Monohull or Catamaran for Sailing Adventure?
Why we Opted for a Monohull over a Catamaran for our Family Sailing Adventure
In the world of sailing, the choice between a monohull and a catamaran sparks numerous debates. Here, we'll outline the factors that led us to choose a monohull over a catamaran for our family's global sailing journey. We aimed for objectivity, acknowledging that each vessel has its merits and drawbacks, depending on context and circumstance.
Stability:
Monohull: Provides a traditional sailing experience with heeling (leaning) during sailing. Motion may be comforting or unsettling.
Catamaran: Offers superior stability with dual hulls, reducing heeling—a boon for families, especially those with motion-sensitive members.
Space and Comfort:
Monohull: Generally offers less interior space, with cabins along a single hull, potentially feeling more compact.
Catamaran: Boasts a wider beam, providing spacious interiors and separate living areas, ideal for enhanced family privacy.
Draft:
Monohull: Typically features a deeper draft, limiting access to shallower anchorages and harbors.
Catamaran: Shallow draft allows access to secluded areas, enhancing overall sailing flexibility.
Speed and Performance:
Monohull: Delivers a traditional sailing experience, potentially faster in certain conditions, especially upwind.
Catamaran: Generally faster in reaching and downwind conditions, with a smoother ride due to the absence of heeling.
Maintenance and Repairs:
Monohull: Simpler systems and maintenance due to a single hull, potentially more straightforward repairs.
Catamaran: Dual hulls and additional systems may require more maintenance, with repairs possibly being more complex and costly.
Cost:
Monohull: Often more affordable in terms of both initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance costs.
Catamaran: Comes with a higher upfront cost, justified by added space and comfort for some families.
Sailing Experience:
Monohull: Offers a traditional sailing feel, ideal for those who enjoy the thrill of heeling and balancing the boat.
Catamaran: Provides a stable and level sailing platform, making it accessible for newcomers or families seeking a smoother ride.
Ultimately, both options offer rewarding experiences. During our search, we chartered a catamaran to explore its living space advantages. Although catamarans can get closer to shore and provide a flatter sail, we found that their sailing experience lacked the exhilaration of a monohull hitting its groove. Despite some envy for our friends' catamarans, our confidence and self-assurance in monohulls, particularly in challenging conditions, led us to our final choice.
We put our thoughts in this Youtube Video here:
Best Boat for Sailing Around the World? Why WE Bought a Monohull and not a Catamaran
While brands with drop keels for better windward performance were beyond our budget, we realized that, for us as sailors, monohulls felt like the right choice. We may harbor a wee pang of envy for catamarans, but for now, our confidence lies in the stability and sailing prowess of a monohull. If the budget allows in the future, a performance catamaran might be a consideration, but for now, we're content with our chosen path.
Further Reading: “The Voyager's Handbook: The Essential Guide to Blue Water Cruising” by Beth A. Leonard
This authoritative book covers a wide range of topics related to long-distance cruising, including vessel selection, safety considerations, route planning, and essential skills for extended offshore sailing.
Beth Leonard draws on her own extensive cruising experience and interviews with numerous experienced sailors to provide valuable insights and practical advice. The book addresses the considerations specific to families embarking on a world sailing journey, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to make informed decisions about the type of boat that best suits their needs.
It’s well-regarded within the sailing community for its depth of information and practical approach in preparing for and undertaking a family sail around the world.
However, like many books in our recommendations, its showing its age a bit so it is worth looking into the latest online resources, books and forum advice in this area.
Do you have your own recommended reading material or other suggested resources for choosing between a monohull and catamaran, that could be included here? If so, drop us a line via the contact form.
