Sailing catamarans: a buyer’s guide

In fewer than 30 years, catamarans have revolutionized the entire boating industry. Yacht charter and rental companies now predominantly order sailing catamarans in order to satisfy an ever-increasing demand.

In the second-hand catamaran market, prices are staying high as demand outstrips supply. At Dream Yacht Sales, we specialize in habitable catamaran sailing yachts between 40 and 70 feet; offering the perfect blend of space and comfort.

Features of a sailing catamaran

Sailing catamarans are known for their spacious interiors, in addition to the fact that they are all on one level – as opposed to monohulls’ living spaces being split across two floors.

Catamaran sailboats that measure 12 – 15 meters in length, typically have three or four cabins with one large living space; whereas larger catamarans spanning up to 22 meters often have up to five double cabins. It’s this extra space that makes sailing catamarans particularly family-friendly.

Sailing catamaran advantages

Sailors choose to buy sailing catamarans over power catamarans and monohulls for a variety of reasons, including the following:

Total comfort

One of the main benefits of a catamaran is the comfort it offers. A sailing catamaran’s two hulls give the boat a great deal of stability, meaning you won’t suffer any rolling from side-to-side, even in very bad weather. You can lay your table in the saloon and have an aperitif in the aft cockpit without worrying about everything being upended. Those new to sailing will also find it much easier to adapt to the boat’s movements.

The architecture of sailing catamarans also adds to the comfort. There are many living spaces to find time for reading alone, or to get together to chat (the saloon, the aft cockpit, sometimes the flybridge and/or the forward cockpit).

A great deal of interior light, a panoramic view and a flat surface between the saloon and the cockpit further add to the feelings of space and freedom. Having two hulls also allows for more privacy, as each side benefits from a separate space with one or several cabins and one or several heads depending on the boat’s size and layout.

Speed over the water

One of the many advantages of a catamaran, is their ability to quickly find their cruising speed. This speed, often lying between 5 and 10 knots in most meteorological conditions, allows for excellent averages over long distances. In fact, catamarans can fly through the water at half the speed of the wind and is typically 25-30% faster than the average monohull.

Also, when it comes to docking for the day, its flat-bottomed design means that you nudge right up onto the beach for a day, as opposed to a monohull where you have to swim the last few meters to reach the shore.

Security that offers peace of mind

If you sail as a family or regularly invite friends on-board, the open spaces or the absence of heeling aboard your yacht will help keep everyone safe as they move around. Modern, habitable catamarans are also virtually unsinkable, with their two hull design making them almost impossible to tip over. Also, the fact that it doesn’t rock means that seasickness is far less common compared to a monohull.

On-board security is further reinforced on catamaran sailboats by the protective bimini top on the aft cockpit (traditionally made of fabric) now being a rigid design on most current models. You can play cards on the cockpit table during a force 6 or 7 wind, perfectly protected from the elements!

The boom – a fundamental element in your rigging – is also often one of the most dangerous, especially when tacking or gybing; but sailing catamarans equipped with a rigid bimini top protect passengers and crew in living areas whilst maneuvers take place. There’s no risk of being hit on the head by the boom as long as you are not on the roof, meaning your children can stay safely out of harm’s way.

All of our sailing catamarans for sale are equipped with two engines, allowing for easy maneuvering in port, and giving you peace of mind that should one engine break down, you always have the second to get you back to port.

We represent the best of sailing catamaran brands

If you’re looking at catamaran sailing yachts for sale, then we’d advise that in order for you to find the perfect catamaran, you take a tour of them and even try them out. International sailing exhibitions such as the Miami Boat Show in Florida or the International Multihull Boat Show in France are a great place to see several different sailing catamaran types and configurations at once.

Our team of experienced sailing professionals are on hand to help you narrow down your choice, organize a sea trial, or even arrange for you to go on a charter to experience the boat before buying your perfect catamaran.

We work with three of the leading catamaran sailing yacht brands in the world: Bali, Lagoon, and Fountaine Pajot to offer you a wide range of yachts and configurations. Whatever your needs, we’ll help you find your perfect sailing or power catamaran.

Contact our team today to discuss your needs, or select a boat on our site, configure it to your taste and we’ll provide you a quote there and then.

Alternatively, take a look at our other buying guides:
Power catamarans
Monohulls