singapore

What exactly is this Catamaran Yacht that your friends are telling you about? Here are some qualities of a Catamaran Yacht that will tell you more!

Many yacht enthusiasts will tell you that they are asked this question time and time again: is a catamaran (or multi-hull yacht) superior to a mono-hull? What are the major differences? As yacht enthusiasts ourselves, we thought we would break it down for you! Whether you are buying a yacht, or deciding to charter one, here are the Qualities of a Catamaran Yacht.

Pros of a Multi-hull Yacht (Catamaran)

Stability

Because of its multiple hulls, catamarans (and trimarans) have incredible stability. Whether the yacht is anchored or sailing, catamarans rarely roll around and they do not heel under way.
This stability makes catamarans the ideal yachts for first time sailors, elderly people, children, and those prone to sea-sickness.

Speed

Catamarans are typically 25-30% faster than mono-hulls of the same size. In addition, Trimarans can double the sailing speed of most mono-hulls. Furthermore, Catamarans have more maneuverability than mono-hulls due to their 2 engines being spread apart.

Space

Catamarans are much roomier than the other mono-hulls of the same size mainly because of their cockpit space, fly-bridge, deck space and below deck space. Catamarans rarely feel crowded since there is ample headroom almost everywhere on board.

Beach-ability

Catamarans and their multi-hulled yacht counterparts have incredible stability due to their beam and the extra hulls. Because of this, they have no need for a ballast or a substantial keel, which reduces their weight significantly. This makes them much lighter as compared to the mono-hulls, allowing catamarans to explore shallow waters. Most catamarans can be beached or dried out at low tide.

Safety

Catamarans are ALMOST unsinkable. Because they are so stable, harsh weather doesn’t affect it as much as it would affect a mono-hull.

Cons of a Multi-hull Yacht (Catamaran)

Size

While having ample space may be a luxurious trait, finding a spot for the catamaran might be an issue. For hard-core sailors, skippering a catamaran does not give the ‘real’ feel of sailing due to its large size. You don’t feel the boat driving through the waves in the same way that you would with a monohull.

Sailing

Catamarans do not sail well upwind and need a different technique for tacking and anchoring.

Anchoring

Anchoring a catamaran can be a little more complex. This is due to the fact that catamarans have more “windage” than monohulls, and, without keel and ballast, they have a tendency to “bob” on the water whenever a gust hits.

In Conclusion

Catamarans do seem like they have more PROS than CONS, but it all depends on what kind of yacht experience you’re looking for overall. For new timers, we would definitely suggest chartering a catamaran!

Always finding yourself envious of your friends when they travel to exotic places for vacation? Want to be like them but don’t where to start from? Here is our bucket-list of TOP dream yacht charter destinations!

If you could charter a yacht to anywhere in the world, where would it be? We can’t help but daydream about the most beautiful places in the world to travel to in a yacht, and we’d like to share our daydreams with you!

Here is a list (from Sailing Europe) of the Top Ten Yacht Charter Destinations in the World:

Greece
These islands, as a sailing destination, offer rugged beauty and thousands of years of history. The Cyclades consist of 23 large islands and 200 smaller islands. The most famous among them are Mykonos and Santorini with their white washed houses and windmills.

Croatia
One of the Mediterranean’s hidden gems, Croatia, with more than 1000 islands, is in fact a sailor’s paradise. It’s southern coasts are especially interesting as it features the ancient Greek port of Trogir or the beautiful city of Split. The Dalmatian Coast boasts the barren and isolated Kornati archipelago and other islands with centuries of history, such as Korcula, Hvar or Brac, with the ‘Golden Horn’ beach that many consider to be the most beautiful place in the whole country. For those who prefer the peace and quiet, there are plenty of other beaches without anything that might spoil the view such as hidden coves and rocky platforms.

Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Sailors are attracted to this part of Mediterranean by some of the most famous beaches in the world, secluded anchorages and quiet fishing villages. There are more than ten beaches in Palermo that are easily reachable by boat. Island hopping is also a popular activity, as is exploring Palermo.

French Riviera
The French Riviera manages to combine both the unspoiled islands, rugged inlets and fine beaches with the large cosmopolitan resorts of Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo. However, the French Riviera has a completely different other side to the coastline entirely down at the islands of Port Cros and Porquerolles where people go to as a form of escape from their everyday lives. Port Cros resembles a French Caribbean port with it’s relaxing atmosphere and palm trees. You can also head to Corsica after embarking on the Riviera, or head off into Italy along the Ligurian coast to Portofino.

Turkey
Turkey is located in the south-east of Europe and the south-west of Asia. This is a popular sailing destination that can be divided into seven geographic regions: Thrace and the borderlands of the Sea of Marmara; the Aegean and Mediterranean region; the Black Sea region; Western Anatolia; the Central Anatolian Plateau; the Eastern highlands; and South-Eastern Anatolia. Throughout its history, Turkey has been a crossroads of religions, and as such, it is often described as an open air museum so if you are not sailing, there is plenty to do and see in that place. Turkey has over 8,300 kilometers of coastline along the four seas with a multitude of coves, inlets, bays and beaches as well as a large number of marinas.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Tortola, as a yacht charter destination, comes as no surprise due to its white powdery sandy beaches, sheltered yacht harbor filled with lush green mountains. The astonishing beauty of Tortola is further enhanced by coral reefs, flood caves and stone formations. Tortola is also a perfect sailing destination due to the protecting effect of the surrounding islands which in turn results in calm seas.

Canary Islands
The Canaries have been a popular tourist destination ever since Columbus arrived here before setting sail to discover the New World. The sailing industry has boomed quickly and there is this ever increasing number of yachts either based in the islands or just visiting the marinas. This archipelago is an autonomous region of Spain. It is also divided into two provinces of Gran Canaria with the islands Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura; and Tenerife consisting of the islands of Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. The Canary Islands have lovely, sheltered marinas and boast excellent beaches.

Cuba 

The fascinating island of Cuba boasts natural beauties and rich historic and cultural background. It has a unique atmosphere that comes from the combination of it’s colonial past and it’s Amerindian and African roots. The island is surrounded by multiple islets spread across the coral reefs, white sandy beaches and deserted creeks. Cuba is everything a sailor could wish for due to its favorable climate, steady winds, natural beauty and hospitable locals. The whole coast and off-lying islands are fully accessible except for the prohibited area in the vicinity of the infamous “Bay of Pigs”, or Playa Girón.

Phuket, Thailand

This is considered to be the best sailing destination in Southeast Asia due to its extensive coastline, lush islands and beautiful rock formations. The islands of Thailand may each offer a unique beach but they share the pristine waters and tranquility. Phuket is perfect for sailing enthusiasts who want to escape the busy life and enjoy Phuket’s exotic fauna and flora, hidden coves and bays.

Mahe, Seychelles
The gorgeous tropical scenery with calm waters make Seychelles a fantastic yacht charter destination. Since Mahe is surrounded by other islands, its beaches are relatively calm and safe. Mahe is also a mountainous island with a central ridge featuring several peaks approaching 3000 feet high.

In Conclusion,

While these destinations may seem to be a little bit out of reach for us, we do currently have a promotion for a yacht charter in Phuket, which you can contact us to find out more about!

Alternatively, Singapore may not be on this list, but we do have our very own islands called the Southern Islands which are exceptionally beautiful and are definitely worth a visit! To learn more about the Southern Islands, you may visit:

www.traveltourismdirectory.com