Many People wonder which to charter for their holiday, a sail boat or a catamaran. We will try to explain the pros and cons of each. There was a time when people only chartered just sailboats because there were no catamarans on offer. These days, the situation is quite a bit different, and many more people are choosing catamarans.
Let’s start with sailboats. When you think of a boating holiday, the first thing that comes to mind is a sailboat (open sails, the wind, and a nice lagoon).
Here are some of the benefits of chartering a sailboat:
- Generally, sailboats are cheaper to charter
- They have just one hull and are lighter, automatically making them much better for sailing
- It’s easier to find a place to dock because they are not so wide
- They cannot capsize because of the deep heavy keel
- They are better for sailing in difficult weather situations
- Their fuel and docking costs are lower
Some downsides to chartering a sailboat:
- They are less comfortable and there is less space
- You usually get a smaller tender with a smaller outboard engine, making it difficult to operate when there are too many people to safely and comfortably fit in the tender
- Usually there is no generator or AC in smaller sailboats
Here’s a little about catamarans. These days, catamarans are slowly gut surely gaining an edge over sailboats. The boating industry has figured out that lots of people prefer comfort over adrenalin and pure sailing while on a boating holiday—it is a holiday after all, not a race! The industry has learned that if you are going on holiday with your family, you probably prefer a boat that is comfortable, easier to sail, and safer.
Some benefits of chartering a catamaran:
- They have more space and are more comfortable
- You usually get one with a generator and AC
- You can sail, and you get a better and bigger tender
- More space in the salon (living room) and cabins (bedrooms)
Some downsides to chartering a catamaran:
- They are more expensive to charter
- The fuel and docking costs are much higher
- Sometimes it is difficult to find a place to dock for the night (because they are wider)
- They are not so comfortable in bad weather