The Disadvantages of Catamarans: What You Need to Consider
While catamarans offer exceptional stability, space, and speed, they aren’t without their drawbacks. Whether you're considering buying a catamaran or weighing up the pros and cons of multihull vs. monohull sailing, it's important to understand the limitations.
Here, we break down the key disadvantages of catamarans, from load capacity and manoeuvrability to docking costs and potential bridge deck slamming.
1. Lower Weight and Reduced Momentum
One of the defining characteristics of a catamaran is its lightweight construction. Unlike monohulls, which carry 40% or more of their weight in a deep keel, catamarans distribute weight across two hulls. This affects how they handle in several ways:
Slower to tack – Without a heavy keel, catamarans don’t carry as much momentum through a tack, making them slower to turn through the wind compared to monohulls.
Reduced coasting ability – If you’re trying to glide up to a mooring or hold position with minimal power, a catamaran’s light weight means you lose speed faster than a monohull.
Sailors coming from monohulls may find catamarans feel less "forgiving" in terms of handling, requiring more precise adjustments to maintain control.
2. Limited Load-Carrying Capacity
Unlike monohulls, catamarans don’t handle heavy loads well. If you plan to take a large amount of gear on a long voyage, this can become a problem.
Adding 10% of a catamaran’s weight can reduce its speed by up to 10%.
Overloading a catamaran can affect performance, stability, and fuel efficiency.
While catamarans provide more living space, storage is not always as ample as it appears.
For cruisers who like to carry extensive provisions, spares, and gear, a catamaran might not be the best choice unless carefully managed.
3. Bridge Deck Slamming in Poorly Designed Models
Bridge deck clearance plays a critical role in catamaran comfort. In poorly designed catamarans, the bridge deck is too low, causing wave slamming when sailing into rough conditions.
What is bridge deck slamming?
When sailing upwind or in choppy seas, waves can hit the underside of the bridge deck, creating a loud and uncomfortable pounding sensation.
How to avoid it?
Choose a catamaran with a higher bridge deck clearance to reduce the likelihood of slamming.
Be aware that longer bridge decks tend to slam more, especially in rough weather.
While modern designs have improved significantly, this remains a key factor to consider when selecting a catamaran.
4. Higher Marina & Docking Fees
Catamarans take up more space than monohulls, meaning they are often charged higher docking fees in marinas.
Many marinas charge 20–40% more to accommodate a catamaran.
Due to their width, catamarans are often assigned end-of-dock ("T-head") spaces, which may be less protected in certain conditions.
If you plan to spend a lot of time in marinas, factor in these higher costs when budgeting for a catamaran.
5. Capsize Concerns: A Rare But Notable Risk
One of the biggest concerns people associate with catamarans is capsizing. While this is often overstated, it’s still important to understand the risk.
Modern, well-designed catamarans are extremely stable and will not capsize in normal conditions.
However, unlike a monohull, a capsized catamaran will not self-right.
Proper sail reefing and avoiding overloading are key to preventing instability in extreme weather.
While capsizing is an extremely rare occurrence, it’s something all catamaran sailors should be aware of and prepared for.
Final Thoughts: Are the Disadvantages Dealbreakers?
While catamarans come with certain trade-offs, many of these disadvantages can be mitigated with the right design choices and sailing techniques.
If you value ease of handling, better load-carrying, and lower docking fees, a monohull might be the better choice.
If you prioritise stability, comfort, and speed, a catamaran’s advantages will likely outweigh the drawbacks.
If you're looking to improve your multihull sailing skills or want expert guidance on choosing the right catamaran, join one of our sailing courses and learn from experienced skippers.
