavernous inside, the 280C has a place for everything and makes a very comfortable floating home for a couple, with room for three overnight guests on the convertible saloon dinette and a single berth beneath the saloon sole.

When the weather is good you can slide back the saloon doors and wander freely between the saloon and the spacious cockpit, which is as well laid out with a padded L-shaped bench surrounding the removable dining table.

Inside, it’s bright and airy due to the sliding glass roof lights and tall side windows with opening sections.

The raised helm seat is very comfortable and offers an excellent all-round view while being an easy reach to instruments and displays.

The double navigator seat can convert to a dinette seat or go completely flat for sleeping.

Liveboard boats - a motorboat cruising along

Liveaboard boats: With a clean hull, the Nimbus 280 Coupe will cruise comfortably at 14 knots. Credit: Claire Frew/Future

Opposite the dinette is one of the most well-equipped galleys I’ve seen on a 28-footer, complete with a large cooker/oven, fridge, sink and worktop, and numerous drawers and shelves.

Below, she has a large double berth forward that is roomy and practical, with space for storing clothing and shelves for smaller items.

In the corridor is access to the single berth under the saloon sole. Opposite is the heads which, though not massive, is big enough for a decent shower.

The 280C has a 150hp Volvo Penta TAMD31 shaft-driven inboard diesel engine, capable of a 14-knot cruise speed and a top speed of 18-knots with a clean hull. Cruise fuel consumption is around 22lt/h.

She’s a good performer in most conditions and handles heavy seas with ease.

Liveaboard boats: 31-35ft LOA

The Polish-built Delphia 33 is a roomy, mid-range family offshore cruiser offering six berths in two double cabins plus the saloon, and 1.83m/6ft headroom.

The accommodation is a good size and ideal for a liveaboard couple with occasional guests. The quality of the mahogany woodwork is excellent, though a little dark.

However, the abundant light entering from the large windows makes her cosy rather than gloomy inside.

Rather than providing twin aft cabins and squeezing the heads into the saloon area, Delphia opted to install the heads where the second aft cabin could have gone.

This opens the boat up, leaving almost as much living space as a 36-footer.

For those happy with two cabins this is a sensible use of space and leaves room for a proper, forward-facing navigation station.

The saloon has seating for six, and the port settee can be converted to a double berth.

The L-shaped galley includes a two-ring cooker/oven, twin sinks, and a fridge. On deck, her streamlined coachroof melds gently into the foredeck.

Her side decks are wide, and the transom has steps down to a narrow bathing platform, with a boarding ladder and hot water deck shower.

A yacht with a white hull salling under white sails

Liveaboard boats: All the sailing controls are led aft to the coachroof, making the Delphia 33 ideal for short-handed sailing. Credit: David Harding

Her cockpit is quite wide, with the genoa winches on the coamings and two self-tailing halyard winches on the coachroof.

All the sail controls are fed aft through clutches, including the mainsheet traveller.

Her 7/8ths fractional rig uses a deck-stepped mast with swept spreaders and an optional backstay adjuster. The sail plan comprises a semi-battened mainsail with two single-line reefs and 115% furling genoa.

The 33 is a very competent performer under sail without being hard to handle or at all twitchy.

The deep, bulbed keel keeps the ballast down low, so she’s stiff under sail, plus her deep spade rudder provides maximum grip on the water.

A Laurent Giles design from 1980-1984, the Westerly Discus utilised the hull of the earlier 33 but with different deck options.

She was offered in aft-, or centre-cockpit format with fin or twin keels . Only the centre-cockpit version was available as a ketch, otherwise they were sloops.

In the 33, access to the aft cabin through the cockpit was inconvenient, especially if you needed the heads on a rainy night.

In the Discus, the cabin was placed under the bridge deck, eliminating the need to crawl along a low corridor.

The boats were ruggedly built to Lloyd’s classification in solid GRP, the hull/deck join through-bolted and glassed over.

They were a little prone to osmosis , but most will have been remedied by now.

Westerlys of this era were well crafted below, had bags of stowage and the materials used were of a high standard.

There is plenty of solid teak trim and every spare void has been put to good use.

Liveaboard boats: The semi-balanced rudder on the Westerly Discus makes her light on the helm. Credit: David Harding

The chart table has a corner trimmed to allow access to the corridor aft, but it does have a forward-facing seat.

The L-shaped galley opposite boasts a full-size cooker, fridge and deep sink. Pressurised hot/cold water was standard, as were lockers with dedicated space for crockery and cutlery.

The corridor to the aft cabin takes you into a dressing area with a small seat and a large clothes locker.

The offset berth is roomy and comfortable with good clearance above. Natural light and air enter via two opening portlights.

The layout of the saloon, which has over 6ft headroom, is traditional with two straight settees whose seat backs become lee boards.

The port settee extends into a 1.25m/4ft 1in double berth if needed. The twin-leaf table seats six and has a bottle store and a useful fiddled tray.

The forepeak doorway is offset, creating a heads with standing headroom. Opposite is a generous wet locker.

The forecabin has a good-sized vee-berth; the large forehatch with a built-in mushroom vent provides light and air.

She is a solid, seaworthy boat that stands up to her canvas well in strong winds.

Her 40% ballast ratio allows her to make short work of heavy seas while the knuckle in her bows helps divert any spray.

Being quite heavy makes her a little slow off the mark but gives her the momentum to make headway through rough seas.

From the 1990s, living space became more important as folk became less inclined to put up with basic domestic facilities.

Beneteau’s beamy Oceanis Clipper 351 was particularly adapted for comfort with its sizeable cabins and dinette saloon.

Her maximum beam is carried almost back to the transom, which increases the accommodation space enormously.

Two- or three-cabin models were available, although in the latter the heads were smaller.

The saloon headroom is 1.90m/6ft 3in and numerous portlights and hatches give good ventilation and natural light.

The galley is generous in terms of stowage and work surface. There is also a large fridge, full-size cooker, twin sinks with hot and cold pressurised water and a dedicated gash bin.

While a longitudinal galley isn’t always the best at sea, for living aboard on anchor or in a marina it works well.

Joinery is to a good standard and there’s just enough wood to make her cosy. In the three-cabin boat, the two aft cabins offer good-size double berths.

Both cabins have some dressing space, and room to store clothes; three hatches and a portlight make them airy.

The two-cabin model has one larger aft cabin, a deep cockpit locker, and a larger heads with separate shower.

Opposite the heads is the navigation station with its forward-facing chart table, switch panel and a small area for electronics .

The forecabin is also roomy with a large vee-berth that is squared off at the bottom to give more foot space.

Stowage is plentiful and there’s enough floor area and headroom to get dressed with the door shut. Three hatches let in plenty of air and light.

The 351’s cockpit is wide but divided by a large table with an integral cool box that provides a necessary foot brace and handholds under sail.

The binnacle is vast and carries a compass, engine controls and sailing instruments. Seat cut-outs facilitate access around the wheel.

The helm seat is removable to create a walk-through to the boarding platform. There are two deep lockers under the seats and a very deep lazarette.

Under sail, her low drag underwater shape means she needs little wind to get her going and her shallow aft sections make for exhilarating downwind sailing.

Her masthead rig is easy to handle, and she relies heavily on her large genoa for upwind power.

Stiffness is as much a result of her wide form as her moderate ballast, although pushing her too hard can cause her rudder to lift clear of the water.

Although not unlike the Nimbus 280 style-wise, the extra 4ft of the Finnish-built Aquador 32C packs so much more in, making her a serious family liveaboard motorcruiser for all seasons.

She has a fairly conventional layout inside the large wheelhouse including a raised helm seat with excellent all-round views and easy access to the controls and instruments.

Above is a sliding glass panel for extra light and ventilation.

The sumptuous double nav seat flips over to extend the dinette behind, which can seat up to six around the table.

A motor boat with a blue and white hull at sea

Liveaboard boats: Most of the Aquador 32C’s were fitted with a 370hp 6LYA-STE engine. Credit: Aquador Boats

The galley opposite is well equipped and sensibly organised.

Below, the forecabin has a large double berth and enough locker and shelf space for a long holiday.

The midships cabin is off the same corridor forward and has a seat in the dressing area and a generous transverse double berth under the wheelhouse.

The large sliding glass doors into the cockpit can be left open in fine weather, which opens the whole space out, even though the cockpit is a little compact.

The side decks are easily accessed, and stout handrails guide you safely to the foredeck for anchoring or sunbathing.

A shaft-drive Yanmar diesel engine from 285-460hp could be ordered, the 370hp 6LYA-STE being the most common and offering a top speed of 27-knots and cruising at 20-knots.

Her planing hull shape and twin rudders offer speed and agility with full control even in heavy seas.

Liveaboard boats: 36-40ft LOA

You can’t beat the space available on a cruising catamaran, although it comes at a cost in a marina.

While not boasting the interior volume or headroom of a modern cat, a well-maintained Prout Snowgoose 37 can be had today for a sensible price and refitted to suit your own liveaboard needs with a reasonable budget.

There were two layouts. One has a permanent open double berth forward of the saloon.

Though curtained-off privacy is limited, the reward is the view from the large forward windows.

While you lose some dinette space, it’s worth it if there are only two of you on board.

The double aft cabins are compact but comfortable, although has just a single heads, which is across from the starboard hull.

One hull contains a long nav station amidships, the other a well-equipped galley, both with standing headroom.

Liveaboard boats: Unlike most modern catamarans, the Prout Snowgoose 37 has a solid foredeck rather than a trampoline, adding to her strength but also her weight

Outside, her cockpit isn’t massive, but the wheel is bulkhead-mounted and it’s protected by high coamings.

There’s enough seating for six but the canoe-sterned hulls don’t feature any platforms or steps.

The side decks are narrow, although there is a stout coachroof grabrail and the double lifelines and stanchions are well supported.

She has a solid foredeck rather than a trampoline, which gives extra lounging and working area and adds considerably to the strength (and weight).

The mast is deck stepped and most were rigged as cutters.

Under sail, she’s not close-winded, around 50° off the apparent wind is common.

The view forward is restricted by the large genoa but at least all the sheets are led into the cockpit. She’s fastest on a beam reach when she’ll top 7-8 knots in a fresh breeze.

The hulls and nacelle can slam when you’re sailing hard into heavy seas, but if you bear away a little she noticeably calms down.

As standard, she came with a centrally-mounted engine and steerable drive leg.

The lack of prop wash over the rudders is mitigated by the ability to steer the drive leg with the wheel.

One of Moody’s most prolific cruising yachts from the 1980/90s, the Moody37/376 remains extremely popular.

The 37 and the 376 are identical, other than the latter features a transom scoop/platform.

All of Moody’s centre-cockpit designs create a high-volume interior, especially in the aft cabin area, for which they are renowned.

Some feel having a cockpit higher above sea level isn’t ideal, but most long-term liveaboards relish the increased accommodation space.

The 37s are a tad heavy due to their thick layup and solid wood décor, but they are an ideal compromise between cruising comfort and sailing performance.

Below, the U-shaped galley is well organised and easy to use under way thanks to a crash bar and spacious fiddled worktops.

The chart table opposite is also ideal for long passage navigation or for use as a desk. The saloon is warm and woody with straight settees around a dropleaf table.

One settee converts into an additional double berth. The only downside is the non-opening portlights.

Liveaboard boats: The Moody 376 has a scooped transom and was available with either fin or bilge keels. Credit Rupert Holmes

The forepeak has a decent vee-berth, loads of stowage and a compact ensuite heads/shower.

The sumptuous owner’s suite aft is accessed via a corridor behind the nav seat, past the crew bunk.

The cabin has seating on one side and a large, offset double berth opposite. It also has a private ensuite heads with a shower.

The 37 was built for cruising, so has ample stowage in bins and lockers.

While the cockpit is a little small, there is deck space for spreading out at anchor, plus a transom platform with a shower on the 376.

A masthead rig with slab reefed mainsail and furling genoa came as standard, with an optional inner forestay for a working/ storm jib .

They have a longish fin keel and deep, semi-balanced, skeg-hung rudder that keeps her on course and minimises leeway.

Tacking the large genoa around the baby stay can prove tedious but gets easier once you learn the knack.

At sea, she is a steadfast passage maker, her generous displacement helping her through any steep seas with minimal fuss or loss of momentum.

Motorboats

The 1980s Fairline 40 was a big boat in its day and still has a great deal to offer the long-term liveaboard/cruiser wanting to keep the family happy on the water.

Their large saloons offer plenty of lounging space away from the helm station and there’s plenty of drawers and lockers.

Going below takes you to a large, U-shaped galley with enough worktop and equipment to serve a family of six with ease.

The main cabin is in the forepeak and boasts a large, comfy centreline berth, a roomy ensuite and plenty of easy-to-access stowage.

There’s also a spacious twin-berth guest cabin amidships with heads.

Her cockpit is a good size with ample seating around a fixed table and access to a large swimming/boarding platform.

Being half sheltered by the floor of the flybridge, the addition of a decent canvas tent makes the cockpit a great dining area in all weather conditions.

Beneath the cockpit sole is a vast stowage area and very limited access to the engine room, which is more accessible by lifting the saloon soleboards.

Access to the flybridge is via a steep ladder and trap. Here, you’ll find a long, three-person helm bench.

Her deep-vee, single chine hull offers a soft entry in choppy seas making her comfortable in most sea conditions.

Powerful twin 235-300hp shaft-drive Volvo diesel engines give her semi-planing hull a cruising speed of around 18-knots, with around 24-knots flat out with the bigger engines.

Did you enjoy reading Best second-hand sub-40ft liveaboard boats: sail and power?

A subscription to Practical Boat Owner magazine costs around 40% less than the cover price .

Print and digital editions are available through Magazines Direct – where you can also find the latest deals .

PBO is packed with information to help you get the most from boat ownership – whether sail or power.

Take your DIY skills to the next level with trusted advice on boat maintenance and repairs
Impartial in-depth gear reviews
Practical cruising tips for making the most of your time afloat

IMAGES

$1,300,000 2020 LEOPARD 53 POWER CATAMARAN Yacht WALKTHROUGH & SPECS / LIVEABOARD Cruising POWERCAT
Silent Yachts 55: Liveaboard test of this future-proof electric
How We Chose the Best Liveaboard Catamaran
2018 SUNREEF SUPREME P68 Power Catamaran Liveaboard Luxury Yacht Tour
New power Catamaran for sale: FOUNTAINE PAJOT MY 40 (40ft)
All Inclusive Liveaboard Luxury Catamaran in Belize

COMMENTS

12 Power Catamarans Reviewed
Here, we take a look at 12 catamarans ranging from a cruising-couple-size 36-footer to a 78-footer for friends, family and some more friends.
13 Best Liveaboard Catamarans (For All Budgets)
Summary Low-budget liveaboard catamarans cost anywhere from $350,000 to $450,000, while high-budget options range from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000. The living space of the best liveaboard catamarans ranges from 77 sqm to 215 sqm, with the higher-budget options generally offering more space.
7 Best Liveaboard Catamarans: Seaworthiness and Liveability!
The best liveaboard catamaran sailboats include Manta 42, Dolphin Ocema 42, Bali 4.5, Privilege 435, Fountaine Pajot Saba 50, Voyage 580, and Lagoon 620. These catamarans offer plenty of space, load-carrying capability, and are very comfortable to live aboard. This article is based on a poll I did with over 300 catamaran owners and sailors ...
The Best Power Catamaran Boat Brands
Power catamarans are popular among anglers and cruisers alike, but which brands are the best? These top 10 are in the running.
9 Best Power Catamarans For Rough Seas and Coastal!
Power catamarans have more interior and exterior space thanks to their multihull design, making them perfect for cruising and liveaboard. They also have ample space for storing everything you need on a cruise without worrying about weighing it down. Catamarans offer increased privacy as well because each hull houses one sleeping area, separated by the living area between them.
The Top Catamarans of 2020
Our annual review of the most significant new power catamaran models to hit the market this year.
Best Power Catamarans in 2024: Our Selection
A power catamaran is a comfortable and easy to handle boat. Discover our selection of the best motor catamarans and trimarans available.
Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats
In this article, we'll cover five of the best liveaboard catamarans available on the new and used market today. We'll also cover how to choose the best and most comfortable catamaran to live aboard.
Best Liveaboard Bluewater Catamarans
The best production blue water cruising catamarans are the Manta 42, the Lagoon 42, the Leopard 45, the Lagoon 450, and the Prout 45. These vessels have excellent living accommodations and great sea keeping abilities. In this article, we'll cover five of the best liveaboard cruising catamarans, along with what sets them apart from similar ...
Best catamaran and multihull: We sail the very best yachts on two and
Best catamaran and multihull: We sail the very best yachts on two and three hulls. Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the best catamaran and multihull category in the ...
Longreach 1400
The new 1400 is built on a super-efficient displacement hull, developed with Powerplay's 20 years of experience building power cats. The hull is optimised for minimal drag, with a reversed bow for buoyancy and extended waterline length forward, plus docking keels and a protected prop for beaching. Each boat can be built to meet AMSA ...
Best Liveaboard Boats Under 600K
Photo via Advantage Yacht Sales. Still a sailboat but with a lot of great living space, the French Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 is an ideal liveaboard platform. Catamarans are ultra-comfortable and can be spec'd with up to four cabins so living aboard with a family is a possibility.
Five Great Live-Aboard Yachts
Popular Liveaboard Catamarans Some of the most popular catamarans suited to a luxury liveaboard tropical island lifestyle include Lagoon, Leopard, Fountaine Pajot , Sunreef, and Outremer. The Best Liveaboard Yachts Trawlers, tug boats, pocket yachts and large catamarans (power and sail) all suited a liveaboard lifestyle and long distance cruisers.
The Live-Aboard Life: Best Liveaboard Yachts
Below is a list of some of the most popular boat brands for living aboard for both power and sail. The boat brands may be the best place to start your search on YachtWorld. You can set up your search alerts criteria and be alerted anytime someone listed a live-aboard style boat that matches your criteria.
How We Chose the Best Liveaboard Catamaran
As new sailors we had to learn what to look for when buying a liveaboard catamaran. From the different sizes and manufacturers to what additions you need - there's a lot of research involved. Here are the five things we took into account when deciding on which sailboat would make the best liveaboard catamaran for our new floating home.
Antares Catamarans Home Page 2023
Antares owners are part of an exclusive community. Their desires and expectations are to own the world's best-designed liveaboard catamaran.
Sail Away in Style: Explore the World on the Best Liveaboard Catamaran
Here are some of the best liveaboard catamaran sailboats that are 40-plus-foot and comfortable for long-term offshore cruising.
15 Best Catamarans in 2024
We reviewed the best Catamarans from Lagoon, Balance, and more. See what sets each multihull vessel apart in the buyer's guide.
Who Makes The Best Power Catamaran?
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 ...
2022 Boat of the Year: Best Cruising Catamaran (Under 50')
With an exquisite blend of comfortable, live-aboard accommodations and superb sailing performance both inshore and offshore, the Leopard 42 is a versatile vessel that earned the title of Best Cruising Catamaran (Under 50') in a very competitive class.
2021 Aquila 70 Power Catamaran Walkthrough Boat Review
The Aquila 70 luxury power catamaran yacht is powered by twin 1000-horsepower Volvo Penta D13 inboard marine engines. These engines feature new Monotherm steel pistons and strengthened internals giving them extended engine range, durability and longevity. This improvement in durability will see total cost of ownership drop for customers, and ...
Best Sized Catamaran for Ocean Sailing and Liveaboard?
This means that the best-sized liveaboard catamaran should be around 40-45ft. When it comes to long-term living on a catamaran, some things are more important than if we only do a single crossing; a liveaboard is about enjoying your house on the water. In contrast, a catamaran made for hardcore sailing is more about speed and excitement.
Best second-hand sub-40ft liveaboard boats: sail and power
Catamarans have an edge on the equivalent length monohull; their wide, flat-bottomed hulls easily house double berths and luxurious heads. Liveaboard boats: 25-30ft LOA Sailing yachts. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 29.2's spacious cockpit and roomy accommodation provide a good level of home comfort.
Power Catamaran boats for sale
Find Power Catamaran boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of boats to choose from.