Catamaran or a Monohull? Hmmmm....
Added 2018-05-09 17:26:09 +0000 UTCWe’ve been torn between and catamaran and monohull for quite some time now. Now that we’ve spent 6 weeks in total on a cat we’ve come up with some comparisons. We know that some of you are boat owners and may have some insight to add along to our thoughts and would love to hear them!
The CONS of a Catamaran:
A cat is much more expensive if you try to get a monohull that compares in quality or size. They’re just expensive!
Marina fees tend to be more expensive for a Cat. In most cases we’ve seen you’ll pay at least 1 and a half the cost of a monohull for a slip compared to the regular price for 1 hull. The boat we’ve been on has a 22’ beam…That fills up two slips. So it’s pretty easy to see why marinas sometimes charge more.
You have to factor in that maintenance with be double when it comes to the two engines or other items that you have two of on with a cat. That can be pretty expensive too…
It’s harder to find a slip that can accommodate the size of a cat. Along with that it is also difficult to find haul out points and usually will involve some travel when you need to have work done, such as bottom paint.
If you decide on a “galley down” catamaran then you may find that you have more seasickness than you would on a monohull. I do.
The movement of a cat is very uncomfortable while in rough waters, like a hobby horse vs the smooth heel of a monohull.
We didn't feel the movement of sailing on the catamaran like you would feel in a monohull which is sometimes a bummer. The lean and feel of sailing on a single hull boat is much more thrilling than a cat.
How about some PROS for the Catamaran!
Living aboard in general seems to be WAY easier on a cat.
Cooking while underway is done with a lot less mess and movement on a cat. I've found it much more difficult to cook meals while underway on a monohull.
The dinghy set up on a cat is one of the best luxuries you'll find. The walkway scoops also made it very nice for access in and out of the dinghy and/or water.
We enjoy the anchoring process much more on the cat, that’s mostly due to the bridle set up and amount of area we had to work with.
Jeremiah’s favorite item about a cat is the two engine set up. This relieves a lot of stress and worry for him. He doesn’t mind that it takes double the maintenance and feels that the redundancy of two engines is totally worth it.
There’s just some of our thoughts! We’re still in the process of working some magic to get into our next floating home…What are some of your thoughts between a cat vs a monohull?
Love,
Us!
Comments
Thank you!! I'm so happy to have you!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-13 19:18:09 +0000 UTCI love your real words of experience and priceless insight often feel like I am sailing with you. Priceless.
PBC_Global
2018-05-13 07:33:47 +0000 UTCYes, the cat had a washer/dryer...Do you know how amazing it was to have dry towels?!?!?!?!?!?!?! LOL...Yes, we anchor mostly so that definitely helps!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:55:43 +0000 UTCWe'll take a look at them! Thank you! I'll send you a message!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:54:13 +0000 UTCYes, the space was AMAZING! The space!!!....ugh....So wonderful!! Anchoring was a breeze and we held perfectly! The bridle on this cat hooks up at the waterline so that makes it even better for holding. We prefer anchoring for sure. The only reason we mention it is each time we needed to hit a marina for any reason, it was difficult to find one that had space for it. Not a great feeling if you need to pull in. We'll see what happens! (we've decided but let's keep it fun! lol)
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:53:45 +0000 UTCThank you, Woodrow! Your thoughts are so welcomed by us! We're right with you! Our favorite cat is 44' in length and monohulls around 42' to 48'. I haven't tried an "up" style galley but once but I figured out that cooking while underway was fine unless it was going to be rough...Then I'd just prepare ahead of time.
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:50:13 +0000 UTCWe have friends that just crossed to the Bahamas and they lost an engine in route with very light winds to sail in. Fortunately they had another. You're right, Ken! Plus the space is incredible...Lazy Gecko was great but after about 6 weeks at anchor, we couldn't wait to get on land again to get a break...I was on the cat for 6 weeks and never felt that way. I couldn't agree more!!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:47:05 +0000 UTCWell the fact is that the sails are the primary source of power and an engine is secondary. It's easy to just think "If my engine fails, I'll just sail" but SO many times the winds are exactly wrong for sailing...like right on the bow or weather is coming in and you're trying to get in, etc...Jeremiah didn't like the fact that Lazy Gecko only had one engine and it was so old (1985 never rebuilt). He never felt confident in it and that's a major reason we decided to sell it. So, its a huge deal for us.
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:44:02 +0000 UTCLOL...Good one...Great point though, one thing we love about a monohull is that it will come back up if knocked down. We hit a 10 foot wave in the cat once and realized how dangerous it could be if you allow a wave to hit you from the side...Capsizing is a real concern as well.
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:40:58 +0000 UTCWell, we're going long distance...soooooo
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:39:08 +0000 UTCHi Scott! Yes, its a huge plus! The cat is basically standing still unless in pretty rough conditions...It's night and day as far as stability. You're totally right about the space and storage!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-05-10 04:38:47 +0000 UTCI agree with Jerry that you will have the needed room and as for mooring you can just anchor of and use Taco for your getting around. Also with a Cat you have the room for a small washer and dryer. 73’s kb7rpi
2018-05-10 02:36:26 +0000 UTCI’ve been eyeing the Wharram catamarans. Doesn’t have a single much sheltered space, but is a very cool design. Also, I would like the Vimeo codes when available. I just signed up so not sure how long it takes for them to go through.
2018-05-10 01:48:00 +0000 UTCI have always thought that all the deck area of a cat makes for an easyer life on longer sails. Two power sources gives you more piece of mind I think. You are right about anchoring, the cat is easier in most cases as well as it seems the anch holds much better with a cat. As for finding a slip, with the easy of lowering the dinghy is very easy it would be less expensive to use more mauring balls or anchoring and less slips in harbor to bring down cost in harbor. It is going to be your home on the water and you will be spending your life on her so the cat to me is the way to go.
2018-05-09 22:44:09 +0000 UTCA forty to fifty foot cat can be very smooth if designed for performance. And weight is kept in the middle and not out on the bows and sterns. Cats with on bridge deck kitchens are much friendlier to the cooks stomach. That being said your larger 40 to 50 foot sail boats are very friendly for the cook. They don't do anything fast so movement is easy. No reason you couldn't mount two sail drives in line if you have the room. Or mount pod thrust and gemset. Run off batteries or gen. Some sail boats do have a mounting bracket so the ding engine can be used as an emergence power. I would want an oversize ding engine for that. -Smiles- Happy shopping keep the videos coming. Hugs
2018-05-09 20:06:15 +0000 UTCMy personal thoughts are that the size and comfort in good weather on the Cat is a definite plus, in addition, when the entire family is out for a cruise, I would think the Cat would make for a wonderful trips for all the kids. In addition, the twin engine is always a plus. if one goes down, at least you have the spare to motor through windless periods....but as you said Brittany, cooking in the cat during rougher weather is a con.....all in all, I think it's Cost vs Comfort in the long run.... you've been out there experiencing the 'life' for enough time, am sure any decision you make will be the right one!!! Good Luck!!! \
Ken Allan Dronsfield
2018-05-09 18:57:23 +0000 UTCTotally a land lubber here but is there no way to get a monohull with a redundant engine setup, at least in some form? If the sailing is less enjoyable and the biggest pro for a cat is the redundant engines I would try to find a compromise.
2018-05-09 18:52:51 +0000 UTCI am stuck land bound and have only been on one mono, but have heard many times that a Cat's favorite position is upside down on the top of the ocean while a mono's favorite, is right side up, but on the bottom of the ocean!
Cal M Uhl
2018-05-09 17:56:31 +0000 UTCIt really depends what type of boating you desire to do. A cat is great for long distances a mono is great for smaller hopes
2018-05-09 17:37:06 +0000 UTCThe redundant engine would be a major plus, how is the stability difference while underway? Is the Cat less of a “sailing” feel? It would seem there would be more storage on a cat and the main living space would be less cramped?
Scott Holley
2018-05-09 17:32:23 +0000 UTC
