BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide

Catamaran or Monohull: Which Sailboat Should You Charter?

Stability, draft, capacity, budget: the real differences between catamaran and monohull charters, to help you choose.

Monohull or catamaran: it's often the first question that comes up when booking a sailing charter, well before picking a destination.

Stability and heel

A catamaran rides on two hulls: it barely heels, even close-hauled, and stays flat at anchor. A monohull naturally leans under sail (heeling) — a feeling regular sailors enjoy, but one that can unsettle beginners or anyone prone to seasickness.

Draft and anchorages

With a draft often under 1.2 m against 1.8-2.2 m for a comparable monohull, a catamaran can get closer to beaches and shallow coves — a real advantage in the shallow waters of the Cyclades or the Caribbean.

Space and capacity

At the same length, a catamaran offers a noticeably wider saloon and cockpit, often with one more cabin than an equivalent monohull — a strong argument for a charter shared between several families or a large group of friends. Cabins split across the two hulls also give more privacy than a monohull, where they line up along a single hull.

Docking made easier

A less obvious difference: most rental catamarans carry two engines, one per hull, which makes docking noticeably easier — you can pivot the boat on the spot just by playing the two throttles, no special experience needed. A monohull, with a single engine, needs a bit more forward planning to dock in a crosswind.

Budget

Catamarans stay notably more expensive: expect €800-1,500 a day (€3,000-8,000 a week in high season), against €300-700 a day for a monohull (€1,500-4,000 a week).

How to decide

For a first bareboat sailing charter as a couple or solo, a monohull remains the simplest and most affordable way to learn the feel of sailing. A catamaran makes more sense for a larger group, young children, or crew prone to seasickness.

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