They say that two heads are better than one and in most cases that is true. That is because you have two brains analyzing a situation instead of just one. This statement isn’t always true but when it comes to boats it is.
In general, a catamaran is safer than a monohull vessel of a similar size. Catamarans are safer because their additional hulls enhance their stability on the water. However, the extra hull makes catamarans bulkier than monohulls, so they are less maneuverable and may struggle to enter tight spaces.
Is a catamaran safer than a monohull boat? You have to keep reading to find the answer. We do know that a catamaran is more expensive than a monohull but is that extra expense worth it. Continue reading to find out.
What are catamarans and monohulls?
Before venturing into which is safer, it is a good idea to make sure everyone knows what types of boats are being compared. The monohull is a single hull boat. Mono means one and there is only one hull.
Not only is this the most used boat design, it is also the cheapest of the options you can buy in a boat. The reason for its lower price is that there is only one hull. One hull costs less to build than the alternatives.
While the word cat does not equal or mean two, a catamaran is a boat that has 2 hulls. These hulls are exactly the same size and in most cases, provide you with more room down below than a monohull will.
The extra space provides more comfort for those who like to sail as a family. Also, a catamaran is a sailboat and while it has more space than many monohulls, it won’t compete with yachts or larger vessels.
What is the advantage of a catamaran?
This will actually depend on your point of view as no matter how many positives that come with a catamaran, some people like their monohull vessel and won’t even admit theirs is a lesser boat.
Here are some factors that make the catamaran the better of the two boats:
#1. Space– with two hulls you get double the space inside and down below. That space allows for more comfortable beds, a better galley, and other advantages. The monohull has most of its space below the waterline making it hard to see what is happening outside or on deck.
The lack of space in a monohull gives a point to the catamaran.
#2. Stability– This is another category where the catamaran tops the monohull boat. The more hulls the more stability you get when you are out on the water. Rough waters and weather are easier to handle in a catamaran than in a monohull boat.
#3. Comfort– more room provides you with more comfort, larger beds, larger rooms, and even separation from the captain and the crew. Monohulls just cannot compete in this category.
#4. Speed– with two hulls you get two rudders and two motors. With the extra motor you can still power your way to shore when one breaks down. Also, you can outrun bad weather faster when you have two motors helping you.
With a monohull, you usually only have room for one motor and while that motor is good, one cannot beat two in this instance.
#5. Pounding & slapping– this is the category where monohulls shine. There is not much pounding and slapping going on in this craft as there is on a catamaran. The pounding and slapping are seen by many catamaran users as annoying and a very negative attribute.
Monohull boats sail smoother, especially upwind, than a catamaran can.
#6. Maneuvering and docking– this category may be a tie as while catamarans have two rudders to dock easier, the monohull is easier to maneuver. The reason for that is because the monohull is smaller than a catamaran in most cases.
#7. Price– again the monohull will have the advantage here as when you have two of everything, the price doubles. A catamaran is more expensive than a monohull for that simple reason.
Plus, the catamaran has more space for more features, and the more features you add, the higher the cost.
Are catamarans safe for ocean crossing?
The answer to this question is in the positive. Yes, catamarans are safe for ocean crossings and usually are safer than monohulls of the same size or smaller. There are several reasons why this is so.
First, you have all those advantages just discussed working for you. There is the extra speed, greater stability, better motion comfort, and last but not least, better buoyancy.
Second, the catamaran has a smaller draft than the monohull making it easier to get closer to shore when bad weather strikes. Then, it is hard to tip over a catamaran than a monohull which is only one positive aspect in this situation.
When a monohull tips over, the weight and the lead inside have a tendency to drag you and the boat to the bottom of the sea. When a catamaran tips over, it does not have that extra weight nor the lead, so it stays on top of the water. That provides you with a safe haven when you find yourself in trouble.
Third, if you can afford it, you can buy a catamaran with an enclosed cockpit. This protects you from the elements making it easier to navigate across the ocean waters. There are other features, like the two motors that make this craft very safe to use when you want to cross an ocean.
Do catamarans flip easily?
No, and in fact, catamarans handle rough weather far better than monohull boats. Their lower displacement is just one factor in making this craft hard to tip over. The design of the boat makes it very difficult for rough seas to swamp or tip the boat over.
The main reason why this is so is because of the two hulls. These two hulls create what is called a channel between them. This channel acts as a pressure release valve which helps stop rogue waves from sinking the craft or flipping it over.
On the other hand, most monohull boats have ballast added to them in order to keep them lower in the water. While monohull boats are good at handling rough weather, any influence, like water in the boat, can upset the delicate balance and flip the boat.
When that happens, that ballast will also be dragging the boat down under the water. Then even though catamarans do not have this extra ballast, they remain more buoyant because the two hulls balance each other out.
The extra width also aids in keeping the catamaran afloat and prevents flipping.
Catamaran and monohull important facts
#1. Because of the two hulls, the catamaran has double the maintenance that needs to be done.
#2. More cabins in the catamaran but also more toilets and sinks to clean
#3. Two engines provide some security, if one goes down, the other will still be able to power you to safety. Not so with the monohull. When its sole engine goes down, you do not have that security blanket
#4. The catamaran generally has more space than a monohull and that extra space allows you to enjoy more activities even when docked
#5. A monohull has less area to keep clean inside
#6. There is more privacy in a catamaran than in a monohull craft and not just for sleeping either.
#7. Swimming and diving is easier on a catamaran than on a monohull
#8. The monohull boat sits deeper in the water making it bad for shallow water. You can get closer to shore with a catamaran than you can with a monohull.
#9. Some monohulls are designed to right themselves when capsized. Catamarans can’t always be righted even though they are more buoyant
#10. With less water resistance, the catamaran is usually faster than a monohull. Also, bow waves are not much of a problem won a catamaran as they are on a monohull.
#11. Fuel costs may even out on a catamaran. While you pay for more fuel to fill up the tanks on both motors, less fuel is used during operation because it takes less energy to move a catamaran through the water.
Are catamarans better than monohulls?
This is a question you have to decide for yourself. You have been given as many facts as possible in this short space and in the end, you have to decide which type of boat fits your sailing needs.
Both types of crafts have their fair share of positives and negatives which tend to make them about even when it comes time to decide which is better. The cost of the monohull is a very influential factor as catamarans are very expensive.
Each boat serves its purpose well and both can be said to be top-notch watercraft. The answer to which is better is up to you.
Some final words
Which boat you pick and use is up to your purpose and the size of family you have. The catamaran serves larger families better but not every one needs large boat to go sailing.
