Catamaran vs Monohull: Which Yacht Should You Charter?

It's the question we get most after "Cyclades or Ionian?" Catamaran or monohull? I've skippered both for hundreds of miles. Here's my honest take.

Space

Catamarans win. Two hulls means a wide beam — massive saloon, huge cockpit, trampolines forward. You never feel cramped. Monohulls are narrower; a 45-foot monohull has less living space than a 40-foot cat. For groups of 6+, cats are the obvious choice.

Stability

Cats don't heel. They stay flat. Great for families, non-sailors, and anyone prone to seasickness. Monohulls heel 15–25 degrees when sailing — it's part of the fun for sailors, but can be uncomfortable for others. If you have kids or first-timers, the cat's stability is a big plus.

Speed

Under sail, cats are often faster in light to moderate wind — they have two hulls and less wetted surface. In heavy wind, a well-sailed monohull can sometimes point higher and go faster upwind. For charter purposes, both are fine. You're not racing.

Cost

Catamarans cost 30–50% more than similar-length monohulls. A 40-foot cat might be €3,500/week; a 40-foot monohull €2,200. If budget matters, monohull wins.

Sailing Feel

Monohulls feel like "real" sailing — the heel, the responsiveness, the connection to the wind. Purists love it. Cats feel more like a platform — stable, spacious, less visceral. I enjoy both. For a pure sailing experience, monohull. For comfort and space, cat.

Anchoring

Cats need more space — they're wide. In crowded anchorages, monohulls can squeeze in where cats can't. Cats also have shallow draft, so you can anchor closer to the beach. Trade-offs.

Privacy and Noise

Cats have cabins in each hull — more privacy. Monohulls have cabins along the centerline — thinner walls. For couples sharing a boat, cats offer better separation. Noise: cats can have a "drumming" effect in waves (the bridge slapping); monohulls are quieter below.

Who Should Choose What

Choose a cat if: You have 4+ people, kids, non-sailors, or want maximum comfort. Budget allows.

Choose a monohull if: You're 2–4 people, you love the sailing experience, or budget is tight.

Cats dominate the charter market now — 60% of new charters are cats. But monohulls still have die-hard fans. I'm one of them when it's just Vasile and me. When we have friends and family? Cat every time.