Author’s Note: I’m Mark, an amateur sailing blogger who has spent seven years cruising the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. I’m not a captain, nor am I an expert—I’m just an ordinary foreigner who saves up money every year to charter a boat and take my family on a vacation.I’ve chartered catamarans eight times myself—ranging from a 40-foot boat in the Bahamas to a 50-foot one in Greece—and I’ve experienced setbacks, enjoyed the thrill, and even nearly had an argument with my wife.This article is based purely on my personal experiences and practical insights gained from conversations with fellow sailors; I haven’t received a single penny in advertising fees from any boat manufacturer or charter company.
In short, chartering a catamaran sounds pretty romantic, but when you actually set sail, the reality might be completely different from what you imagined.In this post, I’ll draw on my own real-life experiences to discuss whether the space is truly as satisfying as advertised, why docking can be such a headache, whether the boat really stays stable in wind and waves, and whether your wallet can actually handle the cost.I’ll also include a few must-read tips for beginners to help you avoid pitfalls, as well as the questions fellow boaters ask most frequently. If you’re on the fence about whether to book a catamaran, you won’t regret reading this before making your reservation.
Why Did I Almost Regret Renting a Catamaran the First Time?
To be honest, when I first rented a catamaran, I had absolutely no idea what the difference was between it and a monohull. All I saw online were descriptions like “as steady as a rock” and “massive space,” which made me feel pretty excited.
My partner and I, traveling with our two kids, chose a specific 40-foot catamaran in the Bahamas. My first impression upon boarding was—wow, the space is incredibly open.The living room was like a small apartment, and the kitchen counter was spacious enough to easily lay out three dishes—unlike the monohull we’d rented before, where you had to bump into others just to turn around.
But just half an hour into our voyage, problems arose.
As we were about to dock, a gust of wind blew, causing the boat to drift sideways. I nearly collided with the sailboat next to us—the hull was quite wide, and the dock was narrow. You know that feeling of backing into a tight parking spot, right? At least a monohull can turn using the rudder, but a catamaran’s two hulls create drag, making it a split-second slower to turn.Just as I was about to dock that time, an elderly captain next to me kept shaking his head at me, my wife was shouting “Left! Left!” from the aft deck, and my child was so scared that he clung tightly to his life ring and refused to let go.
So, the space is truly a blessing, but maneuvering really does require a lot of practice.
Later, I got a bit more nimble. The day before renting the boat, I went to the marina to practice two skills: parallel parking and docking alongside. I searched YouTube for “Key Tips for Beginners on Assisted Catamaran Docking,” and watched a few videos to train my mental agility. Don’t take statements like “even beginners can easily and smoothly operate a catamaran” at face value—those are claims made by boat manufacturers’ salespeople, not the views of experienced sailors who frequently operate in anchorages.
Stable—but not as stable as you might think
People say catamarans don’t rock—that’s half true and half false.
If you’re anchored in a harbor or cruising in calm waters, they really are rock-solid. You can walk around the boat holding a cup of coffee without having to hold onto the wall like you would on a monohull.My wife used to get terribly seasick; on the first day of renting a monohull, she could only lie flat. After switching to a catamaran, she was actually able to stand in the galley and fry bacon, while our kids played with Legos on the living room floor. That feeling was absolutely amazing.
But! When hit by cross-waves—especially those coming at an angle of about 30 degrees—the way a catamaran sways is extremely strange. It’s not the back-and-forth rocking of a monohull, but a side-to-side twisting motion, as if you were sitting on a giant block of Jell-O.Once, in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Greece, the wind was blowing at seven or eight knots, and the waves weren’t particularly large, but that twisting motion made everyone in the family feel sick. My son said, “Dad, the boat is dancing,” and immediately threw up.
Later, I spoke with a professional captain, who explained that while catamarans are stable in terms of roll, their pitch and twisting motions are actually more pronounced—especially in shallower-draft models—a fact that beginners tend to overlook.
My advice is not to blindly trust advertising claims that the boat is “as steady as a rock.” You need to research the specific model of the boat you’re renting, its age, and its draft.Older catamarans tend to be relatively less stable, whereas newer models—such as the Leopard 45 and Lagoon 46—feature optimized hull designs that significantly reduce twisting.I later switched to a 2022 Lagoon 46 and noticed a significant improvement.
Docking? Finding a berth can send your blood pressure skyrocketing
I’ve fallen into this trap twice myself, and I’m writing this so you don’t make the same mistake.
The catamaran’s hull design makes it quite wide—but just how wide? In many of Europe’s older ports, dock berths are designed based on the dimensions of monohulls.On some of Greece’s smaller islands, the distance between two buoys is only 6 meters—but with a catamaran that’s over 7 meters wide, there’s simply no way to squeeze into such a space.
It was my first time in Mykonos, Greece. The navigation system led me to an old pier; I circled it three times but couldn’t find a single spot to dock. In the end, with no other option, I had to head to an anchorage to drop anchor, then take a dinghy ashore.Unexpectedly, the wind was quite strong that day, and the dinghy nearly capsized. My wife immediately said, “From now on, let’s rent a monohull.”
Since then, I’ve learned to avoid this pitfall by checking the port’s width restrictions in advance using apps like Navily or NoForeignLand, and looking to see if anyone in the marina reviews mentions “catamaran friendly.”Some marinas have berths specifically designated for larger boats; for an extra 20 euros, you can reserve one—don’t skimp on this expense.
In addition, you must be careful when anchoring. Catamarans have a larger windward surface area, so if the anchorage isn’t chosen carefully, the boat will start swinging sideways as soon as the wind shifts. I recommend using two anchors or a spring line to minimize the swinging motion—don’t cut corners, because if the wind picks up at night, you’ll have a hard time sleeping on deck.
Speed? Don’t expect it to outpace a monohull.
This is a little-known fact that many people may not be aware of.
Catamarans typically cruise at speeds ranging from 7 to 9 knots, which is 1 to 2 knots slower than a monohull of the same size. Why is that? It’s because the two hulls create greater drag.Monohulls rely on ballast and a keel to stay stable, so they experience less drag when moving through the water; catamarans, on the other hand, rely on their wide hulls for stability, and their waterline is also wider, which naturally increases drag.
On that occasion, I set sail from Nassau, Bahamas, to Exuma alongside a friend’s monohull—a journey of 180 nautical miles.His boat averaged 8.5 knots, while mine only managed 7.2 knots, so I ended up taking nearly three extra hours. By the time we reached our destination, he had already had two beers.
However, on second thought, there are benefits to going slow. Catamarans are known for their low fuel consumption, making diesel more economical.The Lagoon 46 I chartered consumes about 60 liters of diesel over an 8-hour voyage, whereas a monohull of the same size would use at least 80 liters. If you’re embarking on a long-distance voyage lasting several days, this can add up to significant savings.
Ideal Scenarios: If you’re in a hurry, heading out to the open sea, and seeking that sense of speed, then a catamaran is definitely not the best choice.However, if you’re taking a leisurely island-hopping trip, covering 30 to 50 nautical miles a day, the stability and spaciousness of a catamaran will actually make for a much more comfortable experience.
The space is truly a treat, but there are some details you’d never expect
It’s no exaggeration to say that catamarans offer a vast deck area. The flybridge has enough space for seven or eight people to sit and soak up the sun; the foredeck can accommodate inflatable sofas; and the aft deck is so convenient you can practically dive straight into the ocean from it.Last year, while in French Polynesia, we had barbecues on the aft deck every afternoon, and the kids could jump straight off the deck to go snorkeling—it was an incredibly liberating experience.
However, living in the cabin isn’t as pleasant as you might think.
On that type of catamaran, all the rooms are located inside the hull; the windows are small, and ventilation is poor. When summer nights fall, without air conditioning, it gets so stifling it feels just like a sauna.Once, while in Croatia, the daytime temperature soared to 35 degrees. By nightfall, it was so hot inside the cabin that I couldn’t sleep, so I simply grabbed my pillow and went up to the flybridge to sleep.Since then, I’ve learned my lesson. When renting a boat, I always make sure to ask clearly whether each cabin is equipped with its own air conditioning and whether the portholes can be opened. Don’t just assume a space is spacious based on photos—you won’t know if it’s stuffy until you actually stay there.
Here’s another pitfall: the kitchen countertop is quite large, but there’s not much storage space. To reduce weight, the cabinets on catamarans are made particularly shallow—hardly any plates will fit inside.There are four of us in our family, and just the groceries and tableware we needed for a week filled everything to the brim. I recommend bringing food wrapped in soft packaging and leaving behind as many jars and bottles as possible.
So, should you rent a catamaran? Here’s a simple checklist
After much deliberation, I’ve decided to use the most straightforward approach to help you make your decision. Don’t just take my word for it—you must compare this to your own situation.
| Your Situation | Is a catamaran right for you? | One-Sentence Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Taking kids or seniors out to sea | Very suitable | Stable, plenty of room to move around, and no need to hold onto anything while walking |
| If you often get seasick | Perfect | Minimal rolling motion, significantly lower incidence of seasickness |
| Prefer high-speed cruising on the open ocean | Not very suitable | Slower than monohulls, with higher wind resistance |
| Frequently docks in narrow harbors | Use with caution | Hard to find a berth; difficult to dock |
| Limited budget | Think it through | Rent is 30% to 50% higher; fuel consumption is low, but total costs are high |
| Want to host a party on board | Perfect for | Spacious deck—plenty of room for a large group |
This chart was compiled by me and a few fellow boaters; it’s not official data, but we’ve personally tested it and found it reliable.
Three Must-Do Things Before Renting a Boat—Missing Even One Can Lead to Disaster
After experiencing a number of mishaps, I’ve put together a checklist that I now go through thoroughly every time before booking a boat.
The first thing is to check the boat’s age and maintenance records—don’t just look at photos to see if it looks new. For catamarans, if the boat is five or six years old or older, much of the equipment will start to show signs of wear and tear, especially the seawater pump, rudder servo, and air conditioning.Last time I rented a boat built in 2017 in Greece, it looked fine, but the air conditioning broke down on the second day out at sea and took until the third day to fix. The rental company said, “There’s nothing we can do—that’s just how old boats are.” Since then, I’ve made a point of looking for boats built after 2020 or those with recent major maintenance records.
The second thing is to book a dedicated docking practice session. Many charter companies offer one-hour docking training—don’t skimp on this expense.Later on, the day before each charter, I’d spend 50 euros to hire a local skipper to take me through a half-hour practice session on backing into a berth and alongside docking. It was well worth it—absolutely worth it. Those 50 euros are a fraction of the cost of paying thousands in damages if you wreck the boat.
As for the third thing, you need to find out in advance exactly what the width restrictions are at the marina. Be especially careful when heading to those historic European towns or small islands—many marinas simply can’t accommodate catamarans.Here’s my advice: send an email to the marina management asking, “What is the maximum boat width?” Don’t just rely on an app to check and assume everything is fine—keep in mind that information for some smaller marinas isn’t always updated promptly.
Closing Thought
Chartering a catamaran for a sea voyage is a bit like marrying a model—it looks great, offers plenty of space, and it makes for great photos—but living with her requires patience. You’ll need to practice how to make up after an argument, how to bring out her best qualities, and how to skillfully navigate her temper.
You’ll run into some pitfalls, but you’ll also experience moments that make you think, “This is actually great!” The key is to be able to laugh it off after hitting a snag, thinking to yourself, “I’ll know better next time.”
Then it’s all worth it.
The Most Frequently Asked Questions by Fellow Travelers
Q: Do you really never get seasick on a catamaran?
Well, for me, it’s so much better than a monohull, but it’s not entirely free from seasickness. When we hit side waves and the boat sways, my wife still feels a little queasy, I recommend bringing motion sickness medication, especially during the first three days of acclimatization. I used one called Bonine, which you can buy at any U.S. pharmacy—it doesn’t make you drowsy.
Q: Is renting a catamaran expensive? How much more expensive is it than a monohull?
The price difference is quite significant. During the 2025 Mediterranean peak season, the weekly rental for a Lagoon 46 ranges from about $8,000 to $12,000, while a monohull of the same size costs only $6,000 to $8,000. The rental cost is 30% to 50% higher.However, catamarans have lower fuel consumption, saving two to three hundred dollars in diesel costs per week. Therefore, the overall total cost is still slightly higher, with the additional expense primarily reflecting the premium for the experience.
Q: Can beginners sail a catamaran?
Yes, you can, but it’s not recommended to try it without any prior experience. You should have at least two or three charter experiences on a monohull, or hire a captain to accompany you for a day of hands-on sailing.The nuances of docking, anchoring, and steering a catamaran are entirely different from those of a monohull, and attempting to operate one on your own for the first time can easily lead to an accident. I know a friend who crashed into the dock on his very first catamaran charter and ended up paying 5,000 euros in damages.
Q: Are catamarans safe in storms?
That’s a very pertinent question. Catamarans have a relatively large windward surface area, so their maneuverability is significantly reduced in strong winds. If the weather forecast calls for winds exceeding 30 knots, my advice is to change your course or head into a harbor to seek shelter. It’s not that you can’t sail—it’s just that it will be extremely exhausting. Furthermore, the structural connection between the two hulls—especially on older boats—carries a risk of breaking under extreme conditions. I’m not trying to scare you—in 2021, there was an incident where an older model catamaran broke apart during a storm in the Atlantic. So please, don’t take any risks.
Q: What special precautions should I take when taking children on a catamaran?
You must check the safety nets designed to prevent accidents. The deck edges of catamarans are quite close to the water’s surface, so small children can easily fall overboard. The first thing I do every time I board a catamaran is check the safety netting on the railings for holes; even if there are no holes, I make sure it’s securely fastened. In addition, the ladder on the aft deck should be stowed away when not in use, otherwise children might climb down to play in the water. My son once had an experience like this, and it scared someone half to death.