How Fast Do Catamarans Go? 5 Examples (With Pictures)
A catamaran is generally more balanced on the water and can be faster than a multi-hull vessel.
Unless you compare them to foiling monohulls like the new America’s Cup boats that sail at over 50 knots, they are not recreational vessels.
In this article, we will look at how fast each type of catamaran will go.
Table of Contents
Here are the numbers before we dive into the details:
| Sport Catamarans | 30 knots |
| Cruising Catamarans | 15 knots |
| Racing Catamarans | 45 knots |
| Power Cruising Catamarans | 70 knots |
| Swath Catamarans | 30 knots |
Average Speed For Sailing Catamarans
Catamarans can vary in size from 14 ft to over 100 ft. Catamarans can come in a wide variety of design types.
Sailing Catamarans have been attempting to make advancements over their mono-hulled counterparts.
These advancements include:
- Foils that assist with lifting the vessel out of the water.
- Stability advancements.
- Racers that can maintain their speed while out in the ocean.
3 Different Types of Sailing Catamarans:
1) sport catamarans.
One type of sailing catamaran is a sport catamaran, which is otherwise known as recreational. These are typically supposed to have a small crew and launch and land on beaches.
Sport catamarans do not normally have living quarters and are ideal for day trips. Resorts or other rental services often use these.
These can also be used for racing.
Sport vessels have been known to travel over 30 knots but can speed over 40 knots in the proper conditions.
2) Cruising Catamarans
Another type of sailing catamaran is a cruising catamaran. These often come with complete living accommodations, so they sacrifice speed over their sportier counterparts.
They can average between 9 and 10 knots, depending on the conditions. The top speed is typically around 15 knots.
It would be best if you were careful with catamarans that have living quarters. The more you weigh it down, the less speed you will have.
3) Racing Catamarans
The final type of sailing catamaran is an ocean racing catamaran.
These boats are large and can reach over 100 feet in length.
The top speed of this type of catamaran is around 45 knots.
Because of the prize money for entering these in races, much research goes into their advancement.
Average Speed Of Power Catamarans
Catamarans with power motors fill a different type of boating category.
These are commonly used when speed and smoothness are favored over space or capacity.
Because of their stability, catamarans are good vessels for combating seasickness as well as transportation. We have a separate article here with all you should know about catamarans and (how to overcome) seasickness .
On a commercial level, these can be used for ferries for both people and vehicles. They are used for short term travel, often to or from islands.
Like sailing catamarans, there are a few types of power catamarans.
1) Power Cruising Catamarans
Similar to sailing cruising catamarans, they also have power cruising catamarans. These also have living quarters and are stable while out on the water. The speed of these vessels highly depends on the motors equipped and the size of the boat itself.
Like passenger transport or ferries, catamarans have a high speed of about 40 to 70 miles per hour.
These are made to travel at great speeds to allow their commuters the shortest possible ride to their destination.
The military also utilizes power catamarans. They use power catamarans to transport military cargo. These ships are ideal because of their speed, holding capacity, and ability to venture into shallow ports.
2) Swath Catamarans
They also have small-waterplane-area twin-hull vessels. These are called SWATHs.
These differ from the average catamaran because they also have submarine-like hulls that stay completely under the water.
Due to the hulls being submerged, they are not normally affected by waves. These are used most often in the ocean as research vessels. They can also be used for certain types of yachts. Because of their stability, they are good vessels for furniture that will not require as much securing.
These often travel between 20 and 30 knots.
Some catamarans are designed for wave piercing. These are made to pierce through waves rather than sail over them, causing them to be faster. These can be used as passenger ferries, yachts, and military vessels as well.
3) Whitewater Catamarans
There are also recreational catamarans made for whitewater travel. These are sometimes called “cata-rafts.”
They are made using two inflatable hulls connected with a scaffold. These are lightweight and perfect for whitewater sports.
They are even able to be packed away in a backpack. They can take up to 20 minutes to assemble, including inflation.
They have high speeds on white water rivers and can be most compared to a canoe, kayak, whitewater raft, or other white water vessels.
Performance Characteristics Of Catamarans
Catamarans require four times the power to double their speed. A mono-hull vessel, however, would require eight times the power to double their speed.
This is because a Catamaran has less resistance in the water.
This is also good for conserving and using less energy.
Catamarans are also more stable in the water. This stability is effective at resisting heeling or capsizing. A multi-hull vessel would require four times the force to capsize as a similar-sized mono-hull vessel.
The general sailing in a catamaran is smoother and allows for activities that are not always possible on a mono-hull sailboat.
Are Catamarans Faster than Mono-Hull Vessels?
Because catamarans have less water resistance, they are generally faster than mono-hull vessels.
This is because their hulls are smaller, which means they have a smaller bow wave to fight.
A bow wave is a wave created by the displacement of water by the bow of a ship. After a certain speed, a boat has to start hauling itself over its own bow wave.
The larger hull a ship has, the larger its bow wave will be and the more power required to fight it.
Catamarans have two small and narrow hulls, so they do not have much of an issue with their bow wave. This is one reason they are usually faster than a similar-sized mono-hull vessel.
Catamarans can be between 20-30 percent faster than their monohull counterparts.
Issues with catamarans over mono-hulls are that they can take more time to turn.
How Is The Speed Measured?
Boats commonly measure speed using GPS tracking devices to measure distance traveled. Speed while sailing is measured in knots. A knot is one nautical mile per hour, which equals about 1.15 miles per hour.
How Fast Are Catamarans Compared To Other Boat Types?
- Sailing catamarans typically average about 10 knots.
- Pontoon boats average about 20 mph.
- A powerboat cruiser can average anywhere between 30 and 50 mph.
- Cigarette boats can even reach close to 90 mph in the proper conditions.
- Sailboats average between 6 and 12 mph depending on wind conditions. This includes mono-hull between 6 to 8 mph and catamarans and trimarans between 9 and 10mph
Two different factors can determine the speed of sailing ships:
1) The hull type as listed above.
Different hulls rest in the water more or less than other types. The less of the hull that is underwater, the faster it can go.
This is because the less of the hull in the water, the less drag created while sailing.
2) The length of the boat
The longer the boat, the faster it can go. Every boat has a maximum hull speed that cannot be exceeded unless the boat can plane on the water’s surface or be lifted on hydrofoils. For most boats, the longer the boat, the higher the maximum hull speed is.
Speed Vs. Comfort Considerations For Catamarans
If you are looking for a catamaran, you have a lot of options.
You can choose to prioritize speed or comfort.
After deciding to purchase a catamaran, the type of catamaran you should look at depends on where and what you are using it for.
You will want to make sure that you look at what type of water you will be traveling in, how many people you are traveling with on average, and what type of speed you hope to achieve.
One thing you will want to keep in mind before the purchase of a catamaran is storage. If you intend to store your boat in a marina, you are often charged for two slips due to the beam, or width, of a catamaran versus the standard mono-hull vessel.
Catamarans can be beneficial for those who get seasick because they offer a steadier ride and the ability to have more open air space. Because the living quarters are not inside the hull and under the water’s surface, you have more windows and visibility.
Both sailing and power catamarans are viable options. Also, sailing catamarans can come with back-up power engines for low winds or situations such as docking in a marina.
Catamarans that have twin engines can offer more control and precision than those on a mono-hull vessel. This is good for tight and busy areas or navigating marinas.
Overall, there are plenty of options for you, and they offer many benefits over their mono-hull counterparts.
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Better Sailing
How Fast Do Catamarans Sail? Average Sailing Speed of a Catamaran
In most aspects, sailing a catamaran is very similar to sailing a monohull. If you learn to sail on a monohull then most of the skills are transferable. But, there are a couple of subtle differences that we will analyze further in this article. A catamaran is generally more balanced on the water and can be faster than a multi-hull vessel. And, cruising on a sailboat with a cat hull will be much faster than cruising on a sailboat with a monohull. Therefore, a catamaran hull is able to achieve the speeds of a racing monohull and is also more comfortable to sail on.
A tri-hull is even much better as they’re designed towards the performance end of the spectrum. And that is why they double the speed of a racing monohull. So, let’s analyze this subject further in this article and see what’s the average sailing speed of a cat. Follow me!
Catamaran Vs Monohull Speed: Are Cats Faster than Monohulls?
Not all cruising cats are always faster than an equivalent length monohull. But, many well-designed and balanced multihulls can easily surpass the speed of their monohull cousins. And, it’s not fair to mass all cats into one example, but performance cruising catamarans like the Nautitech or Neel trimarans distinguish from others. Their narrow waterline beams, hull chines, deep and fine keels, and rudders as well as efficient sail plans will typically be faster than the average cruising monohull.
“The fun of sailing is proportional to the speed of sailing”, as an American designer, L. Francis Herreshoff, said. And, it’s basically true because when we sail and see another boat heeling in the breeze, we also feel we want to do the same. This is because for many sailors speed means much more than just fun. You should, however, consider keeping your cat as light as possible if you want to maximize speed. I know that keeping your sailboat light is difficult but it’s of importance if speed is your main goal.
Keep in mind that a boat’s speed has won wars and has also been a contributor to safety. In the past, a fast warship was able to outmaneuver its adversary or escape from a boat with more firepower. And just as proven in history, the speed of a sailboat is important and provides a faster boat with more options.
Monohull VS Catamarans Differences
- When tacking, you must work hard to keep your speed consistent in the tack and always ease the mainsheet to avoid “windvaning.” When the larger mainsail on a catamaran attempts to turn the boat back towards the wind, this is known as windvaning.
- On a monohull, you must be extremely cautious about an unintended gybe. Meaning that you must gybe much more slowly. On a catamaran, you can take advantage of the increased speed and sustain it while gybing to help depower the main.
- On a monohull, and when winds increase, the boat starts heeling. This automatically informs you that you have too much sail up and it’s time to reef. And, as catamarans don’t heel, you have to be very careful when to reef the massive main. Most of the time, you will throw in the first reef at 18-20 knots of wind speed. The second reef will be put as the wind gets closer to 23-25 knots. The above-mentioned always depend on the size and type of your vessel.
Wind as a Main Factor for Speed
Thanks to tech evolutions in radar, satellite, and computer technology, a five-day forecast is as accurate as a two-day forecast was back in 1980. A multihull’s higher speed also contributes to easier and safer planning of ocean passages around weather windows since exposure time will be less. Moreover, meteorological prediction for shorter periods is far more accurate. Keep in mind that when sailing faster you also introduce the concept of apparent wind to the strategy of efficient sailing.
Multihull speed upwind? Sailing upwind, the catamaran usually experiences more apparent wind across the deck since it’s sailing faster. Therefore, the sails will feel more pressure, which will make the boat perform even better. And, of course, the concept of apparent wind contributes to the joy of sailing, as it adds another dimension to it. When sailing towards a downwind destination, fast multihulls are able to sail at smaller wind angles. Subsequently, this brings the apparent wind forward of the beam, hence optimizing the angle of attack on the sails.
While cats will fly gennakers, code-zeros, or asymmetric spinnakers, monohulls mostly set symmetric spinnakers to the poles. And most importantly, their boat speed will often cancel out the true wind and will reduce the apparent wind and performance. The faster the multihull is the more it is able to take advantage of the apparent wind and tack downwind towards its destination. Although it might be sailing twice the distance, it will arrive at the downwind mark quicker because its Velocity Made Good (VMG) will be faster.
>>Also Read: How Fast is a Laser Sailboat? Laser Sailboat Top Speed
Performance Characteristics
Bear in mind that cats require four times the power to double their speed. But, a mono-hull vessel requires eight times the power to double the speed. This is due to the fact that a cat has less resistance in the water. However, this is great in terms of conserving and using less energy. Catamarans are also more stable in the water. This stability is effective at resisting heeling or capsizing. In other words, a multi-hull vessel requires four times the force to capsize as a similar-sized mono-hull vessel.
Most of the time, sailing in a catamaran is smoother and facilitates activities that are not always possible on a mono-hull sailboat. In addition, as catamarans have less water resistance, they are generally faster than mono-hull vessels. As their hulls are smaller, this means that they have a smaller bow wave to fight. The bow wave is a wave created by the displacement of water by the bow of a ship. After a certain speed, the boat has to start hauling itself over its own bow wave. Meaning that the larger hull a boat has, the larger its bow wave will be and the more power will be required in order to fight it.
Since catamarans have two small and narrow hulls, they don’t have much of a bow wave. This is one of the reasons they are normally quicker than a monohull vessel of comparable size. Catamarans can travel at speeds of up to 30% faster than monohull boats. Catamarans have the disadvantage of taking longer to transform than monohulls.
Lastly, the thing that makes monohulls harder to sail is heeling and smaller spaces. In stronger winds, monohulls tend to heel. This results in making most tasks a bit more difficult to perform. Whether you’re heading forward to reef, trying to winch in a sail, or move about the boat, sailing on a heeling boat is always more difficult. However, cats have extra stability and room, and this allows for much easier movement around the boat as they do not heel. And, for this reason, catamarans are often considered easier to sail.
How Fast Are Catamarans Compared To Other Boat Types?
There are two main factors that determine the speed of ships. The first one is the hull type. There are hulls that stay beneath the water more or less than others. But, keep in mind that the less the hull is underwater, the faster it can go. This is due to the fact that the less of the hull underwater, the less the drag created when sailing. The other factor is the length of the boat. And, reasonably, the longer the boat, the faster it can go. Every boat has a maximum hull speed that can’t be exceeded. This can only happen in case the boat can plane on the water’s surface or be lifted on hydrofoils. For most boats, the longer the boat, the higher the maximum hull speed is.
Sailing catamarans typically average about 10 knots while pontoon boats average about 16 knots. As for powerboats, they can average anywhere between 30 and 50 mph. Most average sailboats are designed with monohulls and they average from 6 to 9 knots depending on wind conditions. Generally, sailboats average between 8 and 12 mph, again depending on weather conditions. This includes mono-hull between 6 to 8 mph and cats or trimarans between 9 and 10mph.
Speed and Comfort Considerations For Cats
You have a lot of choices if you choose to buy a catamaran. You have the option of prioritizing speed or comfort. After you’ve decided to buy a catamaran, the type of catamaran you can consider is determined by where you’ll be using it and what you’ll be doing with it. In addition, make sure that you look at what type of water you will be traveling in, your crew members, and what type of speed you want to achieve.
Storage is an important consideration to make before purchasing a catamaran. Due to the beam, or width, of a catamaran versus a regular mono-hull vessel, you are often charged for two slips if you wish to store your boat in a marina. Moreover, catamarans are a great option for those who get seasick because they have a more stable ride and more open air space. You have more windows and visibility since the living quarters are not within the hull and below the water’s surface.
Sailing and power catamarans are both great choices. In addition, for low winds or conditions such as docking in a marina, sailing catamarans may be equipped with backup power engines. Twin-engine catamarans can have more power and precision than mono-hull vessels.
>>Also Read: How Fast Can Sailboats Go?
Main Advantages of Catamarans
- Space! If you want to opt for more interior and exterior space then the two separate hulls of a catamaran can often double the amount of social space than a monohull of the same length.
- Catamarans are far more stable than monohulls. For this reason, they don’t heel when sailing, and are less prone to rocking when at anchor. This factor also contributes to comfortable sailing.
- Catamarans have a shallow draft which allows them to enter shallower areas. Keep in mind that in the South Pacific, most lagoons are 6 to 8 ft in depth. This depth doesn’t allow for monohulls to enter, but a catamaran can easily enter these areas.
- Stability is another big plus of cats. A cat isn’t that susceptible to the effects of wave action and it also doesn’t heal the way a monohull does. Therefore, it’s much easier to walk around on deck and within the interior of the cat while underway.
- In terms of speed, and mostly for downwind sailing , cats are faster than monohulls. This particularly applies to downwind runs, reaches, and broad reaches.
- More light, customizable, and airy living area. On a catamaran, the living space is usually situated in the middle of the boat and built on the bridge deck. But, in a monohull you go down into the hull where it is darker and less airy.
- More storage space and room for extra systems, provisions, and general sailing equipment. These may include air conditioning, heaters, oven, watermakers, generators, larger fridges, and freezers, etc. And, if you’re a liveaboard, then living on a cat is far more comfortable than living in a sailboat. You have more interior, exterior, and storage space as well as stability and speed in terms of sailing performance.
- Many modern cats have flybridge helms. And of course, no monohull achieves this visibility from the helm provided on most modern catamarans.
- The galley, main salon, and cockpit are all located on one level , above the waterline.
- Because the majority of living space is above the waterline , there’s a better flow of ventilation on a cat making the need for air conditioning somewhat less important during the daylight hours.
- When you plan to set sail, you almost never have to rush around stowing stuff or using bungee cords to hold things in place. Except in relatively rough waters, most things stay put.
- Since catamarans lack a large, heavy keel filled with lead, they can float even if they’re holed. Production cats are constructed with so much buoyancy that sinking them is nearly impossible.
- Catamarans are usually easy to dock because you have two motors and two rudders. Additionally, there’s also no need for a bow thruster.
- Most catamarans are able to turn 360 degrees within their own length.
Average Sailing Speed of Catamarans
| Sport Catamarans | 30 knots |
| Cruising Catamarans | 15 knots |
| Racing Catamarans | 45 knots |
| Power Cruising Catamarans | 70 knots |
| Swath Catamarans | 30 knots |
How Fast Do Catamarans Sail? – The Bottom Line
Bear in mind that not all catamarans are created equal. In other words, catamaran speed is relative. The most important benefit of the speed of a multihull is the ability to outrun bad weather. Meaning that you’re able to average 9-10 knots on a catamaran rather than 6-7 knots on a monohull. Subsequently, this will give you more options in your strategy to avoid bad weather. In general, sailing catamarans typically average about 10 knots. Higher maximum and average speeds are what makes cats distinguish as well as their stability. These are the most important characteristics which makes many sailors prefer cats rather than monohull boats.
Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.
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Sail GP: how do supercharged racing yachts go so fast? An engineer explains
Head of Engineering, Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering, Solent University
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Jonathan Ridley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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Sailing used to be considered as a rather sedate pastime. But in the past few years, the world of yacht racing has been revolutionised by the arrival of hydrofoil-supported catamarans, known as “foilers”. These vessels, more akin to high-performance aircraft than yachts, combine the laws of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics to create vessels capable of speeds of up to 50 knots, which is far faster than the wind propelling them.
An F50 catamaran preparing for the Sail GP series recently even broke this barrier, reaching an incredible speed of 50.22 knots (57.8mph) purely powered by the wind. This was achieved in a wind of just 19.3 knots (22.2mph). F50s are 15-metre-long, 8.8-metre-wide hydrofoil catamarans propelled by rigid sails and capable of such astounding speeds that Sail GP has been called the “ Formula One of sailing ”. How are these yachts able to go so fast? The answer lies in some simple fluid dynamics.
As a vessel’s hull moves through the water, there are two primary physical mechanisms that create drag and slow the vessel down. To build a faster boat you have to find ways to overcome the drag force.
The first mechanism is friction. As the water flows past the hull, a microscopic layer of water is effectively attached to the hull and is pulled along with the yacht. A second layer of water then attaches to the first layer, and the sliding or shearing between them creates friction.
On the outside of this is a third layer, which slides over the inner layers creating more friction, and so on. Together, these layers are known as the boundary layer – and it’s the shearing of the boundary layer’s molecules against each other that creates frictional drag.
A yacht also makes waves as it pushes the water around and under the hull from the bow (front) to the stern (back) of the boat. The waves form two distinctive patterns around the yacht (one at each end), known as Kelvin Wave patterns.
These waves, which move at the same speed as the yacht, are very energetic. This creates drag on the boat known as the wave-making drag, which is responsible for around 90% of the total drag. As the yacht accelerates to faster speeds (close to the “hull speed”, explained later), these waves get higher and longer.
These two effects combine to produce a phenomenon known as “ hull speed ”, which is the fastest the boat can travel – and in conventional single-hull yachts it is very slow. A single-hull yacht of the same size as the F50 has a hull speed of around 12 mph.
However, it’s possible to reduce both the frictional and wave-making drag and overcome this hull-speed limit by building a yacht with hydrofoils . Hydrofoils are small, underwater wings. These act in the same way as an aircraft wing, creating a lift force which acts against gravity, lifting our yacht upwards so that the hull is clear of the water.
While an aircraft’s wings are very large, the high density of water compared to air means that we only need very small hydrofoils to produce a lot of the important lift force. A hydrofoil just the size of three A3 sheets of paper, when moving at just 10 mph, can produce enough lift to pick up a large person.
This significantly reduces the surface area and the volume of the boat that is underwater, which cuts the frictional drag and the wave-making drag, respectively. The combined effect is a reduction in the overall drag to a fraction of its original amount, so that the yacht is capable of sailing much faster than it could without hydrofoils.
The other innovation that helps boost the speed of racing yachts is the use of rigid sails . The power available from traditional sails to drive the boat forward is relatively small, limited by the fact that the sail’s forces have to act in equilibrium with a range of other forces, and that fabric sails do not make an ideal shape for creating power. Rigid sails, which are very similar in design to an aircraft wing, form a much more efficient shape than traditional sails, effectively giving the yacht a larger engine and more power.
As the yacht accelerates from the driving force of these sails, it experiences what is known as “ apparent wind ”. Imagine a completely calm day, with no wind. As you walk, you experience a breeze in your face at the same speed that you are walking. If there was a wind blowing too, you would feel a mixture of the real (or “true” wind) and the breeze you have generated.
The two together form the apparent wind, which can be faster than the true wind. If there is enough true wind combined with this apparent wind, then significant force and power can be generated from the sail to propel the yacht, so it can easily sail faster than the wind speed itself.
The combined effect of reducing the drag and increasing the driving power results in a yacht that is far faster than those of even a few years ago. But all of this would not be possible without one further advance: materials. In order to be able to “fly”, the yacht must have a low mass, and the hydrofoil itself must be very strong. To achieve the required mass, strength and rigidity using traditional boat-building materials such as wood or aluminium would be very difficult.
This is where modern advanced composite materials such as carbon fibre come in. Production techniques optimising weight, rigidity and strength allow the production of structures that are strong and light enough to produce incredible yachts like the F50.
The engineers who design these high-performance boats (known as naval architects ) are always looking to use new materials and science to get an optimum design. In theory, the F50 should be able to go even faster.
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A Complete Catamaran Guide
- Post Written By: Boater Jer
- Published: January 26, 2020
- Updated: November 27, 2020
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There you are, out on the water when a strange craft approaches. Is it a sailboat? It sure looks like one until it turns to face you. That’s when you notice this boat doesn’t have just one hull. It has two hulls and it’s called a catamaran.
Catamarans are unique, and highly stable watercraft. We’ll explore all the ins and outs of sailing the waters in one of these weird, and awesome multi-hulled craft. Join me as we explore the wild world of sailing catamarans.
A History Of The Catamaran
It is believed that the first people to use a catamaran design were those living in Australasia.
The succession of boat design in this region was actually very interesting. The beginning of boats in the area was simple, albeit conventional rafts. These were fashioned from logs strewn together with plant fiber lashings such as those formed using bamboo fiber.
Catamaran Evolution
The conventional raft gave way to a minimal raft. This design was basically a conventional raft with two cross beams added in the form of logs. These would be eventually hollowed out to improve buoyancy.
The next step in the evolution of boats in the Australasian region was the double canoe. This proved to be the first real catamarans.
After some time, the form evolved further into the asymmetrical double canoe design. In this design, one canoe was large and the other attached canoe was smaller.
The asymmetrical design quickly evolved into the single-outrigger boat like the one shown in the photo below.
The final stage of the evolution of the catamaran in the region was to gain a second outrigger. This in effect created the trimaran with the single central hull and dual outriggers.
Eye Witness Accounts Of Catamarans
In 1697, William Dampier wrote of witnessing a type of seafaring vessel off the coast of Coromandel. He noted how the locals called the type of boat a catamaran. He also noted that it had multiple hulls (logs) and that they were small vessels that the person operating would have to hang partway into the water, straddling the hull (log).
The name catamaran came from the Tamil. And yet, it was easily applied by the European visitors to the two hulled sailing vessels that sped across the water in the region.
Although Dampier may have described the catamaran in the 1690s, the type of boat was actually used as early as the 5th century by the Tamil Chola dynasty. They used boats to move their troops from one island to another. Using this design of boat allowed them to travel heavy, travel quickly and was partially responsible for the conquering of neighboring Burma, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Building A Boat – Basics Of Catamaran Construction
A boat is usually thought of as being a single-hulled vessel that travels along the surface of the water. It can have multiple types, shapes, and designs of the hull. However, it is often only thought of as having a single hull. But, what if it had two hulls? Would that be like taking two separate boats, and making a raft over both of them? In essence, that is exactly what a catamaran is: two boats made into one.
Advantages Of Multiple Hulls
- More stability than a monohull
- Wide supporting base allows for larger sails than monohull craft of the same length
- Hull does not require the deep-running keel of a standard monohull sailboat
- Less hull drag in the water than a monohull
- Less power required to drive a catamaran forward than a monohull boat
Disadvantages Of Multiple Hulls
- Due to multiple hulls, construction is more expensive than a monohull design
- Catamaran speed relies on lightweight materials to make a lightweight craft. This also drives up the cost of construction.
- Extra engineering requirements for multi-hull craft also increase the cost of construction.
Conclusion? Well, it looks to me like everything about catamarans points towards superiority over monohulls in nearly every way. But, you get what you pay for. I think the same thing likely applies to cars too. For instance, I have a performance car that cost me about 10k more than the equivalent non-sports car within the same class.
Yet to drive the vehicle, it performs so much better than the normal version of the car, it really speaks volumes to the difference between a common vehicle, and a performance one.
Speaking of performance vehicles, let’s take a look now at the different kinds and uses of a catamaran.
Catamaran Types
Commercial catamarans – ferries.
One of the most common uses for a catamaran is the commercial use of the vehicle design when it comes to ferries. This is likely due to the wide, flat deck possibilities of a catamaran versus a monohulled boat. Not only that, but the catamaran is also a much more stable bodied vessel. This again makes it a superior design for transporting larger land vessels like trucks and so forth. They can easily drive on the ferry without fear of the ferry tipping over.
Some ferries are designed for taking vehicles, like the one you might find in the city of Toronto. Where it transports cars from the mainland to Toronto Island. Others are designed specifically with the sole purpose of transporting people. I took a look at one such ferry that operates in Germany. Take a look at the following case study.
Commercial Use Case Study – The Ferry
The FRS Helgoline is a ferry catamaran operating out of Flensburg, Germany, close to the Danish border.
According to the ferry company’s website, the ferry runs using four main engines which are run to a capacity of 12,182 hp combined. This blasts this ferry at a speed of 35 knots or 65 km/hour. This is equivalent to 40 miles per hour. That’s pretty good considering the size and weight of the ship body this catamaran can carry.
Speaking of capacity, the ship can carry 680 passengers. At 56.4 meters long (185 feet) by 14 meters wide (45.9 feet), that’s a decent passenger capacity.
Catamaran Passenger Capacity Versus Monohull Boat Passenger Capacity
The general rule for calculating passenger capacity for a boat is as follows.
Length x Width / 15 = Passenger Capacity
Therefore, the FRS Helgoline should have a calculated capacity calculated as follows.
185 x 45.9 / 15 = 566
But it actually has a capacity of 680 which is a 20% increase in capacity over a standard monohull.
For comparison, let’s look at a superyacht. A 48.5m (159 feet) long by 10.7m (35 feet) beam (width of the boat) Palmer Johnson Supersport 48 (valued at about $28.5 million dollars) should have a capacity calculated as follows.
159 x 35 / 15 = 371
In short, 26 feet of difference in length equates to 309 fewer passengers. It is almost half of the capacity of the catamaran at 26 feet longer length.
Photo courtesy of https://sysyachtsales.com/
Commercial Catamarans – Service Vehicles
Although Catamarans are typically used as ferries due to their stability and ability to carry wide loads on their flat decks, there are many different service catamarans out there as well. From a support vessel to a crew transfer or search and rescue, catamarans are a solid and stable platform to build a ship on.
This is the Ardea which is a 20 meter (65.6 feet) catamaran to be used for crew transport and as a support ship. This ship was built by the Echo Marine Group and delivered to Western Australia in early 2019. This particular vessel is in the service of the Cape Preston Sino Iron Project.
Catamarans are used all around the world, for a variety of tasks, not just ferries or support craft.
Commercial Catamarans – Cruise Lines
Now these are the catamarans we all want to be aboard, aren’t they? Due to the wide stance, these ships can feature massive halls and wide-open interior areas. These ships are stable, and some would say even more stable and safer than monohull design ships.
There are many cruise ship catamarans in use today around the world. Some of the more ‘famous’ catamaran cruises are those which investigate the Galapagos Islands. There are several high-end, small fleet, cruise lines operating to the Galapagos which utilize catamaran design vessels as their primary ship type.
These ships can be extremely comfortable and stable and often offer some reprieve to those who may otherwise feel seasick. It won’t stop the feeling, but the more stable the hull, the less the boat rocks around.
Military Catamarans
Catamarans make excellent military transport vessels. They are stable and the potential to have a large, flat and wide deck for transporting land craft, troops or acting as a landing pad for vertical take-off aerial craft. The stability of the two hulls makes the vessel an excellent candidate for military use, and thus it is used for said purpose.
As you can clearly see in the image of the USNS Spearhead, the rear of the vessel has a moveable ramp that can be used for loading and unloading land vehicles. The interior bay of the craft is visible in the image as well, a large area for storage of vehicles, supplies and more. The crane arm on the back of the ship also shows how it is a versatile craft, set up to act as an excellent support craft with a helicopter landing pad and ample storage and freight capacity.
Recreational Catamarans
Catamaran Personal WatercraftThe wind is in your hair, the warm spray from the hull cutting over the edge of each wave as you skip over the water. That is life, let me tell you. Personal watercraft have come a long way over the years and the small one, two, three and four-person catamarans have come a long way as well.
Depending on the options, you can get a small one or two-person catamaran for as little as $1500 new. That might be an inflatable though. There are some very nice, rigid hull designed catamarans for 1-4 people that range from $3500 to $15000. And these are basically open, personal watercraft like that shown in the image below.
Using a small catamaran can be quite challenging to learn at first. Sailing is not for the faint of heart. It requires skill, technique, knowledge of the wind and sea, and a bit of hard work. But it can be fun, rewarding and a great way to catch some sun and fresh air out on the water. It’s a relatively GREEN sport as well. Given the use of sails over gas-powered motors that is.
‘Sailing Cats’ – Sailing Catamarans – Yacht & Luxury Class
Here’s where we get into the dreamy boats of the rich and famous. I priced out a small 43’ luxury Leopard 40 sailing catamaran. Even before I added any extras at all, the base price was $399,000 USD. I imagine if I added a few of the multiple extras available, and some tax, freight and that sort of thing, I’m easily in half a million dollars. And that’s the smallest base model.
There are all kinds of luxury catamaran shipbuilders across the world. From Asia to Europe and The Americas, it seems any major boating country has at least one company building luxury catamarans. It’s weird that you don’t see more of them on the water though, don’t you think?
Being sailing vessels, these luxury cats require some training in sailing before you get behind the wheel. And considering the price point, I would definitely want to be at least a semi-decent sailor with some good few years experience under my belt before I would comfortable at the helm of a half-million-dollar sailing cat. It’s all relative I suppose. I imagine a billionaire might bat an eye at the prospect of wrecking a half-million-dollar boat. But to me, and most of you reading this, that’s likely a lot of money.
‘Power Cats’ – Powered Catamarans
The powered catamaran is one of my favorite boats. They have sort of a muscle car appearance with the wide and often tall front end of the boats. I find it to be reminiscent of a large air intake on the front hood of a rally race car like the Subaru WRX, for instance. These boats are fast, they are stable and handle very well. Catamarans are often considered the boat of choice for long sea voyages due to their stability.
A powered catamaran will definitely cost more than a powered monohull boat of the same length. Why? Well, the powered catamaran has one crucial downside. That is, it needs two engines. One for each of the two hulls. Otherwise, it’s off balance for propulsion. These two engines or motors have to be in sync with each other or again, the propulsion will be off-balance. Because they have two motors, they have double the maintenance when it comes to maintaining the propulsion system.
More components also means a greater chance of things breaking down. In essence, it doubles the chances of the ship having a motor break down. The saving grace is that should one motor break, they have a backup, even if it does mean very unbalanced propulsion. In contrast, a monohull vessel of the same length may only have half the chance of motor failure due to only having one motor, but if that one motor breaks, then what? Call for help, that’s what. A cat would have a struggling chance to get itself back to port. A monohull would be dead in the water unless it was carrying spare parts or another motor onboard somewhere.
Catamaran Frequently Asked Questions
What is a catamaran cruise.
A catamaran cruise is simply a cruise on a dual hull design boat. Often used for river cruises, the catamaran which is used as cruise ships are often considerably smaller than their giant monohulled counterparts.
What is the purpose of a catamaran?
A catamaran is a design for a boat that utilizes two hulls. Due to the flat, platform-like-potential for the deck of the boat, the catamaran is often purposed with transporting materials, vehicles, and people. For instance, catamarans are quite often used as ferries.
Is catamaran safe?
Catamaran are very safe water craft. The design of riding on two hulls separated by a gap in between, in essence is like giving a car a double-wide wheel base. The wider the stance, the more stable the craft, from side to side anyway. And if the length of the boat is proportional to the width, then it becomes an extremely stable craft. That is why catamarans are often considered the best to be used for long voyages. Yes, catamaran are safe.
What is the difference between a catamaran and a sailboat?
A traditional sailboat is a deep, monohull vessel that has at least one mast extending high into the air above the deck to hold sails. A catamaran refers to the design of a dual-hull boat and really has nothing to do with sails. Although, catamaran do make excellent sailing boats as well, they are quite capable of acting as power boats and do not require sails if they have the correct amount of powered motors to propel them. Sailboats, although also able to be powered if a motor is provided, are traditionally monohull and wind-powered exclusively.
Do catamarans have small interiors?
The size of an interior cabin on a boat is typically proportional to the size of the boat itself. If a catamaran has above-deck cabins, they will likely be able to be of a larger design than those you would find on deck of a monohull boat. This is because a catamaran has a much wider footprint than a monohull boat of the same length. This extra width would allow for larger on deck cabins.
How much does a catamaran cost?
A personal watercraft (1-2 person) inflatable catamaran will run you anywhere from $1500-$12000 USD, depending on the quality and features. The rigid hull catamarans of the same size start at about $4500 USD.
A small cabin cruiser type of catamaran will typically start at about $60000 for a small base model and the price just goes up and up depending on size and features.
For Instance, a 40’, 3 cabin with 1 washroom cat will cost you about $500,000 USD for the base model. They are considerably more expensive that a monohull of the same length. However, the trade-off is greater stability and a smoother, more comfortable ride.
Is a catamaran more work to maintain?
Technically yes. Due to having two hulls and if powered, two motors and likely also water jets, this means you have double the oil changes of a boat that would have a single motor. Once you get past the basic engine and hull maintenance, a catamaran is not that much more work than a monohull ship of the same length.
The trouble with catamarans in terms of maintenance, is that once they reach a certain length, the width becomes more than a standard lane on the road. That being said, if you ever need to transport the boat via land, it can be quite the challenge. Especially if you need to pay to have a police escort for an extra-wide trailer. And special licensing might be involved as well.
What is the difference between a catamaran and a trimaran?
A catamaran is a dual hull boat. In other words, it has two hulls. A trimaran has three hulls.
Is a catamaran considered a yacht?
According to Oxford dictionary, a yacht is a medium-sized sailboat equipped for cruising or racing. A catamaran, on the other hand, is a boat with two hulls. Therefore, a catamaran can most certainly also be a yacht. And likewise, if a yacht has two hulls, then it is a catamaran as well.
Can you get seasick on a catamaran?
Seasickness occurs when a person feels nauseous from the swaying motion of a rocking ship. These feelings may be lessened on a catamaran, due to their extra stability. However, a catamaran may be slightly more stable than a monohull of the same length, but it is still a boat. And it will still make someone who experiences seasickness continue to feel the ill effects.
Are catamarans more stable in rough seas?
Catamarans are known to be more stable than monohull ships of the same length. This is why catamarans are often the ship type of choice for long sea voyages due to their stability.
Why do catamarans capsize?
Catamarans are not known for capsizing. The larger vessels that is anyway. But, it does happen from time to time. Catamarans are known for their stability, so typically if a capsize event should occur, it is typical for them to be extreme circumstances.
Personal watercraft catamarans are a different story though. These are in fact known for tipping over. Not because they are less stable than their monohull counterparts of the same length. But instead, because they are able to go considerably faster than monohull personal watercraft of the same length (not including powered craft though). This is due to the sailing cats being able to have a larger sail than a small monohull sailboat of the same length.
Due to the extra sail, they are able to travel faster than monohull sailboats of the same length. This allows them to whip around on the water and at higher speeds, whipping your cat about quick can easily send it over sideways. Extra speed means fast turns carry momentum in the direction of travel and that extra speed equates to tipping over if turned too fast. To sum up, they capsize due to user error or extreme events.
Which is safer, a catamaran or a monohull?
Due to the extra stability of having a wider footprint than a monohull, a catamaran of the same length is the safer vessel.
Are catamarans safer than sailboats?
The same rule applies to stability versus the length of the hull. A cat will always be the more stable length for length. However, due to their ability to go much faster than a monohull sailboat, this kind of cancels out some of the added safety due to stability. With that in mind, they may just be about the same but there is one generalization we can make when comparing the safety of catamarans vs sailboats: At the same speed, and of equal length, sailing or power catamaran will be safer than a monohull sailboat.
How fast can catamarans go?
The speed a catamaran can go is entirely dependent upon the hull design, weight of the vessel, the strength of propulsion (be it wind or powered) and so on. The general rule is that in terms of sailing cats vs monohull sailboats, a cat of equal length can typically go faster than a sailboat.
In terms of powered cats vs powerboats, a powered catamaran will typically require less energy to move forward than a monohull of the same sort of hull design (but monohull of course) and thus a cat should, in theory, be able to go faster than a monohull when both are using propulsion that is equal in power.
Bibliography
- Wikipedia – Catamarans
- Mahdi, Waruno (1999). “The Dispersal of Austronesian boat forms in the Indian Ocean”. In Blench, Roger; Spriggs, Matthew (eds.). Archaeology and Language III: Artefacts languages, and texts . One World Archaeology. 34 . Routledge. pp. 144–179. ISBN 0415100542 .
- Wikipedia – Spearhead -class expeditionary fast transport
- https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/169516/Origin-of-the-catamaran/#vars!panel=1620923!
- https://www.austal.com/ships/passenger-express-56
- https://www.adventure-life.com/galapagos/galapagos-catamaran-cruises
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What are the Fastest Cruising Catamaran on the Market?
For those who love the thrill of the open sea, speed is an essential element of their sailing experience. For years, catamarans have been a top choice for sailors who want to explore while enjoying the benefits of speed, comfort , and luxury. In recent years, the trend towards high-end fast catamarans has exploded. If you are looking for speed combined with affordable luxury, look no further than the fastest catamarans on the market.
How fast can cruising catamarans usually go?
Cruising catamarans can reach speeds that can exceed their respective theoretical hull speed thanks to their light weight, generous amounts of sail area, and minimized wetted surface area. It is not uncommon for them to reach sailing speeds of 30 knots or more. They can also offer better stability than a monohull, making them an ideal choice for long ocean passages.
What Makes the Fastest Catamarans on the Market more Rapid Than the Others?
When it comes to catamarans, Gunboat is a brand that stands out from the crowd. Known for their exceptional quality, performance, and luxurious design, Gunboat delivers a unique sailing experience that has captivated the attention of sailors around the world. Their latest offerings – the Gunboat 68, 72V, and 80 – are perfect examples of the brand’s commitment to delivering top-of-the-line sailing yachts that offer the best of both worlds: the performances of a racer in a luxury cruiser catamaran.
The Gunboat 68 is a spacious and comfortable yacht that boasts an internal helm station and sophisticated lounging areas. With room for up to six cabins, including a spacious master, and a forward cockpit, the Gunboat 68 offers everything that sailors could ask for in a luxury catamaran. But don’t be fooled by its luxurious design – the Gunboat 68 also offers exceptional performance, making it a true racer’s yacht.
The Gunboat 80 takes everything that sailors loved about the Gunboat 68 and ramps it up to the next level, with even more space and more advanced features. Designed for sailors who demand the very best, the Gunboat 80 offers a cruising experience like no other. And as with all Gunboat yachts, performance is at the forefront of its design. Expect nothing less than exceptional sailing speeds and adrenaline-pumping races.
But perhaps the most exciting development in the Gunboat lineup is the new 72V. This unique yacht is a bit of a gamble for the brand as it features a flybridge. But don’t think that this will make it any less of a racer – the 72V is designed to be streamlined compared to traditional production catamarans, and it still offers exceptional speed and performance. And with a flybridge helm station, sailors can look forward to even more control and a truly immersive sailing experience.
“Cruisers do not understand the massive difference between a racer and cruiser, with tremendous emphasis on weight and performance.” Gunboat understands that difference all too well, and their commitment to pushing the limits of what is possible with luxury cruiser catamarans is what sets them apart. Gunboat is leading the way in the world of high-performance luxury sailing, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Read also: INTRODUCING THE NEW GUNBOAT 72V “WONDERFUL”: THE ULTIMATE FLYBRIDGE CATAMARAN
HH Catamarans
HH Catamarans may be a relatively new player in the world of high-performance cruising yachts, but they have quickly risen to become one of the most respected names in the industry. Built in Xiamen, China, by the same contractor that once had built Gunboats, HH Catamarans are designed to offer an unparalleled level of luxury combined with the ultimate sailing performance.
When HH Catamarans emerged in the market a decade ago, they had to make a crucial decision about what kind of boat they wanted to create. Ultimately, they decided to prioritize speed and performance over everything else, a decision that has drawn praise from seasoned sailors. Their boats range from 44ft to 88ft in length, all featuring exceptional craftsmanship and engineering.
One of the crucial features on HH Catamarans is their hydraulics and smart deck planning. Combined with their captive winches, these features allow sailors to get the boat off the mooring, sails up, and cruising at speeds up to 20 knots in just four minutes. This level of speed and agility is unparalleled in the world of cruising catamarans.
In addition to their performance and speed, HH Catamarans boast quality construction that makes them the strongest yachts possible without adding significant weight. Carbon and epoxy are used to create the strongest possible hull, while all lines run under-deck to create an uncluttered walkway. The stanchions are also a generous 900mm tall, providing necessary safety when sailing with friends and family. The continuous, unbroken toe rail runs the length of the deck, enhancing the boat’s aesthetics while keeping the structure stable.
Overall, HH Catamarans has carved out its niche in the ultra-luxury sailing market, offering high-performance cruising catamarans that deliver both speed and comfort in equal measure. Every detail has been carefully thought out, from the construction of the hull to the onboard technology and smart deck planning, delivering an unparalleled sailing experience for those who want to push their yachts to the limit.
The Kinetics Catamaran’s Unmatched Velocity and Beyond
Founded in 2018, Kinetic Catamarans is a US company based in Knysna, South Africa. Their team consists of Bob Hayward, a successful US real estate developer, co-founder of Summit Entertainment, and farmer, and Leon Scheepers, a highly respected South African boatbuilder with extensive expertise in multihull production. Both share a deep love for sailing and a strong commitment to improving the boating industry.
Their main goal is to build luxury performance cruising catamarans of the highest caliber. In 2021, they proudly achieved this goal when the KC54 received prestigious accolades shortly after its launch. The Cruising World Magazine awarded it the Boat of the Year in the Judges Special Recognition category, and it was also named the Best Large Multihull (50ft and above) by SAIL Magazine.
Nevertheless, Kinetic Catamarans has been making waves in the boating industry with their luxury performance cruising catamarans, and their latest model, the KC62 , takes their offerings to a whole new level. This vessel boasts unmatched velocity and beyond and is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the Kinetic team.
One of the standout features of the KC62 is its lightweight design. The use of chemically-strengthened glass for the 360° windows, combined with other weight-saving measures, has resulted in a vessel that is both faster and more fuel-efficient than other catamarans in its class. In fact, the KC62 has been clocked at speeds of up to 30 knots!
But this vessel isn’t just about speed. It also offers unmatched comfort and luxury for its passengers. The spacious double cabins are outfitted with abundant clothing storage and en-suite bathrooms, while the saloons provide a cozy space for relaxing and socializing. The use of designer tables and stools and the latest appliances adds a touch of elegance to an already luxurious experience.
While the KC62 shares many of the features of other Kinetic catamarans, it also has its own unique touches that set it apart. For example, the vessel has two helm stations on each quarter and another one inside, as well as a forward cockpit that doubles as a leisure zone. This forward cockpit provides a cool and breezy spot for passengers to relax and take in the stunning scenery.
All of Kinetic’s vessels are designed by the highly experienced and innovative Simonis Voogd Design BV, and the KC62 is no exception. This vessel is a testament to the collaborative effort of a team dedicated to creating the highest quality, most luxurious catamarans on the water today.
Conclusion:
The market for fast cruiser catamarans is growing, with more brands and models being developed each year. These catamarans offer high performance, stability, and luxury, making them an ideal choice for adventurous sailors who want to explore the world in style. While the fastest catamarans on the market may come with a hefty price tag, the experience of sailing on one of these vessels is second to none. With their impressive speeds and luxurious amenities, it is no surprise that more and more sailors are turning to fast cruiser catamarans for their next adventure on the water.
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How is Catamaran Sailing Different from Monohull Sailing?
Sailing a catamaran is very similar to sailing a monohull in most aspects. If you learn to sail on a monohull, most of the skills are easily transferable. However, there are a couple of subtle differences that one has to be aware of:
- When tacking, you must work hard to maintain your speed throughout the tack and often need to ease your mainsheet to prevent “windvaning”. Windvaning is when the larger mainsail on a catamaran tries to turn the boat back into the wind.
- When gybing on a monohull, you must be very careful of an accidental gybe, and so you gybe much more slowly. On a catamaran, you can use the increased speed to your advantage and maintain speed while gybing to help depower the main.
- On a monohull, as winds increase, the boat starts heeling which lets you know that you have too much sail up and it’s time to reef. On a catamaran, because they do not heel, you have to be very careful in terms of when to reef the massive main. Typically, you will throw in the first reef at 18-20 knots of wind speed (depending on the size of your vessel) and put in a second reef as the wind gets closer to 23-25 kts)
Most aspects of sailing a catamaran are very similar to a monohull, so making the transition to a sailing catamaran is usually not that challenging of a process!
Why are Catamarans Popular?
Catamarans have exploded in popularity in the last 5 years! There are many advantages to catamarans over monohulls.
- Much more space on a catamaran!
- Catamarans are far more stable than monohulls so they do not heel when sailing, and are less prone to rocking when at anchor. Making for a much more comfortable boat!
- Catamarans have a shallow draft which allows them to enter shallower areas. In the South Pacific, most lagoons are 6-8 feet deep. This is too shallow for monohulls to enter, but a catamaran can easily enter these lagoons.
- Speed: Often, especially downwind, catamarans are faster than monohulls
- More light and airy living area. On a catamaran, the living space is usually up in the middle of the boat, built on the bridge deck whereas in a monohull you go down into the hull where it is darker and feels less open.
- More storage space and room for extra systems like air conditioning, water makers, generators, larger fridges and freezers, etc… Again, having room for all these amenities makes for more comfortable living.
What is a Catamaran?
A catamaran is a sailboat with two hulls. These two hulls are connected by a bridge deck. Many people will be familiar with Hobie cats, small catamarans that are popular for sailing on lakes and in calmer waters. Cruising catamarans are based on this same principle but have large hulls that can fit many cabins inside, and house large structures on the bridge deck (like a galley, salon and living area).
Are catamarans safer than monohull sailboats?
Great question! Catamarans are much more stable than monohulls, and so people are less likely to fall overboard, which does make them safer in this aspect. They are larger, more stable boats, and so in most situations, this will make them a “safer” sailboat than a comparably sized monohull.
Catamarans also have the advantage of having 2 engines, which makes them “safer” when it comes to engine problems. On a monohull sailboat , if you have major engine problems you only have the option of sailing. On a catamaran, you always have a second motor ready to help out in an emergency!
Are catamarans easier to sail?
What makes monohulls harder to sail is heeling and more confined spaces. In stronger winds monohulls heel, making most tasks a little more difficult to manage. Whether you are going forward to reef, trying to winch in a sail or moving about the boat, sailing on a heeling boat is more challenging. Catamarans, however, because of their extra stability and room, allow for much easier movement around the boat as they do not heel. For this reason, catamarans are often considered “easier” to sail.
Can a catamaran cross the Atlantic?
Definitely! Early on many catamarans and trimarans were home-built from kits, and many of these boats gave catamarans a bad rap for offshore sailing. For decades now the major catamaran manufacturers have been improving these amazing vessels, and now catamarans are safe, stable and fast on offshore passages. In 2020 we completed an Atlantic crossing in our very own Never Say Never Lagoon 400S2 catamaran.
How fast does a catamaran sail?
Not all catamarans are created equal. Many of the production catamarans like Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot and Leopard are designed for cruising. This means that they are willing to sacrifice some performance in the interest of comfort for their owners and crew. These boats still are often faster than a monohull of comparable size when on a beam reach or downwind point of sail, often seeing speeds in the double digits. Upwind, catamarans do not usually have the same ability to point into the wind (as they have shorter, stubbier keels) and do not travel as quickly.
Some high-performance catamarans from manufacturers like Outremer, Gunboat and HH, make incredibly fast catamarans that can achieve speeds in the high teens and low 20s under ideal conditions.
Want to learn more?
Learning to sail a catamaran has it’s differences from monohulls. If you are planning on sailing catamarans, then it’s best to spend a week onboard one learning how to sail and operate these vessels. We offer catamaran sailing courses in the Grenadines (Caribbean), Sea of Cortez (Mexico), Mallorca (Spain) and Tahiti (South Pacific).
Our week-long live aboard courses truly are an incredible experience! You will spend the week learning over 100 different skills and learn to comfortably sail and operate the vessel. Upon successful completion of the course, you will earn ASA certification 101, 103, 104 and 114 (up to Cruising Catamaran certification) which allows you to charter catamarans internationally.
This intensive course will give you the knowledge, skills and experience to charter catamarans, or help you set sail on your vessel! All while having a blast, snorkelling, hiking and exploring exclusive bays.
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August 30, 2022. Catamarans are known for their speed, and some vessels are fast enough to break world sailing speed records. Catamarans can go between 15 and 30 knots, with the fastest achieving speeds well in excess of 60 knots. Sailing catamarans are sometimes twice as fast as monohulls and cut through the water with greater efficiency.
Still, cruising catamarans can be great racing boats, but just how fast can they go? Some of the fastest cruising catamarans include the Gunboat 68 (35 knots), Outremer 45 (25 knots), ORC50 (25 knots), FastCat 435 (20 knots), TS 42 (35 knots), and Lagoon 440 (20 knots). Yet, there are many more cats that can reach 35 knots safely.
Sailing catamarans typically average about 10 knots. Pontoon boats average about 20 mph. A powerboat cruiser can average anywhere between 30 and 50 mph. Cigarette boats can even reach close to 90 mph in the proper conditions. Sailboats average between 6 and 12 mph depending on wind conditions.
Sailing cruising catamarans can travel at an average of 9-15 knots and max out around 35 kts. Power Cruising catamarans have a maximum speed of 70 knots but averages around 20-25 kts. How fast a catamaran can go also depends on the load it is carrying, its structural design, and its engine power.
How Fast Do Catamarans Sail? - The Bottom Line. Bear in mind that not all catamarans are created equal. In other words, catamaran speed is relative. The most important benefit of the speed of a multihull is the ability to outrun bad weather. Meaning that you're able to average 9-10 knots on a catamaran rather than 6-7 knots on a monohull.
That being said, the average speed of racing sailboats is 15 knots (17 mph). On the other hand, the average speed of cruising sailboats is 4-6 knots (4.5-7 mph) and can attain a top speed of 7 knots (8 mph). In essence, cruise speeds of over 8 knots are quite normal.
An F50 catamaran preparing for the Sail GP series recently even broke this barrier, reaching an incredible speed of 50.22 knots (57.8mph) purely powered by the wind. This was achieved in a wind of ...
How fast can catamarans go? The speed a catamaran can go is entirely dependent upon the hull design, weight of the vessel, the strength of propulsion (be it wind or powered) and so on. The general rule is that in terms of sailing cats vs monohull sailboats, a cat of equal length can typically go faster than a sailboat.
Berman isn't alone in his use of fiberglass. "You don't need to go full-carbon to get a lightweight boat," says Raphael Blot, who has teamed up with Australian builder McConaghy to build the MC²60 (Blot owns the first MC²60). "Proof being, we're slightly above nine tons, while some 60-foot carbon cats are over 15 tons.".
Forget about those fantastic America's Cup yachts or those multihull go-fast fishing boats for a few minutes. I have had experience cruising and living aboard both catamarans and monohulls. For five years, my wife and I enjoyed catamaran sailing on a Lagoon 380. We then switched—for many reasons—to a Cabo Rico 38.
The Fastest Cruising Catamarans Currently on the Market. The world of luxurious and high-performance catamarans is probably mostly dominated by Gunboat and HH Catamarans leading the way. Gunboat's 68ft, 72ft, and 80ft models excel with speeds over 30 knots, thanks to cutting-edge materials and construction techniques.
The F50 is an awe-inspiring racing machine capable of reaching speeds up to 50 knots (60mph/100kph). The team who designed and built the fleet explains what ...
Typically, you will throw in the first reef at 18-20 knots of wind speed (depending on the size of your vessel) and put in a second reef as the wind gets closer to 23-25 kts) Most aspects of sailing a catamaran are very similar to a monohull, so making the transition to a sailing catamaran is usually not that challenging of a process!
Still, it'll get you where you want to go pretty fast, and it's an excellent value for money at approximately $787,751.25. Gunboat 62 The Gunboat 62 is a true high-speed catamaran capable of sailing at 20 knots (37 km/h or 23 mph) over true wind speeds and known to notch up speeds of 36+ knots (66.7+ km/h or 41.45 mph) on a surf.
Re: How fast do sailing catamarans motor? For a typical 38ft cruising cat you will motor at about 8-9 knots top speed. Going 8 knots will use about 50% more fuel than 7 knots so you motor at 6-7 instead. Drag is related to the square if the boat speed so going fast needs huge amounts of power and fuel.
Each style of sailboat has its advantages that make it fast. The V.O 60, X-Yachts X4.0, and Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 are great examples of fast monohull boats. For multihull boats, Rapido 60 (Trimaran), Dragonfly 40 (Trimaran), and ICE Cat 61 (Catamaran) are some of the fastest in that category. The list can go on when you are talking about ...
Sail with the weather forward or aft of the beam. Keep an eye on heel angle. Reduce sail if you start to see any more than 5° or so, unless you have a catamaran that is designed to lift a hull ...
Historically, however, Catana has made many beautiful boats. Notably, the 471 is a fast cruising catamaran that is a favorite among long-distance cruisers. On the smaller side, the 431 and even the 401 and 381 are quick and fun sailers that move better than their competition.
These sailboats can achieve high speeds and are popular for racing and cruising. Catamarans have a unique design that allows them to sail close to the wind, making them efficient and fast. On average, catamarans can move at speeds of 15-25 knots (17-29 mph). The Hobie Cat is one of the most popular catamarans in the world. The Hobie Cat is a ...
The boats that most people race are considered fast at nine knots; screaming at 15. That's about 10 to 17 m.p.h. Then came the F50 catamaran in 2019, with wings instead of sails and hydrofoils ...
How SailGP's foiling F50 catamarans sail so much faster than the wind. Jonathan Turner. January 8, 2023. Arguably the most technologically advanced sailboats on the planet right now, the one-design SailGP F50 foiling catamarans are capable of breathtaking speeds - at times, reaching four times the velocity of the wind that drives them.
Teams must therefore work together to fly as high as possible without flying too high and crashing into the water, rising speed and losing speed in SailGP's high pressure racing. The F50's cutting edge technology is evident in its status as the first boat to hit 99.94 km/h during racing - and it has a top speed of over 100 km/h.
Head into the wind slowly, approach the ball on the same side of the centerline as your friend, who will later pick it up. Take into consideration the drift occurring by the wind and current. Use a boathook, stick, or whatever to pick up the line from the mooring ball and attach it to the center of your bridle.
The catamaran has 4 outdoor decks, 53ft long and can easily accommodate large groups up to 60 guests. It is also adaptable for small private parties. For its design offers comfortable and spacious areas for walking and large outdoors areas to relax and enjoy sailing under the glorious Aruban sun.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael will become the first woman to helm an an F50 foiling catamaran in SailGP when a new Brazilian team ... Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business ...