Catamaran Myths

2 They are no more expensive in marinas than a mono. In fact, some marinas love them because they can get into difficult shallow berths.

Whoever you were talking to definitely made this up. Maybe on a mooring yes, but in ports Ive been charged double berths without fail when skippering a friends catamaran 100% of the time (Spain).
 
I think only a racing multihull could tempt me away from mono's as it's sailing I enjoy. Sitting in anchorages and harbours comes second, and mono's are just as good for that. If your anchorage is rolly then it can't be that sheltered.


The biggest thing that puts me off cruising cats though is they way they all look like wedding cakes.
 
I think only a racing multihull could tempt me away from mono's as it's sailing I enjoy. Sitting in anchorages and harbours comes second, and mono's are just as good for that. If your anchorage is rolly then it can't be that sheltered.


The biggest thing that puts me off cruising cats though is they way they all look like wedding cakes.

Love the wedding cake comment. Even as a happy cat owner, I've always struggled with the aesthetics of the vessel, and I think that you have captured the picture entirely.

But catamarans face the same design challenges as 4 wheel drives. They often look boxy but they fulfil certain demands. If you want something with two hulls that sails flat then it will be difficult to make it look beautiful in the same way as a well designed monohull. And if you want volume inside your cat too then clearly................. it will look like a wedding cake!

However, though some of us would prefer to live with the aesthetics of a classic monohull, we are not satisfied with the limited viewless living space, heeling, and draft.

I must disagree with you on one of your points though. Having had two monohulls and two cats, I would say that the multihull will always be better at rest whatever the weather.

I do think that you are right that a speedy sailor with a desire for exciting close hauled sailing is likely to be disappointed with most cruising multihulls. Racing multihulls are different animals entirely and would probably frighten the average monohull sailor as they are a cut apart from most other vessels including cruising catamarans.

Cheers
Garold
 
Top