Why choose a catamaran?

With Powercats increasing in popularity there’s no question that catamarans offer many advantages over monohulled boats. Once you truly understand why you should choose a catamaran over a monohull you won’t look back. Read about the advantages of a cat below or read our short blog post on why buy a cat.

Stability

A Powercat’s twin hulls focus the buoyancy around the outside of the boat, rather than in the middle, creating much greater stability. Wide beam monohulls do exist and they can provide a smooth ride. They do, however, produce a much greater wetted surface, which produces more drag and consequently affects fuel economy. The flatter deadrise of a beamy monohulled boat also compromises its rough water attributes and dryness from bow spray.

A Smooth and Stable Ride

Underway, a well-designed Powercat, whether of a planing, semi-displacement or displacement hull type, will produce a much smoother and stable ride than the average monohull. With its dual-hull configuration, a Powercat minimizes roll and provides enhanced comfort in choppy waters, making it ideal for both leisure cruising and offshore adventures.

Twin Engine Reliability

Should you lose power in one engine you can get home safely on the other and with many setups still get the boat on the plane. The independent steering means you still track straight and turn with ease getting you home safely. Match this with independent fuel tanks and starter batteries for even greater peace of mind.

Air cushion effect

A Powercat at speed gains lift and cushioning from spray and air being pressured through between the hulls. As well, there is the advantage of two narrow hulls slicing smoothly through the waves.

Usable Space

More beam means more useable space inside a Powercat, and around the decks. Without the ‘pointed’ shape of the bow of a monohull, a Powercat gains considerable deck space forward.

In larger catamarans the separate hulls create two separate spaces that can be thought of as two accommodation wings.

Safety

With its dual-hull design, a Powercat offers superior stability, drastically reducing the risk of rolling, even in rough seas. The wide stance of the twin hulls spreads the vessel’s weight over a larger surface area, which improves buoyancy and reduces side-to-side motion. This enhanced stability not only ensures a smoother, more comfortable ride but also makes the Powercat a safer choice in unpredictable conditions, offering greater resistance to capsizing compared to monohull designs. Whether you’re leisure cruising or embarking on an offshore adventure, the Powercat provides a safer, more stable experience for all aboard.

Economy

Published trials have shown that between a planing Powercat and a planing monohull there is very little difference. The cat takes a little more power to get up on the plane but then tends to run more efficiently once on the plane.

Great use of underfloor areas

Two hulls also offer greater use of underfloor areas – all space can be used for berths, tankage, refrigeration and accessible stowage

Displacement Hulls

The Powercat with displacement hulls is a different beast altogether. Depending on the hull sizes it is not unusual for ultra efficient speeds well in excess of 20 knots to be achieved in the economical displacement mode. Hence the proliferation of large catamaran ferries in service all over the world.

Load Carrying

Powercats excel at carrying significantly greater loads without compromising stability or performance. The wide stance and buoyancy provided by the dual-hull configuration distribute weight more evenly, preventing the sluggishness and instability that can occur with overloaded monohulls. In contrast, an overloaded monohull can become dangerously unstable, compromising both safety and handling. Whether you’re transporting gear, provisions, or passengers, a Powercat maintains its balance and performance, ensuring a safer and more reliable experience.

Maneuverability

A Powercat excels in maneuverability, even out-performing a twin-engine monohull due to its widely spaced props. This unique configuration allows a Powercat to execute precise movements, including the ability to spin 360 degrees within its own length, making docking and tight-space navigation significantly easier and more controlled.

Dryness

Under way you cannot beat a Powercat for dryness. The narrow hulls slice through the water throwing minimal amounts of water up for the wind to toss back at you.

Haulouts, Marinas & Beaching

Shipyards tend to like hauling out a catamaran because they can be sat on blocks and require no lateral support. Smaller Powercats with outboards can be easily beached.

Cost Efficiency and Space advantages

Building two hulls for a Powercat naturally involves higher construction costs compared to a monohull of similar length due to the additional material and labour required. However, the extra space and stability of a Powercat more than makeup for this. It’s commonly said that a 10-metre Powercat compares in size to a 12-metre monohull, and for smaller models, like a 5-metre Powercat, you’ll enjoy the space and usability closer to that of a 6.5 metre monohull. So, if your purchase decision is based on available deck and internal space, a Powercat offers superior value for money, providing more room for less when compared length-for-length.

Sea Trial

The ultimate test as to the merits of a Powercat is a sea trial, get in touch today to see about getting a sea trial