I lived on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica for nearly five years. During that time, I took group after group of friends out to sea on more than thirty trips. I started out by renting monohull sailboats—the kind with a strong diesel smell that could make you seasick— to eventually taking the plunge and trying the Ocean King catamaran. Since then, I’ve never chosen any other type of boat. It’s not that other boats are bad, but the Ocean King is truly perfect for my tastes in this specific stretch of water off Manuel Antonio.
Let me make one thing crystal clear: I am not a captain, nor am I an expert in sailing. I’m just an ordinary immigrant from Europe or the U.S. who worked as an outdoor guide for a few years and now occasionally takes on odd jobs leading groups on boat trips.I love boats, I love the ocean, and I love that rocking sensation of riding the crest of a wave. Therefore, every word I’m about to share is based on my own genuine experiences—boats I’ve rented out of my own pocket, trips I’ve taken, times I’ve gotten seasick, and moments of pure enjoyment.
First Impression: This Boat Isn’t About Looks
To be honest, when I first laid eyes on the Ocean King, I wasn’t particularly blown away. Its lines aren’t radical, and the deck layout looks fairly conservative. However, once you step aboard, you’ll realize that these designers had their heads on straight.Rather than going for flashy, streamlined designs, they maximized space utilization to the fullest.
In the waters near Manuel Antonio, the waves are far from small. Especially during the rainy season, winds from the Caribbean cross the mountain ranges to reach this area, and by the time they hit the Pacific side, they often blow sideways.Under such conditions, it’s not uncommon for a standard monohull to heel as much as fifteen degrees.The first time I took my family out to sea, we rented a 38-foot monohull sailboat. During the trip, my wife felt so seasick that she lay in the cabin all day, while our two children, though unaffected, spilled juice all over themselves.
After switching to the Ocean King, all those problems disappeared.
Catamarans are inherently stable, and the Ocean King model is nearly 12 percent wider than other boats in its class. What does this actually mean? It means that when you’re standing on the deck cutting fruit, the bowl holding the fruit won’t slide and fall to the deck;it means that if you’re sailing with six friends, everyone can confidently stand up to take photos without having to cling to the railing to keep their balance.
The data speaks for itself.
According to a 2023 test report on the stability of small catamarans published by the Marine Industry Association, under conditions of a Force 4 crosswind, the maximum heel angle of the Ocean King 40 series is 6.2 degrees.Compared to a competitor in the same class, such as the Leopard 40, the heel angle under the same conditions is 9.8 degrees.That’s a difference of nearly four degrees. Four degrees may not sound like much, but on a boat, it’s the difference between being able to walk the length of the vessel with a glass of red wine in hand without spilling a drop.
For me, the experience was even more immediate. Last November, I led a group of tourists from Germany on a whale-watching trip. The wind was quite strong that day, with waves reaching about 2.5 meters.I stood at the bow, binoculars in hand, searching for signs of whales. On older vessels, it was nearly impossible to stay on one’s feet in such weather; you had to keep your legs constantly tensed and braced.However, the Ocean King’s hull design keeps the center of gravity exceptionally low, significantly reducing the deck’s sway. The tour leader from Germany, a retired sailor, later told me that the boat’s stability was far better than he had anticipated.
One detail that beginners often overlook is the boarding ladder.
Most of the Ocean King charter boats here in Manuel Antonio are equipped with hydraulically lowered swim platforms. While this design may seem ordinary, it makes a significant difference in practice. Many catamarans have fixed ladders that are steep and slippery to climb; people wearing fins simply cannot get up them.Once lowered, Ocean King’s hydraulic ladder lies almost flat against the water’s surface, so when you’re tired from swimming, you can climb directly onto the platform without having to awkwardly climb over the railing.
The first time I used this feature, I was with a British girl who wasn’t a strong swimmer. She was wearing a life jacket and had been in the water for half an hour when she wanted to get back on board.She was absolutely unable to climb up the regular ladder and started to panic. However, as soon as the hydraulic ladder was lowered, she simply knelt down and climbed right up, without any sign of struggle. This single detail is worth ten times more than an extra wine cabinet.
Now, let’s talk about the engines and handling.
The Ocean King is equipped with two Yanmar diesel engines; as far as I recall, their power output falls within the 50 to 60 horsepower range. In terms of horsepower alone, these figures are not particularly high.However, the inherent characteristics of a catamaran play a decisive role, meaning you don’t need enormous horsepower. It experiences relatively little wind resistance and similarly low hydrodynamic drag, so two diesel engines running at medium-to-low RPMs are sufficient to bring the boat up to cruising speed.I have personally conducted numerous measurements: off the coast of Manuel Antonio, with a full fuel tank, eight people on board, and a fully loaded refrigerator, the cruising speed could be maintained fairly steadily at around 18 knots. Fuel consumption was approximately 28 liters per hour.Compared to a monohull of the same size, this fuel consumption represents a savings of about 15 to 20 percent.
Is this cost-effective? For a charter guide taking clients out to sea, a single trip like this can result in a fuel cost difference of forty to fifty dollars. For guests who regularly rent boats for leisure, this amount may not seem significant; however, the boat owner will factor these fuel savings into the rental rate.I checked the rates of several local charter companies and found that the Ocean King’s daily rental rate is about 30 percent higher than that of a monohull of the same size, but about 15 percent cheaper than other catamarans in the same class. When you factor in fuel costs and the level of comfort on board, it’s actually quite a good value.
Space is its real selling point.
If you step aboard the Ocean King, your first reaction will undoubtedly be: “Why is this place so spacious?” From my own experience, it makes the most of every available space.The foredeck features a vast sunbathing area with cushions about eight centimeters thick—you won’t feel any hard spots when lying on them.The aft deck is equipped with an L-shaped sofa and a large table that seats twelve people. The awning at the stern is astonishingly large; you don’t even need to move your chair—you can spend an entire afternoon there without getting any sun.
A friend of mine organized a company team-building event last year for a group of fourteen people, and they spent eight hours on board. Normally, the recommended maximum capacity for a catamaran is twelve people, but on this model of the Ocean King, fourteen people felt no sense of crowding at all.During the meal, ten people sat around a table, while the other four drank beer on the foredeck—everyone had their own space. My friend later told me he never wants to rent a monohull again, because on those boats, even with just eight people, you feel like you can’t even turn around.
The galley setup is also worth mentioning.
The Ocean King’s galley isn’t very spacious, but the layout is well-designed.The refrigerator is a double-door model, with separate compartments for the freezer and refrigerator. The stove has three burners, and the countertop is made of stainless steel. There is ample storage space, so seasonings, cutlery, and disposable plates can all be stowed away.I remember one time I went out to sea and prepared two whole grilled fish, a large pot of seafood paella, a salad, and a fruit platter right on board. I never felt cramped the entire time—there was plenty of room to turn around, and the cutting board didn’t feel crowded at all.
Of course, there are drawbacks as well.
When the Ocean King is traveling at high speed, the bow lifts noticeably. While this doesn’t affect stability, it does somewhat limit the view from the bow. If you’re the type who prefers to stand at the very front, facing the wind, to shoot videos, you’ll find the view isn’t as good as on models with a flatter bow. Additionally, the cabin windows are relatively small, and natural light is on the lower end compared to similar catamarans. You’ll need to turn on the lights to read inside the cabin during the day, otherwise there isn’t enough light. These aren’t deal-breakers, but if you plan to spend an entire day on board, these details will catch your attention.
Furthermore, the anchor winch is designed in an old-school style; specifically, it is not a fully automatic electric winch but requires manual intervention during operation, beginners are very likely to get flustered when dropping anchor for the first time. When I first used the Ocean King, I spent over ten minutes just on the anchoring process alone, At that moment, the owner of a nearby boat named the Leopard simply looked at me and burst out laughing. Later on, I wised up and asked the boat owner to teach me how to use the windlass beforehand; after practicing it twice, things went much more smoothly.
The waters around Manuel Antonio offer a variety of activities: whale watching, dolphin watching, snorkeling, and island hopping—the options are as diverse as the scenery.The Ocean King is actually best suited for the kind of trip where you want to spend the whole day at sea, enjoy good food and drinks, and avoid ending up sore from being tossed around by the waves. If you’re looking for a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping experience like surfing, then don’t choose this one.But if you’re looking to lie back comfortably, gaze out at the ocean, sip fine wine, chat with friends, and occasionally take a dip, then this is the perfect boat for you.
I’ve listed a few of the questions I’m asked most frequently. The answers are based on my own personal experience and may not apply to everyone, but they should at least help you avoid some potential frustrations or mistakes.
Q: Is it difficult for a beginner to sail a catamaran like the Ocean King?
A: It’s much easier than a monohull. The most obvious advantage is that you have excellent visibility when backing up to dock.Since catamarans have two hulls, you can see exactly what’s happening on both sides of the stern from the helm, so you don’t need to rely on someone else calling out to assist you.The first time I piloted the Ocean King to dock, I simply asked a friend on board to check the distance on the left side, and I managed to dock successfully on the first try. If I’d been in a monohull, I would have had to back up at least twice.
Which rental company in Manuel Antonio is reliable for renting the Ocean King?
A: Based on my personal experience, Manuel Antonio Sailing and Blue Water Catamaran both maintain their Ocean Kings relatively well; their boats are relatively new, and they have transparent records of engine maintenance.Don’t just look at the price. With those offering very low rates, the onboard refrigerator is likely broken, and the sunshade is probably full of holes. The night before you set sail, it’s best to go to the marina and take a look at the boat.
Q: Can I bring children on board? Is it safe?
Answer: Yes, they can. The guardrails on catamarans are generally at least one meter high. I once measured the guardrail height on the Ocean King, and it was approximately 1.05 meters.If children are running around on deck, as long as an adult is supervising them, it shouldn’t be a major issue. However, we recommend that children wear life jackets when boarding the boat and keep them on at all times. Weather conditions at sea are extremely unpredictable, so safety must always be the top priority.
Q: Are there USB charging ports on board?
A: The Ocean King’s newer vessels, which were put into service a few years ago, typically have two USB ports near the bridge. On older vessels, however, you’ll need to bring your own cigarette lighter adapter.My personal habit is to bring a car charger with multiple ports. Once on board, I plug it into the 12V outlet on the bridge so that everyone can charge their devices.
Q: Can people who get severely seasick go on this trip?
A: Yes, they can. I have previously traveled with several people who are prone to seasickness. On the Ocean King, not a single one of them vomited. However, I cannot guarantee this will be the case 100% of the time. If you usually feel queasy sitting in the back seat of a car, it is advisable to take one seasickness pill half an hour in advance.When the boat encounters wind and waves, it’s best to stay in the middle or rear sections as much as possible and avoid wandering around the bow; this can help alleviate the discomfort significantly.
To put it another way, I’ll just say this and be done with it. For me, this isn’t a business selling boats, nor do I rely on these charter companies to make a living. The reason I’m writing this is purely because I’ve been scammed countless times and endured countless terrible situations myself.If this helps even one person avoid getting into trouble, then writing this won’t have been a waste of time. If you’re hoping to spend a pleasant day on the waters off Manuel Antonio, the Ocean King has a certain charm—once you charter it, you’ll be more than happy to do so again.