What Is Cynophobia?
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Introduction
An extreme fear of dogs is known as cynophobia (pronounced sigh-no-phobia) . The name is derived from the Greek words for dog (“cyno”) and fear (“phobos”).
A phobia is an extreme and overwhelming fear of something, often irrational and excessive relative to the real level of danger. Having a phobia can result in severe anxiety symptoms. People with phobias may change their daily activities to ensure that they avoid coming into contact with the things that they fear.
Phobias are anxiety disorders . They are uncontrollable and persistent psychological conditions which can have a significant impact on quality of life. While their development is not fully understood, research has shown that both genetic and environmental factors can contribute. This means that some people will be more likely to develop phobias than others due to a genetic predisposition and that the experiences of an individual during their life may also play a part.
People with cynophobia usually understand that their fear of dogs is not rational or proportionate but can’t overcome it. Their anxiety response is automatic, immediate and not within their own control.
Symptoms of cynophobia
Cynophobia can result in significant emotional and physical responses. Symptoms are often immediately triggered when a dog is encountered. In severe cases, symptoms can even be brought on by merely thinking about dogs without any interaction with a dog in real life. These responses are automatic and include:
- Dizziness, light-headedness
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea, diarrhoea
- Trembling or shaking
- Crying, screaming, hysteria
- Difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, sensations of choking
- Feelings of dread and fear of dying
- Feelings of loss of control and panic
- Strong desire to flee and escape from the situation
In addition to these anxiety symptoms, Cynophobia can lead to avoidance behaviour, where a person deliberately changes their behaviour to avoid coming into contact with dogs. 1
The response is usually out of proportion to the real threat posed, with the perception of danger being significantly exaggerated. It is different from an appropriate fear response, which may be experienced when encountering an unfamiliar animal that genuinely poses a risk. It is also different from childhood fears, which are usually less severe and temporary. These fears are a normal part of a child’s development and are usually grown out of.
Diagnosis of cynophobia
Most phobias are not diagnosed professionally. However, if help is sought from healthcare professionals, they may formally diagnose cynophobia following consideration of an individual’s emotional, behavioural and physical responses to exposure to dogs. This may involve history taking, questionnaire completion and the use of virtual reality 2 (VR – a 3D technological simulation of a real-life situation that provides both auditory and visual inputs).
Management and treatment of cynophobia
People with phobias may not experience many symptoms or disruption to their lives if they are not often exposed to the things that they fear.
Dogs, however, are frequently encountered in daily life. Cynophobia can, therefore, cause significant distress and can lead people to make changes to their daily lives to ensure that they avoid them. This can have a significant impact on school, work and social interactions. In severe cases, this can lead to isolation and the development of other mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Cynophobia, therefore, has the potential to significantly impact the quality of life.
Phobias such as cynophobia can often be treated successfully. Common treatment modalities include the following,
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques , such as breathing exercises, meditation and mindfulness, can be used to help control anxiety symptoms. Such techniques may prevent individuals from becoming overwhelmed, reduce sensations of panic and increase feelings of being in control.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment which can help to reframe distorted or irrational thought patterns. By challenging thoughts and behaviours associated with threats and danger, it may be possible to reduce the exaggerated fear response and prevent avoidance behaviour.
CBT is a talking therapy but can incorporate other elements. In the treatment of phobias such as cynophobia, CBT will commonly include exposure therapy , with the aim of desensitising the individual to the thing that they fear.
Exposure therapy
This component of therapy involves deliberately exposing an individual to the thing that they fear whilst challenging the negative thought processes associated with it. The aim is to bring about desensitisation , retraining the brain to understand that the extreme level of danger that it is perceiving is not real, and so reducing the exaggerated fear reaction. Evidence for its success in treating specific phobias such as cynophobia is strong, according to the Society of Clinical Psychology , a division of the American Psychological Association .
This therapy may involve a gradual increase in exposure to the fear-inducing situation, working through a ‘fear hierarchy’ from the least fear-inducing situation to the greatest. With cynophobia, this may involve first looking at pictures of dogs or hearing dogs barking, moving on to being close to a dog on a lead, and eventually progressing to petting a dog.
The exposure to dogs can happen in real life, although this has practical constraints in a healthcare setting. An alternative is the use of virtual reality modalities to simulate an encounter with a dog. The 3D nature of this simulation, including auditory and visual inputs, can provide a similar experience in a more convenient format. Research has shown success with this mode of therapy in treating cynophobia. 2
Other treatment options
Other possible phobia treatments include hypnotherapy 3 and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). 4 Hypnotherapy involves inducing a state of hypnosis, during which an individual may be more open to changing their perceptions and thought processes. EMDR involves re-processing previous traumatic experiences that may have led to the development of the phobia.
Medication is not commonly prescribed for specific phobias, such as dog phobia, but can be used to control symptoms of anxiety. Antidepressants , tranquilisers and beta-blockers may all be prescribed for this purpose.
Risk factors for cynophobia development
It is not fully understood why cynophobia develops, but research shows that certain factors may be relevant. These include:
- Gender : In general, phobias of a specific thing or situation are more common in people assigned female at birth (AFAB) than people assigned male at birth (AMAB). 5
- Age : Animal phobias can develop at any age, but most start during early childhood and diminish with age. 1 , 5
- Mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar disorder )
- Anxiety disorder
- Impulse-control disorder
- Substance abuse disorder 5
- Family history: Individuals can have a genetic predisposition to developing psychological conditions such as phobias. 6 Irrational fear responses can also be learned from others. 7
- Learned experience: Phobias can develop following an unpleasant experience. 8 This could be a direct encounter with a dog that resulted in fear or pain. Additionally, exaggerated fear responses can be learned from others or through informational learning, for example, hearing about a dog attack in the news.
Consequences of cynophobia
Many people live with and manage phobias of specific things or situations without seeking treatment. However, left untreated, severe phobias can result in significant disruption to daily life. Distressing symptoms and fear avoidance behaviour can reduce self-esteem, lead to isolation, and have a negative impact on professional, academic and social activities. Research has shown that specific phobias often co-exist with other mental health conditions. 4
How common is cynophobia?
Simple phobias (irrational fears of a specific thing or situation) are a common mental health condition. Data from the World Health Organization Mental Health Initiative Survey gathered between 2001 and 2011 showed an average prevalence of 7.4% of people from 22 countries worldwide had a phobia of a specific thing or situation, of which fear of an animal was the most common. 5 In the UK, NHS Inform (Scotland) estimates that 10 million people are estimated to have phobias. Exactly how frequently cynophobia itself occurs is not known.
When should I consult a healthcare professional?
If your cynophobia is significantly interfering with your day-to-day life and influencing your behaviour, consult a healthcare professional. Many cases of cynophobia can be successfully treated, and your doctor may be able to direct you to resources to help you with this.
Cynophobia is an extreme fear of dogs which can result in an exaggerated and uncontrollable fear response. Symptoms can be both physical and emotional, including trembling, rapid heart rate, sweating and nausea, along with panic attacks and a strong desire to flee the situation.
In severe cases, symptoms can even be brought on by thinking about dogs without actually encountering them. People with cynophobia may show significant avoidance behaviour, changing their lifestyle to ensure minimal contact with dogs. This can have a debilitating effect on quality of life and can result in low self-esteem. People with phobias of this kind often have other co-existing mental health conditions.
Treatment for cynophobia usually involves gradual exposure to dogs in order to desensitise the fear response.
- Hoffmann WA, Human LH. Experiences, characteristics and treatment of women suffering from dog phobia. Anthrozoös [Internet]. 2003 Mar [cited 2023 Aug 22];16(1):28–42. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233692227_Experiences_characteristics_and_treatment_of_women_suffering_from_dog_phobia
- Munir A, Saleem DrY. Diagnosis of phobic anxiety disorders using virtual reality environment [Internet]. 2022 Feb [cited 2023 Aug 22]. Available from: https://www.techrxiv.org/articles/preprint/Diagnosis_of_Phobic_Anxiety_Disorders_using_Virtual_Reality_Environment/19153769/1
- ABPP RAC PsyD. The clinical use of hypnosis in cognitive behaviour therapy: a practitioner’s casebook. Springer Publishing Company; 2005. 369 p. Available from: https://books.google.fr/books?hl=en&lr=&id=u6UpFP2fIqcC&oi=fnd&pg=PA101&dq=hypnotherapy+phobia&ots=ggAIoTRvhf&sig=YhC4q1jf33jYi0XXrX9IvLdy7nE&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=hypnotherapy%20phobia&f=false
- Jongh AD. Emdr therapy for specific fears and phobias: the phobia protocol. In: Luber M, editor. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR Therapy Scripted Protocols and Summary Sheets [Internet]. 1st ed. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company; 2015 [cited 2023 Aug 23]. Available from: https://psycho-trauma.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/EMDR-Therapy-for-specific-fears-and-phobias-The-phobia-protocol-De-Jongh2c-2015.pdf
- Wardenaar KJ, Lim CCW, Al-Hamzawi AO, Alonso J, Andrade LH, Benjet C, et al. The cross-national epidemiology of specific phobia in the World Mental Health Surveys. Psychol Med [Internet]. 2017 Jul [cited 2023 Aug 22];47(10):1744–60. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5674525/
- Villafuerte S, Burmeister M. Untangling genetic networks of panic, phobia, fear and anxiety. Genome Biol [Internet]. 2003 [cited 2023 Aug 23];4(8):224. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC193636/
- Askew C, Field AP. The vicarious learning pathway to fear 40 years on. Clinical Psychology Review [Internet]. 2008 Oct 1 [cited 2023 Aug 23];28(7):1249–65. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5236983_The_vicarious_learning_pathway_to_fear_40_years_on
- Garcia R. Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias. Learn Mem [Internet]. 2017 Sep [cited 2023 Aug 23];24(9):462–71. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580526/
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Susannah Hollywood
Health Writer – Physiotherapist – MSc in Health Ergonomics Susannah is a freelance Health Writer who produces high quality information on health topics for lay audiences. She is passionate about increasing health literacy to improve health outcomes. Susannah has had extensive involvement with patients throughout her varied career as a Healthcare Professional. Through this experience, she has developed a deep understanding of individuals’ needs at different points in their health journeys. Incorporating this insight and empathy into her writing, Susannah strives to provide accurate, succinct and unambiguous information on health topics. She takes care to select the appropriate terminology, level of detail and tone for each piece. Susannah has broad experience of writing in the field of healthcare for a variety of lay audiences. This includes online health information articles, news articles, reports, grant applications, training manuals and patient information leaflets.
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9 Safest Catamarans For Cruising, Circumnavigation and Why!
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Catamarans (cats) have become sailors’ favorite sea vessels in recent years, thanks to the extra space, comfort, and speed they offer. Additionally, they’ve built a reputation for their unrivaled safety. But which are the safest catamarans on the market?
The safest cruising catamarans offer a good beam to length ratio, sail fast, and are over 42ft. These include the Manta 42, the Lagoon 450F, and the Catana 44. They are stable, waterproof, easy to handle in stormy weather, and feature a sturdy design.
When boarding a boat, you expect to get to your destination safely, and with your bluewater boat intact, this is what cats are made for, but not all cats are created equal. Read on to learn what to consider when assessing a catamaran’s safety and check out my list of the safest cats available!
Table of Contents
What Does It Mean To Say a Catamaran Is Safe?
Cruising for weeks on open water comes with several risks, like strong winds, heavy rains, and other potentially dangerous obstacles. Because of that, you need a bluewater boat that’s designed to take a beating from the most demanding conditions because if you compromise your safety, you might end up in a very dire situation with possible deadly outcomes.
What does it mean to say something is safe?
In this context, the word safe means protected from danger , free from harm, or not likely to lose the boat, as well as not likely to cause danger or harm to either personal or cat.
Therefore, when a catamaran is said to be safe, it comes with features that protect you and your crew from danger. As a result, it would be best to consider a catamaran’s safety features before choosing it.
Here are some of the factors i (and sailboat engineers i should add) consider to be the most critical when determining a cat’s safety:
Beam-to-Length Ratio
Although catamarans generally have exceptional stability, this aspect is always relative, as you’ll find some cats more stable in rough seas than others. Therefore, you’ll want to check their beam-to-length ratio. As a general rule, a boat in the 42 to the 48-foot range should have a beam to length ratio of about 50%.
A ratio lower than that can hurt your boat’s stability in heavy winds, but a larger boat can be okay with a lower value. On the other hand, a larger ratio can make sailing more difficult.
Engine and Powertrain
Catamarans come with twin engines, which is a significant benefit since you can always use one if the other fails. However, a poor choice of engine location can be a safety risk. Generally, a central location distributes the weight evenly, which is better for safety.
On bigger cats, this is not much of a problem since the weight of the engines is only a small fraction of the total weight of the boat. But on smaller and lighter ships, weight location is of greater interest.
Nonetheless, a watertight bulkhead between the main cabin and engine room prevents flooding if the sail drive or shaft gets damaged.
Having strong engines will also make the boat go faster and offer extra protection from getting stuck in bad weather.
Build Integrity and Quality
Build quality is a critical factor when determining whether a given cat is safe, depending on the nature of your voyages. You’ll want to check the manufacturer’s reputation, the strength and quality of the materials used, and waterproofing features.
For instance, catamarans made of plywood or cored balsas are could be less safe since they often have maintenance problems once water enters them.
The underwater section of a cat should be solid, impact-resistant, and easy to repair for the boat to be considered safe. A significant portion of the vessel must be made of lightweight fiberglass to prevent the hull from sinking during a collision or capsizing. In other words, you’re safer with your boat upside-down on the water surface than right-side-up but submerged.
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks
A cat’s deck is another essential factor to consider when assessing its safety. Generally, uncluttered and flat decks tend to be safer for sailing since the risk of tripping or getting in stuck on something is reduced. Most notably, you should check if your boat comes with an aggressive non-skid surface to prevent slip and fall accidents among your crew. The deck should have robust, quality fittings and large backing plates to distribute heavy loads evenly.
Shrouds and stays should be located so they only minimally interfere with moving about on deck.
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection
The primary helm station should have an unobstructed view of all four corners of your cat that should be well protected from the elements, like wind and water, and accessible from the cockpit. The idea is to prevent damage to your cat by the weather and prevent flooding, which compromises your safety.
Cockpit Covers
Your cat’s cockpit cover can make or break it under heavy rains. A carefully designed cover protects it from water infiltration when it’s raining and allows for sufficient ventilation.
Generally, the best cockpit covers come with removable curtains, allow for solar panel mounting, and can collect a significant amount of rainwater, which your crew can drink and use for washing.
Now that you have an idea of the things to consider when evaluating a cat’s safety, chances are you’re thinking of reviewing some of the boats on the market to determine if they’re suitable for your needs. To get you started on finding your dream boat I have put together this list, here are some of the best bluewater boats worth considering:
If you are looking for a specific type of cat i suggest you read on of my other articles such as:
- Best cats under 200k
- Best cats under 50ft
- Best cats for couples
- Best liveaboard cats
The Manta 42
Arguably, the Manta 42 holds near-iconic status among sailors because it has a solid reputation as a capable, practical long-range sailing bluewater boat. The laminated hull-to-deck joint and collision bulkheads create watertight compartments at the end of each hull, making the multihull flood-proof.
For additional structural integrity, the manufacturer joins the hull and deck using high-grade marine sealants and reinforces it with a 360-degree unidirectional laminate.
Overall, this is an excellent cruising cat.
It offers an impressive sail-area-to displacement ratio and a pretty decent amount of deck and interior space, and its pushpit contraptions come in handy when you need to secure wind vanes, solar panels, and dinghies. Undoubtedly, this boat offers great performance and stability.
Beam-to-Length Ratio | 53% | 5 | |
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection | 8 | Good visuals and fully enclosed | |
Engine and Powertrain | 5 | Dual inboard diesels | |
Build Integrity and Quality | 5 | ||
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks | 5 | ||
Dagger or centerboards | NO | 5 | |
Ease of handling | 5 | ||
Offshore |
Lagoon 450F
The Lagoon 450F (F stands for Flybridge) is designed to deliver prestige and safety and features a deck layout centered on an easy-to-reach flybridge . Accessing the engine controls or steering station is a breeze, especially when you need to steer away from danger.
The cockpit comes with a dining table to the left, an attractive comfort couch to the right, and a wraparound settee. The boat’s hard dodger comes with an apt opening hatch that offers good ventilation and sunshine in favorable weather and protection from harsh conditions in bad weather.
The construction is sturdy, waterproof, and durable. Besides, its construction can withstand high impact, a solid selling point. If you need a boat that gives you ultimate control and offers all-around comfort, spaciousness, and elegance, you’ll never go wrong with this elaborate cat.
Beam-to-Length Ratio | 56% | 5 | |
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection | 8 | Very good visuals and fully enclosed | |
Engine and Powertrain | 5 | Dual inboard diesels 90HP | |
Build Integrity and Quality | 5 (?) | * | |
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks | 7 | High lifelines | |
Dagger or centerboards | NO | 5 | |
Ease of handling | 5 | ||
Coastal |
Catana cats prove that the Bali Group means business when it comes to sailors’ safety. These boats are only produced in France, so the company maintains high-quality standards. Aboard Catana, you’ll immediately notice the manufacturer’s efforts to make it safe for cruising.
For instance, this boat’s foam sandwich construction is high density and lightweight, making it unsinkable, resistant to shock and impacts, and rigid. The use of aramid fiber makes this boat even more rigid and resistant to perforation. The helmsman can continue sailing even after impact.
It also comes with crash boxes and waterproof compartments to prevent water entry after a major impact. Arguably, this is a sure-fire way to guarantee buoyancy, making this boat hard to sink!
You can also use the multihull’s daggerboards to tack into strong winds and heavy weather, enabling it to glide over waves instead of capsizing. The high bridge deck clearance is another boost to safety since it prevents waves from reaching the cat’s deck.
Beam-to-Length Ratio | 50% | 4 | |
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection | 6 | Single wheel partial view | |
Engine and Powertrain | 5 | Dual inboard diesels 80HP | |
Build Integrity and Quality | 5 | High-density PVC foam (balsa core) | |
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks | 6 | Daggerboards in the way | |
Dagger or centerboards | YES | 5 | Daggerboards |
Ease of handling | 5 | ||
Offshore |
Aventura 44
The Aventura 44 is the successor to the Aventura 43 built between 2012 and 2017, and its safety features are profound.
The deck mold is integrated with its coachroof to make it lightweight and buoyant, while the hulls feature polyester with NPG Gelcoat. Its structural partitions come with laminated CTBX plywood, and the rudders come with foam-epoxy composite and a stainless-steel stock, making it solid and durable.
This boat can withstand high impact from waves, winds, and collisions because of its ingenious construction. The company proudly tells how they intentionally oversized much of the hardware just to make sure it is up for offshore cruising.
Beam-to-Length Ratio | 53% | 5 | |
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection | 6 | Single wheel partial view | |
Engine and Powertrain | 7 | Dual inboard diesels 114HP | |
Build Integrity and Quality | 6 | Oversized standard equipment | |
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks | 6 | ||
Dagger or centerboards | NO | 5 | |
Ease of handling | 5 | ||
Offshore |
Fountaine Pajot Elba 45
The Elba 45 is a well-respected blue water cruiser, as it is safe, dependable, and beautiful to look at. The slightly aft-raked bows and fixed stub keels deliver excellent windward performance.
The multihull features keels glued into a recess in its hulls, ensuring no keel bolts will rip out if it gets grounded or collides. Because of that, this boat deserves to be mentioned among the safest.
Safety aside, this boat provides ultimate bliss while cruising, as it comes with a generous living space with a large sofa, low dining table, and an open galley. The interior fittings in the cabins allow your crew to settle comfortably with an en-suite bathroom in each cabin.
As some put it, this is a true catamaran and it deserves a sweet spot for anyone looking for adventurous, open water cruising.
Beam-to-Length Ratio | 56% | 5 | |
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection | 9 | Flybridge 360 view | |
Engine and Powertrain | 7 | Dual inboard diesels 120HP | |
Build Integrity and Quality | 5 | ||
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks | 5 | Lots of space but high boom | |
Dagger or centerboards | NO | 5 | |
Ease of handling | 5 | ||
Coastal |
Dolphin Ocema 42
The Dolphin 42 is the ideal option for any sailor looking for a catamaran that defies all conventions. It comes with daggerboards, which you can use to point higher into the wind and also reduce the draft when anchoring or moving in shallow water thus reducing the risk of grounding.
This vessel balances stunning performance and remarkable comfort in one package, a rare feat in blue water boats. The foam core makes it lightweight and impact-resistant at the same time, making cruising in the most demanding conditions less strenuous.
If you need a cruising boat that will never let you down, then you can never go wrong with the Dolphin 42.
Caveat: Pointing high on the wind using this boat requires pretty decent sailing expertise. If you lift the daggerboards too high, you may expose the rudders or interfere with the hulls if it runs aground.
Beam-to-Length Ratio | 56% | 5 | |
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection | 7 | Partially obstructed | |
Engine and Powertrain | 5 | Dual inboard diesels | |
Build Integrity and Quality | 5 | Laminated wood | |
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks | 5 | Daggerboards in the way | |
Dagger or centerboards | YES | 7 | Daggerboards |
Ease of handling | 5 | ||
Offshore |
Atlantic 42
Since its introduction in 1993, the Atlantic 42 has grown its loyal fan base, thanks to its aesthetics and efficiency.
The multihull comes with a high-waist cockpit located in front of the pilothouse and behind its mast. As evidenced by the metal girder-like bearers that transverse the bulkheads, the solid construction is a selling point for any cruising enthusiast with safety considerations in mind.
Most notably, these features make it stronger, improve circulation, and offers a helm position in the middle of the boat.
Although some consider this boat’s style conservative, its durable, impact-resistant build quality is unrivaled. Without a doubt, the Atlantic 42 is built with your safety in mind, but it also comes with beautiful interior and exterior finishes. If you need a boat that delivers comfort, safety, and efficiency in a compact package, you’ll never go wrong with this blue water cruiser.
Beam-to-Length Ratio | 56% | 5 | |
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection | 7 | Unprotected forward helm | |
Engine and Powertrain | 5 | Dual inboard diesels | |
Build Integrity and Quality | 5 | ||
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks | 6 | Wide unobstructed areas | |
Dagger or centerboards | NO | 5 | |
Ease of handling | 5 | ||
Coastal Offshore) |
Outremer 45
Looking at the Outremer 45, you can tell that it took careful, detailed planning to build. Its weight distribution is remarkably balanced for added stability, and it minimizes pitching, ensuring you have the smoothest sailing. Its parts meet international quality and safety standards.
The boat’s interior structure is pretty stiff since the components are directly laminated to its hull, improving its sturdiness.
It features the proprietary Jefa steering system, which is light and highly responsive to winds, a true mark of a quality multihull. If you try out its autopilot feature, you’ll immediately notice how its rigs and hulls balance remarkably.
In a nutshell, this boat is designed to take good care of your crew.
It comes in different versions, like an owner’s version, a club version with additional berths in the owner’s hull, and a four-cabin version. Arguably, this multihull deserves to be on the list of the best and safest blue water catamarans.
Beam-to-Length Ratio | 51% | 5 | |
Helm Placement and Cockpit Protection | 7 | 360 from inside | |
Engine and Powertrain | 5 | Dual outboard 60HP | |
Build Integrity and Quality | 8 | ||
Check for Uncluttered and Flat Decks | 8 | ||
Dagger or centerboards | YES | 8 | |
Ease of handling | 6 | Very low boom, self tack | |
Offshore |
What Is The Best Sized Catamaran For Ocean Sailing?
The best-sized catamaran for ocean sailing is around 42ft; it is small enough to be sailed by one person but big enough to provide safety and speed. But, of course, there are many variables to consider, if you want to understand why, I suggest you read my article on the topic:
Best sized Catamaran for Ocean Sailing and Liveaboard?
Wrapping Up
Cruising on a catamaran can be thrilling and worthwhile, as they come with impressive features that make them the favorite option for those seeking open water adventure. They offer incredible comfort, speed, maneuverability, and room space. Besides, they’re safer than monohull boats, thanks to their twin-hull design, which uniformly distributes their load.
Nonetheless, before buying any of the cats mentioned in this article, ensure you check the following specifications about them:
- Their beam-to-length ratio
- Helm placement
- Their structural integrity and quality
- Passagemaker: The Top Catamarans of 2020
- Sail Magazine: 10 Great Cruising Cats
- Catamaran Guru: Catamaran Safety
- Dream Yacht Sales: Best Catamaran Brands Guide – 6 Top Catamarans
- Aeroyacht: Catamaran Safety
- Yachts International: Sailboat Debate: Monohull vs. Catamaran
- PureTravel: Are Catamarans Safe in Rough Seas?
- Ocean Navigator: Evaluating Modern Catamarans
- Velmundi: Catamarans – Advantages and Disadvantages
- Catamaransite: Brand: Manta 42
- Multihull Solutions: Catana Safety
- Sail Magazine: Boat Review: Outremer 45
- Instant Sailing: Lagoon 450 F: Prestige at Its Peak
- Sail Magazine: Heavy Weather Strategies When Sailing a Catamaran
- Caribbean Multihulls: Fountaine Pajot Elba 45
- Boat Safe: Best Catamarans (Plus Pro Tips and Buying Guide)
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!
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