Catamaran or monohull? How to choose a boat for your sailing holiday

The short answer

A sailing trip on a catamaran generally costs 15–30 per cent more per person than the same trip on a monohull, both in Croatia and in Greece.

That's because the boat is only part of what you pay for. Flights, transfers, skipper, host, breakfast, lunch and drinks on board cost the same whichever hull you sleep in. The only difference is the boat, and that cost is shared by everyone on board.

Why does the catamaran cost more?

Catamarans are the most sought-after and the first to be fully booked, both with us and across the Mediterranean. They also cost more to run, since two hulls mean two engines and twice as much to maintain. What you get for your money is more space, more stability and more comfort on board.

What it feels like on board

The price difference says nothing about which boat is better, only what it costs. The fun part – and the important part – is that the two types of boat offer completely different experiences.

The catamaran

The first thing you notice is that everything stays still. A catamaran barely heels, whether at anchor or under way. Your coffee cup stays on the table, you walk straight across the deck without holding on, and the worry about seasickness that many people bring with them usually disappears on the very first day. For first-time sailors, families with children and anyone a little unsteady on their feet, it can be the difference between a good week and a fantastic one.

Then there's the layout. The saloon is level with the cockpit, so the group stays together even when some prefer to sit inside. Nobody disappears below deck. There's a foredeck to lie on, an aft deck to eat on and plenty of corners to retreat to with a book. The cabins are in separate hulls, giving a level of privacy that's hard to find on a monohull. That's especially appreciated when two families or a group of friends share a boat.

The monohull

On a monohull you get closer to the sailing. The boat heels and cuts through the water, and you feel the wind with your whole body. For those who have sailed before, or want to learn, that's the whole point: the boat responds, there's trimming to be done and always something to do. A monohull also sails closer to the wind, so we can sail in conditions where the catamaran needs help from the engine.

Life on board is more close-knit. The spaces are smaller, so the whole group more often sits together in the cockpit, whereas on a catamaran it's easier to spread out. Many describe the atmosphere on a monohull as cosier and more like a family. It isn't worse, just different.

A narrow boat finds space more easily in busy harbours, which is an advantage in high season when the harbours in Croatia and Greece fill up.

Which one suits you?

Choose a catamaran if you're a family with children, a group with mixed sailing experience, or if someone on board is worried about seasickness. It works well when there are lots of you and you want plenty of room, or when you simply want the week to be more about swimming, sunshine and good company than sailing.

Choose a monohull if the sailing itself is a big part of the trip and you want to feel the boat heel and work. It's a good choice if you're travelling solo or in a small group and want to keep the price down, or if you like the idea of a closer-knit community on board.

Not sure?
We know which boats sail on which departures, and we've seen enough groups on board to know what tends to work. Sometimes the answer is neither a catamaran nor a monohull, but a particular boat in a particular week. Get in touch and we'll help you find the right one.

Find your departure
Prices vary by destination, season and boat and change throughout the year. You can always see current prices on each departure when you search for a trip.