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  • February 2, 2024

Understanding the Monohull Yacht: Design and Benefits

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A Closer Look at Monohull Yacht Design

When you think of a classic yacht, chances are you’re picturing a monohull. It’s the traditional single-hull design that has sailed the seas for centuries, updated with modern technology to provide a sleek and efficient vessel. The design of a monohull yacht focuses on balance, with a deep keel to counterbalance the sails above. This design allows sailors to cut through water smoothly and maintain stability in most sea conditions. The hull, or body of the yacht, is typically long and narrow, which offers less resistance against the water, translating to faster speeds and a smoother ride.

Advantages of such a design go beyond just good looks. The streamlined shape of a monohull makes it more fuel-efficient, and it can often navigate through shallow waters where wider boats can’t go. The simplicity of the design also means it’s generally easier to handle, particularly for those new to yachting. Because of their deep keels, monohulls are less prone to capsizing, providing peace of mind during rough conditions at sea. The handling and agility offered by these boats make them a joy to steer, offering an authentic and hands-on sailing experience.

Why Choose a Monohull Yacht

Opting for a monohull comes with a variety of perks. If you love the feeling of being close to the water and enjoy the thrill of the boat tilting or ‘heeling’ as it catches the wind, a monohull is the right choice. The tilt isn’t just for thrills; it helps sailors feel how the boat reacts to the water and wind, allowing better control and a deeper connection with the sailing experience. They are potentially faster on a straight course, which, for some, means more exhilarating races or quicker journeys.

Furthermore, because monohull yachts have been around for a long time, there’s a wealth of knowledge and community wisdom on how to repair and maintain them, which can make ownership less daunting. Monohulls have a certain romance to them, echoing the classic era of seafaring, and they tend to blend in better at marinas filled with traditional vessels. Below deck, you’ll find a cozy, intimate setting for socializing and relaxing after a day of sailing, as well as sleeping quarters that rock gently with the ocean’s rhythm, making for a restful night’s sleep at sea.

Confidence in the Water with a Monohull

The real joy of a monohull yacht lies in its performance. For those who love sailing, the feedback you get from the boat as it responds to the wind and waves is unparalleled. Monohulls are built strong to withstand harsh sea conditions and high winds, and with the right care, they can be incredibly long-lasting. They’re famous for their ability to be sailed solo or with a small crew, which speaks to their ease of navigation and handling. These vessels have circumnavigated the globe and won countless regattas, proving time and again their worthiness on the water.

For aspiring sailors, a monohull can be the best teacher. It forces you to learn the fundamentals of sailing dynamics because you have to manage the sails and balance the boat against the forces of nature. But don’t think that means sacrificing comfort for performance; with a well-designed interior, you’ll still have all the amenities you need to enjoy your time at sea.

When the day comes to choose your perfect yacht, remember to consider who will be aboard and where you plan to take your voyages. A monohull yacht is not just a boat; it’s a home on the water, an adventure waiting to happen, and a way to explore the natural world in style and comfort.

At the end of the day, our team at Fly Yachts understands the value of a seamless yacht-buying experience. Our role is to make sure you find a yacht that fits your needs perfectly. So when you’re ready to take the next step towards your maritime adventures, take a moment to talk to a Fly Yacht team member. We’re here to help you make informed decisions and find the monohull yacht that will give you years of sailing pleasure.

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If you’re looking to dive into the world of luxury sea travel or considering adding to your fleet, check out the diverse options of  yachts for sale , ranging from sleek, high-end yachts to robust center consoles. Fly Yachts is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and knowledge in the yacht industry, as highlighted on their  About Us  page. Whether you’re interested in creating your perfect custom vessel with  Build a Yacht  or exploring global adventures with  Charter Destinations , they have the expertise to assist you. And if you have a yacht that you’re thinking of selling, understand the value and service difference offered on the  Sell Your Yacht  page. For those also interested in taking to the skies with the same level of luxury, the  Aircraft for Sale  section offers pristine options. Don’t miss the  Compass Articles  for informative content on yachting, and stay up to date with industry developments through  Gulfstream News . Planning your next luxury yacht holiday is made easy with detailed  Yacht Charter  options. Should you have any inquiries or need further assistance, the  Contact  page is there for you. Begin your journey on the  Homepage , where the world of premium yachting awaits to offer you unparalleled experiences at sea and beyond.

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Monohull yachts: a buyer’s guide

There are many different types of monohull sailboats: habitable or non-habitable, dinghies or keel type monohulls, and racing or pleasure boats. At Dream Yacht Sales, we focus on the heart of the market: habitable, keel type monohull yachts . These boats are firm favorites, as they offer enough on-board comfort for you to welcome friends and family (our monohull boats for sale generally include several cabins and bathrooms); and give a feeling of complete security, thanks to a fixed keel.

Features of a monohull sailboat

The most noticeable feature of a monohull, is the fact it only has one hull . Apart from that, these yachts are characterized by their narrow designs, triangular-shaped bow and split living space across two floors .

Most marinas are designed to welcome monohull sailboats, whilst many struggle to fit the beam of sailing catamarans and power catamarans. Buying a monohull gives you two clear advantages when it comes to marinas : you’ll have an easier time finding a berthing space for the year in the home port of your choice and when you set sail, you’ll have an easier time finding a berthing space than your friend in a catamaran – which is why it’s much more beneficial to look at monohull boats for sale.

If you ask an experienced monohull sailor why they sail monohull yachts, they’ll tell you it’s the feeling you get from the boat . The pressure exercised by the wind in the sails of a monohull will cause it to lean transversally, (known as heeling). Contrary to multihulls, where heeling is almost non-existent (less than 5°), a monohull can easily reach a heel of more than 20° . The skipper will feel everything the boat is doing as it performs. Adjusting the sails is more delicate, and accelerations stronger. Monohull yachts give a true sailing experience .

Benefits of a monohull yacht

Sailors choose to purchase monohulls over sailing or power catamarans for a number of reasons, including the following:

Excellent balance

The keel is the weighted element at the center of the hull under the waterline, which allows the boat to be balanced , whilst also serving to counter drift on modern yachts. The rudder is the submerged part of the helm under the monohull sailboat. It is used for deflecting the flow of water under the hull to change the direction you’re sailing. It’s placed at the rear of the boat, and is most often directed by a steering wheel.

Tiller handles still exist on some monohulls (often sailing yachts shorter than 30 feet) as they take up little space, but are much more physical than the alternative – the steering wheel. Steering wheels are often preferred as they allow the boat to be maneuvered much more easily – particularly yachts over 30 feet long.

Two steering wheels means more space and visibility

The latest generation of monohull yachts are often equipped with two steering wheels, which offers two primary advantages: space and visibility. Having two steering wheels (one on the port, and the other on the starboard), allows an enormous amount of space to be freed at the center of the cockpit . This gives you more room to move while getting on and off the monohull yacht, and swimming whilst at mooring. Not only that, but for visibility, two steering wheels makes it easier to control the sails and the body of water when blocking upwind .

Capacity to sail upwind

The main advantage of a monohull sailboat is its capacity to sail upwind – an average of 10-20 degrees better than a multihull, which massively reduces the distances traveled at this speed. The shape of a monohull naturally fits the shape of the waves when troughs of several meters form , giving a sense of safety to those on-board, as every experience is felt at the helm.

The monohull has one other advantage: it has a relatively small surface in the water and it’s light ; making it easier to get it out of the water, and meaning its regular maintenance (refitting, anti-fouling etc) is less expensive.

The cost of buying a monohull yacht

From its purchase price, to berthing space and ongoing maintenance, a monohull sailboat costs much less than a catamaran . This is partly due to there being a much wider range of yachts available, than what is found with multihulls. For example, Dufour’s Grand Large range offers yachts a little more than 30 feet long, with two double cabins and one bathroom; whilst the smallest habitable catamarans usually measure around 40 feet and have a minimum of three double cabins. Because of this,  monohulls are often better suited for small families, or groups of friends . For an equal size, between 40-60 feet, a monohull sailboat will also cost much less than a catamaran; with the price of a 40 foot catam aran often equal to a monohull of nearly 50 feet.

Berthing space is another thing to consider when choosing which type of yacht to buy. A berth for a monohull yacht generally costs 20-50% less than that of a similarly sized catamaran . This is often one of the biggest expenses for a boat owner and should not be neglected if you are looking to keep control of your budget. When you set sails, berths during your stops to fill up with water and food will also be much less expensive for you.

We represent the best of monohull yacht brands

There are many advantages to buying a monohull over a catamaran. At Dream Yacht Sales, we work in partnership with four leading and respected monohull boatyards: Jeanneau ,  Beneteau , Dufour  and Wauquiez . We are dealers for these brands in some regions of the world, and can organize a sea trial or a visit to a boatyard to help you buy a good quality monohull yacht for the greatest value for money.

Contact our team today to discuss your needs, or select a boat on our site, configure it to your taste and we’ll provide you a quote there and then.

Alternatively, you can take a look at our other buying guides: Sailing catamarans Power catamarans

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Catamaran Vs Monohull

Catamaran Vs Monohull | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

August 30, 2022

Monohulls and traditional sailboats, once ubiquitous, are giving way to modern catamarans. But how do these designs differ?

Monohulls have a single hull, and catamarans have two hulls side-by-side. Catamarans are faster than monohulls of the same length and displacement, but monohulls are stronger and more spacious. Monohulls are also cheaper and easier to build than multi-hulls.

In this article, we’ll cover the differences between catamarans and monohulls, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each design. We’ll also cover the sailing characteristics of each and why catamarans so easily outrun equivalently-sized monohulls.

We sourced the information used in this article from trusted sailboat design resources, along with manufacturer specifications and boat market analysis.

Table of contents

‍ What is a Catamaran?

Catamarans are a kind of multi-hull sailboat with two hulls joined together. They are often short and wide, resembling a square or rectangle from above.

Catamarans are colloquially distinct from outriggers, which are double-hulled vessels with one large primary hull and a small outboard stabilizing hull.

Catamarans usually have hulls that mirror each other, both in size and arrangement. Sometimes, the interior layouts are mirrored, too—but this varies between designs and manufacturers. Catamaran hulls are narrower and taller than most monohull designs of equal lengths.

Catamarans have limited commercial and military utility, as these applications favor space and ease-of-construction over handling characteristics. That said, there are some commercial uses for catamaran designs—most commonly passenger and car ferries.

What is a Monohull Sailboat?

A monohull is probably what you traditionally think of as a boat. Monohulls are longer than they are wide. It features a single hull—it’s that simple. Sailing monohull designs have evolved over the centuries into many distinct types, usually distinguished by keel type.

Monohulls come in many shapes and sizes . For example, sailing monohulls designed for offshore use have long keels that sometimes extend much further below the waterline than the freeboard and cabin extend above it.

Monohull sailboats are also designed for other purposes, such as inland sailing and racing. These vessels have more contemporary characteristics, such as rounded shallow ‘canoe’ bottoms, V-bottoms, and fin keels.

Monohulls aren’t just sailboats. Virtually every cargo and container ship, warship, and many passenger ships are monohulls due to their strength, ease of construction, and high cargo capacity.

Are Monohull Sailboats More Common?

Monohulls are more common in every application, though multi-hulls are becoming more common for ferries. Monohulls have numerous benefits over multi-hulls, and these benefits only increase with scale.

Monohulls are easy to construct. They’re also cheap. Large monohull ships, such as container ships, can be built with very little material and effort. This is because the vast majority of the length of a monohull is just a box, with a bow and stern welded onto the end.

Sailboat construction is more intricate, but the costs are still lower. Plus, monohull designs are robust, and cabin space is plentiful. There’s a lot more study in the field of monohull design, which was the universal truth until somewhat recently.

But all in all, the reason why monohull sailboats are more common is that they work just fine. Most sailboat owners aren’t interested in breaking speed records or hosting dozens of people aboard their boats. As a result, a standard, simple, and easy-to-control monohull are more than sufficient.

Are Catamarans Faster than Monohulls?

Catamarans are most certainly faster than monohulls. This is almost always the case. Even the fastest production monohulls can’t hold a candle to the average cruising catamaran.

But why is this the case? Aren’t catamarans restricted by the same hydrodynamic forces as monohulls? As it turns out, they aren’t. This has to do with the unusual way hull waves impact speed.

Hull Speed Limitations

Monohull speed is limited by something called hull speed. Hull speed is determined using a formula that calculates the maximum speed a displacement hull can travel under normal power and conditions.

When a displacement hull moves through the water, it kicks up a set of waves at the bow and stern. These waves travel along the side of the vessel and create drag, which slows down the boat. Normally, the power of the wind can overcome this drag—but only to a point.

At a certain speed, the waves kicked up by the bow will sync with the waves kicked up at the stern and begin ‘working together’ against the boat. The speed at which this occurs is the hull speed, which is calculated from the length of the boat.

Hull speed limitations for monohulls aren’t universally true all the time. Some vessels exceed it, and some don’t—but the number is a useful estimate of the limitations of monohull designs. Modern monohulls with clever hull shapes can defeat hull speed calculations.

Do Hull Speed Limitations Apply to Catamarans?

Surprisingly no—hull speed calculations don’t work for catamarans. This is because, for one, the hulls are shaped differently. Alone, catamaran hulls wouldn’t float correctly. But together, they create different hydrodynamic effects and cancel out the effects of hull speed.

This means that catamarans can easily exceed the speeds of even the fastest monohulls of equal length—and sometimes beat them by a margin of 50% or more. It’s not unheard of for 40-foot catamarans to exceed 20 knots, whereas 40-foot monohulls rarely get past 10.

Are Catamarans More Comfortable than Monohulls?

Catamarans can be much more comfortable than equivalently-sized monohulls—up to a point. This is because catamarans engage in ‘wave piercing’ and have a wider and more stable footprint on the water.

Catamaran hulls, when properly designed, can slice through parts of a wave instead of riding over every peak and trough. This effectively reduces the height of the weight, which reduces the amount the boat rolls.

Additionally, the wide footprint of a catamaran allows some waves to simply pass right under it, keeping the boat level for longer durations. Catamarans also don’t heel under sail—instead, they plane slightly, raising the bows out of the water and reducing bumps.

Monohull Benefits

Monohulls are proven in all conditions. A well-designed displacement monohull sailboat can ride out the strongest storms, and monohull workboats can support enormous loads and move them efficiently. They can be fast, comfortable, and also easy to sail (even for beginners).

Monohulls are cheap to build and forgiving, as precision doesn’t have to be microscopic to get them to sail right. They’re robust and strong, featuring a naturally stress-resistant hull shape. They’re also easy to modify and aren’t required to meet as strict of dimensional ratios to operate.

With a monohull sailboat, you have a lot of interior room to work with. This means that monohulls are available in numerous cabin layouts and are just as easy to modify as they are to build. Monohulls often have a center of gravity at or below the waterline, which enhances stability at steep heel angles.

On the water, displacement monohulls can weather extreme conditions with ease. They lack the initial stability of multi-hulls, but they can recover from knockdowns on their own, and they’re very difficult to push past their rollover point.

Why do Catamarans Cost More than Monohulls?

Catamarans cost more than monohulls because they’re more expensive to build, more complex to engineer, and require more material. This isn’t always the case, but the design of catamarans requires much more careful engineering and strength-of-materials analysis than comparatively simple monohulls.

There are several critical structural points on catamarans that monohulls lack. In fact, the very shape of a monohull is physically strong—so it has inherent durability. Catamaran hulls must be joined in the middle, and the mast must have a strong point far from the inherently sturdy hulls.

This requires stronger materials and more care during design or construction. This is why catamarans remain a premium part of the sailboat market and why they still aren’t the most popular sailboats despite their numerous performance and comfort benefits.

Catamaran Cabin Layout

Catamaran cabins are split between the two hulls, and there’s usually a large pilothouse in the center. Pilothouse catamarans can be quite spacious, primarily due to the large space between the hulls.

The pilothouse is usually where kitchen and sitting areas are located, along with cockpit access and the controls of the sailboat. The mast is also located in this area.

Catamaran cabins sometimes mirror each other. For example, each hull may contain two identical bedroom/bathroom combos, while the center console area contains the kitchen and living spaces.

The two identical hulls sometimes make for unusual design decisions (such as small catamarans with four master bedrooms), but owners say this gives their passengers a much better experience than a monohull cabin.

Monohull Cabin Layout

Monohull cabins, with the exception of split-cabin sailboats with a center cockpit, have only one large interior space to work with. It’s usually much wider than catamarans of equal length.

Monohull cabins are usually accessible from the bow (via a flush deck hatch) and the stern via a traditional companionway. They run the span of the hull between the bow and the cockpit and sometimes include spare berths under the cockpit seats.

These spare berths are often used as convenient sea cabins, as they offer quick access to controls in case of an emergency. Catamarans often have convertible berths in the center console for the same reason.

Monohull cabins are traditional and include everything that catamaran cabins do—albeit with slightly less room overall. That said, individual spaces are often much wider, and facilities are more appropriate.

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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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  • Pros And Cons Of Multihull Boats Vs Monohull Boats

Pros and Cons of Multihull Boats vs Monohull Boats

Multihull Boats vs Monohull Boats: Which Is Better?

Monohull boats are a classic type of vessel with only one hull, while multihull boats have multiple hulls. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these options, so how can you decide which is better for you?

The Basics: Multihull Boats vs Monohull Boats

A boat with a single hull is a monohull vessel. There are many types of monohull boats, such as traditional sailboats, fishing boats, and yachts. They’re instantly recognisable because they only have one hull in the water.

Multihull boats, in contrast, have multiple hulls in the water. If there are two hulls, side by side, you can call that boat a catamaran . If it has three hulls, you can call it a trimaran (though these are rarer). There are even quadramarans and pentamarans with four and five hulls respectively, but you don’t see many of these around.

Pros and Cons of Multihull Boats vs Monohull Boats

Let's start by taking a look at some of the advantages of multihull boats:

  • Stability. One of the most important features of a multihull boat is a greater stability. Stand up normally and try to keep your balance; it's easy, right? Now try to stand on one leg and see how long you can last. If you have exceptional balance, you might be able to last a long time, but there's no question that standing on one leg is harder. In a similar way, balancing a boat on one hull is always harder than balancing it on two. Adding at least one more hull to your boat increases stability significantly, even in rougher waters.
  • Safety. Higher levels of stability mean much greater safety for you and everyone else on board. Boats that are balanced on multiple hulls in the water are much less likely to capsize.
  • Overall speed and performance. You might think that having multiple hulls would slow these boats down, but because of a variety of factors, multihull boats usually have greater speed and overall performance. Obviously, this is dependent on the type of motor you choose, and other variables associated with your individual boat. But generally, this is an advantage of multihull setups.
  • Available space. With multiple hulls in the water, you'll have more available deck space and storage space between them. You can have a living space above or below the water, and more room to walk around on the deck. If you're interested in hosting multiple people, or if you just like to have as much space as possible during your aquatic expeditions, multihull boats could be a better fit for you.
  • Easier manoeuvrability. Generally, catamarans are easier to manoeuvre than their single hull counterparts. If you find it difficult to steer a boat with a single hull, consider upgrading and getting multiple hulls.
  • Easier mooring. You'll usually have an easier time docking a multihull boat because of its increased stability and manoeuvrability. If you like the idea of being able to dock a boat easily, this could be the best option for you.
  • Comfort and less fatigue. Sailors and anglers often appreciate catamarans because they're more comfortable – and because they're associated with less fatigue. Rough waters, harsh winds, and other variables aren’t going to cause as much strain.

Of course, there are some advantages that monohull boats have as well:

  • Greater thrills. Some people actively prefer monohull boats because they're less stable. When you're sailing, your decisions feel more impactful, and your vessel is more influenced by wind and water. This can make the activity much more thrilling.
  • A “real” sailing experience. If you're thinking about the number of hulls associated with your sailboat, you might consider a monohull vessel because it's more associated with a “real” sailing experience . Of course, there's nothing wrong with sailing a multihull vessel, and you can still get an adequate sailing experience that way. But if you're looking for something traditional, monohull is the way to go.
  • Less maintenance. Hull maintenance requires you to regularly clean and anti-foul each hull. If you have multiple engines, you’ll have to maintain both of them equally. Accordingly, monohull boats typically require less maintenance, saving you both time and money in the long run.
  • Less bridge deck slamming. Because monohull boats don’t have a bridge deck, they don’t suffer from “slamming” in rough conditions.
  • Easier transportation. Monohull boats tend to be smaller than their counterparts, making them easier to transport. If you're going to be driving your boat from one place to another, keep this in mind.
  • Lower cost. Overall, we can assess that, on average, multihull boats have a few major advantages over their counterparts. But these advantages come with a cost. Multihull boats are more expensive to manufacture and are therefore more expensive for consumers. If you're trying to buy a boat on a budget, or if you just don't think the advantages are worth the extra money, a monohull boat may be a better fit for you.

The Most Important Factors to Consider

This decision can be a complex one, so let's boil it down to the three most important factors you'll need to consider when comparing multihull and monohull boats:

  • Budget. How much money are you willing to spend? Catamarans and other multihull boats are associated with many advantages, but if you don't have the money to afford them, they may not be suitable for your needs.
  • Stability. How stable and smooth do you want your ride to be? Adding another hull can make your ride better, but that's not always a good thing.
  • Personal interest. Are you personally interested in one type over the other? For example, do you like the aesthetics of a classic catamaran?

Are you shopping for a new sailboat? Or a new powered boat to take you on your next fishing trip? You've come to the right place. No matter what your budget is, or what type of vessel you're looking for, we can almost guarantee we'll have something that fits your needs. Browse our vast selection of new and used boats for sale today!

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British Marine

Monohull vs. Catamaran: which yacht is for you?!

By Yacht Week

Posted on 29th June 2022

Types of yachts CREDIT The Yacht Week G0070114_picmonkeyed

If you're excited to join The Yacht Week but have never sailed before, we're here to help you decide on your perfect floating home for the week. From catamarans to monohulls, Classic to Premium, check out our handy guide with all the different types of yachts to help you work out which one is best for you.

monohull yacht meaning

Catamaran vs monohull - what's the difference?

Firstly, let's talk terminology. To choose between a monohull and a catamaran you need to know what makes them different. Simply put, as the name suggests, a monohull has only one hull (the main body of a yacht), whereas a catamaran has two hulls.

The benefits of a catamaran having two hulls is that they will typically stay more level and offer a lot more space, while a monohull will always reach faster speeds when sailing. Here's what one of our amazing hosts, Cara Whiteman, has to say about the difference:

If you like to sail, make sure you book a monohull to get a real authentic experience with the yacht leaning over and cutting through the waves under sail! Don’t worry if you still like your space - you can always book the larger monohulls, such as the Jeanneau 54 .

Alternatively, if you are looking to top up on the tan, a catamaran is the best bet, with lots of outside space for lounging and sipping on cocktails. The kitchen is much bigger and the yacht stays more stable at sea, so if you’re a foodie you’ll enjoy the spacious and more social dining experience that the extra room allows.

monohull yacht meaning

Things to think about before you book

There's nothing better than a recommendation from someone really in the know. Another of our amazing skippers, Anton Ha, has some great tips for you to think about before you book:

If you're planning to join TYW at the peak of summer, especially between weeks 26-34, then make sure you book a yacht with air-conditioning!

Don't plan to let people sleep in the saloon (lounge area) as it makes the yacht look messy all week long, which is no fun. If you can afford to keep your crew size down, you will really enjoy the uncluttered space.

Types of yachts The Yacht Week CREDIT Oliver_Sjostrom_-242_picmonkeyed

What's included with all our yachts?

So now you know the differences, but what do they all have in common? Here's everything that comes standard with our yachts:

  • Your skipper - Very necessary, of course. Our amazing skippers are an essential part of your experience as they will help you sail your way through the week. They'll navigate your yacht, lead your crew and make sure you discover all the hidden gems along the way. They're there to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience and are happy to teach you some of the key skills for sailing if you’re keen to get involved.
  • Fully equipped kitchen - Feast your way through the week by whipping up a storm in your very own kitchen. Packed with all the pots, pans and cutlery you could need. Don't want to bother with the cooking? Book yourself one of our friendly hosts for the week.
  • Bedding and bathroom towels - All your linens are provided, so no need to pack any of these. We do suggest bringing your own beach towel so you don’t get seawater on your bathroom towel.
  • Speakers - Every yacht has its own speakers, so you don't need to bother about packing these. Pump out the tunes as you sail your way through an unforgettable week.
  • Wifi - while we definitely encourage you to switch off and enjoy every minute of the week, we also make sure you don’t lose touch with the real world (unless you want to, of course).

Types of yachts TYW Croatia 2019 CREDIT COURT20190703-8_picmonkeyed

Which yachts do our skippers and hosts recommend?

So now you know about all our different categories of yacht, but which ones do our skippers and hosts love? Surprisingly, they all have their own preferences for different reasons. Check out which yacht three of our amazing skippers and hosts recommend.

Types of yachts Lagoon 450 (Premium Plus) CREDIT The Yacht Week_picmonkeyed

" In my opinion, the Lagoon 450 catamaran is the perfect TYW boat. Four spacious cabins for up to eight guests. Two crew cabins, so your skipper and host will be well-rested. A huge icebox, which is a great addition to the air conditioning and three fridges (two for food, one for drinks) on hot days, as it means cold drinks all day long. There's also a huge sunbed on top and a net upfront, which are the perfect spots to enjoy a sunny day on the water. " - Anton Ha

Types of yachts Hanse 575 (Premium Plus) CREDIT The Yacht Week_picmonkeyed

" The Hanse 575 is my favourite TYW yacht hands down! It is a luxury boat with coveted air conditioning. You have lots of room both up top for tanning and relaxing and down below so you don’t feel too cramped. The best part is that the Hanse can really send it sailing with good winds. Total best of all worlds scenario. " - Megan Whyte

Types of yachts Bali 4.1 (Premium) CREDIT The Yacht Week_picmonkeyed

" My favourite TYW yacht is the Bali 4.1 catamaran, mostly because of the vast living space it had both inside and out. The large dining area makes for sociable mealtimes without sacrificing sun lounging and dancing space out on deck! " - Cara Louise Whiteman

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Windward Islands Yachting Company

Monohull vs Catamaran: how to choose?

Monohull Vs Catamaran

The monohull vs catamaran debate isn’t anything new in the sailing world.

Although it may seem trivial to many of you, choosing between a monohull vs a catamaran isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Which one to pick? Which one is faster, safer, more comfortable? 

You always want the best compromise when picking your yacht for your cruising project.

Let’s compare monohulls and catamarans of equivalent size to see which is best for you. Although it is true that during the last decade there has been a great craze for catamarans, who know, you might decide to go for a monohull sailing boat after reading this article.

Monohull vs catamaran : Different speed under sail

Unlike a monohull, a catamaran consists of two shells, linked with a frame and unlike a monohull, it does not have the lead keel, therefore it is generally faster than a similar-sized monohull, especially off the wind. Most of the catamarans on the market are designed for trade wade sailing, therefore, they sail very poorly. On the other hand, under light wind, most catamarans will often be slower than similar-sized monohull due to wetted surface drag. 

Some shipyards are known to build high-performance luxury catamarans such as Gunboat , the innovative trimarans from Neel, the powerful Outremer catamarans, or the centerboard type of catamarans from Catana group .

Sailing catamaran

The differences in stability between a catamaran and a monohull

Catamarans do not roll from one wave to the other as a monohull does. They rarely tilt more than 5 degrees, so the navigation is less tiring, and guests can eat, sleep and live on the catamaran more comfortably than on a monohull with fewer opportunities to catch seasickness. Walking on the deck of a catamaran is also easier because the boat is flat.

On a monohull, from the early puffs, the boat starts to heel naturally and for many boaters and sailors, it is the exact definition of the charms and pleasures of sailing.

monohull yacht meaning

Hauling & moorings : catamaran is more spacious, monohull is cheaper

Most catamarans have a draft of about 1 meter, allowing anchoring near the coast. This will be possible only with a centerboard keel in large monohulls such as luxury sailing Vitters Sharlou . If you wish to anchor in the lagoons of the Caribbean near the beaches, a catamaran will be more suitable.

Concerning mooring in a marina, because of their two hulls, catamarans are wider than monohulls, which increases the costs of dockage if they can find a place there! Large multihull Motoryacht such as 68ft Sunreef supreme will be limited in the choice of marina dockage during high season. This beaminess also limits the choice of shipyard services for repair and maintenance. 

monohull yacht meaning

If you charter a yacht with Wiyachts, your adviser together with your crew will be able to check the best marina and anchorage spots for you. 

Comfort : a clear win for the catamaran?

This is the first word that comes to mind when speaking of catamarans mostly because it does not heel, they will roll from beam to beam as well as fore and aft. For example, you can cook underway in a more pleasant way compared to the sailing monohulls.

While the heel of a monohull can look impressive, there will be very little pitch fore and aft, then guests will be less prone to seasickness, and while sailing you won’t have this slapping noise that can be surprising if you are not used to it.

At equivalent size, the volume and space you can achieve in a catamaran in unquestionable: The main living area is on the same level as the cockpit. Unlike a monohull, a catamaran sailor accesses the bright living room directly from the cockpit. This makes walking around the deck while underway safer and easier. The cabins are also wider in the cat, and it will be easier to sleep aboard a boat that does not heel. 

But the most important advantage for the passengers remains access to the sea via the two skirts of the hulls much easier than on a medium-sized monohull.

Sailing and maneuverability

Under sail, a monohull is much more maneuverable and tack faster than a catamaran. On the other hand, it is easier to dock catamarans since they have two engines. 

Monohull yacht

If you are a family or looking for comfort, space, and stability, a catamaran will probably be a better choice. If you fancy authenticity, tradition, and esthetic for your sailing vacation with an unprecedented rush of adrenaline, no other boat can beat a monohull.

Ultimately, the choice between a catamaran and a monohull is yours. It really depends on the tupe of experience you are expecting for your yacht charter.

If you are still unsure about which type of boat is right for you, we can give you our advice on the best boat to charter or buy based on the details of your projects. 

Take advice from people who know the areas and trust the professional crews! There are destinations such as the Bahamas that have to be sailed with a catamaran (or motor monohulls, motor yachts) due to the shallow sea. We recommend on the other hand to experience the Greek islands with a monohull to take full advantage of the wind and its sailing capabilities. 

Our selection of sailing catamarans

Some of the finest catamarans we love: Lagoon 560 Zylkene 1 in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean from 18 000€ per week, 

location_catamaran_namaste

Our selection of sailing monohulls

Our choices for sailing monohull available for charter are the CNB sloop  Grand Bleu Vintage from 39 000€ weekly, beyond elegance the Vitters Sharlou from 105 000€ weekly,

Location voilier Thalima

The southern wind Thalima available in the west Mediterranean from 58 000€ weekly.

Do not hesitate to ask us for advice to choose the right boat for you above all. Contact us.

FAQ regarding differences between monohulls and catamarans

Catamarans are generally more stable than monohulls and are therefore considered more comfortable.

Catamarans do not heel the same way monohulls do, so they feel more stable and are less prone to make you seasick.

Since monohulls heel more than catamarans, we advise you to choose a catamaran if you know you are prone to sea sickness.

Generally speaking, catamarans are faster than similar monohulls since they don’t have keel. That being said, they tend to be slower under light winds, and will never equal the performances of a racing monohull in rough conditions.

It is usually cheaper to moor a monohull as they use less space than catamarans. But catamarans can be comfortable and cheap options as long as you avoid mooring in a marina.

To each their own. But sailing a monohull is an authentic sensation that is hard to replicate on a catamaran. Catamarans are usually chosen for their comfort rather than for their sailing performances.

If you like comfort, space and travel as a family, you will likely prefer a catamaran. If you want an authentic experience, traditional esthetics and your adrenaline running high, then you will love the monohull.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Luxury yachts for charter perfectly suited for 10 guests, best power multihulls: our selection for 2024, skipper’s job and responsibilities: what you should know.

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Catamarans vs. Monohulls

Which is better, a monohull or a catamaran.

This question gets asked a lot in sailing. Especially if you are looking to take your friends or family out for the week: which will be better, a catamaran (aka cat) or monohull (aka mono)? The short answer is it depends what sort of experience you are looking for. Let's explore this further.

Tell me more about monohulls and catamarans.

Monohulls are boats that have one hull. They are the classic sailing yachts that you see old black & white photos of, racing off Newport or Cowes.

Catamarans on the other hand have two hulls. They tend to be newer, and are said to be less traditional, although some of the earliest sailing boats ever developed may well have been catamarans.

Catamaran vs Monohull

Image: monohull (left) and catamaran (right)

Things to consider

Now that we understand the difference between catamarans and monohulls, let's look at attributes that are important in sailing. Once we have explained these, we can look at how each boat-type deals with them:

For obvious reasons, you want to have a stable boat. Monohulls are a bit like a roly-poly doll, where when pushed over, they tend to right themselves. That is unless they reach what is termed the "angle of vanishing stability" or AVS. Catamarans deal with stability in a different way.

Catamarans tend to be much more stable in most conditions, but should they capsize, they quickly become stable, albeit upside down.

Nevertheless capsizing is such a rare occurrence that "stability" here really means comfort when sailing.

Heavy-Seas-5-rya-avs

Angle of Vanishing Stability (AVS) graph, image thanks RYA: rya.org.uk

Living area

Your boat needs to strike a balance between sailing well and being comfortable to spend time in. The layout of the boat is important in this regard: what level it is on, how large it is, and how square the space is.

lagoon-450-12b-vivisail

Lagoon 450 Living Area. Image thanks vivisail.com

The draft of a boat is how far in the water it goes. "How much does she draw" means "what is the minimum depth of water that this boat needs so she doesn't go aground". Monohulls by definition require a keel, a heavy piece of iron or lead that goes deep into the water. Catamarans do not require this, and therefore tend to have a "shallower draft".

boatparts2-thecampfirecollective

Draft and Freeboard explained. Image thanks thecampfirecollective.com

Maneuverability

Being able to easily maneuver your boat is clearly an advantage in tight situations, such as when docking in a crowded marina. Both monohulls and catamarans have their pros and cons here, which will be explained further below.

cat-maneauver-cruising-world

Maneuverability, image thanks Cruising World (cruisingworld.com)

The speed of a sailboat is not as simple as for a motorboat. The angle of the wind has a large effect on the speed of a sailboat. Some boats can sail faster when close to the wind - monohulls normally fall into this category - while others can sail very fast when the wind is on their side (aka a beam reach) - catamarans usually like this sort of "reaching" sailing.

F50 catamaran - Sailing Virgins

F50 catamaran in the fastest sailing competition in the world. Image thanks SailGP and James Wierzbowski

Having natural light and a decent view can make the living space much more comfortable. With monohulls, most of the living space is "down below" whereas for catamarans, most of the living area happens "up" in the saloon which is located between and above the two hulls. This creates two different environments. One person's "cozy" is another person's "claustrophobic". Just the same, one person's "light and open atmosphere" is another person's "soulless". So there is a fair degree of taste to this particular aspect.

190110-Swan48-Nortern-light-view1

Interior of the incredible Nautor Swan 48, image thanks Nautor Swan

"Feeling Sailing"

By this we mean the feel of the boat responding to the wind as she slices through the water. Some people sail for this feeling, while others simply sail as an ecological, efficient way to move from A to B. Monohulls and catamarans offer very different visceral experiences here.

wally-yacht-off-monaco

WallyCento Tango sails off Monaco, image thanks Gilles Martin-Raget/Wally Yachts

In breaking down the pros and cons of monohulls and catamarans, we found that a pro for one was a con for another. With that in mind, we think it is more helpful to list the pros of each, so you only read it once. Here goes:

8 Pros to Catamarans

1. catamarans are inherently stable..

Two hulls provides a wide base, which means in most sea states, less "bobbing". Every now and then, when the space between wave tops is a certain distance, the cat can lurch. But this is more the exception than the rule.

Catamaran-Roll-Stability

Great illustration of reduced rolling on a catamaran, image thanks aeroyacht.com

Here are some more pros of stability:

  • Stability is a big factor for families with young children or seniors. It suits "non-sailors" in the group;
  • Stability is very helpful for those prone to sea sickness (although scopolamine patches are probably still required if someone is very susceptible to getting sea sick);
  • Stability means things are more comfortable at anchor, and for cooking;
  • Because cats don’t heel over nearly as much, storage and stowing of provisions and household items is much easier.

Apologies for resolution, a brilliant graph on catamaran stability, thanks sailingcatamarans.com

2. Catamarans have more space.

Catamarans generally have much more living space in the main salon, galley and cockpit, and in the cabins. This can allow for greater privacy when chartering with friends or children, as the two sleeping areas (one in each hull) are separated by the living area. Here are some more pros of space:

  • More space on a catamaran for preparing food, which means the cooking experience tends to be less a balancing act, and more like the kitchen at home;
  • More space on a catamaran for storing things, which means people are not tripping over them throughout the trip.
  • The space on a catamaran is square-shaped, akin to an apartment, as opposed to a monohull which tends to be more rectangular.

Enigma-Saloon-600x360

Interior of a Lagoon 620, image thanks Indigo Bay Yacht Charters

3. Catamaran living space is above the water line.

On a monohull, almost all living space on a is at least partially below the water line, which limits light and view, and can lead to claustrophobia in some. Catamarans on the other hand, sit above the water line. In addition:

  • Ventilation in the main saloon area on catamarans is generally excellent, given their above-water design.
  • Most of the living quarters are also above the water line, which allows for more light and a better view, as well as better circulation of air.

4. Catamarans can venture into shallower areas.

The lack of keel on a catamaran results in a shallower draft, allowing to anchor in shallower water, which is especially valuable around reefs in the tropics.

shallow-draft-aeroyacht

Shallow draft of a catamaran, image thanks aeroyacht.com

5. Catamarans can turn on a dime.

Because catamarans have two engines and two rudders, maneuverability in tight spaces is improved, with most cats being able to turn 360º within the length of the boat.

6. Catamarans (usually) sail faster.

Without the need for a heavy keel, catamarans are lighter than an equivalent monohull. That, plus the fact that they keep their sails perpendicular to the wind, means they sail faster than monohulls, especially on a run or broad reach.

hh66-sail-fast

The magnificent HH66 catamaran, image thanks Sail Magazine

7. Catamarans are harder to sink.

Without the need for a lead-weighted keel, catamarans are not just lighter and faster, they are also harder to sink. Monohulls have been known to "lose their keel", by hitting something such as a semi-submerged container or even a whale. When this happens, the boat will tend to sink within minutes. Catamarans do not have a keel to lose, which means in this (admittedly very rare, blue-water) event, catamarans come out trumps.

8. Catamarans allow spooning.

Most catamarans have a trampoline or net at the front. This allows for spacious and comfortable cuddling under the stars - not to be underrated.

Monohull Pros

1. monohulls look great..

You can’t beat a monohull sailboat for good looks. Classic, sleek, beautiful, there is a timeless beauty to monohull sailboats.

Catamarans on the other hand have a “non-traditional” aesthetic that some consider to be a little harsher on the eyes. Let's face it, many are downright ugly.

DJI_0021-SailingVirgins-TisaSencur-BVI-2019-Edit

2. Monohulls are a romantic, evolving tradition.

Do you love the old photos of well-dressed people sailing their immaculate wooden monohulls in beautiful surroundings? If you answer yes to this question, take a good look at monohulls. That romance and tradition is still there.

3. Monohulls give you more options.

Due to the sheer volume of monohulls made over the last century, there are many more options for a boat that meets your individual lifestyle, personal aesthetic, or budget.

4. Monohulls carry a lower cost.

  • Monohulls take up half the space at a marina than catamarans, and therefore generally cost you half as much.
  • Monohulls are more readily available used in good shape, and cost less to charter for equal sleeping capacity.

5. Monohulls sail better upwind.

Due to their keel, monohulls can sail higher into the wind than most catamarans. Some of the more exotic catamarans have daggerboards which serve the same purpose as a keel, and therefore improve windward performance substantially. However 95% of cruising cats (ie. those you can charter) do not have daggerboards. Furthermore:

  • A monohull will be far easier than a catamaran to tack.
  • Monohulls slice through the water effortlessly. On some catamarans you get an irritating slapping of water on the bridge decks in rougher seas.
  • A monohull is generally faster to respond to the helm (in other words, they turn faster). This is because most cruising cats have little "spade rudders", with their depth dictated by the need to have a shallow draft. Whereas with a keel, a monohull can have a far deeper (read: more responsive) rudder for its draft.

mono60

Monohull sailing upwind, image thanks Sail Magazine

6. Monohulls give you more feedback when sailing.

This factor (and lower cost) is why most sail training happens on monohulls. If you have too much sail out for the wind, your overpowered monohull will heel over and become a pain to sail, before anything breaks. 

On a catamaran you get less feedback at the wheel, which if you are not being very attentive can get you into trouble in big winds.

Then there is the visceral joy of "feeling sailing". A monohull will heel (meaning it is designed to tip over anywhere from 10º to say 50º) whereas a catamaran won't. While their increased heeling can be a performance disadvantage, it can also be an advantage as it is a lot of fun. 

7. Tacking is easier on a monohull.

While they can accelerate faster, catamarans also decelerate much quicker, and as such can have a harder time maintaining momentum through a tack. It depends what sort of sailing you are after. If it is about enjoying being outside, and not so much about the sailing itself, then a catamaran is fine. But if you are out there sailing for sailing's sake, then you will probably find more enjoyment on a monohull.

8. Monohulls tend to swing less at anchor.

While they may rock more in a side to side motion than their equivalent catamaran, monohulls tend to swing less at anchor.

email-banner-2

Libertas on a mooring ball. Monohulls exhibit less "sailing on their anchor" when moored.

Conclusions

The above shows that there are no clear winners to the Catamaran vs. Monohull debate. At Sailing Virgins we teach and cruise on both monohulls and catamarans. If you have to make a decision yourself it really comes down to:

  • How much hard-core sailing you (and your crew) intend to do;
  • What your budget is;
  • How much space you need;
  • How shallow the bays are that you would like to visit.

We hope that helps your decision making. If you would ever like to know more, if you become a Sailing Virgins Patron, you can take part in any of our once-per-month live Q&A sessions, where absolutely any sailing-related question if yours can be asked and answered. Patron support starts from as little as $3 per episode. Click here for more information.

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monohull yacht meaning

Catamaran vs. monohull: Navigating the waters in style and comfort

Catamaran vs. monohull: Navigating the waters in style and comfort

  • Catamaran vs. Monohull: Navigating the waters in style and comfort

Embarking on a journey across the open waters has long captured the human spirit of adventure. The realm of sailing offers a plethora of options, each delivering its own unique experience. Among these, catamaran sailing stands out as a modern and luxurious way to navigate the seas. In this article, we delve into the world of catamaran sailboats, compare them to monohull counterparts, and help you discover the ideal choice for your maritime dreams.

Unveiling catamaran sailboats

Catamarans, known for their twin hulls and spacious decks, have redefined the sailing experience. These impressive vessels offer stability, ample space, and a comfortable layout, making them a favorite among sailing enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a beginner, a catamaran promises a remarkable adventure on the water.

The thrill of sailing a catamaran

Sailing a catamaran brings a new level of excitement. The feeling of gliding through the water with minimal heeling is exhilarating. The wide deck areas provide plenty of space for relaxation, sunbathing, and socializing. Catamarans are also well-equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable journey.

Read our top notch articles on topics such as sailing, sailing tips and destinations in our Magazine .

Monohull sailboats: A classic choice

Monohull sailboats, with their single hull design, embody tradition and elegance. These boats are known for their responsiveness to wind and waves, offering an authentic sailing experience. While they may have less space compared to catamarans, their sleek design and maneuverability make them a beloved choice for purist sailors.

Choosing between catamaran and monohull

Deciding between a catamaran and a monohull often boils down to personal preferences. Catamarans excel in stability and space, making them suitable for larger groups and extended trips. Monohulls, on the other hand, offer a classic sailing feel and perform well in various weather conditions. Consider your priorities and the type of adventure you seek.

Monohull

Sailing catamaran: A luxurious experience

Catamarans offer more than just a sailing experience; they provide a luxurious way to explore the waters. With spacious cabins, well-appointed kitchens, and modern bathrooms, catamarans feel like floating vacation homes. The comfort and opulence they offer have elevated the world of maritime leisure.

Navigating choppy waters: Monohull vs. catamaran

In rough seas, the design of a catamaran shines through. Its twin hulls provide excellent stability, reducing the rocking motion common on monohulls. If comfort during challenging weather is a priority, catamarans have a clear advantage.

Sailboat catamaran: Best of both worlds

For those who desire a mix of tradition and modernity, sailboat catamarans offer the best of both worlds. These vessels combine the classic aesthetics of monohulls with some of the space advantages of catamarans. Sailboat catamarans cater to sailors who value both performance and comfort.

Setting sail: Monohull yacht adventures

Monohull yachts, especially those designed for racing, offer a thrilling experience on the water. The feeling of harnessing the wind's power to glide through the waves is unparalleled. Monohull yachts are favored by competitive sailors and those who relish the art of traditional sailing.

Exploring the multihull sailboat

Beyond catamarans, the realm of multihull sailboats includes trimarans, which have three hulls. Trimarans offer a unique combination of stability and speed, making them suitable for both leisurely cruises and exhilarating races. They are perfect for those seeking a balance between comfort and performance.

Catamaran sailing yachts: Unmatched elegance

Sailing yachts built on the catamaran platform exude elegance and sophistication. These vessels are designed to provide a lavish experience, with spacious cabins, gourmet kitchens, and lavish lounging areas. Catamaran sailing yachts redefine luxury living on the open sea.

Catamaran landing near Anse Severe on La Digue Island, Seychelles

Catamaran landing near Anse Severe on La Digue Island, Seychelles

Monohull vs. multihull: Making the right choice

Choosing between a monohull and a multihull depends on your preferences and intended use. Multihulls, including catamarans and trimarans, offer stability and space. Monohulls provide a classic sailing feel and are favored by those who appreciate tradition. Consider your priorities and aspirations to make an informed decision.

Catamaran sailing safety and tips

Safety is paramount when sailing, regardless of the vessel type. Catamarans' stability reduces the risk of capsizing, but it's essential to follow safety guidelines and weather forecasts. Proper training, regular maintenance, and responsible navigation contribute to a safe and enjoyable sailing experience.

Catamaran sailing offers a blend of luxury, comfort, and adventure on the open waters. Monohulls continue to captivate with their classic charm and sailing prowess. Both options cater to different tastes and aspirations, ensuring that the world of sailing remains diverse and inviting.

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FAQs about catamaran vs. monohull

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Catamaran vs Monohull: Pros, Cons & Main Differences

By: B.J. Porter Editor

Catamaran Vs. Monohull

The choice of catamaran vs monohull ultimately comes down to preference. What’s critical for one buyer may mean little to another. If your partner refuses to set foot on a boat which heels, that’s a deal-breaker for a monohull. But if you’re passionate about classic looks and styling, your quest for beauty may override other considerations and rule out catamarans.

We can’t tell you whether a catamaran or a monohull is right for you. But we can help you with the pros and cons of each for your search.

Catamaran vs Monohull

The Strengths and Pros

No matter your choice of monohull or catamaran, there are safe, comfortable, and excellent sailing boats of both types. Neither has an exclusive lock on any strength, and both sail safely and comfortably. But there’s a different emphasis on how they do it. No matter what you are trying to do – sail fast, cruise the world, or just host a crowd at the dock, there are monohulls and catamarans that can work for any requirement.

Catamaran advantages

Catamaran advantages

Space and comfort: Two hulls and a wide beam make a very stable platform with lots of volume in the saloon and cockpit. Most living space is above the waterline, with wonderful light and airflow. Cabins in the hulls offer better privacy and isolation, usually with standing headroom.

Straight line speed: Most catamarans are faster in straight-line sailing speed (1) that similar sized or even longer monohulls. Without a lead keel, they’re lighter, so more driving force from the sails converts to speed, and narrower hull forms may have less drag than wide hulls with deep keels. Some heavier cruising catamarans may not be faster, especially if they keep rig size small for ease of handling.

Stability : The beam of two hulls with a bridge deck leads to much higher stability and resistance to roll (2). Waves in an anchorage that induce violent roll in a monohull may make a catamaran bounce or bob. Under sail, catamarans do not heel appreciably even when powered up.

Twin engines. : With one engine in forward and balanced in reverse, most catamarans can spin in a circle in place and make sharp adjustments to the boat’s direction. If you have an engine failure, you also have a second engine, giving a safety edge when you can’t sail. 

Monohull advantages

Monohull advantages

Upwind sailing performance: While catamarans have the edge at straight-line speed, monohulls sail closer to the wind. When you’re racing or you have to sail upwind to get to the next island, this can get you there faster.

Sailing feel and responsiveness : The “feel” of sailing a monohull is much better. With a single hull, you’ll feel wind pressure and trim adjustments immediately for a more responsive helm and a better ability to sail to the wind.

Maneuvering under sail: Monohulls are quite nimble tacking and turning under sail, and there’s less risk of slow or missed tacks.

Righting Moment: The primary offshore safety argument for monohulls is their ability to right when capsized. The heavy keel keeps the boat deck up when sailing, and most monohulls will come back upright even after a complete capsize.

Cargo and Loading: A higher displacement boat with thousands of pounds of lead hung from the bottom isn’t going to be as affected by loading as a relatively light multihull.

Aesthetics: This is subjective, as many catamaran enthusiasts love how they look. Classic sailboat styling, with swept sleek looks, springy sheer lines, and all the “right” proportions are more common on monohulls.

Also read: The 5 Best Electric Anchor Winches

Weaknesses and Cons

Like strengths, weaknesses are relative; just because one class has a strength doesn’t mean the other doesn’t. There are spacious monohulls and beautiful catamarans, just like there are cramped catamarans and unattractive monohulls. The differences have to be highlighted relative to each other, and the weaknesses of one are most apparent compared to the strengths of the other.

Catamaran Cons

Catamaran Cons

Upwind performance: Cats don’t sail as close to the wind, but they make up for it by sailing faster off the wind. You’ll sail a less direct course upwind. Even if you get in at the same time, you’ll have to sail farther.

Less responsive sailing: Two hulls with two rudders and a very broad platform reduce the helm feel when sailing, cutting responsiveness sailing in shifting wind and wave conditions. It also makes tacking slower.

No-flip zone: It is very difficult, but not impossible, to flip a large catamaran (3). But if a catamaran capsizes, it will not flip back over by itself.

Large in marina/close quarters: You have two problems in marinas. Beamy cats are tough to maneuver in tight spaces because they’re big and visibility is tough over the hulls. And many marinas charge extra because the wide beam extends into the next slip. The good news is that twin engines make tight maneuvering easier.

Price point: Catamarans are more difficult to build and need more materials. This is directly reflected in the cost of the boats.

Monohull Cons

They are heavier: Every large monohull needs a keel for stability (4). They can not sail or stay upright without thousands of pounds of ballast, and this makes them heavier and slows them down. Tiny monohulls can use a centerboard or daggerboard for stability, but most boats big enough to sleep on need ballast.

Darker interiors : Most monohull living space is lower in the boat, where you can’t put enormous windows for light and circulation. It’s very hard to get space as bright and airy as catamaran saloons.

Less living space: With one hull and no bridge deck saloon, most monohulls feel cramped compared to spacious catamarans.

More prone to rolling motions : Only one hull makes monohulls susceptible to rolling in waves, and the movement can be quite uncomfortable.

Heeling: Tipping is just part of sailing monohulls upwind and is unavoidable. It can be reduced on some other points of sail, but not eliminated. Many people, especially non-sailors and new sailors, find this movement uncomfortable or distressing.

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Monohull or multihull: which is best for blue water?

  • Chris Beeson
  • March 29, 2016

As former editor of Yachting World, David Glenn has plenty of experience of both monohull and multihull cruising. Here he weighs up the pros and cons

Monohull multihull

One hull, or two? Your choice will define your life afloat Credit: David Glenn

Through the binoculars I could see masts off Basil’s Bar on Mustique. Their lack of movement suggested a fine anchorage, sheltered from the tradewind-driven swell that builds up in the channel between Mustique and Bequia. It soon became apparent that most belonged to cats, immune from the rolling monohulls like ours would endure if we were to stop in this otherwise enticing bay.

More anchorages in a multi

Monohull multihull

Cats galore off the Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost van Dyke: too shallow for a fixed keel monohull of similar size

Stability is one of the truly great advantages of a cruising multihull. Not just at sea where the tiresome business of heeling is something that simply doesn’t – or shouldn’t – happen to any great extent, but at anchor too. It dramatically widens one’s choice of anchorages to include those affected by swell – not uncommon in the Caribbean, for instance, where a subtle change in wind direction can make a previously flat calm anchorage unbearable in a monohull. Its comparatively shoal draught widens the choice still further.

I grew up with monohulls, own one, and frankly wouldn’t consider a multihull for the sort of sailing I do. In northern European waters, marina berthing is a regular necessity and completely safe open anchorages are few and far between.

Monohull multihull

No rolling or heeling, 360° views and one-level living, as here on a Lagoon 52, appeal to many

But if I were to undertake some serious blue water cruising and I wanted family and friends genuinely to enjoy being afloat, particularly those less experienced, a multihull would have to be a consideration. I would have to put aside the question of aesthetics – let’s face it, they’re ugly beasts – and forego that unique and satisfying sensation of a yacht sailing well, because to date I have not experienced it in a cruising multihull. And that’s quite a sacrifice.

More space in a multi

My attitude changed after chartering catamarans in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The need to accommodate two families comprising largely of teenage children made the choice of a multihull a no-brainer. In a 46-footer we could accommodate a party of 10 in comfort and the paraphernalia demanded by youth, like surfboards, windsurfers, kites and snorkelling kit, without feeling jammed in.

Monohull multihull

One-level living makes a big difference when sailing as a famly

The cavernous berths in the ends of the hulls, the wide saloon-cum-galley with its panoramic view and the inside/outside lifestyle made possible by the juxtaposition of the big aft deck and the same level saloon, got the entire crew onside instantly.

As an outside living space, with a trampoline at one end and a massive aft deck at the other, there is simply no comparison with a monohull of the same length. So space, linked to stability, makes for an experience that everyone, even the timid and novices, will find hard not to enjoy.

No speed difference

Monohull multihull

A multihull, like this Moorings 46, has abundant stowage on deck and below, but filling it all will slow her down

Load-carrying ability is a double-edged sword. On the up side there is room for a big crew and its kit, much more fresh water tankage than a monohull, eliminating the need for an expensive, temperamental watermaker, and finding space for a generator should be easy.

On the down side the temptation to overload will probably cancel out any perceived performance advantage. Multihulls can be relatively quick in the right offwind conditions, but if they are heavily laden – as they will be for blue water cruising – there really is no significant speed advantage.

Monohull multihull

The Gunboat 66 Phaedo 1 piles on the speed, but for blue water cruisers, comfort and stowage is more important than pace

Some new designs such as Gunboat and Outremer have concentrated on performance, but most clients aren’t overly concerned about outright speed and are happy to trade performance for the considerable comfort offered by brands like Lagoon, Broadblue, the Fontaine Pajot stable, Leopard, Catana, Privilege and others.

Mono sails better

Monohull multihull

Monohulls, like this Amel 55, sail better upwind, and her ballast keel adds displacement, which means comfort when it’s rough. Multihulls can develop an unpleasant motion in a big sea

Upwind, most cruising multihulls won’t point like a monohull with a deeper keel, and when it gets lumpy and fresh, the motion can become distinctly unpleasant. You have to keep a particularly careful eye on sail area too, but more of that in a moment.

In 2011 I was involved in a test of three cruising catamarans and among my fellow judges was multihull design legend Nigel Irens. He pointed out that catamaran buyers have voted for accommodation (which means weight) over performance, so the dilemma of mixing the two has largely disappeared. With it went the spectre of capsize because, relative to their displacement and beam, the modern cruising catamaran is under-canvassed. But that doesn’t mean that sailors can simply set sail and go in any weather.

‘Speed limits’ on a multi

Monohull multihull

On a multihull, it’s more important to know when to reef. Set speed limits and stick to them

Also on the panel was Brian Thompson, the lone Brit on board the 130ft French trimaran Banque Populaire V that sailed around the world in under 46 days. He told me that the tell-tale signs for knowing when to reef are far more subtle on a multihull. Apart from instinct, Brian suggested monitoring boat speed closely and having a speed limit to trigger reefing. It is easy to overlook a building breeze when bowling along downwind in a multihull, which is going faster and faster. ‘Keep your boat speed within safe limits you should not get into too much trouble,’ he said.

People often ask about anchoring a multihull, which is important as a multihull will spend a lot of time at anchor. Squeezing into a marina can be nigh on impossible, and expensive if you can get in. An essential piece of kit, which should be standard with a new boat, is a bridle that runs from either hull and keeps the anchor cable on the centreline. In many ways this is easier than anchoring a monohull as it prevents the ground tackle from fouling the hulls.

If you do get alongside a marina pontoon you will soon discover another modern cruising multihull issue: excessive freeboard. It’s worth investing in a portable ladder for those marina moments. Of more concern is MOB recovery. There are bathing platforms on both hulls of most new boats, but it’s not the place to be if a yacht is pitching in a heavy sea. So considerable thought needs to be applied to retrieving an MOB if the worst happens.

The recent and dramatic increase in numbers of multihulls going blue water cruising is certainly testament to their appealing ‘lifestyle’ attributes, but one must bear in mind that they are not a fix for all liveaboard cruising challenges. It’s just a different way of doing things. The elements remain the same and can inflict just as much punishment for the unwary on a multihull as they can on a monohull.

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M.B. Marsh Design

Understanding monohull sailboat stability curves.

One of the first questions people ask when they discover I mess around with boat designs is: "How do you know it will float?"

Well, making it float is just Archimedes' principle of buoyancy, which we all know about from elementary school: A floating boat displaces water equal to its own weight, and the water pushes upward on the boat with a force equal to its weight. What people usually mean when they ask "How do you know it will float" is really "How do you know it will float upright?"

That's a little bit more complicated, but it's something every skipper and potential boat buyer should understand, at least conceptually. (Warning: High school mathematics is necessary for today's article.)

A yacht at an angle of heel

Let's consider a boat at rest, sitting level in calm water. The boat's mass is centred on a point G, the centre of gravity, and we can think of the force of gravity as acting straight down through this point. The centroid of the boat's underwater volume is called B, the centre of buoyancy. The force of buoyancy is directed straight up through this point.

We now heel the boat over by an angle "phi". Point G doesn't move, but point B does: by heeling the boat, we've lifted her windward side out of the water and immersed her leeward side. The centre of buoyancy, B, therefore shifts to leeward.

The force of buoyancy, acting upward through B, is now offset from the force of gravity, acting downward through G. The perpendicular distance between these two forces, which by convention we call GZ, can be thought of as the length of the lever that the buoyancy force is using to try to bring the boat upright. GZ is the "righting arm".

If we draw a line straight upward from B, it will intersect the ship's centreline at a point called M, known as the "metacentre". (Strictly speaking, the term "metacentre" applies only when phi is very tiny, but a pseudo-metacentre exists at any given angle of heel.) The metacentric height is a useful quantity to know when calculating changes in trim and heel.

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We can easily draw a few conclusions simply by looking at the geometry:

  • The boat will be harder to heel, i.e. more stable, if GZ is increased.
  • Lowering the centre of gravity, G, will increase GZ.
  • Moving the heeled centre of buoyancy to leeward will increase GZ.
  • If GZ changes direction- i.e. if Z is to the left of G- the lever arm will help to capsize the boat instead of righting it.

Stability Curves: GZ at all angles of heel

To prepare a stability curve, the designer must find GZ for each angle of heel. To do this, she must compute the location of B at each angle of heel, and determine the height of G above the base of the keel (the distance KG).

In the early 20th century, finding B at each angle of heel was an extremely tedious process involving a lot of trial-and-error, a lot of calculus, and days or weeks of an engineer's time. Today, this can be computerized, and takes only a few seconds once the hull is modelled in a CAD program. Finding KG, though, is still a tedious process: it can either be measured by moving weights around on an existing boat and measuring the resulting angle of heel, or it can be calculated by tallying up every piece of structure, ballast, equipment and cargo on the boat.

Once that math is done, the designer can plot GZ (or righting moment, i.e. displacement times GZ) over all possible angles of heel. This produces the familar stability curve:

All yacht skippers should be at least somewhat familiar with their own boat's stability curve, and it's a useful thing to study when buying a boat. To read the curve, we look at the following features:

  • The slope of the curve at low angles of heel tells us whether the boat is tender (shallow slope) or stiff (steep slope).
  • The righting moment at 15 to 30 degrees of heel tells us about the boat's sail-carrying power. A large righting moment indicates a boat that can fly a lot of sail; a boat with a lower righting moment will need her sails reefed down earlier.
  • The maximum righting arm (or righting moment), and the heel angle at that point, tells us where the boat will be fighting her hardest to get back upright. If this is at a low angle of heel, we have a boat with high initial stability- she'll feel very stable under normal conditions, but a bit touchy at her limits, and relies on her skipper's skill to avoid knock-downs. If the maximum righting arm occurs at a very large angle of heel, the designer chose to emphasize ultimate stability- she'll be hard to capsize, but will heel more than you might expect in normal sailing.
  • The angle of vanishing stability is the point where the boat says "Meh, I'm done" and stops trying to right herself. Looking at the diagram above, this means that Z is now at the same point as G. A larger AVS indicates a boat that's harder to capsize.
  • The region of positive stability is the region in which the boat will try to right herself. The integral of the righting moment curve (i.e. the area of the green region) is an indicator of how much energy is needed to capsize her.
  • In the region of negative stability , the boat will give up and roll on her back, her keel pointing skyward. The integral of this region (i.e. the blue area) tells us how much energy it'll take to right her from a capsize; if this area is relatively small, the waves that helped capsize her might have enough energy to bring her back upright.

Try it on a real boat

How does this apply to some real boats? Let's consider a 10 metre, 8 tonne double-ender yacht of fairly typical layout and proportions. The parent hull looks something like this:

Keeping her draught (1.5 m), displacement (8 tonnes), length (10 m), freeboard, deckhouse shape, etc. the same, we'll adjust the shape of the midship section to yield four boats that are directly comparable in all respects except beam and section shape. Hull A is a deep "plank on edge" style , hulls B and C are moderate cruising yacht shapes, and the wide, shallow-bilged hull D resembles an old sandbagger - or a modern racing sloop.

Now, assuming that G lies on the waterline (so KG = 1.5 m), we can compute the righting arm GZ as a function of the heel angle. If we multiply the righting arm GZ by the displacement, we get the righting moment.

Some immediate observations from this graph:

  • The narrow hull "A" has relatively little sail-carrying power at low angles of heel, but will self-right from any capsize. Her good "ultimate stability" comes from using ballast to get G as low as possible.
  • The wide hull "D" can fly a lot more sail, but if she goes over, she ain't coming back up. She gets her high "initial stability" from her wide beam, which moves the heeled centre of buoyancy farther to leeward.

There's a problem, though: We've assumed an identical centre of gravity for all four boats. That's not realistic. The deep, narrow hull will have her engine and tanks low in the bilge; the wide hull must mount these heavy components higher up. Let's reduce hull A's KG measurement to 1.35 m, and increase hull D's KG measurement to 1.65 m, a more realistic value. We'll scale KG for the other two accordingly.

The overall conclusions don't change much, but we now have some realistic numbers to play with.

  • Hull A, the narrow one, will have a hard time flying much sail. She'll heel way over in a breeze. But she can't get stuck upside down.
  • Hull B, a moderately slender cruising shape, also can't get stuck upside down- her AVS is 170 degrees. Her extra beam causes the centre of buoyancy to move farther to leeward when she heels, so she has more initial / form stability than hull A and can carry more sail.
  • Hull C, which is typical of modern cruising yachts, has over twice the sail-carrying power of the slender hull A. She'll heel less, and since her midship section is much larger, she'll have more space for accommodations. The penalty is an AVS of 130 degrees. That's high enough that she can't be knocked down by wind alone, but wind plus a breaking wave- such as in a broach situation - could leave the boat upside down until a sufficiently large wave comes along.
  • Hull D, the broad-beamed flyer, can hoist more than three times the sail of hull A at the same angle of heel. She'll be quite a sight on the race course with all that canvas flying. Her maximum righting moment, though, is only 37% more than hull A's, which leaves less of a margin for error- hull D is more likely to get caught with too much sail up, and will reach zero stability at a lower angle of heel. If she does go over, she has considerable negative stability, making it unlikely that she'll get back upright.

Work to capsize

If you're one of that slim percentage who paid attention in high school physics, you're probably looking at those curves and thinking: "Force (or moment) as a function of distance (or angle).... hey, if you integrate that, you get the work done !

And so you do, with the caveat that we're using a static approximation to a dynamic situation. The results are valid for comparison, but the actual numbers may not mean very much.

Let's do that for each of our hulls. We'll integrate the righting moment curve as a function of heel angle, up to the angle of vanishing stability, to get the work done to capsize the boat. We'll also integrate from the AVS to 180 degrees to get the work done to right the boat from a capsize.

Our four boats require roughly the same work to capsize! Changing the shape of the midsection affected the shape of the stability curve- a wider boat had more initial stability and less ultimate stability. In this case, though, our vessels are all about the same size and require about the same amount of work to capsize.

Righting from a capsize is another matter. The narrow, deep hulls A and B will self-right without any outside influence- a nice confidence-booster if you're heading into the open ocean, although the reduced sail-carrying power and limited interior space of these vessels will probably be more important to most skippers.

The moderate cruising hull, C, needs a bit of help to self-right, but any combination of wind and waves that can do 95 kN.m.rad of work on the boat is likely to produce a wave that can do 10 kN.m.rad of work on that same boat.

Our broad-beamed racer, hull D, is not so fortunate. Righting her from a capsize takes one-third the work that capsizing her in the first place did, and her acres of canvas were probably a major factor in the initial capsize- they're now underwater, damping her roll motion instead of catching the wind. The odds are that this boat will stay upside-down until someone comes along with a tugboat or crane.

Lessons Learned

What's the take-home message from all this?

If you're buying a new boat: Look at her stability curve, and compare it to other boats.

  • Good: Large region of positive stability, small region of negative stability, high angle of vanishing stability, steep slope at low heel angles.
  • Iffy: Shallow slope at low heel angles (makes it hard to fly lots of sail, excessive heeling when underway).
  • Risky: Low angle of vanishing stability, large region of negative stability.

If you already have a boat:

  • If you know her point of maximum stability, you can be sure to reef the sails well before  that point.
  • If you know her AVS and the shape of the curve in that region, then when a broach or knockdown happens, you already know how hard she'll fight to come back upright.
  • If you know how much area is covered by the negative stability region of the curve, you'll have some idea of whether she'll come back from a capsize on her own or else have to wait for help.
  • Determine if anything you've changed- a dinghy added on the deck, perhaps- has moved the centre of gravity.
  • If G has moved, adjust your mental model of the stability curve accordingly: just shift the curve up or down by (change in height KG) * sin(heel angle).

Confounding Factors

What we've discussed here is just about how to read the stability curve- it's not a complete picture.

There are many other factors that must be considered to get a complete understanding of a boat's stability. Among them:

  • Dynamic effects. Everything discussed so far is for the static case, and is good for comparison purposes. But in practice, boats move.
  • Waves. Stability curves are calculated for flat water, ignoring the effect of waves.
  • Differences in rigging. Weight aloft has a much larger effect on the boat than weight down low- particularly where the roll moment of inertia, an important property for dynamic stability, is concerned.
  • Keel shape. Keels tend to damp rolling motion; this behaviour is quite different with a long keel than with a fin keel, or with a fin keel underway versus a fin keel at rest.
  • Downflooding. Everything we've discussed here assumes that the boat is watertight in any position. If she takes on water when rolled, everything changes.
  • Cockpits. Our demonstration boat doesn't have a cockpit. A large cockpit could hold several tonnes of water- and with a free surface, no less. That means that G will move all over the place, usually in the wrong direction.

Further Reading

Steve Dashew's article " Evaluating Stability and Capsize Risks For Yachts ", and others on his site, discuss stability-related risks as they relate to cruising yachts.

Technically-minded readers should refer to a naval architecture textbook, of which my present favourite is Larsson & Eliasson "Principles of Yacht Design" (McGraw-Hill).

Don't even think about buying a cruising yacht without first reading John Harries' extensive series of articles on boat and gear selection .

Topic: 

  • Boat Design

Boats: 

Great stuff.

A really great piece, thank you. You have the very unusual gift of being able to make complex issues easy to understand.

Other confounding factors

One major confounding factor which most English-speaking designers still seem to routinely dismiss, or overlook, is to do with the nature of knockdown lever moments in a 'survival storm' situation:

You specifically state you're not taking waves into account, so this is addressed at those who do, in the conventional way -- generally led by the insights of academics and researchers tracing their conceptual methodology back to the likes of Marchaj.

The lever moments I'm thinking of arise from the vertical offset between: Where the wave force vector acts, and Where the hull resistance vector is located.

It has long been contended by the school of expedition yacht designers, going back to around the days of Damien II, from France in the 70s, that the greatest risk ... and arguably the only one worth worrying about for such vessels ... was due to the tripping moment caused by the vertical offset between the centre of effort of a true breaking wave, and the centre of resistance of the hull AND UNDERWATER APPENDAGES

When a large ocean wave breaks entirely forwards, the part which was formerly the crest avalanches down the front of the wave. Admittedly this behaviour is VERY rare offshore - where almost all 'breakers' actually spill most of the water down the back, but it's these events which present a real survival threat, and which define the limits to a vessel's capability.

Unlike the water particles in the body of the wave, which are circulating in the well known way of text book diagrams, and effectively not going anywhere over time, this "former crest" water has escaped from the wave system and is travelling rapidly under the influence of gravity down a steep ramp whose geometry (as opposed to constituent particles), in the case of a Southern Ocean wave of truly heroic proportions, might itself be advancing as fast as 30 to 40 knots.

So we have an aerated but still rather massive entity tumbling down above this already very fast moving ramp, hitting the topsides and cabin coamings, in the worst case, perpendicularly.

The contention of the French school was that, in this situation, while a high freeboard is clearly undesirable, the absolute last thing you want, which trumps everything else, is deep appendages providing lots of lateral grip, situated down in green water. This would provide a lever arm converting the sideways impulse (which is at a height not very far from the centre of mass, and hence not inherently an insuperable problem) into a very dangerous overturning moment.

The insight was based on simple empirical observations, such as of a flat wooden plank, or a surfboard with no appendages, floating side on to breaking waves at a surf beach. Despite having no ballast whatsoever, and a zero GZ in the plank case, this will sideslip down those waves and stay happily the same way up, in conditions where (say) a windsurf board with a deep centreboard (whether ballasted or not) will be tumbled repeatedly.

They reasoned that the thing to avoid at all costs, for a well found expedition yacht, was a knockdown with an angular acceleration sufficient to snap the rig.

This turned everything on its head with regard to the conventions of stability calculations: the relative positions of the centre of mass and the centre of buoyancy become largely irrelevant: the former should if anything ideally be high, so the vector from the striking crest passes through or near it, (to minimise the inertial overturning moment) while the latter is almost irrelevant because on the face of such a steep wave, the hull is in virtual freefall, and the hull is largely disengaged from green water. Aerated water offers little buoyancy.

This is so divorced from statics (which are arguably most useful for calculating how to prevent ships capsizing at a dock) that it is a shame to see so much reliance on static measures persisting to this day, in educating sailors, defining ultimate seaworthiness, and framing regulations and recommendations.

Be that as it may: this insight led to a completely different school of storm management by the adventurous people who sailed off to places like the subAntarctic and Antarctic in the new generation of beamy, generally low-freeboard # hulls, equipped with swing (or even dagger) ballasted keels capable of retracting - in many cases - right within the canoe body.

# ideally, no cabin trunk - which on the face of it is bad for self-righting...

In survival conditions, these sailors began retracting these keels, even though on the face of static stability calcs, this is entirely wrong. And (AFAIK*) not one of these yachts has yet been lost in the deep south, despite them making up the majority of the fleet, and I'm not even aware of a single 180deg knockdown to such a vessel configured in this way.

There have been, and continue to be, numerous knockdowns and dismastings of fixed-keel yachts designed to the other, older paradigm.

*(The first two losses of private expedition yachts in Antarctic waters both occurred within the last two years, and neither was a vessel of this type)

So even if these sailors are not right, they're clearly not VERY wrong.

Re: Other confounding factors

You are quite correct that when you are facing breaking waves, static stability analysis is not going to show the whole picture. Being caught in large breakers is certainly one of the highest-risk situations a yacht can face.

The "let it slide sideways" approach can have considerable merit in such a situation, if the boat is designed with this in mind. On a monohull sailing vessel, this calls for a retractable keel and a canoe body with relatively little lateral resistance of its own. If you do this, of course, you also have to ensure that the vessel won't trip over the leeward gunwale when she's surfing sideways with the keel retracted. There are plenty of good, seaworthy vessels out there with such a configuration.

The price you pay for doing it that way is that it's harder to right the boat if she does capsize. Frankly, though, I would rather not capsize in a non-self-righting boat than be upside-down in one that will eventually get herself back up. There are tens of thousands of catamaran sailors out there who would seem to agree.

This is not to say that static stability traits are not important: they certainly are. Given two vessels of generally similar configuration, the stability curves will tell you quite a lot about what kind of behaviour can be expected from each.

Static stability curves are certainly not the whole picture. There are several important dynamic aspects- the lateral resistance effects and the roll moment of inertia, among other features- that can have a huge effect in extreme situations. I'll discuss these in more detail in future posts.

I am thinking about. Buying a

I am thinking about. Buying a 38 foot guimond lobster boat. I am thinking Of widening the stern to 10 feet from 8 ft 8 in. Also I want to add some fiberglass to the keel to make her a little deeper maybe 36 in from present 32 inches. Should I make the new hull water line 90 degrees? Will this be better than a round traditional edge? Should I add bilge keel fins for more stability?

Modifying a design

The kind of modifications you're describing are fairly extensive. You would be wise to arrange a meeting with a naval architect, or with a builder who has extensive experience with that type of boat. With the boat's drawings and a good description of what performance characteristics you want, the professional will be able to assess what modifications (if any) would be appropriate- or if you'd be better off choosing a different design from the start.

Stabilty of Twin Keel Monohulls (Bilge Keel)

Wondering about the stability of bilge keeled sailboats, specifically the Snapdragon 26. How does a second keel affect relative stability of this kind of vessel? Any thoughts appreciated.

Static stability is determined by the hull shape and by the distribution of mass, i.e. the centre of gravity. Two identical hulls, one with a single fin and one with twin keels, will have approximately the same stability curve if they have the same centre of gravity. The twin keel configuration is usually chosen to allow shallower draught, though, so the centre of gravity will often be higher than for a single-fin boat.

There is a significant performance sacrifice with this configuration. A higher centre of gravity reduces the sail-carrying ability, the lower aspect ratio foils are not as efficient to windward, and the extra wetted surface increases drag. The flip side is that you can safely dry out at low tide in places where most monohulls would never be able to go.

Ultimately, though, the keel configuration is a fundamental part of a design, and there's no real answer to "How does a second keel affect stability". It's the performance of the entire boat that matters, and unless you have two boats that are identical except for keel configuration, it doesn't make much sense to separate out this one aspect of the design. The class's performance record and the experiences of skippers who have sailed that class in bad weather are better ways to assess the relative seaworthiness of an existing design.

Stability Curves for Hunter 34

I'm french and it's not that easy for me to understand all of this but here is my question:

Do you know who I can contact to know the stability curves of my sailboat. It's a Hunter Sloop 34' 1985

I asked directly at Marlow-Hunter, they said they don't have this information.

Someone told me that Hunter Manufacturer has it and that I can have it for some dollars but it seems that this is not the case.

Can you help me?

Tracking down data for old boats

Danielle, if I'm not mistaken, that Hunter would be one of Cortland Steck's designs. There's a chance that he might have the data you're looking for.

Stability curves are incredibly tedious to calculate without a computer, though, so many- if not most- boats designed prior to the advent of modern 3D CAD never had one calculated at all. It's possible to build a computer model of an existing boat and calculate the required data, but for most practical purposes you can find the important information through an inclining experiment. This essentially consists of moving known weights around the boat and measuring how she heels in various load conditions, and it's one of the more common ways of measuring stability data for an existing vessel in commercial service where all of these details must, by law, be properly measured and documented.

Righting a Capsized Vanguard Nomad 17

I read on the web that it takes 420 lbs of crew weight to right a capsized Nomad. Is that true? I weigh 135 lbs and I sail single-handed. It's now November and the water is getting too cold to find out.

Re: Righting a Capsized Vanguard Nomad 17

Gerardo, A 625 pound boat with a beam of 8 feet is not going to be an easy thing to right. You might find Sailing World's article on the boat interesting. They were advised by the manufacturer's rep that the boat can't be righted by one person in the way that you'd right something small like a Laser. But if you flood the tank (through the spinnaker well) on one side, you'll be able to roll her far enough to pull her back up like a dinghy, and then drain the tank again. I agree that you would NOT want to test this in November!

37 Foot Sailboat

I am from the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. I am building a fiberglass sailing yacht using local boat builders. Its 37 feet and 11 feet with a long keel of 3 foot deep. And will use concrete in the keel. They will be putting 9 fiberglass mats. Interior and the bulkheads will be done using marine plywood. The hull is going to look more like a Fisher 37. And the cabins like a Nauticat. I am intending to use ketch style two masts. I was surfing the internet and am trying to understand what are the issues that I need to take into consideration. Your explanations is very helpful. I am just wondering whether you will comfortable if I communicate on this topic. Thanking you.

Re: 37 Foot Sailboat

Ahmed, it's good to have you here and feel free to chime in on relevant threads, or to contact me directly. It's always neat to see what everyone else is building.

Help with stability estimate

Matt, I found your article very informative, good stuff! Where might you think my vessel Crusoe might fit A thru D.
 57' O.L. 13' beam-25 tons-4.5 ton ballast lifting keel. Here is the vessel:
 
 http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/pilothouse-... 
 thanks,
 
 Thomas

To summarize, in very general terms: Category A is an offshore-capable yacht. Category B is a coastal cruising vessel, able to handle weather at sea but not recommended for extended offshore use. Category C is a short-range inshore vessel that is expected to take shelter rather than facing a storm out in the open. Category D is a small, fair-weather vessel such as a skiff or dinghy. The static stability properties are the main factor that determine which category a particular boat design is intended to fall in. But, in addition, the builder must comply with dozens of requirements for structural integrity, watertightness, emergency equipment, etc. for the boat to actually fall in that category. It's quite possible for a boat designed for Category A to end up being a Category B vessel because of corner-cutting during the build.

Assessing Southerlies and Tayanas

Would you care to give an opinion on the Southerly Yachts with retractible keels and twin rudders, also on Tayanas as to seaworthiness and construction. Thank you

Southerly & Tayana

I don't have first-hand experience with either of these marques, so I'm afraid I can't offer much that's meaningful.

Southerly tends to have a fairly good reputation. You do pay a fairly substantial premium for the complicated retracting keel, but there are some cruising grounds where the only options are a retractable keel or a multihull.

The Tayana line has produced a mix of models from several different designers, some very traditional, rugged and slow, others relatively modern. I'd have to know exactly which one you have in mind to say much more than that.

Your best bet for meaningful data on either line would be to prowl some forums looking for the owner's club for each marque. Yacht owners generally love to talk about their yachts, and if you're patient, you can usually find most or all of a particular model's weak spots by asking owners how they handle rough weather and what they've had to fix or replace so far.

I really enjoyed your article

I really enjoyed your article. I'm trying to make a stability model myself and I was interesting in the equations you used to find GZ as a function of heel angle and then how you found the displacement. I'm also interested in how you calculated the different curves for the different hull designs. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'm not sure if I mentioned

I'm not sure if I mentioned it in my last comment, but I'd also like the equations for getting the displacement you multiplied GZ by. Thanks!

Sources for calculations

Hi Cole, Finding the displacement from the lines is pretty easy. If it's a CAD model, just find the volume; if it's a 2D drawing, find the area of each of the stations and use Simpson's rule to integrate over the waterline length. Finding G is just a matter of adding up the weights and moments for every component of the ship - each frame, the hull planking, the engine, each piece of hardware, and so on. Finding GZ for a given heel angle is relatively tedious, but it's essentially the same procedure (find the station areas, integrate over the waterline length, find the station centroids, weight the centroid offsets by station area to find the CB). There is an iterative step here as you must adjust the waterline position to make the displacement the same as in the at-rest case. For practical purposes, though, virtually everyone computes their stability curves using a proven software tool like Orca3D or ArchimedesMB. The actual calculations are described in detail in most good yacht design textbooks, eg. Larsson & Eliasson's "Principles of Yacht Design".

Stability of Chinese Junk Hull

Hi Matt, Your article is very informative. I am studying the feasibility of building a wooden ocean going Chinese Junk. History recorded that there were huge junks sailing 600 years ago in Zhenghe's days. The latest record for a large junk sailing across oceans is the Keying which sailed from Hong Kong to New York and London in 1848. She is 160ft LOA, 33ft BEAM and 13ft (rudder up) 23ft (rudder down) DRAFT, 700-800 ton DISPLACEMENT. As it is too difficult to re-build a wooden junk of such size, I am studying the record of fishing junks built about 30 years ago. A junk capable of sailing in force 8 wind. She is 23m(75.4ft)LOA, 5.66m BEAM, 1.69m(DRAFT), 1.2m(FREEBOARD), 138000kg (DISPLACEMENT). There is a dagger board extending 2.5m from the bottom, located about 1/3 waterline from the bow in front of the main mast. The rudder can be raised in shallow water. It is perforated with an area of 6.7sq.meter. The bottom is almost flat. The design of junks were evolved from generations of experience without scientific verification. I am surprised that the length and beam is so close to Volvo 65, but the displacement is 10 times those of Volvo. I am wondering if a flat bottomed boat is stable in rough ocean condition until I read the comment by Andrew Troup in 2012 about a boat without appendages can surf safely on the steep slope of the waves. I am glad if you can shine some light on the stability of traditional Chinese junks. John Kwong

Chinese Junk

A hundred and thirty-eight tonnes on 23m LOA? Yowzah, that's quite the boat. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with a relatively flat bottomed shape, or with retractable appendages. The risk of a flat bottom is more to do with slamming and pounding, which is much less of a problem in a heavy boat. Before investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in such a boat today, it would certainly be prudent to have the design drawn up and analyzed with modern software tools. There are certainly improvements from the last 50 years that could be applied to a much older design. A six-century pedigree is nothing to sneer at, though, and the fundamental design - updated with some modern construction techniques and with the added confidence of a full stability analysis - might still be a good one.

Relative locations of G and B

Hi Matthew. Thanks for such an interesting and informative article. Most diagrams show B below G so I guess this must be the most usual arrangement. However, I wondered if there might be a class of yacht (lightweight but with deep bulb keel) where G moved below B. I guess this would give a very good static G-Z curve (but I note also the comments made by Andrew (above) re dynamic stability that this might not be the best design to go winter sailing in the Southern Ocean!)

Monocat Hull

Matt what would you think this Monocat 50 Hull Form (see link)? Its a very different design- Monohull at the Bow, Catamaran at the Stern, 2x Lift Keels, One Ballasted, the other Forward non ballasted dagger board. I just cannot find information on it anywhere? I'd assume it would have similar characteristics to a very beamy monohull and thus would not self-right from a knockdown!? This is what im wanting to find out, will it self-right & is it safe offshore? Mashford Monocat 50 15.24m LOA 5m Beam 3Ton Ballested Lift Keel 0.8m - 2.1m

(there is a cad drawing of its underwater hull design in this advert) NB: Unfortunately your Spam Filter will not let me paste the link, but if you search the internet for MASHFORD MONOCAT it comes up for sale everywhere.

Ive been trying to locate the Designer Chris Mashford with no luck? feel free to email me too any info, cheers. Mal

Mashford Monocat

I'm not too familiar with the Monocat. My educated guess would be that stability-wise, it'll be much like a "skimming dish" racer - very stiff and powerful at first, hairy at the edge, and not self-righting. I'd have to sail one to be sure, but I have a suspicion that it could have the worst of both worlds - the relatively high drag and the ballast burden of a mono, with the complexity and high sailing loads of a cat. The main appeal seems to be the huge living space in a relatively modest beam, suggesting it's meant for short-term coastal cruises and charter work. Reliable reports on them seem to be very hard to come by, I suspect they weren't built in large numbers.

Great article! Thanks. My question is on actual statistics of vessels that have actually capsized. Understanding that this would likely be under reported, it would seem fruitful ground to examine questions of which static or dynamic factors pan out and are predictive for hulls that ended up upside down, and the stories behind them?

Does such a database exist?

reason for knowing the departure gm

Sorry I am bringing in a different topic entirely . pls I have read most of your articles and I have found them to be very useful . Pls I really want to know the importance of knowing your departure gm before commencing on a voyage... thank you

downflooding

Hi Matthew - I was reading your blog just now on Aug 23. I wanted to know how intake of 450l water affected the stability of a 9000kg / 41ft sailing yacht that I was skippering in a force 9 storm around Dover on Aug 3rd 2017. We encountered rather high waves of estimated 7m and had 52 kts apparent wind, which may have been the beginning of a force 10, because we did only 4kts through the water under storm jib and 3x reefed main. Once safely parked in Dover, we pumped 450l water out of the boat. Floorboards were floating... Any idea how that amount of water may have affected stability?

Kind regards

Martin Lossie

Calculating a stability curve

You mentioned calculating stability curves is tedious, and mostly done with CAD these days. I'm a new owner of a 1969 Columbia 26 Mk II and would love to understand the stability curve for my boat. A few enterprising owners have rescued the blueprints of this boat and placed them online, so I have the measurements available. Are there folks out there willing to do the CAD work to create the curve? Otherwise, what would be the easiest way for me to get one created for my boat?

Thanks for a GREAT article explaining this concept!

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  • Prepaid Charter Reservations . Typically, Broker negotiates charter rates in advance with the yacht owner or charter company (“ Charter Provider ”) to obtain cost-effective rates, and facilitate reservations and availability for yacht charters, excursions and travel (the “ Charter ”). Broker also provides services to you by facilitating the booking of reservations for consideration and receives a commission from the Charter Provider (the “ Broker Fee ”). The Broker Fee is included in the pre-negotiated Charter rate provided to you, plus taxes and other fees where applicable. You agree that your payment is for the total amount set forth in the applicable Charter agreement (which Charter Provider may refer to as a Charter Contract, Charter Agreement, Booking Terms & Conditions, Instructions and Terms for Accommodations, as well as other derivations) provided to you by Broker (“ Charter Agreement ”). Upon execution of the Charter Agreement and receipt of the applicable deposit, you will have made a reservation for the Charter that authorizes Broker to facilitate the Charter on your behalf (“Charter Reservation”), including making payment arrangements with the Charter Provider. You further agree that Broker is a third-party beneficiary to the Charter Agreement and shall have the right to enforce such agreement to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights hereunder or under the Charter Agreement.

  Broker retains the Broker Fee as compensation in arranging your Charter Reservation. The Broker Fee varies based on the amount and type of Charter and/or services provided by Broker.  By making a Charter Reservation, you accept and agree to the relevant cancellation and no-show policy of the Charter Provider set forth in the Charter Agreement. Cancellation and no-show policies vary for each Charter. Carefully read the Charter Agreement and additional information provided to you by Broker. It is expressly agreed by Charterer that the Broker Fee is earned at the time the Charter Reservation is made. Late payment, wrong credit card or debit card details, invalid credit or debit cards, or insufficient funds are for your own risk and account, and you will not be entitled to any refund of any prepaid amount unless the Charter Provider expressly agrees otherwise under the Charter Agreement or in some other signed writing.

  • Charter Rules and Restrictions . Additional terms and agreements will apply to your Charter Reservation and any purchase or rental of equipment or other items, supplies, provisions and travel you may select. Please read those additional terms carefully. In particular, if you have purchased airfare, please ensure that you read the full terms and conditions of carriage issued by the supplier. You agree to abide by the terms of purchase imposed by any supplier with whom you elect to deal, including but not limited to payment of all amounts when due and compliance with the supplier’s rules and restrictions regarding availability, charges, fares, and use of products and services.
  • Payment . All payments must be made by personal check, bank/wire transfer, ACH payment and/or with a major credit card unless otherwise expressly stated. The total price for the Charter Reservation will be billed in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated. Some banks and credit card companies impose fees for international transactions. If you are making a reservation from outside of the United States on a US credit card, your bank may convert the payment amount to your local currency and charge you a conversion fee. This means the amount listed on your credit or bank card statement may be in your local currency and therefore a different figure than the amount provided by Broker for the Charter Reservation. In addition, a foreign transaction fee may be assessed if the financial institution that issued your credit card is located outside of the United States. Booking international travel may be considered to be an international transaction by the financial institution or card company. The currency exchange rate and foreign transaction fee is determined solely by your financial institution on the day that it processes the transaction. If you have any questions about these fees or the exchange rate applied to your booking, please contact your financial institution. Broker shall not be liable to you for any such service, conversion, or exchange fee.

  Broker expressly reserves the right to cancel your Charter Reservation if full payment is not timely received as set forth in the Charter Agreement.

  • Cancellation and Rescheduling . You may cancel or change your Charter Reservation as set forth in the Charter Agreement by and among you, the Charter Provider and/or Broker. Please note that some Charter Providers do not permit changes to or cancellation of reservations after they are made, or after a certain date, as indicated in the Charter Agreement. You agree to abide by the terms of the Charter Agreement with respect to your Charter Reservation. Broker will not be responsible for reimbursing Charterer for any previously tendered deposits or payments by Charterer and disclaims all liability for the failure of a Charter Provider to refund or return any such funds.
  • Credit Card Transactions and Chargebacks . If for any reason, any Charter Provider is unable to provide the Charter, or any part thereof, for which you have contracted, your remedy lies against the Charter Provider, and not against Broker. However, Broker will use reasonable efforts to assist you and Charter Provider in reaching a resolution to a dispute between you and the Charter Provider. In the event that your payment has already been transferred from Broker to Charter Provider or to an escrow account, you agree that you will not seek a chargeback against Broker for such amounts transferred. You further agree to indemnify and hold Broker harmless from and against any liability, loss, damage or expense (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) that Broker may incur in connection with chargebacks against Broker or under the Charter Agreement and your performance thereunder. If Broker incurs any costs, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, to recover any payments charged back by your credit card company or other financial institution, you agree that you will be liable for these costs. If your payment is declined for any reason, you agree to settle any amounts owed to Broker via money order, cashier’s check, personal check or bank/ACH transfer immediately.
  • Broker Responsibility . Broker makes arrangements with the Charter Provider. Broker additionally makes additional arrangements with other suppliers for the various components and other services that comprise your Charter (“Charter Suppliers”). Broker is not an agent of these Charter Providers or the Charter Suppliers (and the Charter Providers and Charter Suppliers are not agents of Broker). Broker expressly disclaims any liability for the actions or omissions of the Charter Provider and the Charter Suppliers. The Charter Providers and the Charter Suppliers reserve the right to refuse service to you at their sole discretion. Broker assumes no liability for the acts of the Charter Provider or the Charter Suppliers in refusing service. Broker is not responsible for schedule changes and does not offer compensation for those changes. Broker is not responsible under any circumstances for any injury or damages you may suffer, in connection with sea, air or ground transportation, hotel accommodations, or other travel or excursion services arranged by Broker.

  You understand Broker is not the source or supplier of the Charter or other travel services you requested and acts solely as a broker for the Charter Provider and the Charter Suppliers. You agree that the Charter Provider and Charter Suppliers whose names appear in the information supplied to you are those who are solely responsible for providing the Charter you purchase. You consent to and request the use of the Charter Provider and the Charter Suppliers and agree to not hold Broker responsible should any of them: (i) fail to provide the Charter or travel services you purchased, whether or not such services are listed in the Charter Agreement or otherwise, (ii) fail to comply with any applicable law, or (iii) engage in any negligent act or omission that causes you any sort of injury, damage, delay or inconvenience.

By using Broker’s services, you waive and release any claim against Broker, its affiliated and subsidiary companies, and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents, arising out of or in connection with any loss of or damage to property or injury to any person caused by reason of (i) any defect, negligence, or other wrongful act or omission, or any failure of performance of any kind, by any Charter Provider, Charter Suppliers, or any other provider of sea, airline, hotel, ground transportation or any other travel provider connected to or otherwise associated with the Charter, (ii) any claim for inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, mental distress or other similar claim, (iii) any delayed departure, missed connection, substitute accommodation, termination of service or change in fares or rates, and (iv) overbooking, flight or other travel cancellation, lost or misconnected personal property, or any claim arising out of the air transportation portion of your travel, and (v) or any other claim arising out of or otherwise related to the Charter Agreement or services provided by the Charter Provider and the Charter Suppliers.

Excepting only liability that directly arises from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Broker, you will not hold Broker responsible for any injury, damage or loss you may suffer while on a Charter, whether incurred on the Charter or in connection with any other rental, purchase, excursion or activity, regardless of the relationship of any of the foregoing with the Charter Provider or the Charter Suppliers.

  • Your Responsibility . By booking a Charter with Broker, you agree to defend and indemnify and hold harmless Broker, Charter Provider, Charter Suppliers, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any and all claims, causes of action, demands, recoveries, losses, damages, fines, penalties or other costs or expenses of any kind or nature, including but not limited to reasonable legal fees, arising out of or in connection with: (i) your breach of these Terms or the documents referenced herein; (ii) your violation of any law or rights of a third party; or (iii) your use of the Broker website.

You will review your Charter Agreement and travel documents for accuracy upon receipt. You understand that it is your responsibility to review the accuracy of all details in the Charter Reservation provided to you, and that you may contact Broker if you have any questions.

You assume full and complete responsibility for checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of your destination(s), and all conditions regarding health, safety, security, political stability, and labor or civil unrest at such destination(s).

You understand that Broker recommends purchasing travel insurance to cover certain risks inherent in travel such as supplier bankruptcy and the inability to travel due to a medical or personal emergency.

  • No Warranties . All Charters, products, services, advice and information is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied to the fullest extent permitted under the law, including but not limited to, warranties of title or implied warranties of merchantability, satisfactory quality or fitness for a particular purpose. Without limiting the above, no warranty or guarantee is made (i) regarding the acceptance of any reservation request or Charter Reservation; (ii) regarding the availability of Charters, or any other product and/or services through Broker; (iii) that the use of Broker’s website will be error-free; or (iv) regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability or quality of any information, content, data, service, advice or merchandise provided by Broker or through Broker’s website.

Broker has no special knowledge regarding the Charter Provider’s or Charter Supplier’s financial condition, unsafe conditions, health hazards, weather hazards, or climate extremes at locations to which you may travel during or otherwise in connection with your Charter.

  • Limitation on Liability . In no event shall Broker, Charter Provider, Charter Suppliers, and/or their respective affiliates, or any employees, agents, officers, directors, members or managers of any of the foregoing (“Broker and Charter Releasees”), be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of, or in any way connected with, your access to, display of or use the Broker’s website, the Charter or services provided to you in connection with the Charter (including, but not limited to, your reliance upon opinions of the Broker), whether based on a theory of negligence, contract, tort, strict liability, consumer protection statutes, or otherwise, and even if Broker and/or any other of the Broker and Charter Releasees have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

If, despite the limitation above, Broker or the Broker and Charter Releasees are found liable for any loss or damage which arises out of or in any way connected with any of the occurrences described above, then Broker, Charter Provider, Charter Supplier and the Broker and Charter Releasees will in no event exceed, in the aggregate, the greater of (a) the Broker Fee, and (b) One-Hundred Dollars (US $100.00).

The foregoing limitation of liability reflects the allocation of risk between the parties. The limitations specified in this section will survive and apply even if any limited remedy specified in these Terms is found to have failed of its essential purpose. The limitations of liability provided in these Terms inure to the benefit of Broker and/or its providers.

The foregoing does not affect any liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

  • Limitation on Time to File Claims . ANY CAUSE OF ACTION OR CLAIM YOU MAY HAVE ARISING OUT OF RELATING TO BROKER’S SERVICES OR THE WEBSITE MUST BE COMMENCED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES, OTHERWISE, SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION OR CLAIM IS PERMANENTLY BARRED.
  • Waiver . No waiver by Broker of any term or condition set forth in these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or condition or a waiver of any other term or condition, and any failure of the Broker to assert a right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
  • Severability . If any provision of these Terms is held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be eliminated or limited to the minimum extent such that the remaining provisions of the Terms will continue in full force and effect.
  • Governing Law and Mandatory Venue . The laws of the State of Florida govern the rights and obligations of the parties to this Agreement and the interpretation, construction and enforceability thereof. You agree that any action or proceeding initiated by Charterer against Broker shall be brought solely in the federal and state courts of Hillsborough County, Florida, and you submit to the jurisdiction of those courts and waive any objections to the exercise of personal jurisdiction over you by those courts. In the event any action or proceeding is initiated by Charterer in a court outside of Hillsborough County, Florida, Charterer agrees to pay Broker’s costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees associated with defending such action or proceeding and waives any and all defenses to the transfer of said action or proceeding, whether jurisdictional or otherwise, to a federal or state court in Hillsborough County, Florida.

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Embrace A True Sailing Adventure: Owning a Monohull Yacht in the British Virgin Islands

monohull yacht meaning

As you embark on the thrilling decision of yacht ownership through The Moorings, the choice between a catamaran and a monohull sailing yacht might have you scratching your head. While both vessels offer unique advantages, there's an undeniable charm to discovering the sailing mecca of the Caribbean with a monohull and why monohulls still reign supreme amongst those truly looking to get away from it all.

Through The Moorings Yacht Ownership Program, you'll enjoy numerous benefits that come with owning a monohull yacht in the BVI. From professional yacht maintenance and management services to global charter revenue opportunities, this comprehensive program ensures that you can maximize your investment while enjoying hassle-free ownership and a true sailing experience across the world’s most enchanting destinations.

Whether you're a seasoned sailor with countless ocean passages or a newbie to the yachting world, let's dive into why owning a monohull through The Moorings Yacht ownership program in the British Virgin Islands is the ultimate choice that ticks all the right boxes!

MONO Blog Pic (1)

You Don’t Have to Break The Bank to Own a Monohull

True sailing is a romantic endeavor, but let’s skip all the romanticism and cut right to the chase: Cost. Owning a monohull through The Moorings yacht ownership program comes in at less than half the cost of owning a catamaran, meaning you won’t have to break the bank or empty your treasure chest to set sail in the British Virgin Islands.

Even if you are not looking to place your monohull in The Moorings ownership program, or if you are looking to build miles to eventually sail your own monohull around the globe, these classic yachts generally have lower maintenance costs compared to catamarans, thanks to their simpler construction. Additionally, their single-hull design makes docking and maneuvering in tight spaces more straightforward, providing ease and convenience during port visits and marina stays.

Compared to a catamaran, buying and maintaining a monohull won't cost you an arm and a leg, making it the perfect choice for budget-conscious investors or those embracing the cruising lifestyle on a tight budget.

So, whether you're dipping your toes into yacht ownership or an experienced sailor seeking the romance and thrill of being one with the elements, a monohull wins the financial race against a catamaran every time.

The Trade Winds: A Sailor's Playground

There’s a reason the British Virgin Islands are renowned as the sailing capital of the Caribbean, well actually there are quite a few: close distances between islands, protected anchorages and coves, the choice between isolation and modern convenience, painkillers and rum punch, and of course, year-round perfect sailing conditions thanks to the trusty trade winds.

With a monohull yacht, you can fully embrace these steady winds that reliably sweep through the islands. The monohull's streamlined design allows it to harness the power of the trade winds, creating a thrilling sailing experience that lets you smoothly cruise from one anchorage to another without having to switch on the engines.

A monohull is designed to slice through the waves with grace and precision, making the most of these consistent winds. Unlike catamarans, monohulls lean into the wind, generating thrilling heeling angles that add extra excitement to your sailing adventure. And with the short distances between islands in the BVI, you can choose to sail as long or short as you please and go wherever the trade winds lead.

MONO Blog Pic (2)

The Adrenaline of Heeling and Tacking on a Monohull

For thrill-seekers, owning a monohull yacht in the BVI is an adrenaline-fueled delight. As the wind catches your sails and your yacht gracefully heels, you'll experience an exhilarating rush of energy. Tacking becomes a captivating dance with the wind as you masterfully navigate your vessel through the water, feeling the pulse of the ocean beneath you. The sheer excitement of sailing a responsive monohull will add an extra dimension to your exploration of the BVI.

For sailors who relish the thrill of adventure, a monohull's heeling and tacking capabilities are unparalleled. The sensation of the yacht tilting as it catches the wind is invigorating, creating an adrenaline rush that adds a whole new level of excitement to your sailing endeavors.

Unlike catamarans, which remain steady with their dual hull design, monohulls call for a bit of skill and finesse from the skipper and crew. The challenge of tacking efficiently and the sense of achievement, when executed flawlessly, are experiences that simply cannot be matched. So, if you're up for the ultimate sailing thrill, a monohull is your go-to choice in the British Virgin Islands.

As Close To The Wind As You Can Get

One of the great advantages of monohulls lies in their ability to point close to the wind. This means they can sail much closer to the direction from which the wind is blowing, allowing them to navigate tight channels and reach destinations that catamarans might struggle to access.

In the British Virgin Islands, where hidden coves and secluded anchorages beckon, a monohull's agility and ability to sail upwind efficiently ensure that you can explore the region to the fullest extent. Furthermore, monohulls are designed for speed, offering an exhilarating sailing experience as you race through the turquoise waters with the wind in your sails.

Monohulls are renowned for their ability to point close to the wind, a skill that comes in handy when exploring the islands' varied coastline and intricate coves. With your monohull, you can venture closer to shore and access secluded anchorages, immersing yourself in the stunning beauty of the BVI's landscapes without having to rely on engines. Owning a monohull in the BVI’s is all about embracing the true spirit of sailing and experiencing nature's raw, unfiltered beauty.

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The Authenticity of "Real" Sailing

Ah, the age-old contentious debate between catamaran and monohull owners about the essence of "real" sailing! While opinions may differ, there's something undeniably special about the authentic sailing experience of a monohull in the British Virgin Islands.

As you skillfully navigate the waters and read the wind patterns, owning a monohull yacht offers a genuine connection with the art of sailing. It's more than just cruising; it's about mastering seamanship and technique, something that catamarans, with their dual hulls and simplified controls, may not demand. This genuine sailing experience allows you to grow as a sailor and appreciate the time-honored traditions of the sea.

A monohull yacht in the BVI embodies authenticity, deeply rooted in the essence of sailing. While catamarans provide ample space and stability, they may lack that intimate connection with the water that many sailors crave. It's all about feeling the elements around you, the power of the wind, the gentle sway of the waves, and the thrill of steering a vessel that responds to the elements.

Versatility in Island Exploration

BVI is brimming with hidden treasures, and a monohull gives you unparalleled exploration options. It's narrower beam and single-hull design grant you access to secluded coves and snug anchorages that might remain off-limits to catamarans. Whether sailing during the peak winter season or looking to dock in tight and crowded anchorages, a monohull's maneuverability becomes a major plus point that you'll soon appreciate.

The authentic sailing experience, graceful performance, and versatility in challenging waters make monohulls a preferred choice in the BVI and globally. Enjoy the camaraderie of a time-honored sailing community, discover hidden anchorages, and relish the joy of sailing in its purest form. As you navigate the waters with elegance and precision, a monohull will ensure that every voyage is unforgettable, fulfilling your passion for the sea and making your yachting dreams a reality.

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A Piece Of Paradise To Call Your Own

While the decision between a catamaran and a monohull sailing yacht is certainly a personal one, there's an undeniable allure to owning a monohull in the British Virgin Islands. Embracing the thrill of heeling and tacking on the windswept waters across the Sir Francis Drake Channel, sailing fast and close to the wind, and savoring the authenticity of "real" sailing that a monohull provides.

No matter if you're a newbie owner or an experienced sailor with countless ocean passages under your belt, owning a monohull through The Moorings Yacht ownership program in the British Virgin Islands checks all the right boxes for true sailing enthusiasts.

monohull yacht meaning

Hanrie Bosch

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M70: TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OWN SOVEREIGN NATION

The radical M70 is a 231’ x 65’ floating fortress that destroys convention while setting new standards for speed, payload, and range. M70 can be configured for use as a standalone expedition yacht, shadow yacht, or, should her owner feel so inclined, to liberate a small country.

Whatever the mission at hand, M70 is ready to pamper her guests upon arrival, with advanced power generation and management systems enabling self-sustaining independence for months on end. Cross any ocean, drop anchor in any harbor, and stay as long as you like.

In typical configuration this four-decked vessel carries up to 24 people, including crew. The possibilities are nearly limitless thanks to custom-configurable arrangements. Payload is never a problem. Bring it all! Vast deck space afforded by M70’s catamaran hull design allows for a helipad and enclosed garage, while at the same time carrying tenders, submersibles, and all the toys, which are launched and retrieved via a 30,000 lb. capacity submersible stern platform.

M70’s efficient catamaran hull offers numerous distinct advantages over traditional monohull vessels of equivalent size, including improved ride, better stability while at rest, a dramatic increase in usable space, and extreme shallow water capability. Most importantly, M70 uses nearly half the fuel of a comparable monohull yacht, meaning she delivers nearly twice the range.

At a long-range speed of 12 knots, M70’s 9,000 nautical mile range means that from any point of origin she can reach nearly any harbor on the globe without refueling. With an unbelievable 6,000 nautical mile “eco cruise” range, M70 can cross oceans at nearly 20 knots. And, when needed, M70 covers ground in a hurry, with a top speed of 30 knots, truly putting the world within striking distance.

Chiseled and imposing, M70 is far from subtle; she is bold and distinctive in a sea of sameness and a standout in any harbor. In every conceivable way, M70 represents the ultimate expression of personal independence. To begin your journey, contact us today.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

Principle Dimensions Length: 70 meters / 231′ Beam: 20 meters / 65.6′ Draft: 3.2 meters / 10.6′

Performance: Long Range: 9,000 NM @ 12 Knots Cruise: 6,000 NM @ 19 Knots Sprint: 3,000 NM @ 28 Knots Lightship Full Speed: 30 Knots

Propulsion: 2 x MTU 1163 (6000 kw / 7,800 BHP)

Fuel Capacity: 300,000 Liters / 79,252 US Gallons

Displacement: Lightship: 825 Metric Tons Full Load: 1,100 Metric Tons

Submersible Stern Platform: 1500 kg / 30,000 lbs Lift Capacity

Download Detailed Specifications

M70 IMAGE GALLERY

Range calculator.

M70 puts the world within reach. Select a city from the map below to see M70’s approximate range at a continuous speed of 19 knots - an incredible 6,000 nautical miles. At a more leisurely cruise speed of 12 knots, M70’s range increases to 9,000 NM – basically the entire globe. At a sprint speed of 28 knots, M70 still delivers an impressive 3,000 NM range. (Estimated range calculated with 10% fuel reserve. Actual performance may vary depending on multiple factors including sea conditions, vessel load, etc.)

MODEL RANGE

M30 • 30 meters / 100', m48 • 48 meters / 158', m70 • 70 meters / 231'.

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  • This New 131-Foot Aluminum Catamaran Concept Can Take on a Transoceanic Expedition

CMA's sturdy new multihull will be able to navigate choppy waters with ease.

Rachel cormack.

Digital Editor

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This New 150-Foot Superyacht Can Cruise Through Shallow Waters in Florida and the Bahamas With Ease

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CMA Catamaran Concept

Catamarans tend to be associated with casual coastal cruising rather than lengthy transoceanic expeditions, but Cristiano Mariani of CMA could help change that.

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CMA Catamaran Concept

The layout can be entirely customized by the owner, as can the decor and furnishings. The lower deck is currently configured with two guest staterooms, three crew cabins, and a VIP, while the main deck features another VIP, the owner’s suite, a spacious lounge, and a functional galley. Two additional crew cabins are located in the bow, while the upper deck sports a lounge, a pantry, the captain’s cabin, and the wheelhouse. The interior could be tweaked to include one epic family area or even three VIPs. Owners can also add a spa to the owner’s suite or the VIPs.

Outside, the cat offers over 3,000 square feet of deck space for alfresco dining, entertaining, and lounging. The partially sheltered sundeck is adorned with sunbeds and a bar, while the upper deck is home to an inviting Jacuzzi. Down below, the stern is equipped with fold-out platforms that can be lowered to connect guests with the ocean. The expandable area doubles as a waterside beach club and a mooring spot for runabouts or Jet Skis.

Mariani says he can further develop the project with an engineer and interior designer, meaning that the chosen shipyard should be able to easily execute the build. He just has to reel in an owner.

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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COMMENTS

  1. Monohull

    A monohull is a type of boat having only one hull, unlike multihulled boats which can have two or more individual hulls connected to one another. Fundamental concept [ edit ] Among the earliest hulls were simple logs, but these were generally unstable and tended to roll over easily.

  2. Understanding the Monohull Yacht: Design and Benefits

    Explore the sleek design and advantages of monohull yachts in an easy-to-understand guide. Learn why these classic single-hull vessels are the go-to choice for many sailing enthusiasts and yacht buyers. Discover how their stability and speed make them perfect for a variety of water adventures. Get the inside scoop on why a monohull yacht might be the ideal match for your ocean escapades.

  3. Monohull yachts: a buyer's guide

    The monohull has one other advantage: it has a relatively small surface in the water and it's light; making it easier to get it out of the water, and meaning its regular maintenance (refitting, anti-fouling etc) is less expensive. The cost of buying a monohull yacht

  4. 14 Best Monohull Sailboats

    7. Bénéteau Oceanis 45. cmhogarth. Named yacht of the year in 2012, the Bénéteau Oceanis 45 remains one of the most popular monohull sailboats in the world and for a good reason. This is a sailboat that redefines the important themes that made the Oceanis 50 so popular in a much better way.

  5. Catamarans Vs. Monohulls: Choosing The Right Boat

    Backing into a slip is easier on a catamaran than a monohull. To back into a slip (which will make it more convenient for crew to step on and off) pull up until perpendicular with the slip, pivot the boat with the engines and then use both in reverse, adjusting as you back up if there is a beam wind.

  6. Catamaran Vs Monohull

    Large monohull ships, such as container ships, can be built with very little material and effort. This is because the vast majority of the length of a monohull is just a box, with a bow and stern welded onto the end. Sailboat construction is more intricate, but the costs are still lower. Plus, monohull designs are robust, and cabin space is ...

  7. Pros and Cons of Multihull Boats vs Monohull Boats

    The Basics: Multihull Boats vs Monohull Boats. A boat with a single hull is a monohull vessel. There are many types of monohull boats, such as traditional sailboats, fishing boats, and yachts. They're instantly recognisable because they only have one hull in the water. Multihull boats, in contrast, have multiple hulls in the water.

  8. Monohull vs. Catamaran: which yacht is for you?!

    Simply put, as the name suggests, a monohull has only one hull (the main body of a yacht), whereas a catamaran has two hulls. The benefits of a catamaran having two hulls is that they will typically stay more level and offer a lot more space, while a monohull will always reach faster speeds when sailing. Here's what one of our amazing hosts ...

  9. Monohull vs Catamaran: how to choose?

    On a monohull, from the early puffs, the boat starts to heel naturally and for many boaters and sailors, it is the exact definition of the charms and pleasures of sailing. Hauling & moorings : catamaran is more spacious, monohull is cheaper. Most catamarans have a draft of about 1 meter, allowing anchoring near the coast.

  10. Monohull Sailboat Charter

    Monohull Sailboat. Classically refined and contemporarily equipped, The Moorings' monohulls set the standard for unforgettable performance and comfort. Backed by the boat-building heritage of leading manufacturers Beneteau and Jeanneau, these vessels are the premier choice for some of the most sought-after yacht charters available today.

  11. Catamarans vs. Monohulls

    Then there is the visceral joy of "feeling sailing". A monohull will heel (meaning it is designed to tip over anywhere from 10º to say 50º) whereas a catamaran won't. While their increased heeling can be a performance disadvantage, it can also be an advantage as it is a lot of fun. 7. Tacking is easier on a monohull.

  12. Catamaran vs. Monohull: Choosing your sailing path

    Monohull yachts are favored by competitive sailors and those who relish the art of traditional sailing. Exploring the multihull sailboat. Beyond catamarans, the realm of multihull sailboats includes trimarans, which have three hulls. Trimarans offer a unique combination of stability and speed, making them suitable for both leisurely cruises and ...

  13. Catamaran vs Monohull: Pros, Cons & Main Differences

    Upwind sailing performance: While catamarans have the edge at straight-line speed, monohulls sail closer to the wind. When you're racing or you have to sail upwind to get to the next island, this can get you there faster. Sailing feel and responsiveness: The "feel" of sailing a monohull is much better.With a single hull, you'll feel wind pressure and trim adjustments immediately for a ...

  14. Monohull or multihull: which is best for blue water?

    Multihulls can be relatively quick in the right offwind conditions, but if they are heavily laden - as they will be for blue water cruising - there really is no significant speed advantage. The Gunboat 66 Phaedo 1 piles on the speed, but for blue water cruisers, comfort and stowage is more important than pace.

  15. Mono vs Multihulls

    One of the key advantages of multihull vessels is that they are incredibly stable. This is because they literally have two hulls and thus a much higher beam than their monohull counterparts. Because of the dual hull design, they also tend to rock back and forth much less in wavey conditions. Another difference between a monohull vs a multihull ...

  16. Understanding monohull sailboat stability curves

    A larger AVS indicates a boat that's harder to capsize. The region of positive stability is the region in which the boat will try to right herself. The integral of the righting moment curve (i.e. the area of the green region) is an indicator of how much energy is needed to capsize her.

  17. Jeanneau Yachts 55 Review: A Roomy Monohull

    The Jeanneau 55 has the living space of a yacht that's 10 feet longer. It's also better laid out and used to maximum owner benefit. The cockpit is divided into three areas - the forward exterior salon, the helm stations amidship, and the outdoor seating areas aft. Above: A 2024 Jeanneau 55.

  18. Sailing Monohull

    The larger the sailboat is, the larger the cabins are. Bareboat monohulls range in size from 32' with 2 cabins and 1 head to 54' with 4-5 cabins and 4-5 heads. Some of the larger bareboats vessels are designed with 2-3 cabins to accommodate less people in a more spacious setting. Crewed charter monohulls start at 50', with many in the 70 ...

  19. Dynamic Stability of a Monohull in a Beam Sea

    The last post in our series on yacht stability looked at the static case. We saw that a yacht's response to heeling forces can be described by a stability curve, the shape of which tells us a lot about the boat's purpose, sailing characteristics and seaworthiness. A real yacht in a real situation is of course far from being a static case. The static stability curve is one of our best tools for ...

  20. Embrace A True Sailing Adventure: Owning a Monohull Yacht in the

    With a monohull yacht, you can fully embrace these steady winds that reliably sweep through the islands. The monohull's streamlined design allows it to harness the power of the trade winds, creating a thrilling sailing experience that lets you smoothly cruise from one anchorage to another without having to switch on the engines.

  21. Moorings 42.3

    Sailing Yachts Monohull Sailboat Moorings 42.3 - 3 Cabin Monohull - Italy Share: 8 Passengers 2 Showers ... Generous capacities for water and fuel, as well as personal gear and food storage, mean increased comfort and autonomy on the water. Shore power air conditioning provides additional comfort when docked. When it comes to performance ...

  22. Catamarans Guide: The ABCs of Multihull Boats

    A boat with one hull is a monohull and a boat with three hulls is a trimaran. Pontoon boats can be either catamarans or trimarans (sometimes called tri-toons), but can be differentiated from most other multihulls in that their hulls, or pontoons, are appendages attached to a deck (as opposed to the hulls and the structure bridging them being ...

  23. M70

    Most importantly, M70 uses nearly half the fuel of a comparable monohull yacht, meaning she delivers nearly twice the range. At a long-range speed of 12 knots, M70's 9,000 nautical mile range means that from any point of origin she can reach nearly any harbor on the globe without refueling. With an unbelievable 6,000 nautical mile "eco ...

  24. This New 131-Foot Aluminum Catamaran Has the Soul of an Explorer Yacht

    Crafted from aluminum, the 131-footer is lightweight yet rigid and robust. Featuring two sleek hulls, the vessel has a much higher beam than the average monohull and is therefore more stable in ...