Catamarans, both sail and power typically have the same layouts, and these layouts are much different to the more traditional monohull yachts. Catamarans are constructed with two hulls connected by a rectangular deck area. The hulls, or pontoons, are large enough to hold full size cabins and bathrooms. The deck area in between is big enough to house a large master cabin, saloon and galley. The catamaran will be as well built and tastefully finishedas any monohull yacht.

A catamaran has many benefits and is a good choice for your first yacht charter. A catamaran has more space available than a similar length monohull, is more stable and steady when at sea and needs less water to sail in. Because of the two hulls each with cabins and the large deck area with the master cabin a catamaran can carry more people or have more space available for the same amount of people as a monohull. The space between the hulls in front of the deck area normally has a net stretch across it which alows you to lay or sit on offering even more space. You may have seen pictures or film clips of high performance racing catamarans with only one pontoon in the water and heeled over but that wont happen on the catamaran you will charter. They are very stable with both pontoons remaining in the water, this makes it easier to move around and relax.

In many locations that you might sail during your yacht charter vacation, such as the Bahamas, some places are out of reach as there isnt enough depth of water for a monohull yacht to safely float. But with a catamaran you only typically need a quarter of the depth of water so many more shallow anchorages, harbours and cays are available.

f you have never considered chartering a yacht before or may be your wife is unsure and needs persuading then a catamaran is an ideal choice to find your sealegs. Pricewise a sailing catamaran will work out cheaper than a motor yacht and will have a lot more space. They are also ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling because of easy access to the water.

Catamarans with out sails are known as powercats and have all the same attributes as sailiong catamarans mentioned earlier. As their popularity increases so does the number of available boats for charter. People who charter yacts are not intrepid ocean sailors but are people who want as much space available for the best price and, in most cases, a safe and stable yacht. That is why they are becoming so much more popular.

One point to bare in mind however is that catamarans have a greater beam, are wider, than monohulls which makes them unpopular in some marinas or small harbours. You are quite likely to spend more nights at anchor rather than alongside. That is not problem in itself as you can easily get ashore in the catamarans tender or jolly boat. My friend spends four months each summer cruising in his monohull and the yacht never touches a jetty in all that time. All water, fuel and food is transported out in the yacht tender and it is easy to go ashore to dine and socialise as necessary.

Yes catamarans are good value and enjoyable and many are available up to 70-80 feet. Catamarans are also available as larger luxury and megayachts.

Bruce Walls is an author and webmaster. Read more at YachtCharterReview