Abstract: Buying a catamaran is just the beginning; the real headache is “where to sail?”From the perspective of an amateur boat owner who has spent seven years cruising the Mediterranean in Europe, this article explores the unique mooring challenges of catamarans, the navigational advantages of shallow draft, the water depth at marinas—which beginners often overlook—and the winds and waves at anchorages, as well as several off-the-beaten-path destinations frequented only by locals in Europe and the United States. This is not a lengthy, textbook-style explanation, but rather lessons learned from my own personal experiences.
Why I’m Writing “Where to Go” Before “How to Buy”
To be honest, back in the day, I pored over YachtWorld and Boat Trader until they were worn out, and eventually succeeded in purchasing a 2007 Lagoon 380.On the day of payment, I was so overcome with excitement that my hands were shaking uncontrollably—but what was the outcome? That boat sat in a dry dock in La Rochelle, France, for a full three months, simply because I had never thoroughly thought through the question of “where exactly I was going to sail it next.”
There are two types of vessels: catamarans and monohulls. With a 40-foot monohull sailboat, you can just sail up to any dock and squeeze it in—its draft is only a little over two meters.But a catamaran is wide—its beam ranges from 5 to 8 meters—and many older docks simply can’t accommodate it!
I had such a harrowing experience on my very first voyage. When I arrived in Olbia, Sardinia, I encountered a critical situation at the entrance to the marina. The channel was only 7 meters wide, but the vessel I was on was 7.2 meters wide—yes, we were just that tiny bit too wide.The bow managed to get through first, but the starboard rail scraped directly against a concrete pillar, instantly producing a loud “creak”—a sound so loud that I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life; it’s forever etched in my memory.
Therefore, figuring out whether your destination is catamaran-friendly is ten thousand times more important than researching boat prices.
I. Shallow Draft—Do You Really Know How to Use It?
The draft of a catamaran generally ranges from 0.8 to 1.5 meters, whereas a monohull’s draft can easily exceed 2 meters. Many beginners assume that “shallow draft means you can dock anywhere”—but this is a misconception!
I’m in my third year here on the island of Hvar in Croatia. I saw a chart showing the anchorage depth as 1.2 meters and thought to myself, “No problem,” so I sailed right in—only to run aground!Why did this happen? The reason was that the seabed in that bay was soft mud. When the tide went out, the actual water depth was reduced to just 0.7 meters, but my boat had a draft of 1.2 meters—and that was a real problem.
My experience taught me this: while catamarans have a shallow draft, that only applies to the hull itself; the rudder and propeller are often 0.3 to 0.5 meters lower than the bottom of the hull. If the water depth at an anchorage is less than 1.5 meters, don’t force your way in, unless you’re willing to spend 200 euros on a tugboat.
Furthermore, seaweed and fishing nets can easily become entangled between the two hulls of a catamaran.I spent three days at anchor off the coast of Corfu, Greece, and when I went to weigh anchor, I discovered that the port-side propeller was completely wrapped in an old fishing net—the engine immediately triggered an overheating alarm. It took me two afternoons to remove that mess, and my hands were covered in scratches.
A Must-Read Practical Checklist for Beginners:
When researching anchorages, don’t just rely on the numbers shown on the chart; instead, search local forums for posts titled “XX Bay Catamaran Grounding.”
To determine anchor chain length, keep in mind that catamarans have greater wind resistance, so the chain must be at least six times the sum of the water depth and the boat’s length. Remember—don’t cut corners.
Check the rudder and propeller once a day, especially in areas with abundant aquatic vegetation.
Regarding depth markings at many historic Mediterranean marinas, they reflect conditions from decades ago. To find out the actual depth, it’s much more reliable to call the marina office and ask.
II. Where to Go? Don’t Trust Those “Trendy” Routes
Just do a quick online search, and you’ll find countless references to “the Caribbean catamaran paradise” and “the Maldives’ unrivaled atolls.” Keep in mind that these are marketed specifically for tourists on week-long charter trips.But you’ve already purchased a boat and plan to live on it long-term, so you need to consider how convenient resupply is, whether replacement parts for repairs are readily available, and whether the cold winters will be so harsh that they make you question your entire life.
Here’s the actual route I’ve taken over the past seven years, ranked by practicality:
| Region | Suitable Sailing Season | Catamaran-Friendliness | Difficulty for Beginners | Availability of Accessories | Pitfalls I’ve Encountered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balearic Islands, Spain | May–October | 9/10 | Low | High | No berths available at the Port of Palma in August; book two months in advance |
| Ionian Sea, Greece | April–October | 8/10 | Low | Medium | Many of the older docks aren’t wide enough; my boat couldn’t dock in Kefalonia |
| Dalmatia, Croatia | May–September | 7/10 | Medium | Low | Most marinas close after December; supplies must be shipped from Split |
| Turkish Riviera | April–November | 8/10 | Low | Medium | Summer trade winds can push boats toward the shore; beginners may drift if they choose an unsuitable anchorage |
| Sardinia, Italy | June–September | 6/10 | High | Medium | The wind conditions were unpredictable; one night, I was nearly driven aground by the Mistral |
I’d like to focus on the Ionian Sea off the coast of Greece; all told, I spent a full three summers sailing those waters.The conditions of the waterways are absolutely perfect for catamarans: the distances between islands are relatively short, the winds are generally mild, and there are plenty of places to drop anchor.However, there is one issue that can have serious consequences: supply boats are hard to come by.
On one occasion, my starboard engine developed a minor malfunction, which required replacing the fuel filter.Spare parts shops on the Greek islands simply don’t stock this kind of item, so I had to wait three days for it to be shipped from Athens via express delivery. During those three days, I could only sail on one engine—the port side—and turning around was an absolute nightmare!
So, before buying a boat, you should first check whether there are authorized service providers for your boat’s brand in the area.For my Lagoon boat, there are only two authorized repair centers in Greece, and both are located in the Athens area. If you primarily sail in the Ionian Sea, should a problem arise, you’ll just have to hope it isn’t too serious.
III. The Mooring Nightmare Unique to Catamarans
I’ll admit that catamarans have many advantages: they’re stable, offer plenty of space, and kids don’t get seasick when running around on deck. However, docking is an unavoidable challenge.
Problem 1: Exorbitant Mooring Fees
For the same 40-foot length, in a place where a monohull is charged 50 euros per night, a catamaran is charged between 70 and 100 euros—because catamarans occupy a wider berth.I’ve done the math: if you dock for 200 days a year, this single expense alone will cost you at least 6,000 euros extra.
Before buying a boat, be sure to check the “catamaran berth availability” at your destination. Many marina websites clearly list the maximum boat width; you can simply search for “marina catamaran width limit.” Don’t think of this as a hassle— I’ve seen people sail to Naples, Italy, only to find that the entire harbor had no berths capable of accommodating a 7-meter-wide boat. In the end, they spent 150 euros to spend the night at anchor and had to rely on a small dinghy to get back and forth.
Problem 2: Backing into a berth—the boat drifts off course in the wind
Catamarans have a very large windward surface area, so as soon as a crosswind starts blowing, the boat starts drifting.The first time I tried to dock, I tried every trick in the book but just couldn’t get the boat to back into the berth. I could see the harbor staff standing on the shore shouting at me, while my hands were drenched in sweat.Later, I finally figured out a method: you need to alternate between pushing and pulling the two engines in opposite directions—forward and aft—to turn the boat in place. Compared to a monohull, it’s much more maneuverable.
Here’s how it’s done:
Engage forward on the port side and reverse on the starboard side; the boat will turn to the right in place
Conversely, put the starboard engine in forward and the port engine in reverse to turn to the left
When approaching a berth, point the bow into the wind in advance, then slowly maneuver in parallel
I practiced this maneuver at an abandoned fishing port and spent two full days mastering it. I recommend you also find a quiet dock to practice at, so you don’t end up in an embarrassing situation during peak season in Mykonos.
IV. Hidden Gems Known Only to Locals
Most boat owners dock in Spain or Greece and then follow the same route—Ibiza, Mykonos, and Santorini—where what you’ll see isn’t the sea, but crowds of people.
But let me tell you, the real advantage of a catamaran is its shallow draft, which allows it to access places that larger boats can’t reach.
First stop: Paxos, Greece
This island lies south of Corfu, and the water depth at the marina is just over 1 meter—monohull sailboats simply can’t get in.A catamaran can dock right there, and the island boasts the best-tasting olive oil in all of Greece, as well as a small tavern tucked away in an alley where the owner will pour you a glass of her homemade Retsina wine.I stayed there for five days in 2019, and aside from two catamarans of the same model, there were no other boats in sight.
Second destination: Vis Island, Croatia
This island wasn’t opened to tourists until the 1990s; it used to be a military restricted area. On the island’s southern coast lies a bay called Stiniva, flanked by cliffs on both sides. Its entrance is extremely narrow—just 4 meters wide—so monohulls can enter, but boats with too much draft shouldn’t attempt it.With a draft of 1.2 meters, the catamaran could enter with ease.The water in the bay is so crystal-clear that you can see schools of sardines on the seabed. While snorkeling there, I spotted a 1-meter-long grouper; it glanced at me and then swam away leisurely.
Third destination: the Aeolian Islands, Italy
Lipari is particularly worth mentioning; the marina there is extremely unfriendly to catamarans, but I’d learned a trick from an old local sailor: instead of docking there, head to the anchorage on the island’s northern side, where the water runs three to five meters deep over a sandy, very stable seabed.When the wind picks up, the catamaran’s two hulls steady the boat against the waves. I cooked pasta over a camping stove right there; the wind caused the boat to sway gently, and my mind was completely clear. That feeling—that is the very reason for owning a boat.
V. Three Things You Must Consider Before Buying a Boat
As I sit here writing this, I feel compelled to pour a bucket of cold water on the situation: a catamaran is not a magic bullet that can solve every problem.
First, you’re not just buying a boat—you’re buying a mobile hassle.Two engines mean twice the maintenance work; two hulls mean twice the cost of antifouling paint; and a spacious deck means more areas to clean—on every day I dock, I have to spend at least half an hour rinsing salt deposits off the hull, otherwise the salt crystals will corrode the aluminum components.
Second, your ability to maneuver the boat determines where you can go. If backing into a berth is a nightmare for you, then you can forget about many older marinas and anchorages.I know a French boat owner who bought a 44-foot catamaran but, because he didn’t dare to dock it himself, had to hire dock workers every time—at a cost of 20 euros per visit. This adds up to over 1,000 euros in extra expenses each year.
Third, waiting for replacement parts is far more difficult than you might imagine. Many parts for catamarans are custom-made, particularly the steering system and engine mounts. My boat once had a steering sensor fail in Greece; it took 12 days to ship the replacement from France to Greece, during which time I could only wait idly at the dock.Therefore, when purchasing a boat, try to choose brands with globally available parts, such as Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, and Leopard. These three major brands have relatively well-established inventory and supply chains for their parts.
VI. Final Thoughts
I’m not going to spout nonsense like “catamarans are the only option.” They’re suitable for people who need space, value stability, and can tolerate the many inconveniences that come with mooring.If you merely hope to get from one place to another quickly, then a monohull might be the better choice—it travels faster and is less expensive to operate.
And what about me? Seven years ago, I was staring blankly at the catamaran sitting in dry dock in La Rochelle; now, I’m standing on the pier of Paxi Island in Greece, sipping coffee and watching the sunset.The hull sways gently; the scratch on the port side remains, the filter on the starboard engine has been replaced three times, and the hull paint cost another 800 euros this year. Yet I have no regrets.
Because what a catamaran gives you isn’t speed—it’s a way of life.
Frequently Asked Questions for Beginners (Avoiding Pitfalls)
Q1: Can a catamaran be operated by a single person?
It’s possible, but it’s extremely exhausting. Especially during docking maneuvers, one person has to keep an eye on both hulls and the wind direction at the same time. I recommend having at least two people on board, or installing a bow thruster—though that will cost around 3,000 euros.
Q2: How well do catamarans handle wind and waves?
They’re no match for monohulls—really, they’re not. I encountered a Force 7 wind while in Croatia; the hulls remained stable, but when waves crashed over the deck, resonance occurred between the two hulls, producing a terrifying “thud, thud, thud” sound.Don’t go out to sea during storm season.
Q3: Should you hire a surveyor when buying a boat?
You definitely should, and you need to find someone who specializes in inspecting catamarans. I’ve seen a case where someone spent 300 euros on a general surveyor, but the surveyor failed to detect water leaks inside the two hulls, resulting in 10,000 euros in repair costs.The hull structure of a catamaran is more complex to inspect, so you absolutely must not skimp on the inspection fee.
Q4: What should you check most carefully when buying a used catamaran?
Engine operating hours, the rudder control system, whether there are stress-induced cracks in the hulls, and the condition of the bottom paint. Pay special attention to the joints where the two hulls connect to the crossbeams—these are critical stress concentration points that are highly prone to structural fatigue.Back in 2021, I inspected a boat that had fine cracks on the crossbeams, but the seller claimed it was “just a paint issue.” After the surveyor conducted an ultrasonic inspection, it turned out to be a structural crack.
Q5: Can a catamaran be left in the Mediterranean over the winter?
Yes, but many marinas shut off water and electricity during the winter, and the winds are strong and the waves rough. I recommend mooring in Barcelona, Spain, or Genoa, Italy—these major ports are open year-round. I’ve tried wintering in an open anchorage on a small island once, but the boat was tossed back and forth by the wind, and I didn’t sleep a wink all night.