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Custom omaya 50 power catamaran.

• US$1,990,000
• Fort Lauderdale

Balance 482

• US$1,675,000
• Saint Augustine

Balance 442

• US$1,380,000

Privilege Series 5

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Exclusive TMC Listings

Custom trimarine gp 70.

• US$7,763,000
• US$2,522,975
• Cruising Croatia

Voyage Yachts 590

• US$2,199,000

Knysna 550 F

• US$1,799,000

Power Catamaran

• US$1,774,880
• US$1,495,000
• US$1,475,000

Catana OC 50

• US$1,474,172
• Canet en Roussillon
• Saint George

Privilege 510

• US$1,299,000

Custom Current Marine 46

• US$1,295,000
• Port Washington

Xquisite Yachts X5

• US$1,225,000

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Meet the Team

Will miller charleston, south carolina.

Captain Will Miller is President and CEO of The Multihull Company. Will grew up in Virginia and learned to sail in the Chesapeake Bay. He has lived in Charleston since 2001 and knows the city well. Throughout his life Will’s parents have owned a variety of sail, ski, and fishing boats in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, the Carolinas, and the Caribbean. Family vacations included chartering in the Virgin...

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Andrew Holland Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Andrew Holland is the COO of The Multihull Company and is an avid catamaran enthusiast. He began working at The Multihull Company in 2007 after graduating from Temple University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Marketing. Before joining TMC in 2007, Andrew worked for Philadelphia Media Holdings on the Philly.com production team and freelanced for several major magazines around the country. After joining the The Multihull Company...

Lynn Miller Charleston, South Carolina

Lynn Marie Miller was born into a family with several generations of professional mariners who traversed the globe by sea. She was raised in Charleston, SC by her local sportfishing legend father, and perennial 1st mate mother, who instilled a passion and respect for the world's oceans. With salt water flowing through her veins Lynn became an avid angler, surfer, and boating enthusiast as soon as she learned to swim....

Courtney Greider Charleston, South Carolina

Courtney Greider is the Director of Sales and Marketing for The Multihull Company, located at our branch in Charleston, SC. Courtney discovered her love for boating and marina life over twenty years ago, working through college as a dock assistant at the Charleston City Marina. In these years as marina concierge to every variety of boating clientele – from the most extravagant to the most humble - she found an...

Lee Evans Charleston, South Carolina

Lee Evans is the Sales and Marketing Manager for The Multihull Company, located at our branch in Charleston, SC. Lee is passionate about being out on the water and has operated vessels all over the world from the Bering Sea to the Caribbean. He also holds a 100-ton captains license and has worked with individuals to gain confidence and proficiency in their newly purchased vessels. Lee enlisted in the U.S....

Andrew Hodgdon St Augustine, Florida

Andrew grew up sailing his father's Hobie Cat and transitioned that into a long career as a USCG licensed captain in the yachting industry. Working his way up from his college years as a sailing instructor to a position as a private yacht captain aboard a Gunboat 57, he brings with him a comprehensive knowledge of catamarans and the cruising life. His career has taken him from his home waters...

Conor Dugan 1936 Harbortown Dr, , Florida

Conor was born and raised in a small beach town in New Jersey and began sailing Optimists competitively at a young age. He and his family relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina during his highschool years, where his interest in sailing bloomed into a lifelong passion. In the summer he transferred between schools, Conor’s family sent him on a month-long catamaran sailing excursion from Grenada to St. Lucia with Broadreach Excursions....

Alexis de Boucaud Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Alexis grew up racing dinghies in the waters of Brittany, France. He immigrated to the United States as a young man and developed his interest in offshore cruising and racing in New England and the Bahamas. Alexis began his professional yachting career as a charter captain sailing the storied seas of French Polynesia on a Fountaine-Pajot Marquises 56 catamaran. There he developed a talent for sharing and communicating his love...

Caroline Laviolette Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

I learned how to walk on a boat. I've cruised, raced and lived aboard in my youth. I too share your dream of perfect afternoon sails and secluded anchorages. I started as a yacht broker in 2000 and have had the opportunity to work with clients in the purchase and sale of almost every type of cruising catamaran on the water today. I have helped hundreds of clients purchase yachts...

Cynthia Wummer Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

The Multihull Company is excited to announce the addition of Cynthia Wummer to its team of brokers in Fort Lauderdale. Cynthia delivers lasting value for her clients as a genuine sailboat specialist. Her vast racing and cruising resumé bears a depth of knowledge that creates a winning connection. Cynthia says, “Some people come to the buying process with next-to-no experience, while others are extremely qualified cruisers looking for their next-level...

Mike grew up on the Delaware River and Jersey shore where he spent as much time as possible on the water wakeboarding, kite surfing, and surfing. It wasn’t until his late 20’s that he discovered sailing when he and his brother refit a Bob Perry monohull and sailed from New England to New Zealand. After the trip across the Pacific, he knew a catamaran was in the cards.  After years of...

Dunbar Lewis Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Captain Dunbar Lewis is a seasoned yacht broker with a rich and varied sailing background that spans several decades and continents. His maritime journey began as a teenager windsurfing on his local dam, evolving into a passion for racing dinghies and keelboats in Table Bay, South Africa. This early experience laid the foundation for a distinguished career in sailing and yacht brokerage. Dunbar’s adventurous spirit and expertise were further demonstrated...

Cal Landau West Palm Beach, Florida

Cal grew up in Pennsylvania, spending every summer since born on the rivers, on houseboats, speedboats and did some serious water skiing with his brothers before diverting to racing rally cars for almost 30 years winning two National Championships driving for Dominos Pizza. His next career path took him to become an international award winning wedding and portrait photographer. It was in that time Cal’s father, who was a live...

Michael Streng Florida Keys, Florida

Michael Streng grew up in Ohio where his love of the outdoors and water developed at an early age on ski boats with his family. This love affair for being on the water has blossomed today so that Mike, his wife, Melanie, and their two cats spend a significant amount of time on their catamaran, a Leopard 46, serving the Florida Keys. When not sailing, Mike can be found water-skiing,...

Josie Tucci St. Petersburg, Florida

Josie Tucci is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the marine industry. Originally hailing from the UK, Josie embarked on her sales and marketing career in France with Dufour Yachts. Her journey then led her across the Atlantic to the US, where she made significant contributions to The Moorings Yacht Ownership and Leopard Catamarans. Josie's expertise in the catamaran sector deepened during her tenure as VP...

Karl Reed Annapolis, Maryland

Captain Karl Reed is one of The Multihull Company’s youngest brokers but is perhaps one of the most ambitious and hardworking. Karl not only has over 70,000 nautical miles under his belt but he is also a co-founder of Rhea Yacht Management, which operates on the US East Coast and in the Caribbean. As a kid, Karl spent his formative years going to sailing camps along the Potomac River, near...

Alan Prater Hampton Roads, Virginia

Meet Alan Prater, a highly experienced and skilled yacht broker and maritime training professional. Growing up in Arkansas, Alan developed a love for being on the water at a young age. He spent his childhood kneeboarding, wakeboarding, and playing sports on the lakes, before joining the United States Navy at 18. During his 22 years in the Navy, Alan had the opportunity to drive and be assigned to various sized...

Riley Dunn Charleston, South Carolina

Riley Dunn's journey from the inland city of Florence, South Carolina, to the coastal waters of California and beyond has been a testament to his passion for sailing and maritime life. While vacationing in Charleston, he discovered the thrill of sailing the harbor, and exploring the Atlantic down to the Bahamas. Upon graduating with a degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, Riley embarked on a professional journey...

Matthew Dunning Tacoma, Washington

Matthew brings 30 years experience cruising multihulls on Puget Sound and points north to the TMC brokerage team. Along with his practical knowledge of multihull designs and seamanship, Matthew is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in Geography. He has 14 years of experience with TMC and an intimate knowledge of the Northwest’s unique maritime geography that he describes as, “One of the world’s most beautiful, intricate, and...

George Ottoni

Born in Long Island, New York, George Ottoni is the first generation Brazilian-American in his family. His father shared his love for sailing with his young son with a fleet of seven model sailboats. Years of racing at New York’s annual Central Park Regatta resulted in a New York Times story depicting their boat in the lead, turning back halfway, and still finishing in 3rdplace. George became “hooked” on boating...

Chris Rundlett L ‘Anse Espines, Grenada,

Chris Rundlett’s first sailing adventure was on a small Sunfish owned by the U.S. Coast Guard where his father was stationed in North Dakota. There was plenty of wind – but not much water! Since then he dreamed of bigger horizons and sailed whenever he had the chance. Chris is a true son of a sailor. Chris started his maritime career teaching USCG Captains Licensing courses in the Pacific Northwest....

Chrystal Young L ‘Anse Espines, Grenada,

As owners of a sailing school, it quickly became evident that many people learning to sail also want to buy boats! The partnership with The Multihull Company and LTD Sailing in beautiful Port Louis Marina is a natural progression to complete the circle of services offered in Grenada and the Grenadines. Do what you love! Sailing and sailboats are at the top of the list of Chrystal’s passions and now...

Paco Montaner Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Captain Francisco “Paco” Montaner was born and raised on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Captain Paco, as most know him, has been sailing the Caribbean waters from an early age. Having worked in almost every aspect, Paco now holds a solid grasp over many concepts within the maritime industry. Paco began performing offshore crossings in his early 20’s and has never stopped. He is known to have sailed over...

Charles Badoian Bastimentos Island, Panama,

At 12 years old Charles told his mom he wanted to live on a boat and that dream became a reality at 35 when he moved onboard a baby trimaran full time. Growing up in Greece and moving back to the USA for highschool and college, Charles has never veered far from the water. After a decade in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas, Charles is now based in Bocas...

Jaryd Forbes Chaguaramas, Carenage, Trinidad

Growing up in Trinidad & Tobago, Jaryd Forbes love of the ocean started at a very young age. Travelling aboard his Fathers Lagoon 42 “Delphini”, Jaryd developed a thorough knowledge and affinity for crafts of all types as well as ocean faring. With experience ranging from power to sailboats of all models and sizes, and assisting with pre-purchase surveys and deliveries, he possesses an intimate knowledge of his native Trinidad...

Bernard Tarres Port-Pin-Rolland,

Meet Bernard Tarres, a yacht sales expert with a passion for catamarans and a long history in the maritime industry. At the age of 16, he discovered his love for sailing while in Brittany and spent several years honing his skills at sailing schools. At 18, he purchased his own Hobbie Cat 16 and raced along the French and Italian coastlines. From 1986 to 1990, he served as a permanent...

Jean Gerber Port-Pin-Rolland,

Jean was born in 1985 in Toulouse where he grew up on the family farm with four sisters.   Although he was far from the sea, he discovered sailing at the age of 6, thanks to am uncle and mentor who at that time owned a 30 feet wooden monohull and ran a sailing school near La Rochelle.   He was hooked right away and spent all of his childhood...

Zvonimir Kalinic Rijeka, Croatia,

Meet Zvonimir, also known as "Zee," a catamaran broker at The Multihull Company with a decade of experience in yacht brokerage. Hailing from the Island of Krk, Croatia's largest island, Zvonimir's adventurous spirit found its perfect match along the stunning coast of the Adriatic Sea. Zvonimir's love for the sea began with scuba diving and exploring beautiful underwater locations. Alongside sailing, underwater photography, spearfishing, and playing the guitar, he found...

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Recent News

The multihull company opens a new office on florida’s gulf coast.

The Multihull Company is pleased to announce that Josie Tucci has joined its team of expert yacht brokers in the Gulf Coast. Josie brings over 25 years of experience in the marine industry, with a strong focus on catamarans.Josie's career began in France with Dufour Yachts, where she honed her sales and marketing skills. She then transitioned to the US,...

Sailing the Tao 452

Join Multihull Company Broker Captain Conor Dugan as he takes the helm aboard ‘Moxie’ in the azure waters of the Bahamas, to see how the Tao 452 performs under sail with a full cruising payload. https://youtu.be/V2scHvqn5vI?si=kuLwjFCYQdFj0_KW

THE MULTIHULL COMPANY ANNOUNCED AS DISTRIBUTOR FOR OMAYA YACHTS

The Multihull Company is thrilled to announce its appointment as the exclusive distributor for Omaya Yachts, an exciting new brand of Power Catamarans built with precision at the esteemed Elica Yard in Silastra, Bulgaria. This exciting new partnership further solidifies The Multihull Company's position as a premier distributor in the maritime industry, offering clients unparalleled access to cutting-edge vessels designed...

6 Great Starter Catamarans

In early 2023, Cruising World approached us to seek our opinion on recommending a couple of brokerage catamaran options for first time catamaran buyers to consider when they first stepping into the catamaran market. Here are six boats hand-picked by The Multihull Company’s president and CEO, Capt. Will Miller, as excellent choices for brokerage-catamaran seekers. These are all worth a...

The Multihull Company Named Exclusive Dealer for Dolphin Catamarans and their New Model, the Dolphin 380

The Multihull Company, the world’s leader in multihull sales and service is excited to announce that it has been named the exclusive dealer for Dolphin Catamarans, a premier builder of high-quality catamarans, and their newest model, the Dolphin 380, designed by Philippe Pouvreau. "We are thrilled to be working with Dolphin Catamarans again and to be able to offer their...

Join Us At The 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show Aboard The Current Marine 46

The Multihull Company is thrilled to participate in the 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show, held from October 10 – 14, 2024 in downtown Annapolis, Maryland. The Annapolis Boat Show is a highly anticipated annual event that brings together boating enthusiasts, industry professionals, and maritime aficionados from around the world. Visitors to the Annapolis Sailboat Show can look forward to an exclusive...

The Multihull Company Announces the Sale of the First Pre-Owned Balance 482

The Multihull Company is pleased to announce the closing on the Balance 482 "SeaLife" We wanted to take a moment and thank her new owners on their amazing new catamaran, and to also congratulate our team handling the sale. TMC agent Andrew Hodgdon successfully represented the buyers on the sale of the vessel, while TMC CEO Will Miller represented the...

Introducing the Tao 452: On Display At The Annapolis Boat Show October 12 – 15, 2023

The Multihull Company is thrilled to unveil the new Tao 452, an exciting addition to the world of blue-water performance cruising catamarans. Meticulously engineered and crafted to perfection, the Tao 452 is set to redefine the catamaran experience for sailors worldwide. If you've ever felt the need for more sailing performance from your current production charter catamaran or been disappointed...

Join Us At The Annapolis Boat Show Aboard the Voyage 590

The Multihull Company is excited to announce its participation in this year's Annapolis Sailboat Show. The event will be held from October 12 - 15, 2023 in downtown Annapolis, and The Multihull Company will be showcasing the exquisite Voyage 590 catamaran from Voyage Yachts. The Annapolis Boat Show is a highly anticipated annual event that brings together boating enthusiasts, industry...

THE MULTIHULL COMPANY ANNOUNCED AS DEALER FOR THE VOYAGE 590

The Multihull Company is pleased to announce their appointment as a dealer for Voyage Yachts and their new model – the Voyage 590!  The Voyage 590 is being celebrated as the ultimate, luxury sailing catamaran with all the comforts of home surrounded by panoramic views of paradise. She maximizes luxury accommodation and comfort, with the performance and blue-water capability characteristic...

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We take pride in our happy customers

Andrew, and Andrew are both fantastic. Transaction was smooth and professional highly recommend the team over at Multihull.

— Paul Fosler

I just purchased my first large boat (my dreamboat) and Michael Streng and the rest of TMC was amazing! I really felt like I was a VIP customer because they were fast and easy to communicate with and worked ahead of me. It really was a treat and I would use them again any day!

— Collin Simmons

Andrew Hodgdon and The Multihull Company have done an extraordinary job facilitating the sale of our catamaran. There were a couple of challenges (geography and timing) that made this sale a little tricky, but, as usual, Andrew was amazing. I’ve been buying and selling cruising boats for over 12 years and Andrew is, without a doubt, the best broker I’ve worked with.

— Mort Orlov

Andrew Hodgdon at TMC-St. Augustine kept us thoroughly informed during the sale of our boat and took the extra steps necessary to complete the deal. His knowledge of the process made a complex deal very easy. Needless to say, we are extremely happy and satisfied with the job that Andrew did.

— David Baxter

A shout out to Andrew Holland at the TMC main office, who handled the closing transaction of the sale of our boat. Very professional and thorough. Thank you!!

Trust & Expertise About Us

Successful relationships cannot exist without it. At The Multihull Company we base every relationship on a firm commitment to earning and retaining our client’s trust.

Advice of any kind is valuable only when grounded in hard-won expertise. It too, must be trustworthy. Trust and expertise define the heart and soul of The Multihull Company. We are a team of skilled professionals who thrive on providing expert, trustworthy advice and service to catamaran and trimaran sailors around the globe.

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YACHTS FOR SALE

The catamaran company; a 35 year legacy of excellence.

Our exquisite fleet of newly built 5-star luxury catamarans, anchored at our opulently maintained base, offers:

Complimentary champagne upon arrival complimentary wi-fi complimentary stand-up paddle board genset air conditioning snorkeling equipment & extra beach towels superior cotton sheets and duvet set with memory foam mattress pad, as well as extra bedding eco-care body care products.

SEA BREEZE (54 ft)

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Nauti By Nature II (52 ft)

Sea Runner II (52 ft)

Out Of The Blue (50 ft)

CattyShack (48 ft)

Blue Vibes (47 ft)

Breezin (46 ft)

Cool Breeze (46 ft)

Sea Dog (46 ft)

Sea The World (45 ft)

Sea Runner IV (45 ft)

Peace Out (45 ft)

Sea Runner III (45 ft)

Our Classic Fleet of meticulously maintained catamarans invites you to experience our luxurious base. Additional items may be obtained through our preferred vendors for an additional purchase below:

Wi-fi access stand-up paddle boards snorkeling equipment provisioning supplies.

LUNA MIA (45 ft)

Here and Now (44 ft)

Hard Deck (42 ft)

TropiCat (40 ft)

Untethered (40 ft)

Yamas (40 ft)

Windermere (40 ft)

Pinnacle Cat (40 ft)

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Catamaran Yachts

Find the perfect catamaran yacht.

Our website features all of the catamaran yachts for sale worldwide. Luxury catamaran yachts offer an unmatched blend of elegance, space, and performance, making them the perfect choice for those seeking the ultimate yachting experience. These yachts feature expansive living areas with multiple well-appointed cabins, gourmet kitchens, and lavish lounging spaces, providing all the comforts of a high-end residence while at sea. With wide, stable dual-hull designs, they ensure smooth sailing, exceptional stability, and enhanced safety, making them ideal for long-distance cruising or exploring remote destinations. Luxury catamarans are also equipped with state-of-the-art technology and top-tier amenities, including spacious outdoor decks, Jacuzzis, and ample space for water toys. Customization options allow owners to tailor these yachts to their preferences, creating a personal oasis on the water. Whether for private use or charter, luxury catamaran yachts provide an unparalleled experience of comfort, style, and adventure.

Types of Catamaran

Discover the perfect catamaran for your cruises in the Caribbean.

Power Catamarans

Discover the finest power catamarans:

–  50 Feet Power Catamarans

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Sailing Catamarans

Browse the finest sailing catamarans

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Featured Brands of Catamaran

Sunreef Yachts is considered to be the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of luxury sailing and power multihulls. Each custom-made yacht is designed in great detail for the most demanding customers and delivers the best in comfort, style and safety.

Lagoon Yachts are renowned for their exceptional blend of luxury, comfort, and innovation, making them a top choice for sailing and power catamaran enthusiasts. Known for their spacious layouts and superior design, Lagoon catamarans offer expansive living areas,

115' 2008 YAPLUKA

INDEPENDENCE 110

102' 2007 BLUBAY 102

100' 2008 YAPLUKA 100 DD

2025 MOON 90

85' 2008 YAPLUKA 85 DOUBLE DECK

SEA COMPASS

2023 MCCONAGHY MC82

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10 Affordable Cruising Catamarans

• By Phil Berman
• Updated: May 24, 2024

So, you want to get a catamaran , sail off into the sunset, and capture some magic with your lover or family for a few years. You have no ambition to sail around the world or to live aboard forever, but think a one- or two-year sabbatical might be life-changing. You’d like to sail the US East Coast, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, perhaps the Med—or up and down the West Coast and on to Mexico and Central America. You have $300,000 or less to spend and want a catamaran you can sell at the end of the journey without consuming a bottle of Tylenol to blunt the pain. 

The good news is that this is quite achievable. The bad news is that there is a vast wave of baby boomers who are all looking for the same thing—and for right around the same price. This makes finding a good deal on a great used catamaran a lot of work, even working with a broker. But, it’s possible. You just need to keep an open mind.

The other good news, which might seem surprising, is that an older catamaran, besides being more affordable, might sail just as well—or even better—than the same-size new cat that will cost considerably more. Yes, the older model might have less room inside and lack the latest condo-on-the-water styling, but it was designed and built before the current trend to supersize the newer generations of multihulls at the expense of sailing performance.

Here’s my advice to the cat hunter on a budget: Don’t get too hung up on the length of the boat. Instead, focus on the spatial and payload requirements you seek and which can be achieved within your budget. And best not get too focused on must-have features—what I jokingly call “surround-sound beds.” Catamaran designs and interiors have gone through massive changes in the past 10 to 20 years, and most older designs simply cannot compete with the new ones in terms of space and high-end amenities.

None of the cool cats I have in mind are over 47 feet. This is not because there aren’t bargain boats out there that are 47 feet and longer, but because any larger multihull that you can buy for $300,000 or less will most assuredly need a significant refit or is either very old or very odd. Buying a fixer-upper is, to my mind, the most dangerous thing a budget-minded consumer can do. It’s just too easy to underestimate the cost of yacht refits and repairs due to the extremely high prices charged in most boatyards. 

RELATED: 20 Best Cruising and Sailing Destinations

Nearly any cat you buy over 10 years old is fully depreciated. What we were selling a Lagoon 440 for eight or 10 years ago is nearly the same as what they sell for today. The difference between a good deal and a bad deal is tied solely to a yacht’s condition and refit history. As they joke in private-equity circles, “Any idiot can buy; you deserve congratulations only when you sell.”   

So, when your search gets underway, focus on ­condition—it is far more important than the year, brand or features you might crave. And when you find the cat of your dreams, the best way to remove financial-downside risk is to get a great survey and to choose the newest, smallest cat that will work for your agenda, not the oldest and biggest.

– CHECK THE WEATHER – The weather changes all the time. Always check the forecast and prepare for the worst case. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

And a word of caution: Your problem will be knowing a good deal from a bad one after the survey is over if you are not well-schooled in pricing. Besides steering you toward potential boats to consider, this is where a broker, working on your behalf, can provide knowledgeable advice. It’s been my experience that this is the point when so many yacht sales come apart: a dispute over the value of a given yacht when the survey results come in. All too commonly we see buyers reject yachts they should have accepted and purchase cats they should have rejected. Remember, a used yacht is a used yacht—not a perfect yacht. A catamaran need not be perfect to remain a perfectly good deal. Here, then, are 10 cool cats to ­consider in the ­$300,000-or-less range:

1. Fountaine Pajot Orana 44 (above)

Fountaine Pajot had the misfortune of tooling up this boat just before the global financial crisis, so not that many of them were built between 2007 and 2012. But these were the first of the larger-space charter cats in this size, but not yet so porky that they still could not sail decently. In the three-­cabin owner’s version, they designed the living space very nicely; even in the four-cabin version, the aft starboard bed was very well-done. 

During this period, Fountaine Pajot had problems with the resin it was using, which led to blistering on the hulls and undersides. Affected models therefore had new bottoms done at approved shipyards throughout the world. Make sure the one you are considering had this done or that it doesn’t show evidence of significant blistering. Honestly it is only cosmetic, but it will impact resale if not repaired. Many consumers think blisters are the end of the world; frankly, they are not.

2. Catana 431

Built in France by a long-­standing yard, the Catana 431 was always a very viable vessel because it is big enough to go anywhere, but not too large for a competent owner to handle. And because the 431 has good underwing clearance and daggerboards, it sails smartly to windward. 

That said, there are a few things to watch for. The primary bulkheads on many of these boats were not tabbed on the outer ends, and over time tended to distort. Often this led, or will lead, to a costly replacement of some bulkheads. So be careful to survey these areas properly. 

The 431′s furniture is all foam-cored and handmade, but the banding on the outer edges in some cases slowly starts to peel, which allows moisture to infect the wood veneer. This can create a somewhat unsightly appearance in the cabinets and drawers. It is only a cosmetic issue, but it can make the interior feel a bit worn out. 

During the period when the 431 was being built, Catana used a distributive electrical card system, and the boats had several modules, each a zone, to which electricity was run. If one thing in a zone stops working, the only solution is to jury-rig a wire from that nonworking item back to the main breaker panel. Replacing the modules or getting them repaired can be done, but it is getting harder by the year. For this reason, the best 431 is a boat that someone else had rewired at some point along the way.

3. Lagoon 470

If you need a larger escape pod, the Lagoon 470 is one of our favorites. This model of older Lagoons was built at CNB’s yard in Bordeaux, France, and the build quality was high. The 470 was the first design to have the more-vertical windows that are a Lagoon signature, and ample saloon headroom. The 470s are also old enough that the hulls were not so supersize that it compromised sailing performance. They have decent underwing clearance, so they are not persistent pounders to windward. Many were built with a galley-down layout, some in galley-up style. You will always pay more for an owner version of this or any model. 

The big thing you have to concern yourself with on Lagoons of this vintage is that the hulls and decks are made with a balsa core, so it is not uncommon to find moisture problems, especially around deck fittings or hatches. This can sometimes require rebedding or recoring areas, and this sort of repair, in North America, can be a costly undertaking. Make sure you get good moisture-meter readings near all deck fittings and, of course, on the hulls. Hulls, however, tend less often to have moisture issues because there are few fittings through which water can enter the core. Were that to happen below the waterline, it is a real mess that must be repaired immediately and properly.

– CARRY A BEACON – Satellite beacons such as EPIRBs or PLBs allow boaters to transmit distress signals and their exact coordinates from anywhere on the planet, no cell service required. It may be the best $400 you ever spend. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

4. Privilège 435

Back when the Privilège 435 was built, Privilège catamarans were constructed by Alliaura Marine in France, and they were truly the Mercedes of the multihull world at that time. While not a performance cat by any means, the 435 was a super-solid yacht, built with great care and the finest components. The 435 is large enough to go anywhere but small enough to handle easily. 

The largest negative of this model—and many cats of this vintage—is that the saloon windows slope dramatically, so the interior gets very hot unless the windows are covered most of the time. When they legalize growing pot on catamarans, here’s the perfect greenhouse for it! Seriously, if you should buy a used 435, you really have to get strong sunblocking external UV covers, as well as interior blinds or shades to inhibit heat buildup. 

Some of the 435s were laid out with the galley down in one hull, and these days most people want a galley-up arrangement, where cooking and food preparation are done in the saloon. A three-cabin galley-up owner version will be far more sought after and cost more than a four-cabin galley-down version. 

5. Leopard 46

This was the first of the Morrelli & Melvin collaborations with South African builder Robertson and Caine and the charter companies owned at the time by TUI Marine to create a catamaran that could be sold both into charter under the Moorings brand and also privately as a Leopard, so effort was made to design a boat with good sailing performance. Gino Morrelli did a good job creating a lot of underwing clearance, the 46 has a powerful rig, and yet its interior still offers spacious sleeping areas and nice flow from the cockpit to the saloon. These can be bought as ex-Moorings charter boats for less than $300,000 but are more costly in the sought-after Leopard owner version.

Because these are balsa-­cored boats, you must inspect deck fittings carefully for moisture incursion. Some of the earlier ones also experienced structural problems on the aft bulkhead and over-door-frame areas between saloon and cockpit. Also, during this period, the windows in the main saloon had a tendency to leak and, when they did, required rebedding or replacement. This was a costly job, so check this out carefully during survey.

6. St. Francis 44/Knysna 440

If you wish to spend under $250,000, the older Saint Francis 44 and Knysna 440 are worth a look.

Back in 1990, Duncan Lethbridge started St. Francis Catamarans in South Africa with the St. Francis 43. The boat was meant to be a fast, strong bluewater voyager—and it was. The 43 was made with foam core, keeping the structure light, and it was very strongly built, with a powerful rig. The 43 loved to sail. And so too did the St. Francis 44, an updated version of the original. 

The boat did have a couple of negatives, however, the first being its sloped windows that built up interior heat. And the boat wasn’t a great fit for tall people, having less than 6-foot-2-inch headroom in the hulls. Also, the engines were installed amidships, which made the boat noisy inside under power. It also made the amidships areas of the hulls too narrow to have centrally located heads and showers, which in turn meant the only layout available was a four-­cabin, four-head design. In the forward cabins, the heads and showers had to be far forward; in the aft cabins, the heads and showers were located far aft.

St. Francis sold the tooling for the 44 to Knysna Yachts in 2004, and Knysna raised the headroom in the saloon and moved the engines aft to each stern. The hulls remained fundamentally the same, but the design was improved nicely. 

The largest negative of both the Saint Francis 44 and the Knysna 440 is that they have very low underwing clearance. Things can get pretty noisy when pushing against ­washing-machine seas. 

But you cannot have it all and still pay less than $250,000 in a midsize cat; compromises must be made. And these boats do sail quite smartly compared with many in their size range.

7. Lagoon 440

This was the most popular catamaran ever made, and it started the catamaran flybridge craze, which helped to convert many powerboaters to sailors. 

What I like about the 440 is that it is an infinitely better sailer than some of its peers, and has decent underwing clearance, vertical windows, and nice cabins for sleeping and living. While the aft cockpit is rather small, the saloon is quite large.

Flybridges are a bit of a love-hate thing. There is no question that in a cat of this size, the windward performance suffers a bit due to the boom positioned so high off the water. When piloting, the skipper is separated from those on the bridgedeck. Part of the reason flybridges are so popular in charter is that most of the parties take place up there while sailing and at anchor. In private ownership, however, it is seldom that everyone is hanging out on the flybridge during a long passage. 

As always with Lagoons, these are balsa-cored boats, so a careful survey is in order. Pay attention also to bulkhead ­tabbing to make sure they have not separated from the hulls.

Because so many of the 440s were built to go into charter, there are a lot of four-cabin, four-head models for resale. These will sell for considerably less on the ­brokerage market than a ­coveted three-cabin, ­private-owner model.

– CHECK THE FIT – Follow these guidelines to make sure your life jacket looks good, stays comfortable and works when you need it. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

8. Leopard 40

When you get into the 40-foot size range, a four-cabin layout can become pretty cramped and claustrophobic below, but the three-cabin owner version of the Leopard 40 is a very nice pocket cruiser. A Morrelli & Melvin design, the 40 has good underwing clearance and nicely shaped hulls. Not a large cat, per se, and less-suited for significant distance sailing than others because its payload is limited, the 40 is still well-suited for a couple and a child or two for near-coastal and ­island-hopping action.

9. Manta 42

If you are searching for a cat in the $200,000 range, the Manta 42s were well-built in Florida, and their electrical systems were very well-done compared with many other multihulls of that era. While many of the features on the boat are quite dated, these Mantas sail very well, and easily, and have been popular with coastal cruisers for two decades. 

The largest negative of the Mantas is that people taller than 6 feet will find the saloon headroom right on the edge, and the berths are not especially large. Also, forward visibility from the saloon windows is not particularly panoramic, so the interiors are a bit darker inside than current-­generation catamarans.

10. Lagoon 410

The Lagoon 410 was quite a popular cat in its prime, and for good reason. It offers lots of visibility thanks to its vertical windows, good headroom for a cat of its size, nice berths, and a workable, though smallish, galley-up design. The 410 has decent underwing clearance, can sail nicely over the waves, and its singlehanded operation is super easy. In the three-cabin owner’s configuration, it’s just a very cool little cat.

As always, a balsa-core boat must be surveyed carefully, especially on deck, for moisture incursion near fittings and hatches. It can be costly to repair rotted core and to rebed deck fittings. But find a dry one, and it should definitely be counted as a contender for a buyer with a limited budget. 

Phil Berman is the president of the Multihull Company and the founder of Balance Catamarans. He has managed the sale of more than 900 catamarans.

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Become the Confident Skipper of Your Own Sailboat

How to buy a catamaran and also never regret it.

• Post author: Anns
• Post published: October 26, 2022
• Post category: Uncategorized
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Introduction

If you’re new to sailing or just want to buy your first boat, you might be wondering if it’s better to buy a monohull or a catamaran. Catamarans are popular because they offer stability and comfort, but they do have some drawbacks—and all boats are more expensive than they used to be. In this article we’ll discuss what makes catamarans unique and how they compare with other types of boats that might be on your radar. We’ll also look at some questions you should ask yourself before making any big decisions about buying one.

Make sure the boat has a minimum CE Category A rating, to ensure stability and seaworthiness.

Make sure the boat you purchase has a minimum CE Category A rating, to ensure stability and seaworthiness. This is a minimum standard of stability and seaworthiness that ensures that your catamarans will be safe to sail in bad weather or rough seas.

Before you buy, have a surveyor go over it with a fine-tooth comb.

A pre-purchase survey of the boat is an important part of the process, but it’s not something to take lightly. A good surveyor can find problems that you may miss yourself, so choosing one is important. In addition to finding any mechanical issues with your potential purchase, they’ll also inform you if anything needs repairing before you buy it—and how much those repairs will cost.

Because there are so many types and sizes of boats in existence today, no two surveys are exactly alike; however, there are some common things that all surveys should look for:

• Safety equipment (life jackets for everyone on board)
• Flotation devices (life jackets as well as inflatable dinghies)
• Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or personal locator beacon (PLB).

The best catamaran for you depends on your usage and cruising time.

One of the first things to think about when buying a catamaran is how much time you will spend sailing and how much time you will spend at anchor.

If your answer is “a lot”, then you have some options. If your answer is “I am not sure yet” or “not very much”, then maybe it’s better not to buy a catamaran just yet.

If you are going to be spending more than 1 month per year on the water (and for us that’s 8 months), then I would recommend looking at boats that can sleep more than 4 people comfortably in case some unexpected guests show up during your trip! What we like about our boat is that there are two cabins above deck with sliding doors so if we need extra sleeping space we can just open those doors and put two mattresses inside each cabin under where people sit during dinner etc…

• Sail catamarans are bigger and roomier than motor catamarans, but also more complicated to sail.
• Motor catamarans usually carry a few more people than sail cats, but they’re less comfortable and slower.
• Motorized powerboats are faster, easier to get into the water, and cheaper than sailing boats of similar size (though maintenance will be higher).

Catamarans are faster than monohulls, but they don’t point as well into the wind.

A catamaran is faster than a monohull, but you won’t be able to get into the wind as well. It’s because of the twin hulls that allow for more speed and stability. The two hulls make it so that there is less drag on your boat through the water and thus you can go faster!

However, this also means that if you want to sail upwind (into the wind) or tack (turn from one side of the boat to another), then it will take more effort than if you were sailing on a monohull.

They can carry disproportionately large engines because of their twin hulls, making them ideal for long distance cruising.

A catamaran has a very shallow draft and is thus more stable than a monohull. This makes them ideal for long distance cruising. Also, because of the twin hulls, they are faster and more fuel efficient than any other type of sailboat.

They’re often designed with luxurious accommodations in mind and are renowned for their stability at anchor and while underway.

One of the great things about catamarans is that they are often designed with luxurious accommodations in mind and are renowned for their stability at anchor and while underway. Unlike a monohull, which relies on ballast to achieve a high degree of stability, catamarans have a wider beam than length ratio (i.e., they’re more wide than deep). This design gives these vessels superior lateral stability—a term used to describe how much one end of the boat will heel over as compared to another—and makes them inherently more stable since there’s less weight concentrated at either end. The rig also contributes greatly to this characteristic: instead of being attached directly onto the hull like on small monohulls, sails are suspended from masts that sit atop crossbeams between hulls; this means there is less surface area exposed to wind when sailing because it doesn’t come into contact with any part of your vessel’s structure other than where it’s mounted securely above deck level

When shopping for a catamaran, simplicity is the key when looking at systems and rigging.

The fewer systems you have, the less maintenance they will need. The fewer systems you have, the less likely they are to break down. And finally…the fewer systems you have, the cheaper it will be to buy one!

Your budget should be realistic considering your sailing experience and expected use of the boat, and include an emergency fund for unexpected service or repairs.

For example, if you’re planning to take a summer vacation with a couple of friends on a day sailing trip each weekend, you may want to consider a smaller boat (under 40 feet) instead of one that requires several people to operate it.

If you’re new to boating and/or just want to learn more about catamarans before making your purchase, I recommend reading through our buyer’s guide below.

One of the best ways to find out about new models is through websites like Multihull Central and Cruising World’s Boat Finder.

Multihull Central (http://www.multihullcentral.com/) is a great resource for catamaran information, as it has reviews on many models and is updated regularly with new information on everything from prospective buyers to maintenance tips and tricks.

Cruising World’s Boat Finder (https://www.cruisingworldmagazine.com/boatfinder) also has plenty of good tips for people looking into buying their first catamaran or boat in general, including discussions about different boats that can be classified as “catamarans.”

There are many things to consider when shopping for a catamaran but it’s totally worth it!

When it comes to catamarans, there are many reasons why they are great for long distance cruising. They are fast, fun and easy to sail, often roomy and comfortable in the cockpit, have lots of space for storage and large areas for crew members. These qualities make them ideal for those looking at a life on the water. Catamarans can be found in many shapes and sizes; from small sailing yachts with only two or three berths up to large blue water cruisers with accommodation for up to 12 people plus various crew members such as skipper/navigator or cook/stewardess etc.

However one thing stands out above all others when considering a catamaran purchase: stability! Catamarans by nature are much more stable than monohulls due to their design so if you’re planning an extended voyage where rough seas may be encountered then this is definitely something worth taking into consideration before making your final decision on which model suits your needs best (not just price).

Whether you’re looking for a sailboat or a motor yacht, there are lots of ways to get your dream boat at the right price. If you want something unique and fun to drive around the island, then a catamaran might just be what you need! It’s important to do your research before buying so that you can find one that suits all of your needs and preferences.

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