what is the largest sailing catamaran

Top 10 largest Catamarans in the world

Characterised as a multi-hulled watercraft, a catamaran is a marine vessel comprising two proportioned hulls giving her greater stability and manoeuvrability. Catamarans also have a shallow draft which enables them to enter unexplored regions beyond the reach of sailing yachts or cruise ships.

Their invention is attributed to the Austronesian peoples of Southeast Asia, while the first European Catamaran was built in the 16th century by scientist William Petty. Capable of attaining greater speeds, catamarans are used for recreational sailing, cruising and racing. Modern Catamarans have luxurious features and marvellous design, which makes them enticing.

Let us have a look at the top 10 biggest catamarans in the world.

Table of Contents

1. Hodor ( 217 Ft.)

Renowned as the world’s largest floating toy box, the 66.2 m long SHADOWCAT Hodor was built by Astilleros Armon in Spain. Incat Crowther and YCTS. Ltd worked on her functional design and naval architecture, while the interiors were chosen by Oliver Design. Painted grey with vibrant orange lines running across its hull, the catamaran is as robust as it looks.

Launched in 2019, she has a maximum sailing speed of 22.5 knots derived from two MTU diesel engines. With a 14-metre beam, she has a gross tonnage of 1525 tonnes respectively. In terms of LOA, she ranks among the top five per cent in the world. She defeats her counterparts both by average speed and volume.

She is donned with aluminium; her hull, deck and even superstructure are made of this malleable and corrosion-resistant metal. Presently sailing under the flag of the Cayman Islands, Hodor is a treasure-house of water sports gear, filled with nine jet skis, four water bikes, laser dinghies, snorkelers, fishing equipment etc.

The empty space below the main deck is reserved for the Seamagine Aurora-3 submersible which will be delivered soon. Its main attraction is the 17-metre Nor-Tech 560 sports centre console attached to a hydraulic lift system for putting it in water. The largest catamaran is managed by 20 crew members and staff.

2. Sunreef 49 Power Cat ( 160.8 Ft)

Constructed by the Polish builder Sunreef Yachts, the multihull was fitted in Gdansk and delivered in 2021. Flaunting a classy white exterior, it is an embodiment of cutting-edge marine technology and fresh naval design.

It has three decks and expansive outdoor areas, including an open bar, a swimming pool, a helipad and a forward terrace. Its sun deck lounge has a spa pool, sun pads and even a saloon. With a broad beam of 16.85 metres, the yacht has 8 cabins which comfortably sleep 17 crew personnel and offers luxury accommodation for 11 guests. Five bedrooms on the main deck are equipped with a private balcony.

Low drag, a consequence of the specially designed twin-hull, makes the catamaran glide gracefully on the water while optimising efficiency and low fuel consumption. It has a 90,000-litre fuel tank which enables the power cat to cover 5000 nautical miles without a stopover. Driven by two 3400 HP engines, the superyacht has a top speed of 21 knots and carries three tenders, water sports gear and several jet skis.

3. Charley ( 150 Ft.)

Charley was launched in 2016 as a support yacht to serve the superyacht White Rabbit Gulf, both constructed by the shipbuilding company Eco Yachts. The 46 m long and 14 m wide catamaran has a white exterior, three teak decks and modern fittings. Its naval architecture, interiors and exterior design were taken care of by LOMOcean.

Labelled as the largest composite resin-infused yacht made in Australia, Charley was carefully assembled near Fremantle. With a volume of 702 gross tonnes, she has spacious interiors and outdoor entertainment areas to keep her guests engaged.

However, her most attractive feature is the 12-metre long tender catamaran called Vicky, equipped with a platform located at Charley’s stern. It can store some RIBs, tenders, personal watercraft and one hovercraft.

Propelled by two 2,700hp Cummins QSK60 engines and two propellers, Charley has a 60,000-litre fuel tank which enables her to travel 2,500 nautical miles at the cruising speed of 16 knots.

She has a 3.2 m draft which allows her to traverse shallow bays and narrow canals or even cruise near the shoreline. Possessing a GRP hull and superstructure, Charley has three suites for taking in 5 guests.

4. Moecca ( 148 Ft.)

The catamaran motor yacht Moecca was constructed by Oceanfast yachts in Australia. Designed to provide a luxurious sailing experience with moderately-decorated functional spaces, it has a simplistic classic exterior. Delivered in 1992, it underwent maintenance and repair in 2006. Refurbished in the same year, Moecca is fully air-conditioned, having expansive outdoor areas for sunbathing and relaxing.

Her curves are spectacular, thanks to Bannenberg Designs Limited, which crafted her exterior while Phill Curran was responsible for naval architecture. Having a 13 m or 42.7 feet beam, she has seven suites that conveniently accommodate 12 guests and six small yet well-furnished cabins for 11 crew members.

Its spacious salon has two seating areas, a home-theatre set-up and a 12-seater alfresco dining room connected to a bar and a refrigeration room. Her aft deck is enriched with circular sofas and side tables. More open space is provided on the upper deck, which incorporates an open pool and a small workout space. All these amenities are curated by the English design house Bannenberg and Rowell.

She can travel 2200 nautical miles at a maximum speed of 25 knots, achieved by two powerful MTU diesel engines. Moecca is sturdy yet elegant, with a green aluminium hull and a GRP superstructure. Her sides are panelled with mildly-fragrant wood. She has a 1.8 m draft and water tanks capable of storing 15,000 litres of fresh water.

5. HeySea Vista ( 140 Ft.)

Launched in 2020, the golden hulled Vista is an amalgamation of absolute royalty and finesse. Constructed by the Hey Sea Yachts Group, a prominent yacht manufacturer in China, Vista is a fully custom-designed project built in a 66,700 square m shipyard lying in the Pearl River Delta region near Hong Kong. One of the most challenging aspects of its construction was to attain a perfect shimmering gold finish, achieved by delicate yet continuous polishing.

Her stylish appearance and functional naval design were crafted by the Heysea marine architects and interior designers. The twin-hull allows for voluminous interiors carefully chosen by Horizontal Design to match her stunning fibreglass superstructure.

Vista is adorned with beautiful paintings showcasing marine life, modern art pieces and metallic fittings. She has five bedrooms that comfortably sleep 10 people. The yacht is managed by a 15-member crew.

Coming to the technicalities, she is driven by two Volvo 725 HP engines allowing her to reach a top speed of 15 knots. The vessel can go up to 4000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 10 knots. Vista has been the biggest project of HeySea, which brought her international appreciation.

6. Sarha ( 137 Ft.)

Registered at the Port of George Town and sailing under the Cayman Islands Flag, Sarha is a 40 m motor yacht built by Sea Management, fabricated in Australia and launched in 1989. With its sleek white exterior and blue windows, she is a piece of sheer beauty and class.

She was designed by John Winterbotham & Partners while her interiors were done by H2 Yacht Design. Refitted in 2002, she boasts a steel hull and an aluminium and steel superstructure complemented by a fine teak deck with spacious seating areas.

Sarha can travel 3000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 10 knots, and her top speed is 13 knots. She is fitted with two 2340 HP diesel engines that generate 1722 kilowatts. She is driven by two propellers and Koopnautic thrusters. Her home port is Abu Dhabi, and her water tanks carry 20,000 litres of fresh water.

Sarha can accommodate 30 guests and 11 crew members in beautiful, well-ventilated cabins having double beds. She has a gross tonnage of 726 tonnes and a 500-tonne displacement. Having a wide beam of 12.9 m, she has a shallow draft of about 2.7 metres.

7. Royal Falcon One ( 135 Ft.)

Flaunting a modern naval design, Royal Falcon One is a stunner of the Singapore-based yacht builder, Royal Falcon Fleet. Curated by the renowned Porsche Design Studio, she has been described as a Spaceship on Water by her makers, while some compare her to a sports car. She has an aluminium hull and superstructure and three teak decks.

Enriched with appealing aesthetics, this dual-hulled yacht offers the highest comfort and luxury. She has five cabins to accommodate 10 guests, three master suites and a lounge on the main deck. Its main attraction is the saloon which offers a 360-degree ocean view due to its glass walls.

The 12.5 m broad beam allows for more entertainment and relaxation space. Its sundeck has a jacuzzi and a steam sauna. The crew cabins are located near the stern, concealed by the ship’s twin hulls. Delivered in 2019, it has a maximum speed of 35 knots, a 1.7 m draft and a gross tonnage of 499 tonnes.

8. Silver Cloud (134 Ft.)

Portraying exemplary marine engineering , Silver Cloud was constructed by Abeking & Rasmussen in Germany. Infused with a small waterplane area twin hull, commonly called SWATH, its distinguishing feature is smooth sailing in harsh waters, especially the North Sea.

It was sold for 16 million dollars to Alexander Wallace Dreyfoos Junior, an American businessman based in New York. As per news reports, the vessel will be renamed Nurja. With a 58 feet beam and a 13.5-foot draft, she has a maximum speed of 14 knots.

Silver Cloud is the two-time winner of the World Superyacht Award, owing to its highly trained crew and world-class reputation. It has five cabins that comfortably sleep 12 guests, equipped with televisions and private bathrooms. The main attraction is the saloon with large windows and glass doors, designed by Michael Kirschstein. It also contains a spa, gymnasium, diving equipment and a helipad.

9. Zenith ( 131 Feet)

Constructed by Australia-based Sabre Catamarans in 2012, the 40.5 m Zenith is a luxury motor yacht which redefines sophistication and style. She has a 10.5 m beam, a 1.5 m draft and an interior volume of 461 gross tonnes. She was sold in 2018 for a whopping 19 million dollars.

Her luxurious cabins can take in 10 guests, designed by Water Line, while her eye-catching exteriors were chosen by Incat Crowther. Having an aluminium hull and superstructure, she can attain a top speed of 29 knots due to the powerful MTU engines. Her fuel tanks can hold up to 51,800 litres of diesel, while freshwater tanks can carry 3790 litres.

American rock maple was used for interior panelling along with Queensland Maple. It has a spacious open lounge with four sofas. The main deck features a lavish dining area attached to a fully equipped media room and a cocktail bar.

10. The Beast ( 129 Ft.)

Described as somewhat different and unique by her owners, the Beast is true to its name. Having a military-type camouflage exterior, she is not easy to spot among other sailing vessels. She belongs to the entrepreneur, Sir Michael Hill and has several interesting features, the first being a 13 m fishing boat fitted on its main deck, known as Baby beast.

Winner of several awards, the Beast is 39.2 metres long and has a volume of 493 gross tonnes. She was delivered in 2019 by Profab Central Engineering Limited, and her decor was styled by the famous Oceania Interiors. She has a master suite and five cabins for sleeping 12 guests and accommodation for nine crew members.

Known for her outstanding seagoing capabilities, the Beast is available for charter in the South Pacific. Having a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, she is loaded with the latest water gear such as four kayaks, paddleboards, and fishing and diving equipment. She can reach a top speed of 15 knots while her cruising speed is 10 knots.

You might also like to read:

• Top 10 Biggest RoRo Ships In The World
• 5 Biggest Tanker Ships In the World
• 5 Biggest and Magnificent Sailing Ships of All Time
• 10 Most Expensive Cruise Ships
• Top 10 Biggest LNG Ships

Disclaimer:  The author’s views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight.  Data and charts, if used in the article, have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendations on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. 

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Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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Hemisphere: the world’s largest catamaran

Hemisphere , the world’s largest sailing catamaran recently completed by Pendennis Shipyard for American owners, has been a long time coming. Since the late 1990s, her owners have chartered a variety of yachts – sailing and motor, mono and multihulls, big and not so big – giving invaluable experience to understand what it was they would want from a boat of their own. Between 2001 and 2003 the owners enjoyed several charters with Captain Gavin Bladen onboard a catamaran in the Caribbean . Both passionate divers, they had decided it was time they had their own sailing catamaran, and Bladen, a diving instructor, was keen to move on to something bigger.

After a fruitless search for an existing boat they decided they would build a new one of around 35 metres. They selected naval architects Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost (VPLP); multihull specialists responsible for Jules Verne record holder Groupama 3 , 33rd America’s Cup winner BMW Oracle and the 41.5 metre sailing catamaran Douce France . In the end the new boat grew to 44.2 metres, which was about as big as she could be without going over 500 gross tons and entering another world of regulations.

US yard Derecktor was initially chosen for the build, and work started in late 2005 with completion scheduled for November 2007. However, with the boat running late, Derecktor experienced financial difficulties in 2008 and the search for another builder began. Out of 18 shipyards under consideration Pendennis was chosen based on a facility to cope with the beam, engineering ability and favourable exchange rate.

And so in the autumn of 2009 the boat arrived in Falmouth, UK, on the deck of a ship, along with 13 containers worth of equipment. Almost two years later, Hemisphere was moored up outside the Pendennis dry dock in which she had been completed, ready to sail for the Mediterranean .

Michael Leach Design (MLD) was responsible for the interior and the styling of the exterior guest areas. VPLP purposely set out to keep the vast deck spaces uncluttered by winches, bollards and other deck fittings which are well disguised and MLD made the most of the potential by creating ‘places where you can sit and perch and talk to people’, as Bladen puts it.

The sun deck – accessible from the main aft deck by a single flight of stairs on the port side – is dominated by a spa pool between the two helm stations. Aft, an oval dining table for 12 has a map of the world etched into its glass top, but another oval table on the deck below will be the boat’s main dining area. In foul weather the area can be enclosed with a screen and, if necessary, air-conditioned.

Two curved sliding doors lead from the aft deck into the 100 square metre saloon, which has several distinct zones. One of these is a seating area, raised to maximise the stunning all-round views, the design of which MLD included in the initial proposal which secured their contract.

Forward of the saloon a small lobby area leads to a guest cabin in the port hull, a day head to starboard, and the two VIP cabins. The owners like to spend their time in the large communal areas onboard with their family and friends, however the cabins are comfortably proportioned with the two VIPs offering the option to open up into one space via a central partition and its component cupboards which can be quickly stowed, leaving a 16 metre wide master cabin with ‘his and hers’ bathrooms.

Aft in the port hull, and accessible from a companionway on the main deck, there are two further guest cabins, one of which is specifically for the owners’ grandchildren with two fixed and two Pullman berths.

Across the deck another companionway leads to the crew accommodation, which occupies most of the starboard hull and is also accessible through a sliding door from the saloon to the well-equipped galley. Forward is a crew mess and laundry area, and aft there are three comfortable cabins; the captain’s would meet the standards of a guest cabin on many a yacht.

‘The key words in the design brief from the owners were “Polynesian six star luxury”,’ says Mark Smith of MLD. Although there is a theme of walnut soles and panels in brushed oak and wengé – all of which have a deliberate textured feel – no two cabins are the same in layout or styling. A total of 18 leathers have been used, including crocodile and stingray skin, and there are 15 types of stone.

A lot of input came from the owner’s wife. ‘She knew what she liked instantly, which was great,’ says Leach. ‘She wanted everything to be as practical as possible as she wanted to enjoy the boat and for guests to feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible.’

Midships in each hull there is an engine room, both housing a Caterpillar C12s 490hp engine driving a controllable pitch propeller. There are three Caterpillar generators with a total capacity of 251kW, and each hull has a thruster fore and aft.

Other technical features of Hemisphere include a Radio Zeeland control and alarm system with 550 separate functions ranging from standing rigging loads to fridge temperatures; programmable lighting; navigation, communication and AV equipment supplied and commissioned by HST with a Crestron control unit in each cabin.

The main tender – a Scorpion 8.2 metre RIB – is ingeniously housed below the aft deck from which it is launched and recovered through ‘bomb doors’, prompting James Bond quips. The second tender is a 4.5 metre Castoldi RIB that lives at the aft end of the starboard hull and is launched by a C Quip beam crane through a top-hinging door on the inboard side of the hull. UK-based BMT Nigel Gee Ltd were responsible for the engineering of these unique spaces as well as the entire structure of the yacht.

The owners’ priority with regard to toys is the diving equipment, and the aft end of the port hull is dedicated to this, including the provision of a spinner to dry the wetsuits. Other toys include kayaks, wakeboards, water trampolines, SeaBobs and a diving springboard which can be bolted on to the starboard stern.

Hemisphere ’s maiden voyage and her successful inaugural cruise with her owners was followed by an appearance at the Monaco Yacht Show. She is in the Caribbean for the winter season, where she will be available for select charters through Burgess .

With her three metre draught she will be able to get into places other sailing yachts of this size could only dream of. After that there is no fixed itinerary, save for a desire from the owner to engage in some world cruising and to indulge the family’s passion for diving, but that map etched into the glass of the flybridge table could be useful for discussing the possibilities…

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Description

The 145 ft / 44.2 m Custom catamaran ‘ Hemisphere ‘ is the world’s largest catamaran and was was built in 2011 by Pendennis. This piece of marine art came off the drawing boards of Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost (VPLP) and the yacht’s interior was designed by Michael Leach. The lines on this boat remind me of VPLP´s earlier performance catamaran designs – read our Lagoon 67 review to see what we mean.

Living Space

Well, we are obviously talking top end luxury on this Supercat. She will sleep up to 12 guests in 5 comfortable en-suite cabins. Plus a crew of 10 crew onboard. The 2 VIP cabins on the main deck have access to the forward terrace lounge forward. It’s a yacht that not even the Sunreef Yachts luxury range can compete with.

Photo credit: Pendennis Shipyard

VPLP has a solid reputation for designing multihulls with projects ranging from ultra-light carbon racing cats to the 138-foot custom catamaran Douce France—previously the world’s largest luxury cat—built at Alumarine in 1999.

Wow Factor Michael Leach was responsible for the interior design – and he had a lot of space to work with. She’s very luxurious yet practical. Watersports include windsurfers, wakeboards, Seabobs, waterskis and so on. The port hull has a fully stocked dive centre that can handle both Air and NITROX tank fills. Just raise the lift-up steps aft to reveal the ultimate dive locker.

Let´s just say, there is a lot of it on Hemisphere!

The oval dining table for 12 has a map of the world etched into its glass top. There´s also a huge dining area below.

Huge Space The huge teak aft deck below is a real WOW factor and this space fits 2 seating areas, a large sunbed and a big oval table set in the shade for lunch when the sun is overhead. The entire area can be closed off with an ‘Eissen glass’ screen and cooled from A/C units located under the flybridge sun pad.

On the main deck, 2 curved sliding doors connect the aft deck with its dining and lounging areas to a 100 m2 saloon, with several zones including a seating area with fantastic views.

Forward of that is a small lobby that leads to the guest cabin in the port hull, a day head to starboard and 2 VIP cabins.

Signature Sugar Scoops And those daybeds at the top of the sugar scoops- let´s not forget those. The whole yacht has been designed with an incredible attention to detail.

The crew quarters occupy much of the starboard hull. Forward is the mess and laundry area, and aft there are three well sized cabins. A happy crew means a happy cuise!

Hemisphere has a selection of tenders including a Castoldi jet tender stowed in the starboard hull and a RIB stowed between the two that is launched via bomber-like hatches.

5 Star Accomodation The TV room is on the main deck, and puts most 5 star hotels to shame. There are Wi-Fi and socket connections, Satcom and Cellular communications, Satellite TV, iPod docking stations and MP3 connections throughout the boat. There’s also 61″ plasma TV in the lower saloon, 42″ plasmas in the VIP staterooms and 32″ LCD TVs in the guest staterooms.

It´s all a far cry from the world´s best selling catamaran! (Read our Lagoon 380 review if you want to compare notes on the 2 boats 😉 )

And she can sail, too. She’ll regularly see 10 knots, and downwind the mainsail and gennaker add up to a total sail area exceeding 12,000 feet: Hemisphere can top out at 20 knots. It’s all powered by that mouth-droppping 53m (174-foot) 5.8-ton carbon mast by Lorima, which flys 865 m2 (9,321 sq ft) to 1118 m2 (12,037 sq ft) of carbon and spectra sails. Incredibly, this amazing catamaran is her owner’s first yacht. It’s a good job he can afford the crew!

A Catamaran with a Garage? Yes. One of the most famous Hemisphere catamaran design features is the “ailes de mouette” or seagull wings under the bridge deck which minimises bridge slam. On Hemisphere the wings serve a secondary purpose: there’s a watertight garage between the two hulls within the seagull wings.

For such a large vessel, she has a very low drag so only requires relatively small engines for her size : energy consumption and noise are kept to a minimum. Midships in each hull are 2 engine rooms with 2x Caterpillar C12s 490hp engines as the power source. There are 3 Caterpillar generators with a total output of 251kW, and there is a thruster fore and aft in both hulls to make life easier in the marina.

Other technical gizmos include a Radio Zeeland control and alarm system with 550 functions including monitoring standing rigging loads to fridge temperatures, plus programmable lighting; navigation, communication and the entertainment system that was supplied by HST with control units in each cabin.

Watersports

Check out this list of toys. Well, if you have the space…..

This cat has been designed for maximising watersports fun. The owners are keen divers, and in fact the initial brief for the yacht came from this angle. A hydraulic swim platform means access to the water is easy, and a springboard, attached to the stern, is a favourite with guests.

All the Toys and More The yacht carries dive scooters, two Seabobs, wakeboards, paddleboards and mountain bikes for onshore exploration. You name it, Hemisphere probably has it covered, including:

• Certified PADI dive centre
• 16.4m F&S Custom sports fishing boat with 2 x 1150hp engines,
• 8.2m Scorpion tender with 400hp engine,
• 4.5m Castoldi jet tender with 125hp,
• Full scuba diving facilities for 12 guests,
• 4 x SeaBobs,
• Windsurfers,
• Kneeboards & tows,
• SUP (Stand up paddle board,
• 4m inflatable water trampoline,
• Inflatables,
• 1m high 2.4m professional diving board,
• Snorkelling gear,
• Sports tournament standard fishing equipment

If you like exploring the underwater world, then you´ll like this next bit.

Hemisphere has a PADI-certified, Nitrox-capable dive centre for up to 12. The ship’s captain is a qualified dive instructor. And then there is the 16.4m (53.8ft) sports fishing tender for getting to those secluded dive sites as well as being a tournament-standard fishing boat.

Entertainment

• State of the art audio visual systems, satellite television
• Wi-Fi and socket connections
• 61″ plasma in lower salon,
• 42″ plasma in VIPs and
• 32″ LCD’s in guest cabins,
• Ipod/MP3 connections throughout the yacht.
• Sat TV (Seatel)Kaleidescape system with a big movie library

If you enjoyed this review, take a look at our Azizam catamaran review which is another classic custom boat – that one’s a smaller package.

Hemisphere Plan

This next section ( Pros and Cons ) is a bit tongue in cheek for this particular custom cat. It’s a process we normally go through on our other multihull reviews. We thought it would be fun!

• All of that space! Come on, this is the largest catamaran around, you are not going to feel claustrophobic on her.
• The garage is a unique feature on this boat. When you have that many toys, you need somewhere for them to go.
• For such a large vessel, she moves. You should see double digits on a beam reach in a decent breeze.
• If you break out into a cold sweat coming into the marina on a windy day, just think of the poor skipper on Hemisphere. Mind you, he or she has bow thrusters and plenty of power in the engines. Oh and the skipper is getting paid to deal with the stress.
• She’s not the cheapest boat to run. Those marina fees are pretty eye watering, and don’t talk to me about filling up with diesel. If you go on the usual adage of 5-10% of the boat’s value on maintenance every year, you are into 7 figures. I can believe that when you think of the cost of the crew
• Most of the power for the service batteries comes from the generators. A more modern design would probably have focused more on green energy. Still, there’s always room for more customisation!

Hemisphere was launched in 2011 and she still sits at the top of the Supercats list. That gives you an idea of how ambitious this yacht build was to begin with. This is the catamaran that all other luxury multihulls aspire to, a work of art from the same team that designed the humble Lagoon 380.

FAQs: Hemisphere Catamaran

How Much Did Hemisphere Cost to Build? Well, that´s not a number that is easy to get hold of, but we are looking at north of $50 million

Can you charter Hemisphere? How much is it for a week? Yes you can, this boat is probably one of the most luxurious dive charters around, but it will cost you more than a Leopard from Sunsail. You are looking at around $250k a week. Everything is negotiable of course.

Technical Specification

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Best Cruising Catamarans

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• Updated: July 1, 2021

Cruising catamarans have been around for decades, but early models—often plywood and fiberglass vessels built by their owners from plans and kits, kept the boats on the fringes of mainstream sailing. That all changed, though, as big roomy cats were discovered by sailors who went off to charter in the Caribbean, where the multihulls proved their worth as comfortable liveaboard and party boats.

Today’s bluewater catamarans roam the globe, carrying families to exotic destinations across the Pacific and beyond. Just as with their monohull cousins, there is no best catamaran. Instead there is a wide variety of designs, ranging from small catamarans that offer the ease of maintenance a couple might enjoy to performance catamarans capable of easily knocking off 250-mile days. Today, the best catamaran brands offer a range of size models and layouts that can be optimized for an owner sailing with family and friends, or for the charter market, where there’s a demand for four, five and even six cabins worth of accommodations.

The most prolific catamaran manufacturers are in France and South Africa where yards include both large-run production builders and niche companies building fewer than 10 boats a year.

The best cruising catamarans offer good load-carrying ability and respectable performance. As with any sailboat , a modern catamaran’s design is a result of compromises. Daggerboards or keels? Galley up or galley down? Spacious owner’s cabin or extra bunks? There are lots of options to choose from—and that’s what makes looking at these sailboats fun!

Here, then is an eclectic A to Z list of some of the best catamarans that have helped shaped the evolution of how we live and sail on two hulls.

Antares 44i

Now built in Argentina as a full-fledged, bluewater catamaran and cruiser that can be safely operated by a shorthanded couple or family crew, the Antares 44i features a fully covered cockpit with a quartet of big, standard solar panels recessed within the hardtop, one example of a yacht capable of long-range passagemaking.

Atlantic 42

Almost 30 years ago, yacht designer Chris White revolutionized catamaran design with the first in his series of Atlantic cats, the primary feature of which was the innovative mid-ship sailing cockpit forward of the main cabin. The smallest in the Atlantic line, the 42 remains White’s most popular design ever.

Fountaine-Pajot has built so many outstanding cruising catamarans that it’s difficult to narrow down any single boat, but we’ve always been fans of the good-looking, well-thought-out Bahia 46. At 46 feet, the boat is large enough for offshore forays and has plenty of volume; with its simple but powerful sail plan, it’s also an excellent performer.

Beginning around 1996, the French builder Catana was one of the first companies to manufacture fully found cruising cats for private ownership, and this Christophe Barreau design, which enjoyed a nearly 10-year production run from 1997-2006, was emblematic of this first generation of safe, fun, long-legged offshore voyagers.

Click here to see more cats from Catana.

When it comes to speed, light boats are fast ones. And if you wish to save weight, that means exotic modern materials like carbon. Catana now infuses the laminates of their entire production line with carbon fiber, and for this list, we’ve chosen the Catana 50 Carbon, one of the zippiest cats now crossing oceans.

Click here to read about a couple’s charter aboard a Catana 50.

Gemini 105M

Pioneering catamaran sailor, builder and designer Tony Smith launched the first of his 33-foot Gemini 105M’s (10.5 meters = 33′) in 1993, and soon after found a ready and willing stream of sailors enamored of the boat’s compact size, affordable price tag, and such innovations as the nifty lifting rudder and transom steps.

Click here to read about the Gemini Legacy 35.

Built between 2000-2005, the Gunboat 62 firmly established the Gunboat brand: go-anywhere cats that applied race-boat technology to a world-cruising platform. Hull no. 1, Tribe, was built for company founder Peter Johnstone, who then spent a year-and-a-half cruising with his family, smiling all the way.

French builder Henri Wauquiez is best known for his long career building monohulls, but the Kronos 45 cat, which he launched in 1992, was ahead of her time. Classic lines, the aft “targa bar” over the cockpit, the louvered coach roof windows, even the distinctive stripes on her hull: the Kronos 45 remains timeless.

No roundup of cruising cats would be complete without several Lagoon entries, and the best of that impressive bunch might well be the Lagoon 380. Originally launched in 1999, and revered for its combination of quality, volume and performance, with over 740 boats built the 380 is still going strong.

Launched five years after the breakthrough 380, the Lagoon 440 was an evolutionary design that featured a raised flybridge helm station, a unique “gullwing” configuration below the bridge deck, expanded windows in the hull and much more. With 400 boats built in a 6-year production run, the 440 was an unqualified success.

How big can a production cat, still operable by a short-handed crew, really be? The builders at Lagoon discovered that 62-feet hit a sweet spot in the marketplace, and have sold over 70 boats since its introduction in 2010. The centerpiece of this design is the sensational steering station atop the flybridge, with expansive views of the sea and sky.

Click here to see more cats from Lagoon.

With an unmatched pedigree – designed by premier multihull naval architects Gino Morelli and Pete Melvin, built by the prestigious Robertson & Caine boatyard in South Africa, and commissioned by chartering giant The Moorings – the Leopard 40 was, perhaps unsurprisingly, Cruising World ’s Import Boat of the Year in 2005.

Louisiane 37

Based on the famous French racing cat Charente-Maritime, the Louisiane 37, designed by Joubert/Nivelt and launched by builder Fountaine-Pajot in 1983, was a light, fast liveaboard cruiser with full accommodations that represented a radical departure from the hefty British cats that preceded it.

Maine Cat 30

One of the more versatile and clever cats ever created, the central feature of the cool Maine Cat 30 is the open bridge deck/living room sandwiched between the hulls and canopied by a rigid, permanent hard top (the comfortable accommodations/ staterooms are stationed in the hulls). Ideal for a winter in the Bahamas but with the ability to sail offshore, it’s a boat for all seasons and reasons.

Built in Florida and beloved by the owners of the over 120 boats built during the company’s existence from 1993 to 2009, the Manta Catamarans range included 38-, 40- and 44-foot cats. For this exercise, however, we’re heralding the original Manta 42, which won the Best Value Overall prize in CW’s 2001 Boat of the Year contest.

Moorings 4800/Leopard 48

Another Leopard/Moorings collaboration built by the wizards at Robertson & Caine (though this boat was designed by fellow South African Alex Simonis), the Leopard 48 was another CW Boat of the Year winner with all the contemporary bells and whistles: forward cockpit, flybridge helm station and solid hardtop dodger, just to name a few.

Click here to read more about the Leopard 48, and click here to see more images.

Nautitech 441

The Best Multihull Under 45 Feet: So said the CW judging panel in the 2013 Boat of the Year competition, regarding the Nautitech 441. But what makes this versatile platform so intriguing are the different helm set-ups. The 441 employs a single wheel, to starboard, ideal for solo sailors, while the 442 has a pair of helm stations aft.

Click here to see more Nautitech Catamarans.

Outremer 5X

A state-of-the-art all-oceans cat that exemplifies how far multihull design has come, the 59-foot Outremer 5X was a winner on both sides of the Atlantic, taking top honors in the European Boat of the Year competition in 2013, and following up as the Best Full-Size Multihull in CW ’s contest a year later.

Click here to see more cats from Outremer.

St. Francis 50

The flagship of the proud St. Francis line – built in South Africa since 1990 to designs by local legends Lavranos Marine Design – the St. Francis 50 is another “luxury cat” that shares much in common with an earlier 48-foot sister-ship, but packs even more payload into its roomier lines.

Click here to read more about the St. Francis 50

Seawind 1000

Founded by Aussie surfer and sailor Richard Ward in 1982, the 33-foot Seawind 1000 is easily the most popular cruising cat ever built in Australia (the company has since moved its manufacturing and management operations to Vietnam). Roomy and airy, these cats dot the coastline of eastern Oz.

Seawind 1160

If the Seawind 1000 was a minimalist approach to cruising cats, the 38-foot Seawind 1160 is the flip side of the coin, a full-fledged long-range voyager. Among the reasons it was named CW ’s Most Innovative boat for 2007 is the unique “tri-folding” door that stashes overhead to open up the saloon and cockpit into a spacious living area.

Click here to read more about the Seawind 1160.

Sunsail 384

Every sailboat is a compromise, and in the case of the Sunsail 384 (also sold privately as the Leopard 38) that’s a good thing, because designers Morrelli & Melvin and builder Robertson and Caine got the balance just right with this relatively small catamaran. With four cabins, the 384 can carry the same size bareboat charter crowd as her larger siblings, but does so with a decided bounce in her step. Named CW’s Import Boat of the Year in 2010, you can gauge the success of the design by the grins on the crew as they barrel down Sir Francis Drake channel in the British Virgin Islands.

Victoria 67

The French design office of Berret Racoupeau drafted the lines of Fountaine-Pajot’s new flagship, introduced in 2013, a magnificent world-girdling voyaging catamaran. Like other giant cats launched in recent years, the boat features a sensational upper deck with all sail controls, helm and lounging stations.

Click here to see more images of the Victoria 67.

Wharram Tanaroa

No list of influential multihulls would be complete without the work of James Wharram, and while Tangaroa wasn’t a production cat by any means, it showcases the British designer’s respect for ancient Polynesian craft. Wharram sailed this 23-foot-6-inch “double-hulled canoe” across the Atlantic in the 1950s, and sold countless plans for similar boats for decades afterwards.

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Catamaran Hemisphere

44.20m, (145') - Sleeps 12 Guests

Home › All Yachts › Catamaran Hemisphere

Right from the start, HEMISPHERE is in a league of her own. The world's largest luxury charter catamaran, HEMISPHERE boasts the ultimate fusion of extravagance and dynamic performance. This stunning 44.2m (145') sailing yacht commands unrivalled presence whether sailing or at anchor. HEMISPHERE will be available for charter in the stunning destinations of the Grenadines and Costa Rica until May 2024 and then in the idyllic islands of French Polynesia from August 2024.

Built by Pendennis and designed by renowned naval architects and multihull specialists, Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost, her interior concept by Michael Leach Design can be described as "Polynesian Six Star Luxury": 15 varieties of stone, 18 different leathers, a soothing palette and blend of finishes including walnut soles, brushed oak and wengé, make HEMISPHERE a charter connoisseur's dream.

At 44.2m, her imposing size allows ample room for all the luxuries her charter guests could desire. A performance catamaran, HEMISPHERE is stable at sea as well and quick to respond when her 2 x 490hp Caterpillar engines are employed. HEMISPHERE accommodates up to 12 charter guests, and no two staterooms are identical. The two VIP masters are located forward of the main saloon, both with ensuite shower rooms. These staterooms can be adapted into a single master suite via a retractable joining door. In addition charter guests are accommodated in 2 double staterooms plus a twin stateroom with two pullman berths, all with ensuite shower rooms. The TV room on the main deck, boasts a Kaleidescape system where charter guests can choose from hundreds of movies and games. Wi-Fi and socket connections, Satcom and Cellular communications facilities, Satellite TV, iPod docking stations and MP3 connections are throughout the vessel. There's a 61" plasma TV in the lower saloon, 42" plasmas in the VIP staterooms and 32" LCD TVs in charter guest staerooms.

Outside, the flybridge affords massive deck space for recreation, and an inviting seating area surrounds the spa pool. The main aft deck features a fascinating oval-shaped glass table, etched with a map of the world's seven continents. The lavish formal dining area is located on the deck below.

As for water sports and toys, HEMISPHERE'S options are nearly limitless for charter guests. In addition to an 8.2m Scorpion tender with 315hp Yamaha inboard, HEMISPHERE comes equipped with a 16.4m (54ft) F&S custom sport fishing boat for game fishing, diving and guest excursions. There is a 4.5m Castoldi jet wave rider with Yanmar 125hp engine, full scuba diving gear for 12 guests, water skis, five water scooters, two Seabobs, wake boards, kneeboard, kayaks, paddle boards, tow toys, a 4.8m inflatable water trampoline and a 1m high 2.4m professional diving board!

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12 Best Catamaran Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 28, 2023

The appeal of the catamaran sailboats in terms of speed , stability, and the ability to embark on long-range cruising has made them hugely popular with today's sailors. But what are the best catamaran sailboats?

Even though catamaran sailboats have become increasingly popular in the last few years, they have a truly rich legacy as one of the most sought after vessels for bluewater cruising.

Thanks to their incredibly wide beams and bigger daft, catamarans have become remarkably favorable for sailors looking to go for long-distance voyages, overnight cruising, and day sailing.

And if space is paramount for you when out there on the water, a catamaran sailboat is the only way to go as they offer extraordinary space to allow you to spend more time on the water with friends and family.

But even with all these amazing features, you're probably still wondering; what are the best catamaran sailboats?

Like their monohull counterparts, choosing the best catamaran sailboat can be quite overwhelming since there are lots of them out there. They come in a wide variety of designs and sizes ranging from small catamarans to huge ones.

The best catamaran sailboats can easily clock 250-mile voyages, offer incredible performance, and have layouts that can be easily optimized for individuals, charter markets, and great accommodation. In essence, the best catamaran sailboats offer respectable performance and offer good load-carrying ability.

That being said, here are some of the best catamaran sailboats that you can get your hands on.

Table of contents

Best Catamarans

{{boat-info="/boats/manta-42"}}

Even though many multihulls are no longer built in the United States these days, the Manta 42 is a true American-built catamaran that brings good living and good value into one package. Designed cleverly for easy handling, this American built catamaran is a great choice for a liveaboard cruiser for sailors looking to go for long-distance voyages. Thanks to its trademark high bows and an enormously curved incorporated forward crossbeam, this catamaran is easily recognizable even from a distance.

It is designed with a uniquely fixed crossbeam, which is very different from conventional aluminum cross beams that support the tension of the forestay. This fixed crossbeam allows for a little bit of movement thereby helping in absorbing enormous twisting forces of the bows. As such, you have to keep in mind that there may be resultant stress crack particularly in the bow area of the vessel.

All in all, the Manta 42 is a superb offshore cruising catamaran that offers a good sail-area-to-displacement ratio as well as plenty of space and accommodation. The cockpit area is refined, luxurious, and is designed with additional stainless pushpit contraptions to help in holding objects such as wind vanes, dinghies, and solar panels. The boat's quality in terms of performance and stability is the benchmark of what a catamaran should be.

Fountaine Pajot Elba 45

{{boat-info="/boats/fountaine-pajot-elba-45"}}

Recently named the "Boat of the Year" for 2019 by Cruising World Magazine and Sail Magazine, the Elba 45 is the latest model in the incredible line of Fountaine Pajot catamarans. This boat was designed to replace the outgoing Helia 44 and stands to be one of the most popular catamarans with Fountain Pajot having sold over 100 Elba 45 hulls long before even the first one emerged from production.

This French-built cat brings to the fore a well-thought-out, safe, and dependable features with 10% less drag, efficient motoring, top-notch performance, and high speeds. It's also designed with fixed stub keels and slightly aft-raked bows, which are all essential in enhancing windward performance; something that most catamarans struggle with.

To improve on safety, the keels of this amazing catamaran sailboat are glued into a particularly designed recess in the hulls. This is to ensure that there are no keel bolts that can rip out and put the boat in danger if the boat gets grounded or in the event of a collision. The rig is also ICW friendly and is a true representation of a standard catamaran setup.

This is, without a doubt, a modern-looking cruising catamaran that has a low-profile lounging space on its deck, high topsides and bows as well as a more pronounced reverse sheer that's essential in minimizing the bulk of the windows while creating additional and useful volume below. This is a true catamaran that occupies a sweet spot for those looking to sail along the bay or for those adventurous sailors looking to set sail for more ambitious offshore cruising plans.

{{boat-info="/boats/leopard-48"}}

With its fine design, straightforward systems, and easy handling, the Leopard 48 has everything it needs to be ranked among the distinguished category of the best catamaran sailboats. This is an excellent multihull that is structured with advanced materials, designs, and innovations that are meant to be fun, spacious, and comfortable.

Designed in South Africa by Simonis-Voogd, is probably the best design in the Leopard family of catamarans. Its two hulls are vacuum-bagged using balsa core to offer maximum firmness while ensuring that the weight is on the minimum. This is done by articulately regulating the level of resin in the layup. With such types of hull shapes, this catamaran sailboat is very fast and can consistently clock 12 knots of speed against the currents.

The boat is also designed with shallow keels as they're filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam that's of great importance in increasing buoyancy and preventing water ingress. To enhance the safety of the vessel, the stern and bow both have bulkheads that are essential in keeping out that water if the sailboat is involved in a collision.

The hulls of this boat are deep and narrow, particularly below the waterline. They also curve higher up to practically reduce the wetted surface area while offering enough deck space and plenty of room for accommodations. Its cockpit is another excellent feature thanks to its lavish spaces that give you the chance of kicking back and relaxing.

This boat is designed to offer superior livability, quick and easy to handle features, as well as enough space for friends and family. It is designed with beautiful lines and immense practicality for those who want to go on long cruising voyages.

Antares 44i

While many people often believe that voluminous cruising catamarans should be used as charter boats, the Antares 44i brings a very different perspective altogether. Designed in Argentina as a complete bluewater catamaran, this is a boat that's specifically built for private boat owners looking for a sturdy and well-equipped bluewater cruiser. This is an absolutely gorgeous catamaran that has a fully-equipped cockpit just to ensure that you can safely operate it even when shorthanded.

Like most catamarans, the Antares 44i is designed with features that allow for long-distance voyages. It comes with a minimum bridge deck clearance of 30 inches, which is essential in mitigating bridge deck slap. The helm station is designed to offer excellent visibility over the coach roof without having to perch the helmsman high above the cockpit.

If you're planning to make those long-distance cruising to exotic places, you'll appreciate this boat's layout. The galley is put down in the port hull so that it doesn't compromise the size of the galley and the saloon. The forward-facing navigation station is up there with the best and is up to offshore standards. And that's not all; the Antares 44i comes with good mounting points for electronics, a large table, comfortable seats, and provides brilliant visibility outside.

This boat is perfectly suited for extended offshore cruising and is a great reminder for anyone who thinks that all catamarans are charter boats and all offshore boats are monohulls.

{{boat-info="/boats/dolphin-ocema-42"}}

Designed by Philipe Pouvreau in northern Brazil, the Dolphin Ocema 42 is a truly unique catamaran sailboat that goes against the conventional norm of catamarans. It is equipped with daggerboards, which are essential in enabling it to point higher on the wind while reducing the wetted surface when running or anchoring in shallow surfaces. This, however, requires a higher level of expertise in sailing. This is because lifting the daggerboards higher up will expose the rudders while the daggerboards can also interfere with the hulls in the event that the vessel runs aground.

But even with that, the Dolphin 42 balances incredible performance and cruising comfort in a very compact package; something that is not very easy in bluewater cruising. That's why it's designed using a foam core to make it lightweight by reducing weight wherever possible. This vessel will most likely never let you down if you want to circumnavigate the bluewater on a high-performance boat that is safe and comfortable.

So if you've been looking for a real sailing catamaran that doubles up as a very comfortable liveaboard sailboat , look no further than the Dolphin 42.

{{boat-info="/boats/catana-50"}}

Regarded as the best built and most stylish cruising multihull, the Catana 50 is a very huge catamaran sailboat. Measuring about 50 feet long with a beam of about 26 feet, this is an amazing catamaran that will test your sailing skills as a single sailor or if you're planning to sail shorthanded.

This boat is designed with a rig that gives you the option of using either a screecher or a self-tending jib. This may seem complex since the sheets are led to winches near each wheel while all other controls lead to a centerline winch that's located in the cockpit. But even with that, this sailboat can be easily tacked once on the course.

This is a real performance-oriented catamaran with efficient hulls and rigs allowing for top speed. This vessel is also designed with a long waterline and a subtle underwater shape at the bow to help in increasing volume while minimizing wave drag. The stern platforms can help in stretching the waterline length while also providing easy access from a dock or a dinghy. The board trunks are also very strong and sturdy to protect the integrity of the hulls if a collision occurs.

In essence, this is a very modern catamaran that's designed to safely make long-distance passages with ease. It is subdued in terms of styling but this doesn't mean that it falls short as far as performance is concerned.

Atlantic 42

{{boat-info="/boats/atlantic-42"}}

Designed in 1993, the A42 has cultivated a legion of fiercely loyal fans thanks to its efficiency and aesthetic. This is the smallest of the Atlantic cruising catamaran line and is hugely popular with sailors thanks to its ease of handling, ocean-going capabilities, and superb use of space. From the forward cockpit, pilothouse to the sleeping cabins, and brilliant galleys everything about this cat is a true classic.

Unlike most catamarans, the Atlantic 42 is designed with a waist-high cockpit that's located forward of the pilothouse just behind the mast. It brings forth a solid construction thanks to the large metal girder-like bearers that run across the bulkheads. This helps the vessel in having the utmost strength, better air circulation under the engine, and a high level of flexibility as far as the size of the engine and its positioning is concerned.

Initially, the boat's style and its outlook were considered conservative but it soon became clear that it is built of high-quality materials and to last. The internal construction of the boat is impressive, to say the least. The exterior looks very beautiful and perhaps much more beautiful than most boats today. Its large aft cabin accommodation is a top drawer while the space separating en suite heads and shower compartments are considered a bonus.

{{boat-info="/boats/fountaine-pajot-bahia-46"}}

If you were to board the French-built Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46, you'll agree that the high-quality of workmanship, layout, and efficient use of space is quite exciting, to say the least. This cat remains very popular among sailors thanks to its easy handling features and incredible performance under the sails. Well, this may not come as a surprise to many of us given that the Fountain Pajot is known for building some of the most remarkable cruising catamarans out there that it can be quite overwhelming to narrow down to a single vessel, but the Bahia 46 simply stands out.

This vessel is designed with hulls that are broader than those of many other catamarans. It's also designed with centerboards and daggerboards that are meant to enhance its performance. These are essential in minimizing draft while ensuring reliability, generous bilge, and in helping to protect the rudders and propellers.

This boat is big enough to manage any type of serious offshore sailing. This is one of the best cruising catamarans for anyone looking for the right vessel for long-distance sailing. This vessel has a very more generous rig than most cruising catamarans, which is essential in enhancing its performance. The six-post Bimini is very strong and clean and can perfectly hold dinghies.

In terms of its look, the Bahia 36 is designed with gorgeous lines with the deck and hulls sculpted with lines that add a touch of elegance to the overall look of an already excellent catamaran sailboat.

Gemini 105MC

{{boat-info="/boats/gemini-105mc"}}

Whether you're looking for a comfortable catamaran vessel to take you for a weekend sailing trip or a long sabbatical vacation on the oceans, the Gemini 105MC is a very satisfactory liveaboard catamaran vessel that offers spacious accommodation, thoughtful design, and a stable cruising platform for anyone who wants to have some good time on the water.

Designed by the legendary Tony Smith, this is somewhat a sailing cottage. Like a land cottage, it is cozy, comfortable, and very safe. This is essentially a 35 feet catamaran that offers great value for any sailing looking for a reasonably-priced catamaran sailboat for the weekend or holiday cruising.

This boat is designed with incredibly slim hulls, which are teardrop-shaped with flat bottoms and smaller wetted surface area. This is to ensure that drag is minimized and to lead to more leeway under sail. Each of the boat's hull is designed with a kick-up centerboard is of great importance in enhancing the vessel's windward pointing capability. This boat also has its rudders raised to enable it to seamlessly cruise in shallow waters where most vessels would otherwise run aground.

The eccentric narrow beam, which measures about 40% of the boat's length, is very different from today's 50%. However, its low center helps in keeping its stable, upright, and of course, safe.

Lagoon 450 F

{{boat-info="/boats/lagoon-450-f"}}

If you're looking for a catamaran sailboat that offers prestige at its peak, look no further than the Lagoon 450. This cat is widely known for offering an all-around comfort without compromising its beauty, spaciousness, class, and elegance. This is an elaborate French catamaran that brings to the table fantastic craftsmanship while leaving nothing to chance.

This is a very safe 45 feet catamaran that's not just comfortable but also very luxurious. The deck layout is centered on an amazing flybridge, which has been redesigned and redefined to offer both the traditional and modern outlook. You can very easily access the bridge, engine controls, steering station in a matter of seconds. As a result, this boat is efficiently designed to give you the ultimate control of almost every situation while on the water.

The spacious and luxurious interior of this boat is worth experiencing. The cabins and saloons are perfectly lit. We're talking about four to six cabins, eight to twelve berths, and up to four bathrooms. In essence, this boat can comfortably sleep eight to twelve people. This boat is designed to offer ultra-modern accommodations and amenities that come with little but amazing touches; all designed to make your life inside the catamaran enjoyable.

{{boat-info="/boats/gunboat-62"}}

An original performance catamaran cruiser from the iconic Gunboat manufacturer, the Gunboat 62 has truly cemented its place as one of the best catamaran sailboats to ever grace the oceans. Honestly speaking, this cat-inspired a whole range of other incredible boats including HH66 Catamaran and the Balance 526.

This is a boat that can perform admirably well in storms with a speed of over 35 knots despite being built using epoxy and E-glass with carbon-fiber structural components. It's designed with a distinct angular outline than most catamaran sailboats of its size and category. This is a vessel that was built for people looking to add more stuff and more gear for their voyages. In other words, you can have all the gear and equipment on this boat and still outperform a racing monohull of the same size.

Thanks to its lightweight feature, this vessel can sail upwind at speeds of over 17 knots and pinch up to 30 degrees. Just for comparison, the Gunboat 62 can tack through 95 degrees and still outperform the best racing monohulls. This boat is designed with a comfortable helm seat that offers 360-degree visibility as well as plenty of storage space, a functional working surface, and a luxurious cabin. Like many performance catamarans, the Gunboat 62 can attain about 20 knots if the conditions are right.

Privilege 615

{{boat-info="/boats/privilege-615"}}

Combining elegance, comfort, and style, the Privilege 615 is a lovely catamaran sailboat that seems to be always ready for a long offshore voyage. The roots of this incredible cat can be traced back to the 1980s when Philippe Jeantot opened up a boat-building company in France. As one of the best productions from the company, the privilege 615 sports a flybridge that comes complete with twin wheels, a sprawling sunbed, and other excellent features that will make your bluewater cruising a breeze.

Whether you want the charter version or a privately-owned version, the Privilege 615 is one of the most versatile catamaran sailboats. Step inside this vessel and you'll instantly notice the quality of the wood finish and the elegance of design. The advanced navigation station is not only ultra-modern but is perfectly stationed at a dedicated corner where you can control everything while still having a conversation with your friends and family.

This boat comes with multiple sleeping configurations to ensure that you and your guests can live aboard the boat for months on end. Although the boat appears like some sort of maze on the inside, you'll easily get used to it when you enter the forward section. That's not all; this boat has gorgeous lines that make the exterior beautiful just like the interior. Its sleek profile, incredible volume, and versatile interior make it one of the best catamaran sailboats out there.

There you have it; these are the best catamaran sailboats out there. It doesn't matter the one you choose, these cats will make your day out on the water and will serve you just right for your offshore voyages or for day sailing along the bays.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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This New 79-Foot Sailing Catamaran Is Like a Pied-à-Terre for the High Seas

The six-stateroom "spirit of ponant" will debut in corsica this summer., rachel cormack.

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Ponant is returning to its roots in small-ship cruising.

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Based on Lagoon’s Seventy 7 model, the newcomer was built in Bordeaux, France. The cat features six generous staterooms for up to 12 guests and cabins for four crew. Ponant says seafarers can expect personalized service, including a private chef, tailored activities, and other high-end touches.

 “The concept and design of this Lagoon Seventy 7 yacht has been praised by everyone in the industry, won over by the spacious interior and exterior areas,” Guillaume Le Brec, the experienced skipper in charge of this project at Ponant, said in a statement. “Guests will really appreciate the high-end finishings as much as her exceptional sailing qualities.” 

Furthermore, the itineraries are completely customizable, too. The inaugural seven-night roundtrip voyages from Bonifacio can be tweaked to the traveler’s interests, with the captain offering recommendations. After a stint in Corsica, Spirit of Ponant will cruise around Mahé, a.k.a. the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, for the winter season.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Both experienced yachting enthusiasts and those new to the world of yacht charters choose to holiday and hold events aboard luxury catamarans for their unique advantages over monohulled vessels, and these 10 largest luxury catamarans available for charter are amongst the best available today. These impeccably maintained catamarans provide greater stability while cruising and at anchor, and the wider beam creates more space on board for hosting dockside events and revelling in the outdoor lifestyle wherever you travel. Of note are the huge cockpits that are weather protected, spacious foredecks with trampolines, and most large catamarans also have a flybridge for sunbathing and alfresco dining.

Catamarans are also generally considered to be faster than monohulls, and can often enter shallower bays to find hidden gems thanks to their low draft. A final catamaran benefit is twin engines to match the twin hulls, increasing safety and manoeuvrability while travelling between isles.

HEMISPHERE - 44.20m (145')

Since her launch in 2011 luxury catamaran HEMISPHERE has remained one of the largest catamarans in the world as well as the largest currently available on the charter market. She won Interior Layout Award: Sailing Yachts and Interior Design Award: Sailing Yachts at the Showboats Design Awards 2012 where she was also a finalist in other categories for her exterior design and on board amenities.

There are two dive instructors aboard this PADI Certified Dive Centre and the wide variety of water toys will satisfy adrenaline seekers as well as guests look to unwind in the water or on deck in peace. Earthen tones decorate the interior, where there are numerous seating areas for small groups, and the outdoor deck spaces offer a plethora or sunbathing options in addition to a flybridge Jacuzzi.

DOUCE FRANCE - 42.20m (138' 5")

Built in 1998 by Alumarine and last refitted in 2015, DOUCE FRANCE provides late 20th Century style with classic wooden panelling and understated furnishings that create a warm and inviting atmosphere. On board there is a wine cellar with a 250 bottle capacity and an extensive collection of water toys including sail boats, sea kayaks, wind surfers and Scuba diving equipment, giving guests the opportunity to earn a recognised diving licence during their stay.

S/Y DOUCE FRANCE can sail at a constant 22 knots in 28 knots of breeze using her 528.8m2/5,692ft2 fore and aft sail area, and regularly achieves 15 knots in 20 knots of wind, making good time from island to island in charter grounds such as the Saronic Islands.

THE BEAST - 39.5m/129.7ft

Motor catamaran THE BEAST is unusual on this list not only for her lack of sails but also because she is designed for expeditions. She was built in New Zealand and launched in 2019 by Profab Engineering with naval architecture by LOMOcean and deep, moody interiors by Oceania Interiors. Floor to ceiling windows let an abundance of natural light filter through to highlight the textures, and vibrant accents of colour can be found in the surrounding artwork. The main deck aft is used for storing the large water toys, including a custom-built sports fisher and an amphibious RIB. On the flybridge there is a Teppanyaki bar where guests can watch their dinner and dessert being prepared before them in incredible skill and showmanship.

CHE - 34.72m (113' 11")

Sunreef catamaran CHE from 2010 was the shipyard's second custom-built superyacht. She has a voluminous 12.8m/42ft beam that results in a large interior salon, beautifully decorated in warm wooden panelling contrasted by vibrant furnishings in turquoise. The accommodation sleeps a maximum of eight guests in four en-suite cabins, and those on board have at their disposal a sizable cockpit filled with sofas, sunbeds and alfresco dining options shaded by the hard top. On the flybridge there is a sun-exposed sunbathing space and an alfresco dining area soaked in sunshine

QUARANTA - 34.10m (111' 11")

Motor catamaran QUARANTA from Curvelle - Logos in Turkey was built in 2013 was built in carbon composite and powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32 Acer diesel engines that allow her to achieve an excellent top speed of 25 knots and a fast cruising speed of 23 knots.

Sleeping up to 12 guests across six well-appointed and generously proportioned staterooms, M/Y QUARANTA treats guests to light and airy interiors as well as notable features such as the hydraulic swim platform that lifts to give guests and the tender easy access in and out of the sea. At deck level it adds to the area for lounging and entertaining with the tender docked safely out of sight between the two hulls. It can also be lowered to water level and become the beach club and with a touch of a button have two water cascades with spa bubbles from underneath.

BELLA VITA - 32m/105ft

Guests looking for serenity and comfort will fall in love with luxury catamaran BELLA VITA , who is true to her name by offering calming, well-lit interiors suited to dining and lounging as a group or spending time on personal pursuits. She won Best New Refit at the World Superyacht Awards 2010 and has plenty of outdoor sunbathing areas, and there is a great selection of water toys for all ages and fitness levels to truly interact with your surroundings.

TIP TOP II - 31.7m/104ft

When you want to take a larger group for a cruise, options can seem few and far between - even aboard larger luxury yachts. M/Y TIP TOP II can host up to 16 guests overnight, who have a choice of 10 light and airy en-suite cabins. The large shared areas take advantage of the 12.2m/40ft beam and surround the rooms with windows for naturally lit interiors that are also fully air conditioned. The large salon and formal dining area will be filled with memories before you leave, and you'll never forget resting on the sundeck in the sunshine while enjoying a cocktail.

IPHARRA - 31.09m (102')

Luxury sailing yacht IPHARRA was launched in 2010 and is the first 102ft Sunreef multihull ever produced, in addition to currently holding the title of the world's second biggest sloop-rigged catamaran. She has comfortable accommodation for up to 12 guests in five spacious cabins, while the rest of the guest areas take advantage of her 12.8m/42ft beam for an extensive sun-drenched foredeck and sundeck while the shaded main deck aft also provides a generous outdoor living area.

HUTIANE - 31m/101.8ft

Superyacht HUTIANE from Cuneo Marine is highly desirable for her bright modern interiors where 'less is more' certainly means more space for guests within her 12.3m/40.3ft beam. Outside, the flybridge, foredeck and main deck aft create an abundance of space for hosting dockside events, and the latter area has a Jacuzzi along the stern for sweeping views of the scenery while resting. The accommodation sleeps up to 10 guests across four en-suite cabins, and there is a wide variety of water toys to suit all ages and interests.

MARTINA - 30.7m/100.9ft

Luxury catamaran MARTINA is an excellent choice when you want to connect with your destination and loved ones: Her timeless cabins are well-proportioned and sleep 12 guests on five en-suite cabins, and make a desirable retreat at the end of an action-packed day exploring on land and in the water.

The sides of the main deck aft can be covered for use in less clement weather, while the sundeck and foredeck are ready to welcome guests for a day in the sunshine.

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The Biggest Catamaran One Person Can Sail Safely? (A Study Of Sailors Experience)

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Sailing is an exhilarating experience, and one thing that gets me the most passionate is teamwork and seeing everyone doing the correct things at the correct time. Although I love teamwork, I find sailors that take their boat out on their own, amazing and very inspiring.

This has led me to ask the question: What is the largest catamaran one person can sail on their own (solo sailing)?  I started a poll and collected data from over 100 sailors, and here you have it! This is how big of a catamaran people can safely sail single-handed.

Keep reading to understand which factors make a boat more or less suited for short-handed sailing.

Table of Contents

Conclusion of The Study

Most people (46%) who took the poll answered that they would not be comfortable sailing  a catamaran larger than 40 ft safely. This is also the same size that I recommended in my video on best on the best-sized catamaran for ocean sailing, which you can watch below or  read this article .

Many commented that larger boats, and the sails would be difficult to reef efficiently and safely and also that their view would be hindered, making docking and port navigation much harder.

33% of the responders said that they would be comfortable with a boat a big as 50ft  before the size started becoming a problem; most of this group also mentioned that they are sailors with a lot of experience and many years in the industry. Some argued that navigating offshore is very easy, but the difficulty mainly lies in stormy weather, where most would appreciate a helping hand.

19% responded that they would handle any boat as long as it was set up correctly and they were taught the right skills.  This, of course, makes sense in an imaginative world where it is possible to outfit any boat with the most recent automatic equipment and train anyone to the highest level. Respecting this answer, I have put a section further below discussing the technical aspects of solo sailing.

Above 50ft in length, very few (1 respondent) felt comfortable sailing safely independently.

Why Size Does Not Matter

Considering the 20% that answer size doesnt matter, let’s look at what they thought did matter. Skills and Gear

There is no better enabler than actually knowing what you are doing; if you lack the skills, you will probably end up in a bad way no matter what gear you have.

The skills that were mentioned surrounded mainly the ability to handle rough weather and to dock and navigate a marina safely. Long calm passages under autopilot seemed to be very easy.

Bow thruster and High Tech gear

Solo sailing a large catamaran means you will have to leave some work to computers and machinery, which includes hoisting and reefing sails by electric winches. On some exclusive cats, it will also do the trimming of the sails for you.

Most people will never sail a boat with automatic trimming due to it being very expensive; electric winches, on the other hand, are common on 38ft+ cats.

One of the most nervous aspects of sailing is docking, this is where many accidents happen, and this is where it becomes very tricky if you are on your own. Bow thrusters (impellers that can move the boat sideways) activated by the move of a joystick make docking much easier, sadly it is a costly system that very few cats employ.

The assumption is that if you are properly trained and have enough money to buy allt the gear in the industry, you can safely sail any size vessel. This is not the reality for most people, so let’s look at most respondents’ experiences.

Limiting Factors

The limiting factors are the things that make it hard to solo sail your boat; anything that makes it less safe and manageable will be on this list. Let’s check it out!

Heavy sails

Once the cat gets longer, the larger the sails’ surface area will be, and therefore also their weight; this means that unless you are on an electric winch system, getting your sails up might be very hard or impossible. This problem usually starts around 45ft. Getting physically prepared is necessary for safe sailing.

Limited view

Once you pass 40ft, many people mentioned the problems of seeing what’s in front of you ; on some cats, this is not a problem at all, especially with flybridge, but on most small movement in a marina can get really tricky.

It’s common to the sensation you get when you are used to driving your mom’s fiat, and then you get back into your truck. It’s hard to know where the car or boat actually is.

Time to move from cockpit to cleats

Another aspect is simply the time it takes, from changing the engine settings to attaching your boat to a cleat. The longer the boat is, the longer time it takes you to move from one to the other when you need to make corrections.

And if you are unlucky, it will take just a little bit too long, and you scratch your neighbor’s boat. Something that is not too uncommon.

Setting Up Yourself and Your Boat For Solo Sailing

Here are some essential tips for setting up your boat for solo adventures; if you want the complete guide, I would recommend you  read this.

• Ensure all controls go to the cockpit; this is vital for safe cruising since it eliminates the need to move around the boat to access various controls.
• Use a center cleat for docking; this really is a pro tip that will make life so much easier. The center cleat makes attaching the lines much more accessible and will make it possible to “spring of the dock,” a maneuver that solo sailors love since it allows them to use a single line to untie from the dock. Something that the captain can do from the cockpit.
• Use an autopilot. This is probably one of the most useful tools since it allows you to multitask while at sea. Instead of always being on watch and steering the boat, you are now able to pop your head up from time to time and use the rest of the time for cooking, repair, or get some rest!

Practice sailing solo

The respondents’ most important factor was skills; the list below tries to summarize the data and help you take the next step towards your solo sailing adventure.

• Bring a crew  but let them be passive; if something happens, they will be there for you to solve the situation, but until then, you are on your own. This will create a safe learning situation where you are able to see where your skill level is at and to become better and better in a safe way. This is especially useful when docking!
• Dry practice before you go out;  walk through different situations in your head and then do it in the safety of the dock. This is a potent skill that will increase your learning curve, and once you get out on the water, you already know most of the moves you need to do, where the different lines as, etc.

Check out this article on Short-Handed sailing of catamarans

Thanks for reading, and I hope you like this type of data collection and analysis useful! Safe Sails!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Between a Sailboat or Catamaran for Your Sailing Adventures

C hoosing between a sailboat and a catamaran for your sailing adventures is a significant decision that depends on various factors, including your sailing preferences, experience level, budget, and intended use. Here's an ultimate guide to help you make an informed decision:

1. Sailing Experience:

• Sailboats: Typically require more skill and experience to handle, especially in adverse weather conditions. Ideal for sailors who enjoy the traditional feel of sailing and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the art.
• Catamarans: Easier to handle, making them suitable for beginners. The dual-hull design provides stability, reducing the learning curve for those new to sailing.

2. Space and Comfort:

• Sailboats: Generally have a narrower beam and less living space. However, some sailboats may offer comfortable cabins and amenities.
• Catamarans: Wider beam creates more living space. Catamarans often have multiple cabins, spacious saloons, and expansive deck areas, providing a more comfortable living experience.

3. Stability:

• Sailboats: Monohulls can heel (lean) while sailing, which some sailors enjoy for the thrill but can be discomforting for others.
• Catamarans: Greater stability due to the dual hulls, providing a more level sailing experience. Reduced heeling makes catamarans suitable for those prone to seasickness.

4. Performance:

• Sailboats: Known for their upwind performance and ability to sail close to the wind. Some sailors appreciate the challenge of optimizing sail trim for efficiency.
• Catamarans: Faster on a reach and downwind due to their wide beam. However, they may not point as high into the wind as monohulls.
• Sailboats: Typically have a deeper draft, limiting access to shallow anchorages and requiring deeper marina berths.
• Catamarans: Shallow draft allows access to shallower waters and secluded anchorages, providing more flexibility in cruising destinations.
• Sailboats: Generally more affordable upfront, with a wide range of options available to fit different budgets.
• Catamarans: Often more expensive upfront due to their size and design. However, maintenance costs may be comparable or even lower in some cases.

7. Mooring and Docking:

• Sailboats: Easier to find slips and moorings in marinas designed for monohulls.
• Catamarans: Require wider slips and may have limited availability in certain marinas, especially in crowded anchorages.

8. Intended Use:

• Sailboats: Ideal for traditional sailors who enjoy the art of sailing, racing enthusiasts, or those on a tighter budget.
• Catamarans: Suited for those prioritizing comfort, stability, and spacious living areas, especially for long-term cruising and chartering.

9. Resale Value:

• Sailboats: Generally have a more established resale market, with a wider range of buyers.
• Catamarans: Growing in popularity, and well-maintained catamarans often retain their value.

10. Personal Preference:

• Consider your personal preferences, the type of sailing you plan to do, and the kind of lifestyle you want aboard your vessel.

In conclusion, both sailboats and catamarans have their advantages and disadvantages. Your decision should be based on your individual preferences, experience level, budget, and intended use. If possible, charter both types of vessels to experience firsthand how they handle and to help make a more informed decision based on your own preferences and needs.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Between a Sailboat or Catamaran for Your Sailing Adventures appeared first on Things That Make People Go Aww .

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Largest boat 2 people can hande?

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Realistically what is the largest sail boat two people can handle in most weather conditions. I figure I have about 10 years before I have to stop. Thinking of saleing the condo and dock space and buying a larger sail boat and doing the pacific. Will hire a young couple to help the first year while learning the likes and dislikes of the boat. It will also give me time to deside what I can't live with and need to change. Have not done much real bad weather sailing using my Chris-Craf ketch.  

That is sort of a loaded question. Two people of what skill level? Of what age? What is their mobility (regardless of age)? My wife and I handle our boat well, its 47 ft, and while I've taken it out solo (well I had crew but they didn't know how to sail but helped me dock) I've been doing it for a long time.  

Yeas, whats your age, Warren? And while Im asking rude questions, wifes age, flexibitly, fitness etc? The modern 60 footers are pretty easy for a couple to run for couples in their 60s. 50 footers are even easier. they give great living space, wonderful deck space. A 45 foot catamaran would be huge, and easy for 2 to sail. My next boat, given some cash (or a stock market that actually goes up 😰) would be a 42 or 45 foot catamaran. The best currently for me at Leopards due to their innovative front door an extra living area on top of the hard top next to the helm. Its really a money thing more than a size thing. So, to realllllly be rude: US$1 million then go a great, new, fully optioned 45 foot catamaran or 50 foot sloop Less than US$1m get what you can afford. Over $2 million youre getting into silly money. A floating jacuzzi with crew to rub in the sunscreen.. Mark  

It's all in the person(s). I know delivery skippers who single hand up to 65'. I know couples who shouldn't be allowed on a Catalina 22.  

37 feet  

My sense is that in benign conditions sailing a large sailboat with motorized winches etc. and a good AP is not much of a problem. maneuvering in close quarters... docking in and out a slip may be a challenge with a large boat. You need to determine how large a boat you need. Note that the interior plans of sloops to the low 40s are all the same. My decades of experience is with the Contest36s which has a large interior, lots of storage and a very large cockpit... plus a rather flush deck. I can recommend this boat for coastal and offshore, single handed, sailed by two or with up to 6 for passages. The only reason for me to have a larger boat would be a longer waterline and faster passages. Aside from that this 36s is more than enough boat. And more boat is more maintenance... usually more expensive parts, sails and so on.  

Hello, Just some comments from me. These are all IMO. I think you're going about this the wrong way. Who cares how big a boat 2 people can handle? How big a boat do you (and your +1) WANT? Personally I can't imagine two people NEEDING anything over 50' but some need more than others'. For me PERSONALLY, if I can't manage the sails (bending on, removing, carrying on / off the boat) then the boat is too big. I can carry the main, genoa, and big code 0 on my 40' Jeanneau. I was not able to carry the heavy #1 on the J44 I sailed on. I could probably manage most 42' boats, so I would guess that is my limit.. Some background on me; 58 years old, been sailing for about 20 years. I believe I am fit, strong, coordinated and athletic. I supposed I may change my mind regarding sail management in 10 years. My Jeanneau has powered winches for the main halyard and main sheets. I also have a bow thruster, and a sail drive with little to no prop walk and good performance in reverse. So I can get into and out slips or docks in most weather conditions. Personally, without the bow thruster it would be a LOT harder to dock the boat. I know a number of people who have good sized boats (36-42') who won't leave the slip if there is 15 kts of wind on the beam. It makes getting back into the slip too difficult. Lastly - you asked about 2 people handling the boat. Does that mean only 2 people aboard, or could there be 6 people aboard, but only two who can sail? For just two people you don't need THAT large a boat. If you plan on having 6 people aboard for an extended time then I understand why you might want a 50' boat. Good luck. Barry  

When I began sailing we had a rule of thumb; a single person expecting to take crew or a couple shouldn't buy a boat bigger than one could sail comfortably alone. In those days that was a boat around 40 feet long. These days, with all the roller furling sails available, that can be greatly increased to at least 55'. I sailed our 53' Pearson for a year alone, until I met my wife to be. I have captained boats that were in the 80 to 85 foot range with one crew (experienced), most often my lady, with no stress at all. Not counting the financial aspect of size, I think it greatly depends on the skill of the sailors and their ability to handle things should something disable a key bit of gear on the boat. Count on having to sail to anchor numerous times in the West Indies, and to a dock several times, if you are sailing quite a bit.  

Looking at 65 good health right now. No wife, just a female friend who got me into sailing. Money should not be a problem as condo and deeded dock are free and clear. I like my Chris-Craf ketch but thought that a larger boat would be easier on the body. The first year would have a couple that knows really how to sail so I can learn. Right now I am pressing 210 lb 3 days a week in the gym.  

You don't need strength to sail. You need smarts. You don't have to lug heavy sails around... use a cart (and halyard). You want to learn how to (single) hand(le) your boat. If you need crew... you are a prisoner to the crew. You don't need a slip. Get a mooring and use a dink or a launch svs. Learn to anchor. Use all chain and an electric windlass w/ foot switches. Absolutely mission critical is a good autopilot that you can "steer with". Comfort is very important. Additional people on board are useful for watch keeping.  

I have lived on boats from 58'-75'-103'-and now a Nordhavn N80. The N80 is a major crossing boat with a 4000 range but it is also a great live abord with upper and lower saloons, main floor master and an elevator which is a God send in high seas (10'-15' ft). We handle the boat easily with 2 people, If we go for 5 days non-stop (Like Ocean Reef to Nantucket) we will talk a third crew to help with overnight watches Scott Burke M/Y JessConn  

What BarryL said. Instead of asking "what is the largest boat we can handle?" you should be asking "what is the smallest boat that will serve all of our needs?"  

As others have suggested, the question probably should be "What is the smallest boat that suits our needs?" The question is "what is the largest boat that two people can handle? " is somewhat of a "how long is a piece of string?" question. After all, Alain Colas single-handed the 236 foot CLUB MEDITERRANEE across the Atlantic in the 1976 Ostar Trans-Atlantic race in the days before boat automation was as advanced is it is today. Recently, Jean Le Cam, a 62 year old French sailor raced a 60 foot boat non-stop around the world and came in fourth in an older design to boot. But also when it comes to how big a boat a couple can handle. the size of the boat should be measured in displacement and not length, for while length does play a bit of a role, displacement more than anything else controls the forces involved in handling a boat, the interior volume of the boat, and the carrying excess capacity of the boat., When I started sailing there was a rule of thumb that suggest that a cruising boat should have a displacement of 2 1/2 to 5 long tons per person (5600 to 11,000 lbs per person) Of course, that was before modern multi-speed winches, high modulus sail cloth and lines, low friction block and many of the other niceties we have gotten used to in the 60 years since I started sailing. That rule of thumb also does not account for the modern sailor's desire to have all of the comforts of home. These days, I would probably suggest that a more reasonable range is closer to 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. per person, but with come caveats. This is where personal preference, physical fitness, and experience level comes in. As boats start to approach the upper limits of that range, it becomes increasing difficult to manage the boat without more complex a systems. Up to about 25,000 lbs displacement, the boat can be managed with conventional geared winches, but even as that limit is approached, it requires someone in really good condition to grind in a genoa or haul up a mainsail on a boat that size with conventional winches. If you don't want to add stored powered winches and sail handling gear, then the next move is to add 'coffee grinder' type winches which allows a tremendously more effective means of handling the line loads. With size everything gets more expensive and complex and more dangerous to operate. For most cruising couples, once a boat gets above 24,000 lbs the tendency is add powered winches, and then hydraulic vangs, and backstays. These come with a big price tag and a major drop in reliability. Some folks also switch to in-mast furling systems as well, which again is a big ticket item that comes with a drop in reliability. Each of these make it easier to manage a bigger boat with less physical strength. Similarly, over perhaps 15,000 lbs, a boat is too big to easily manhandle when docking. As displacement increases over that t requires more skill to come into a dock or leave a dock short-handed and without injuring the crew members or the boat, Bow thrusters, and rotating sail drives, or a multi-hull's twin engines help enormously in close proximity maneuvers. But again at the price of complexity. (That said the dual engines on a multi-hull do provide redundancy that a single engine boat lacks) . If this was me, in my mind, I would never want to handle anything bigger than perhaps 45 feet, and that assumes that both members of the couple are extremely physically fit. I bought my 10,500 lb. 38 foot planning to single- or double hand her to Europe At the time, that seemed like an ideal size for a couple. I was concerned that as a boat got bigger it would get deeper and that would begin restrict my cruising options and require stored energy. I was friends with couple who sailed a 63 footer around the world, and, yes there were times and places where that length became a problem, but they dis it. .But in the end, as at the beginning, it comes down to your capabilities and preferences If you are willing to put in the hard work to get into good physical condition and learn to be a really good sailor, and have a lot of money to throw at this, then the sky is almost the limit, But otherwise, as others have said, look at a bunch of boats and mentally try them on for size., You might find that you don't need or want that XXL and might do much better with a medium. We are here to listen as you go through that process and kick in more ideas. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. We look forward to hearing about your journey. Jeff  

Jeff_H said: As others have suggested, the question probably should be "What is the smallest boat that suits our needs?" The question is "what is the largest boat that two people can handle? " is somewhat of a "how long is a piece of string?" question. After all, Alain Colas single-handed the 236 foot CLUB MEDITERRANEE across the Atlantic in the 1976 Ostar Trans-Atlantic race in the days before boat automation was as advanced is it is today. Recently, Jean Le Cam, a 62 year old French sailor raced a 60 foot boat non-stop around the world and came in fourth in an older design to boot. But also when it comes to how big a boat a couple can handle. the size of the boat should be measured in displacement and not length, for while length does play a bit of a role, displacement more than anything else controls the forces involved in handling a boat, the interior volume of the boat, and the carrying excess capacity of the boat., When I started sailing there was a rule of thumb that suggest that a cruising boat should have a displacement of 2 1/2 to 5 long tons per person (5600 to 11,000 lbs per person) Of course, that was before modern multi-speed winches, high modulus sail cloth and lines, low friction block and many of the other niceties we have gotten used to in the 60 years since I started sailing. That rule of thumb also does not account for the modern sailor's desire to have all of the comforts of home. These days, I would probably suggest that a more reasonable range is closer to 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. per person, but with come caveats. This is where personal preference, physical fitness, and experience level comes in. As boats start to approach the upper limits of that range, it becomes increasing difficult to manage the boat without more complex a systems. Up to about 25,000 lbs displacement, the boat can be managed with conventional geared winches, but even as that limit is approached, it requires someone in really good condition to grind in a genoa or haul up a mainsail on a boat that size with conventional winches. If you don't want to add stored powered winches and sail handling gear, then the next move is to add 'coffee grinder' type winches which allows a tremendously more effective means of handling the line loads. With size everything gets more expensive and complex and more dangerous to operate. For most cruising couples, once a boat gets above 24,000 lbs the tendency is add powered winches, and then hydraulic vangs, and backstays. These come with a big price tag and a major drop in reliability. Some folks also switch to in-mast furling systems as well, which again is a big ticket item that comes with a drop in reliability. Each of these make it easier to manage a bigger boat with less physical strength. Similarly, over perhaps 15,000 lbs, a boat is too big to easily manhandle when docking. As displacement increases over that t requires more skill to come into a dock or leave a dock short-handed and without injuring the crew members or the boat, Bow thrusters, and rotating sail drives, or a multi-hull's twin engines help enormously in close proximity maneuvers. But again at the price of complexity. (That said the dual engines on a multi-hull do provide redundancy that a single engine boat lacks) . If this was me, in my mind, I would never want to handle anything bigger than perhaps 45 feet, and that assumes that both members of the couple are extremely physically fit. I bought my 10,500 lb. 38 foot planning to single- or double hand her to Europe At the time, that seemed like an ideal size for a couple. I was concerned that as a boat got bigger it would get deeper and that would begin restrict my cruising options and require stored energy. I was friends with couple who sailed a 63 footer around the world, and, yes there were times and places where that length became a problem, but they dis it. .But in the end, as at the beginning, it comes down to your capabilities and preferences If you are willing to put in the hard work to get into good physical condition and learn to be a really good sailor, and have a lot of money to throw at this, then the sky is almost the limit, But otherwise, as others have said, look at a bunch of boats and mentally try them on for size., You might find that you don't need or want that XXL and might do much better with a medium. We are here to listen as you go through that process and kick in more ideas. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. We look forward to hearing about your journey. Jeff Click to expand...

It sounds more like I should stay with my Chris-Craf ketch as it is in the length range that is being given for two people. I can keep the condo and lease it for a year to see if living on the ketch will work full time. My 3 kids think I have gone off the deep end. My lady has her life and money and is up for this also. Will see if the boat and condo makes it through the next few hours/days.  

By "Chris Craft Ketch", I assume that you are referring to the Chris Craft Caribbean.35, which was the second generation version of the Chris Craft 'Sail Yacht 35" and the only Ketch that I remember Chris Craft building., I would respectfully suggest that would make a very poor choice for a trans Pacific passage, These were old school motor sailors that would either require some mix of extremely long passage times or a whole lot of motoring. They lack the storage capacity and tankage for those kinds of passages. While the displacement is generally may fall within an accepted range for a couple to make distance passages, the specifics of the design are not suitable. The minimal ballast ratio carried in a shallow keel, represents a compromised stability. The high drag means that the boat needs to carry more sail area than the low ballast ratio, narrow waterline, and high top hamper will safely permit. Having delivered one of these in not all that bad conditions, the motion comfort, especially in the high raised cockpit, is also ill-suited for offshore passage making, where large roll angles drain crew strength, and diminish the crew's reserve energy to deal with crises. I would suggest that you consider boats that are better suited for longer passage making., You will be way safer and more comfortable in the longt run. Jeff  

MarkofSeaLife said: "What is the smallest boat that suits our needs?" No one NEEDS a sailing boat. Click to expand...

My advice. Step into this slowly. Sailing the oceans is a world of difference from coastal sailing or bay/lake sailing. Fortunately, I found out a long time ago that I have no burning desire to be sailing the open ocean. Been there, done that. I very much prefer and enjoy the interface between the land and water. As a result, my voyaging is very happily limited to an overnight passage from Miami to the Bahamas, or inter-island group Bahamas, or Key West to Dry Tortugas. A trailerable pocket cruiser accommodates my desire to see new places much better than the capacity for ocean voyaging. Two of us cruised and enjoyed the northern Bahamas for a month in an ODay 25. Adequate for the purpose, although we were typically the smallest boat seen. Also, from Key West to Dry Tortugas, and the Northwest Passage in Lake Huron for 2 weeks. But I was so much younger and stronger (and poorer) then. Now I single hand (all day sailing so far) in a Stuart Mariner 19 on Albemarle Sound. I have a tiller clutch and a jib down haul to keep everything manageable from the mast and/or cockpit. The Mariner heaves to very nicely while raising or dropping sail. I can scull with the rudder pretty reasonably for short distances if the motor acts up. The displacement is just enough that my weight placement is not critical, yet light enough to fit on my boat lift or easily trailer to other waters. If there were 2 of us camping aboard for a month at a time, I would probably want a bigger trailerable boat. Total investment in a 2500 sq ft water front house on 1.5 acres, 2 boat lifts, new 19ft center console, and the Mariner was less than $700K (2021 prices). I'll take this lifestyle any day over living aboard. Fred W  

As a 45 year old couple we had a Nautical 56 we lived on for 4 years and which 2 of us would sail south from FL to the Caribbean always heading out ahead of a storm so we would get blown south for at least 4 days. After that we had a Irwin 65 foot ketch with all Hood furling sails and two of us sailed that from Miami each year to and from Antigua with ease. In fact because of its setup this was easier for us to sail than the 56 footer with all in mast electric Hood furling, bow thruster etc. So the set up of the boat greatly affects how many hands you need. But that was 30 years ago. After a 30 year break, now when I’m 77 we’ve just bought our 6th boat, a Beneteau 50. I took it on its first sail for me with a friend from St Martin to Trinidad where it’s currently hauled for the hurricane season. This boat has a furling headsail and lazy jacks on the main with all the lines run back to the cockpit, so more manual than our previous boats but everything controlled from the safety of the cockpit. We had a great sail south in 18-30 knots winds and she was beautiful. So again it’s how the boat is set up which determines how large you can go. Hope that helps. You can email me if you have any further specific questions ( [email protected] ). Cheers. Keith English Here’s our new baby creaming it across the Caribbean in 20-33 knot winds doing 8-10 knots and our 20 tons plus just slicing through the seas.  

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• Sep 29, 2022

Creaming it on our run South from St Martin to Trinidad, some 15nm east of St Kitts …  

Larger boats are not necessarily more difficult to handle. In fact, sometimes easier than smaller vessels. As a case in point, some dear friends- now in their 80s- continue to double-hand their 94ft steel ketch as they have for decades here in Alaska. [Our 43ft ketch seems like a tender in comparison...] They even wrote a book entitled Cruising a BIG sailboat - shorthanded . It is a worthwhile read given your inquiry... This year they decided to put their boat on the market so they could begin searching for a vessel requiring a bit less upkeep when they reach their 90s... In case this is of interest... Cheers! Bill  

I’m 100% with you Bill. I’m 77 and in May we bought our 6th boat, a Beneteau 50 (previously 15 to 27 to 34 to 56 to 65). The 50’ is easy to handle with all controls run back to the cockpit and an electric winch, has tons of space to relax in and is a dream in a blow. Here we are on a run from St Martin to Trinidad about 25 miles offshore of St Kitts in a 20-32 knot blow creaming it at 8-10 knots in relative comfort as our 20+ tons pushes effortlessly through the seas. So faster, more comfortably and with a lot more space. Two of us in our 70s have no problems sailing her.  

We’ve had racers up to 65 feet. It is harder to dock the larger they get. And it depends on how you rig. But we decided 45 feet isn’t too hard for us to dock without help with lines. It’s very shallow draft with a centerboard so we also have a bow thruster which is important since, without the keel down, maneuvering at a dock gets tricky.  

My husband and I have a 38 foot and a 20 foot. We are in our 60's The 38 foot is actually easier to sail. We could go bigger. The only issue is when the engine has crapped out and we had to sail it down a river a couple of times. Then we need an additional two people for strength. Once we were going down wind and he and I were fine. We must have been a sight the first time because people were jumping up in awe and clapping! I wish we had a photo. My daughter said well our ancestors used to sail here, so we can too. True enough. It was a little nerve wracking because people swim in the narrow channel and some boaters can be fairly clueless, but we made it both times with no calamities. In an emergency more than 2 people are welcome, but the majority of time we are good and could sail a much larger boat.  

Depends on the “two people “ you know, knowledge, age/strength, as we age we get physically weaker, then unable to use the knowledge at times, and one won’t always have a younger stronger crew member to compensate…, imo, a boat between 35 and 40 feet, bigger if you have a budget that includes a crew, Fair winds,  

FWIW...I'm 77, the Admiral 75. We've sailed our 43'monohull thru Asia, spent 5 seasons sailing the Medd, and are now about to start our 7th season here in the Caribb. We do, occasionally, have guests onboard, but mostly it's just the 2 of us. Except for haul-out and resplash we seldom spend time in a marina. And we've had NO problems! Sure, we've hit some dicey wx, had some equipment malfunctions, etc. And there have been times when we've been the..."entertainment for the day" as we try to back our monohull (w/o bow thruster) into a med moor! But with the MS on a in-mast roller furler, the HS on a roller refer, the a SS (seldom used, but avail) on a roller refer, and a Milwaukee right-angle drill with winchbit to assist on the winches-we've had no problems. Age is a relative thing-if it feels good, ...do it; someday we'll quit...but not anytime soon! We've had no problems with our 43 footer.  

I agree with Mark that equipment has gotten progressively more reliable. His alternator anecdote is a perfect example of that phenomena. But, I personally do not agree on the power driven winches are perfectly reliable. They certainly are labor saving and make handling bigger boats much easier and safer. But having personally been aboard three separate boats where power winches from several different manufacturers failed, I do not consider them bullet proof. Granted in the one case it was not the winch itself that failed but a failure of the solenoid for the winch. That was only a 10 year old boat that had mostly only been coastally cruised. In the other cases, it was a failure of the motors, in one case a total failure, and in the other a situation where the prolonged run time of a tack caused a condition that would throw the breaker mid tack causing someone needing to dive below and reconnect it. It was later diagnosed as a problem with the motor and was corrected by replacing the motor. Having hauled up a mainsail and having pulled in a reef on 47 footer without an electric winch, its not something that I would want to do in foul conditions. And while you can hand crank a powered winch, at least on the ones I tried to hand crank, there is a mechanism in the socket that makes it hard to keep the handle in the socket. But I respectfully suggest that this thread illustrates the point I was trying to make when I said. "I think for each individual crew and each passage type and location, there is a 'Goldilocks Zone", where the boat is not so small to make the passage more difficult and dangerous, or too big to be manageable if something breaks." In this discussion, we have SanderO, who cruised his boat extensively, posting pictures of his 36 footer to demonstrate what he considered a comfortable cockpit and interior for distance cruising, we have Mark who has sailed around the world in a 39 footer, we have one member posting essentially the same post three times showing that he felt so strongly in advocating that a 50 foot boat as his absolute minimum, and of course the examples extended all the way up to a couple in their 80's who cruised on a 94 foot ketch. Even if their individual decision on the right size boat might not work for someone else, none of these folks are wrong. They each of made their own best decision, and their decision worked out for each of them, . In other words, the answer to the question that is the title of this thread comes down to somewhere between 'how long is a piece of string?" and " what size boat works for you personally.?" In the end, there is no universally right answer to this question that truly suits everyone equally. In my mind, at best these discussions provide illumination on the various ways that individuals approach answering a question like this one. Jeff  

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