Having sailed on both and built then lived for 5 years on a catamaran in this post I want to share with you my impressions and thoughts on safety costs speed stability and other advantages and disadvantages of sailing.

Catamaran hull speed. Half overall beam half hull beam racing cat Stars and Stripes had a 161 HFR. A power catamaran usually doesnt have the speed or maneuverability to pull off these recreational opportunities because they are displacement hull designs. Catamaran speed is relative.

Still cruising catamarans are very comfortable boats and they are excellent for people who want both speed and the luxuries of a cruising boat. The famous victory of the Americans with their small 60-foot catamaran facing the New Zealanders and their big 90-foot monohull at the Americas Cup in 1988 is a good example. On average cruising catamarans can reach top speeds of 15 knots around 173 mph 2784 kph.

Personally I find the most important benefit of speed of a multihull is the ability to outrun bad weather. This is a measure of the fullness of the ends of the hull. There are also catamarans that are designed for wave piercing.

So the rules about limiting displacement speeds still apply to Cats its just that the slim hull gives then a much higher displacement speed. Deciding between a catamaran and a monohull is a big decision and one worth considering well before taking the plunge. Cruising catamarans are some of the fastest boats available often used for racing.

Of course the larger the boat the narrower the hulls will become in comparison to its length. H 134 L M H 11508 N H 1852 Where H Hull Speed in Knots M Hull Speed in MilesHr N Hull Speed in KilometersHr L Boats Waterline Length. Being able to average 9- 10 knots on a catamaran rather than 6-7 knots on a monohull will give you more options in your strategy to avoid bad weather.

Fine hulls are fast but only in the higher speed range. Smaller ones giving 3 to 5 mpg and offering lots of room. We would love to hear your thoughts.