Dear readers,

​This question has been asked for years, but is now being raised with far greater urgency: is the sailing yacht market shifting permanently from monohulls to catamarans? Anyone visiting major boat shows, looking at charter fleets or keeping an eye on the latest models from mass-production shipyards might get the impression that, yes, the trend is clear. Catamarans have become more visible and larger, and are being marketed more professionally than before. Nevertheless, it would be too simplistic to conclude that this signals a general shift. The market is not shifting completely; rather, it is becoming more diverse. And that is precisely where the truly interesting development lies.

The catamaran has undeniable advantages. It offers plenty of space, excellent structural stability, minimal heel, generally spacious outdoor areas and a quality of living that a monohull of comparable length cannot match. For charter clients, families, long-haul crews and owners who spend a lot of time at anchor, these are compelling arguments. The yacht is seen less as a sporting vessel and more as a floating living space. In this segment, the catamaran offers a structural advantage.

What’s more, many buyers today enter the market with different expectations to previous generations of owners. They are looking for comfort, ease of use, privacy in separate cabins, space for guests and plenty of storage space. A catamaran can meet these requirements more effectively than a monohull.

The downside of this development is that catamarans are usually considerably more expensive to buy, equip, insure, maintain and moor. They require more space in the harbour, do not fit into every berth, are generally more difficult to accommodate in many marinas and also incur higher fees. Width is often an advantage at sea, but frequently a problem in harbour.

Then there’s the weight. Many modern cruising catamarans are literally crammed full of equipment and on-board technology – simply because there’s space for it. Air conditioning, watermakers, additional battery capacity and transport solutions for the dinghy are now almost standard features of a carefree blue-water concept. Size and weight often seem to play only a secondary role. Whilst this fits in with the intended use, it does compromise sailing performance. An overloaded catamaran quickly and noticeably loses its dynamism. Little then remains of the theoretical efficiency of two slender hulls. Particularly in light winds, many catamarans quickly become motor yachts with the option of sailing.

Another factor is often underestimated before purchase: how the boat handles in rough seas. Catamarans heel very little and are often considerably more stable at anchor than monohulls. However, at sea, this does not automatically mean greater comfort. In short, steep or choppy seas, multihulls can react harshly, jerkily and in ways that are unfamiliar to many crews. The pitching and diagonal movements can become very unpleasant. It is not uncommon for sailors to realise only during longer crossings that they are unlikely to get used to the movements of a twin-hulled boat. Comfort is simply not just a question of space and stability.

In this comparison, the monohull remains the simpler, more robust and more economically sensible solution in many respects. Monohulls take up less space, are cheaper to maintain, are easier to moor in harbours and offer a familiar handling experience. Many sailors value precisely this feedback: heel, rudder pressure and the tangible interplay between the wind, the sail and the boat. This is not a nostalgic argument, but for many an essential part of the sport.

The market is shifting in favour of catamarans where comfort and space are the main priorities. At the same time, the drawbacks remain significant – and they do not diminish as the boat gets bigger. Width, weight, cost, mooring issues and the specific handling characteristics in rough seas are not mere footnotes. They determine whether the dream of a comfortable multihull really holds up in everyday life.

Anyone looking above all for space, stability and comfort will find strong arguments in favour of twin hulls. Those who prioritise seaworthiness, cost, simplicity and an immediate sense of sailing still have very good reasons to choose a monohull. The market isn’t shifting. It simply forces us to ask a more honest question: do you want to live on the boat – or sail it?

Michael Good

YACHT editor

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