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SEAWORTHY AND CONTEMPORARY

Length Overall

Upwind Sail Area

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Multihull of the Year 2018 (Election for the multihull of the year)

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SPIRIT OF THE OPEN WATERS

With an unequalled selection of possible layouts, this model is available with three, four, and even six cabins!  The Lagoon 50 is designed to meet all types of needs, whether cruising with family, traveling with friends, chartering, or even private use.  She features a balanced offering of well-considered living areas, comfort, performance, and ease of handling, making her an ideal choice for a variety of marine activities.

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Unequalled Space and Comfort

The Lagoon 50 offers remarkably generous interior and exterior living spaces, guaranteeing an exceptional level of comfort.  The cabins are spacious and well laid out, providing a pleasant environment for rest and relaxation.  Shared living spaces, such as the saloon and cockpit, are designed to optimize comfort and accessibility, creating a welcoming atmosphere on board.

Adaptable to Suit Your Needs

The Lagoon 50 is distinguished by her versatility and her capacity to adapt to suit a variety of needs.  She can be configured for private use, as a floating home, or for professional activities, such as for charter.

Enjoyable Cruising

Designed for smooth sailing, with superior stability at sea, the Lagoon 50 demonstrates excellent performance for a catamaran in this category.  Her generous sail area and hull design contribute to an enjoyable cruising experience, whether offshore passagemaking or coastal cruising.  Ease of handling and maneuverability make the Lagoon 50 an attractive choice for all levels of sailing experience.

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Access the Lagoon cockpit from the aft transoms, and imagine yourself at sea… Your tour starts here.

Specifications

• Length Overall 14,75 m / 48'5''
• Beam Overall 8,10 m / 26'7''
• Draft 1,40 m / 4'7''
• Air Draft 26,51 m / 87'
• Light Displacement (CE) 19,956 t / 43,910 Lbs
• Upwind Sail Area 144 m² / 1,549 sq.ft
• Square Top Mainsail (Optional) 92 m² / 990 sq.ft
• Furling Genoa 60,3 m² / 649 sq.ft
• Code 0 (Optional) 117 m² / 1,259 sq.ft
• Engine Power 2 x 80 CV / HP
• Fresh Water Capacity 480 L / 106 Gal
• Fuel Capacity 1040 L / 229 Gal
• Berths 2 x 80 HP
• CE Certification A : 12 / B : 14 / C : 20 / D : 30

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• Cabins: 4 or 5
• Heads: 4 to 6
• Berths: 6 to 12
• Showers: 4 to 6

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• LOA: 50 ft 6 in / 15.4 m
• LWL: 48 ft 11 in / 14.9 m
• Beam: 26 ft 5 in / 8.04 m
• Draft: 5 ft 3 in / 1.61 m
• Mast Height: 77 ft 2 in / 23.52 m
• Bridgedeck Clearance: 3 ft 5 in / 1.03 m
• Engine: 2x 57 hp
• Propeller Dimensions: 3‐blade 18in x 14in
• Engine No. Cylinders: 4
• Fuel: 243 gal / 920 L

EXTRA DETAILS

• Bunk Dimensions:  View Leopard Range Bunk Dimensions
• Headroom:  View Leopard Range Headroom Dimensions
• Water: 185 gal / 700 L
• Mainsail Area (Standard): 964 sqft / 89.6 sqm
• Mainsail Area (Square Top): 1019 sqft / 94.7 sqm
• Genoa Area: 688 sqft / 63.9 sqm
• Spinnaker Area: 204 sqft / 2199 sqm
• Code 0 Area: 970 sqft / 90.1 sqm
• Code D Area: 1690 sqft / 157 sqm
• Total Upwind Area (Standard): 1652 sqft / 153.5 sqm
• Polars:  View Leopard 50 Performance Documents
• Displacement: 41888 lbs / 19000 kg
• Load Carrying Capacity: 15432 lbs / 7000 kg
• Holding Tank Capacity: 45 gal / 170 L

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Leopard catamarans feature - passagemaker, leopard 50: a most hospitable boat, leopard 50 review by multihulls world, related blog posts, lifetime partners in work and play: kevin and elizabeth's owner profile, product profile: leopard 50, owner reveal and test sail of the leopard 50p.

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17 Best Catamarans for Sailing Around the World

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Catamarans are quickly outstripping single-hull boats for long-distance journeys. They are more stable and comfortable , and some can travel more than 200 miles in a day. In today’s article, I have put together a complete (well almost) list of some of the best catamarans for circumnavigating the planet; the question is, which one is best for you?

The best catamarans for sailing around the world include: 

• The Fountaine Pajot Ipanema 58

These cats focus on speed, safety, and comfort for longer journeys. 

This article will show you the seventeen best catamarans for long journeys, and why they’re the best. You’ll also learn some great tips on what to look for in a Catamaran and how to save money by buying a used catamaran. Let this list be a jumping-off point for your future research!

Pro-tip; here are the actual costs of maintaining a cat and here are considerations on how to circumnavigate .

Table of Contents

The Best Catamarans for Sailing Around the World 

A catamaran is a double-hulled boat with a deck or cabin area in between (bluewater cat definition in this article ). The double hull design means that the boat rocks less, sits higher on the water, uses less fuel to sail, and can be sailed in shallower waters than a single-hulled boat without worrying about grounding. 

Catamarans come in a variety of sizes and can be sail-powered or motor-powered and range from single-person sailing boats to family-sized yachts. Every catamaran design is different, and the twin-hull shape offers many ways to customize the layout of a ship. 

Each boat on this list is a larger catamaran (+40ft, more on size here ), so if you’re going to sail around the world, you want lots of space for provisions and rest.

Of course, there are tons of technical specs for each of these boats, but I’m going to focus on the overall features of each of these catamarans, what makes them stand out, and why they would each be an excellent choice for a transatlantic journey. 

Antares 44i 

The Antares 44i is an excellent option for sailing around the world and was explicitly designed for long-distance cruising. It performs well in any weather conditions, can be sailed easily by two people, and you’ll be able to sail long distances and live in comfort. 

Although it can be easily sailed by a crew of two I believe that a true bluewater cat should be set up for single-handed sailing, more on that in another article .

This catamaran features a stateroom on each hull and a forward cabin with plenty of storage space. The living and entertainment features include a flatscreen tv and a high-end deck speaker system. 

With this model, Antares dedicates itself to high-quality boats with optimal rigging and engine configurations. 

Atlantic 42

Atlantic is no longer building this catamaran, but there are usually a few pre-owned boats on the market. You can also get it made custom if you love the design, but be prepared to spend more money on a custom boat (custom boat also gets custom problems ;)). 

The Atlantic 42 is slightly smaller than some of the other catamarans on this list but is a seaworthy vessel. 42 ft is what most sailors I interview ( in this article ) said was the smallest cat to safely cross big oceans. It is also a decent size to counter the risk of capsizing (more on that here ).

It has a forward cockpit and pilothouse, which gives the owner a better use of space and makes the boat easier to navigate. With single-handed capability, one person can sail it easily and let the rest of the crew relax. 

One of the best-praised aspects of the Atlantic 42 is its galley, more extensive than most 42-footers (12.8-meter) can offer. 

One of the few 50 footers (15.24 meters) that can be sailed by just one person (many would of course disagree on this).

The Catana 50 is a catamaran worthy of an overseas journey. Its size adds to its stability on the open waters and its ability to sail straight through the choppy ocean and windy conditions. 

The Catana is also incredibly spacious on the inside, with substantial cabins and showers. The biggest downside to the Catana 50 is its price, as it’s much more expensive than most of its competitors. 

Catana also holds up well against some of the fastest cruising cats out there, here’s a list of the fastest cruisers if you are interested in that.

However, if you can find a gently-used Catana 50, you can rest assured that this boat will last! 

The Dolphin 42 is unique because of the use of daggerboards instead of fixed keels. This upgrade means that the boat has some pretty decent upwind performance while at the same time being faster downwind.

Centerboards and daggerboards offer some interesting downsides compared to mini keels. This is an interesting discussion and I suggest you read another one of my articles if you want to deepen your knowledge a little.

These catamarans are some of the lightest on the market. Not many Dolphins were made, so they are relatively hard to find. However, if you want a small, lightweight boat capable of going great distances, the Dolphin 42 is an excellent choice. 

Fountaine Pajot Belize 43

The Fountaine Pajot Belize is another well-built cruising yacht. Its core is made of foam instead of balsa, which reduces the risk of structural damage due to a rotten core in case of water intrusion. 

The design of Belize offers many options for customizability, with large open spaces and a combined saloon, navigation, and dinette area. 

There are two styles of Belize catamarans for sleeping quarters. You can either purchase a boat with an entire primary suite on one hull or one with two cabins in each hull. The first option is great if you are sailing the world alone and not expecting many guests, as it increases the storage capacity. 

Understanding what factors to consider when getting a cat can be hard, there are just so many of them (such as the daggerboard discussion above), I have tried to compile some of the most important in this article .

The boat also has wraparound windows to increase the sense of space in the galley. 

Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40

Fountaine Pajot is one of the best sailboat manufacturers existing today, as their boats are well made and highly versatile. The Lucia 40 is no exception – it’s a smaller boat but has a lot of room for moving around and on-board living. 

The living area is remarkably spacious on this catamaran for its size. 

The galley and lounge easily accommodate 6+people. The Lucia 40 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sailing either, as the narrow hulls slice through choppy waters with ease. 

Most catamarans today are built to withstand rough weather but that doesn’t matter as much if the crew isn’t up for the task, I firmly believe that the most important thing a boat should consist of, is knowledge. Therefore taking online courses ( two free here ) or reading books ( my favorites here ) is imperative.

Gemini 105M

Gemini’s boats have been on the market for years and are solidly built for cruising. This boat is one of the most popular ever made, I personally would consider something different for offshore cruising, but since it has such a good reputation, I felt I had to add it to the list.

If you want to understand why I am hesitant to take this boat around the world, I recommend you read my article: What are trampolines on a catamaran?

The Gunboat 62 is a great catamaran and set the standards for the rest of the impressive Gunboat lineup. It’s sleek and spacious while being robust and capable of transatlantic journeys. You can easily travel the world in a Gunboat 62 with several people and not feel cramped. 

The yacht was made for speed and power and remains one of the fastest catamarans on the market, even rivaling the newer Gunboat models.  GABO

Although the earlier models of the Gunboat 62 weren’t designed for a lot of cargo, you can still find space for everything you need without compromise. 

Lagoon catamarans are known for their reliability and ease of use. If you are considering a catamaran for the first time and are unsure about the technicalities of sailing, a Lagoon boat is a great option. 

The Lagoon 380 is probably the smallest cruiser on this list, which makes it better suited for solo or couple sailing.  

When I go looking to buy something, whether it be a boat, campervan, or whatever, I create a checklist and classify all the things I want either by NEED or NICE to have.

I believe the Lagoon 380 to be sub-optimal for my NEEDS, even though it does check a lot of NICE boxes, there’s a step-by-step article on the NEED and NICE method here .

There are several cabin options available on the Lagoon 380, but if you’re sailing by yourself, you can settle for three cabins and a larger galley and living space. With a smaller cockpit and broader side decks, the Lagoon 380 packs a lot of practicality and ease of sailing into a more compact catamaran. 

If you like the idea of a Lagoon boat but want a little more space, the Lagoon 42 is the upgraded version of the Lagoon 380. With all of the same benefits, it comes with more space for cabins or storage, making it one of the best-selling Lagoons of all time. 

The Lagoon 42 is also a faster cruiser built for strength. While it’s not the fastest on the market, it works well in choppy waters and windy conditions, making it great for the beginning sailor to go on a more extended trip. 

Many people have completed an around-the-world sail with this ship.

Although there is a flybridge version, I would recommend the “open” version due to several factors, some including increased windage and a higher boom. More on flybridges pros and cons here .

For stability, safety, and durability, you can’t beat the Lagoon 42. 

The Leopard 45 performs better with less storage weight because of the relatively low bridge deck clearance. If the boat is fully loaded, you could experience some wave pounding. However, the cockpit is open and airy, with devices that block the sun and provide maximum comfort while sailing. 

The Leopard 45 is an incredibly beautiful boat,   and has a strong reputation for excellent build quality!

Leopard catamarans are one of my personal favorites, as such I have written an entire article about the brand, so if you want to understand its pros and cons then here is the link . Gabo

Designed in South Africa, it features a high rear arch for extra support and very smoothly connected decks. The galley is large and open, and most Leopards offer a four-cabin plan. If you are traveling with another person, this boat is an excellent option for you! 

The Manta 42 is another classic catamaran that you can buy used (at a decent price), as it is an incredibly seaworthy vessel. While still in production, the Manta was one of the most popular catamarans on the market. 

It is still in high demand amongst circumnavigators. Buying a used Manta 42 usually means that you inherit some of the previous owner’s boat upgrades! 

The Manta 42 also made it to my list of the 9 safest catamarans on the market ( link ).

This blue water cat can be sailed by one or two people, making it ideal for liveaboard couples or long-distance shorthanded sailing. The galley is in the saloon ( instead of in one of the hulls ), making the cabins below more spacious and better equipped. 

Overall, the Manta is well equipped for sailing around the world. 

Nautitech 44

Nautitech is an excellent brand of the catamaran, with several different designs per boat. The Nautitech 44 has a unique feature, you can have it with two options for steering: twin wheels or a single wheel.

The Nautitech 44 also features a cockpit on the same level as the saloon. The door between the two is more convenient than a hatch and dramatically reduces the risk of water damage during rain pour. 

This is also the same boat that aeroyacht president Gregor owns, he has offered some great insights into Nautitech in the book Catamarans (amazon link )

Outremer 45

Outremer is famous for being one of the fastest brands of catamarans on the market. If you need speed, the Outremer 45 might be the perfect choice for you. It has a top speed of 16 knots, which is higher than almost every other catamaran of its class. 

While the Outremer 45 is known for speed, it doesn’t compromise on the quality of living. 

You can settle into life on this boat with complete peace of mind. Even as a beginning sailor, the steering is simple and easy to use, and the autopilot is top of the line, so you’ll be able to sail across the ocean in an Outremer without issue. 

Privilege Serie 5

A French-designed catamaran, the Privilege Serie 5 is one of the most comfortable 50-foot (15 m) yachts available. The unique cabin layout includes the master cabin in the boat’s center instead of in one of the hulls. 

The Privilege Serie 5 is also incredibly easy to sail, despite its larger size. 

The sails and controls lead to the helm, where the raised deck makes it easy to see all around the deck. If you want to cross the ocean with a full crew then the Privilege Serie 5 might be perfect for you! 

Seawind 1000

The Seawind 1000 is the smallest boat on this list, measuring 33 feet (10 meters) long altogether. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s not livable. If you are sailing on your own or with a partner, there is more than enough space to live in the Seawind 1000, which includes the option of a centered cabin or two hull cabins. 

Because it’s small, the Seawind 1000 is easy to handle. The mast and sails are all manufactured for extra stability and ease of use. 

Overall, the Seawind 1000 is an excellent example of a simple, safe, and seaworthy catamaran. 

Note: since this is a small catamaran it will also be more sensitive to heavy weather so trip-planning becomes even more important.

The Voyage 44 is one of the oldest cats on this list, having had its hay-day in the mid-1990s. However, this also means that a used Voyage 44 will be cheaper than a newer boat. If you can find a Voyage with previous responsible owners, you will inherit any upgrades and fixes that they’ve made on top of a very seaworthy boat. 

The Voyage 44 has more storage and space than most cruisers of its size and is known for behaving very well in choppy waters. 

This catamaran does its job well while providing adequate space for cooking, sleeping, and living aboard. 

What To Look For in a Long-Distance Cruising Catamaran

If you are planning to sail around the world, you need to be very careful about which kind of catamaran you decide to use. Many of the things you want in a boat really comes down to personal preference, so be sure you know what design preferences you want before you start shopping! 

Size and Payload

The most important thing to consider when buying a catamaran is how much space and cargo you need because the larger the boats are, the bigger the payload it can handle. Decide how long you want the ship to be and how much you’re taking with you. 

It’s vital not to overload a catamaran, this will reduce performance and increase risk of unwanted behavior in heavy seas.

Cabin Placement  

Most catamarans have options for a “Maestro” cabin placement, where one entire hull is the master suite, and the other cabins are located on the opposite hull.

Cockpit and Protection From The Weather

Is the cockpit on the boat you’re looking at covered or open? This can make a difference on the high seas, especially during rainy weather. 

The size of the ship also can affect how many people you need as a crew. If you’re traveling by yourself or with one other person, you don’t want to buy a boat that needs a larger crew. 

Buying Used? 

If you don’t want to spend the money on a brand new catamaran, I don’t blame you. Several of the ships on this list are out of production and can only be found used. However, for circumnavigation, you do want a boat of high quality to keep you safe and dry until you make it to your destination.  

When buying a suitably used catamaran, it’s essential to look at the refit history of the boat more than the year it was made. Catamarans are sturdy, and the general design has been the same for at least the past decade. 

If you find a newer, larger, cheaper boat, you should look into its history. 

Your best bet to save money while buying a catamaran will be to buy an older, probably smaller boat with an excellent refit history and no serious issues. It will still be an investment, and a sturdy used catamaran will serve you well. 

Final Thoughts

No matter which catamaran you decide to buy for your journey, you’ll be able to sail safely and comfortably. Catamarans are great yachts for long-distance sailing, and the ships on this list are the best of the best. These brands are time-tested and ready to accompany you on an adventure around the world! 

Here are Some of My Favorite Catamaran Cruising Resources

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful as you hopefully start your sailing adventures. Here are some resources that I use as a sailor that I hope you’ll also find helpful. These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission. But in all honesty, these are the exact things that I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family. Sailboats: If you’re looking for the best boat to suit your needs, I would recommend a catamaran. If you’re interested, I can show you the differences between catamarans and other types of sailboats .

Books:  For getting started, I really like  Cruising catamarans made easy . It is actually a textbook from the American sailing association; it is used to get a cruising catamaran certification. There are some other great books, and I have compiled a list of books about cruising catamarans that you will find useful.

Communication:  Being out on adventures, whether it be sailing or climbing mountains, good communications are essential to being safe. I recommend two things Google fi (incredibly simple cellular data all over the world) and Garmin inreach mini (for text and voice in remote areas without cell coverage)

Sailing courses: Online sailing courses are great for beginners starting out their sailing career; it’s an efficient way of learning the basics of navigation, throttle controls, and maritime safety. I suggest starting with two free courses from NauticEd .

To see all my most up-to-date recommendations,  check out this resource  that I made for you!

• Wikipedia: Catamaran
• Cruising World: A-Z Best Cruising Catamarans 
• Dreamy Yacht Sales: Four Best Catamarans for New Buyers
• Atlantic Cruising: Good Cat/Bad Cat
• Yachting World: Catamaran Sailing Across the Atlantic
• Boat Affair: What is a Catamaran? 
• Nautilus Sailing: Catamaran Sailing

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

3 thoughts on “ 17 Best Catamarans for Sailing Around the World ”

I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.

Thanks Elisabeth I really appreciate the kind words 🙂

I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.

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Best catamaran and multihull: We sail the very best yachts on two and three hulls

• Toby Hodges
• March 20, 2024

Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the best catamaran and multihull category in the much-anticipated European Yacht of the Year Awards

There are many categories in the  European Yacht of the Year  awards, from the best  luxury yachts  and  performance yachts  to the  best yachts for families  and event a  best specialist yacht category. But with multihulls rapidly increasing in popularity, the best catamaran and multihull category was possibly the most hotly anticipated.

The small number of entrants in this category in no way reflects the rich range or huge demand for multihulls. Many new models were launched by the big yards in the preceding years and they’re struggling to keep up with bulging order books.

However, these three shortlisted represented a choice pick of the latest fast cruisers and each, in their own very different ways, are responding to this insatiable demand for high end space and pace cruising.

Best catamaran and multihull

Best catamaran and multihull winner 2024 – outremer 52.

My highlight test of 2023? Sailing this Outremer 52 for 200 miles over two days and nights! Quite how such a large vessel, one that is capable of doing laps of the planet in true comfort, is also capable of providing such enjoyable sailing is the secret sauce that helps scoop this prize.

And it was pushed hard for this award by the disruptive HH. But the Outremer is such a well rounded, measured and thought out yacht for bluewater cruising at a reliable speed – it’s the full package, a dream boat for family bluewater sailing and arguably the French yard’s best and most refined model to date.

Designer VPLP was tasked with replacing the popular and well proven 51 with more comfort and stowage, while maintaining the performance. It says it took the best of the 55 (which won this award two years ago), and the best of the 51’s deck plan to create this 52. The result means too many good features to point out here, from the variety of helm positions, including a completely protected position inboard using the swing pedestal, to the well conceived spaces. I’d therefore recommend reading our full test report online or in YW’s June 2023 issue!

Neel continues to enjoy its cruising trimaran niche, using the wow factor of bridgedeck accommodation combined with the type of sailing enjoyment and feedback monohull sailors appreciate.

The impressive lightwind performance and direct feel of a Neel I am used to. But I don’t think I’ve ever been so surprised by the amount of cabins or space as I was on this 52. It’s available with four to six cabins plus the option for two crew cabins aft! Some of this maze works well, other areas, such as the forward cabins in the main hull not quite so well. Horizon and rig sightlines and some finishing also leaves room for improvement.

The HH44 seemingly manages to achieve the space and pace balance in a compact 45ft package, while also being one of the most innovative and exciting new production yachts I have sailed. From its looks to layout, to practical on deck solutions such as swing pedestals, side gates through the bulwarks and transom gates that double as swim platforms and boost cockpit security, it’s packed with fresh thinking.

And on the subject of ‘fresh’, the natural ventilation encouraged into the yacht through those massive forward facing coachroof windows which open – a feat made possible thanks to a stiff carbon composite structure – negates any aircon requirements.

With its deep carbon boards and tall carbon rig the HH44 is a powerful, reactive animal to sail. However, it’s the incorporation of the first parallel hybrid electric drive units which really makes this high tech high performance cat stand out. The electric motors are attached to the aft end of conventional diesel engines, not only providing silent power, but renewable energy through regenerative drives while sailing.

Best catamaran and multihull 2023

Best catamaran winner – nautitech 44.

If the very best catamaran delivers the ideal comfort to performance compromise, here’s a catamaran that seems to strike the perfect balance.

For those who cite a lack of visibility and protection as reasons not to choose this aft helm route, try sailing this first – direct steering brings so much more helming pleasure that you get the enjoyable feeling and communication more associated with a monohull. The attention to keeping weight low and central, vacuum infused vinylester build and a low coachroof and boom all aid this performance. The fine entry Lombard-designed hulls allowed us to properly point upwind at 8 knots (in 13), but it was the hands-on steering sensation that really stayed with me.

While there’s no real inside/outside boundary – the saloon bridges both – the Chedal-Anglay interior design works well. It is not as voluminous as some, but is certainly enough to be smugly comfortable at anchor, finished to a good quality, with walnut Alpi trim as standard. The layout option for a ‘smart room’ office/laundry/bunk room or stowage cabin is indeed really smart.

Out of all the multihulls nominated or sailed last year, this cat impressed me the most under sail. It’s the ideal size to go distance sailing, with good performance, low draught and space for family and friends. It had me dreaming.

Balance 482

I was drawn to the Balance 482, thanks to the combination of good looking modern design, high average speeds and, chiefly, the profusion of clever thinking and practical ideas that it brings. The South African build uses a foam core with E-glass laminate and cored furniture for a light weight of 11.3 tonnes, but also with the ability to take a generous payload.

An electric furler option combined with screecher sail helps offer effortless handling and fun sailing, although the 482 prefers a breeze in the double figures. Smart options such as load cells on the rigging, a bowsprit camera to monitor the anchor chain, plus engine room and mast cams all help for maintaining vigilance. Other features we like include the solar panels properly installed on raised brackets, raincatchers built into the coachroof, and how all sheets and lines are led to the helm station. But the prize solution is the VersaHelm, which allows you to swing the wheel inboard, close off the helm station, and stand watch and steer from a fully protected position.

Catana Ocean Class

The Catana Ocean Class is a bulky model which is geared more towards creature comforts than the higher performance of its predecessors. That said, it uses carbon in the structure and roof, foam cored furniture, the tanks are mounted low in the hulls and it has daggerboards and fine entry bows. The weight savings help it offer a massive 5.5 tonne cruising payload, plus there’s capacious stowage and large tank, refrigeration and laundry capacity.

Positioned between Lagoon and Outremer, the Catana echoes a bit of its sister brand Bali’s concept with its internal cockpit-cum-saloon layout while providing good ventilation via large sliding doors and opening windows. We liked how it’s easy to handle solo from one helm station, including the electric remote control of the boards, plus the layout of the galley and navstation.

Those chasing speed and helming pleasure should perhaps look to the C-Cat 48, as it’s as close to helming a fast monohull as a cruising cat is likely to get and one of the rare times we enjoyed sailing upwind in light breezes on a multihull! This is largely thanks to a lightweight, stiff build – the Comar yard has managed to save 1.7 tonnes over the first boat (9.5 tonnes light) and increased the draught of the curved daggerboards to 2.95m.

A carbon roof and rig comes as standard, as well as an epoxy hull, full carbon deck, bulkheads and compression beam. It is a little quirky with comparatively small volumes, but this François Perus design will outperform most other performance cats and monohulls of a similar length.

The Excess 14 shares that direct sensation you get from aft helms and some of the performance of the C-Cat, but in a more balanced, voluminous layout for cruising. The Excess 14 benefits from the research of VPLP’s Vannes racing office, where attention was focused on weight reduction, with savings particularly in furniture, on improved stiffness (PET foam cored sandwich for main structural bulkheads), and the efficiency of deeper fixed keels.

The result is telling on the water, as it should be for any best catamaran contender, where you can log easy miles: we clocked late 7s upwind, reached in the late 8s and regularly averaged 9 knots with gennaker in 12-15 knots. Clear glass windows give acceptable visibility from the helms through the coachroof and the comparatively minimalist interior. In short it offers a good mix of volume, reasonable performance and enjoyable sailing – see our full review last month.

Sailing performance was another key facet in the battle of the big cats from the big cat yards, Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot. Both models offer luxurious amounts of space for home from home comfort, as watersports bases for long term cruising.

The decision to push the mast to the front of the coachroof to allow for a larger genoa than its recent preference for self-tacking jibs has paid off on the Lagoon 51. It helped us sail efficiently into the waves (albeit not pointing too high) before clocking double figures reaching with the code sail in 15 knots.

The Lagoon’s large flybridge with dual access is a USP at this size that will be a hit or miss deal breaker for many. The 51 offers unrivalled accommodation volume in three, four or six cabins, and relaxation zones, and good circulation through these big spaces. Once again the jury applauds Lagoon for thoroughly testing the prototype model during a six month tour. Over 100 have already sold.

We saw in our December issue how the experienced owners of the Fountaine Pajot test boat choose to live and work full time aboard their Aura 51. It’s a design that promotes space, enough to take friends, family and crucially for them, all the toys to enjoy at anchor. Its capability of averaging 8-10 knots also appeals, although the single side helm and hydraulic steering result in scant connection to the sailing in light winds (the same applies to the Lagoon).

The fact the yard already offers this in a hybrid version and has an electric and hydrogen model in the pipeline could sway some, but the decision between the FP and the Lagoon will likely come down to preference between a central flybridge or offset bulkhead helm together with interior design and layout.

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Windelo shipyard – based in Canet-en-Roussillon in Southern France, is busy building and launching a range of innovative catamarans in the performance multihull market.

The first Windelo 50 Adventure was launched in February 2021. The two other versions of the Windelo 50 are Yachting and Sport and the design was upgraded in July 2023 with a newer sleeker look that accommodates even more solar.

Windelo’s philosophy is to combine innovation with ecology, performance, safety, and comfort.

To do so, they teamed up with the best in the business: architects Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman, well-known for designing performance cruisers. The result is a boat with impeccably designed slim well-balanced hulls that enhance performance and seaworthiness. Stable and light, they can carry a generous sail plan.

The Windelo 50 is a good-looking boat with fine entry bows and a punchy power to weight ratio. She has been inspired by decades of performance catamaran design (read our Gunboat 66 review for an example).

Windelo 50 Boat Tour and Test Sail: Canet-en-Rousillon to Cannes

Performance with Comfort Windelo is positioned firmly in the performance segment, but with an eye on providing innovative solutions to keep the comfort levels high. The team has moved the bar high in the catamaran design by placing the twin helm in the forward cockpit and in result creating an open, spacious living area just behind it. This catamaran competes with the likes of the Seawind 1370 (well probably the 1600 based on size), the Outremer 51 and the Balance 526.

Hakuna Matata, a Windelo 50 has completed a double Atlantic crossing (there and back) during which she used only 800 litres of diesel (including fuel used for heating when they were north). There is a link to the owner’s review at the foot of this review.

The Windelo 50 comes with strong eco credentials which is all part of the company philosophy, As well as the electric power unit, solar energy and hydrogeneration off the props, the construction process has been developed to minimise the carbon footprint.

The structure is made from a new environmentally-friendly robust composite sandwich, mixing basalt fiber and PET foam from recycled plastic bottles.

The basalt fiber is spun in Russia and woven in Belgium and provides an impressive mechanical resistance with a black carbon-like finish.

This new innovative composite cuts the carbon emission footprint by almost half compared with traditional GRP composite manufacturing methods.

Hybrid engine power

The standard power unit is composed of two electric engines that are connected to a bank of lithium batteries. These can be charged using solely green energy: solar panels placed on the roof and the bridge, and hydrogeneration off the props. The whole idea of the Windelo 50 is to use your sails and green energy as much as possible, but there is also a backup generator which kicks in after a couple of hours if you are stuck in the doldrums, extending the cruising range in a flat calm to about 1 100 nautical miles.

Prop Shafts Another nice feature is that the electric motors drive the folding propellers through prop shafts, which should increase robustness and reduce maintenance costs.

The Forward Cockpit

The big story with the Windelo 50 is the central forward helm station. This isn’t a cockpit for lounging like you would see on a Lagoon 55 , this is where the sailing is done. All of the running rigging, sailing instruments and catamaran controls are handled safely amidships, behind the mast. You can access the cockpit either through the saloon or from the deck.

The forward cockpit is set up with 2 fully protected helm stations with great view of the sails and the bows. The cockpit is well protected from the elements if needed: with the sliding doors open, it will become part of the living space. There has been plenty of innovation in this area within the industry (the Balance 482 Versahelm for example), and Windelo have opened up a whole new avenue here with this set up.

Set up for Short-Handed Sailing With her self-tacking solent, she is an easy boat to handle with a short-handed crew and moves fast and high upwind due to dagger-boards positioned at the center of the hull to maximise their hydrodynamic performance.

Panoramic Views

The saloon takes the Open space concept to a new level. The whole space can be opened up, including the side windows, so that the outside comes inside. Ventilation is maximised with a wide selection of openings on all four sides. The innovative design continues down below with wrap around windows in the aft cabins.

The aft platform with davits pivot to increase the floor area at anchor. We love the pilot berth for night shifts or simply using it to relax or as an extra sleeping space.

Semi-Custom Build

Every sailing adventure is unique, and Windelo takes this well into consideration. In addition to being able to choose between three different models: Adventure, Yachting and Sport, you can personalize this catamaran with different options and layouts.

There are various options including a 4 berth, 3 berth (owner’s cabin), 3 berth owner’s with office and variations with a skipper’s berth in the forepeak. The aft cabin berths can be configured athwartships or fore and aft. The owners of very first Windelo 50 Adventure have opted for a working office in one of their forward cabins. All the bespoke furniture is built at Windelo’s own joinery by their carpentry team.

The Windelo 50 is an innovative launch in a booming segment: the 50-foot performance catamaran market. With her forward cockpit and central helms, open-to-the-max concept and tidy profile, she will be a popular choice for sailors looking for speed without compromising on comfort.

For more information on the Windelo 50 head to windelo-catamaran.com .

Owner’s Review

We have also spoken to the owner of Hakuna Matata, the #1 hull (Windelo 50 Adventure). You can get more information on this catamaran on our Windelo 50 Owner’s Review page.

A Proven Eco Ocean Crosser

Windelo 50s continue to log the miles and cross oceans. Hakuna Matata, the #1 hull, was the first: she left Canet-en-Roussillon marina on 17 October 2021 and set sail for the Spanish coast and then onto the Canaries before sailing across the Atlantic to Martinique.

After a few weeks in the West Indies and the Caribbean, she sailed up the United States East Coast, north to Florida, New York, Boston, and then Canada.

The return crossing was completed between St Pierre and Miquelon and Iceland, before setting sail for the Faroe Islands, Scotland, and then the French Atlantic coast. In August 2022, Hakuna Matata then sailed back to the Mediterranean to Canet-en-Roussillon.

In eight months across 20,000 nm, Hakuna Matata only used just 800 litres of diesel, including that used for heating in the colder sailing areas. This is equivalent to 2 litres / 100km or 100 miles per gallon (117 miles per US gallon).

What is the difference between 3 versions: Adventure, Yachting and Sport? Adventure Designed for exploration and adventure, this robust package is easy to maintain. This version comes with lifting daggerboards or high-performance fixed fin keels. Yachting A high-end finish with top quality materials for maximum comfort. Configured for fast, easy and comfortable navigation to take you across the oceans or just enjoying shorter cruising. Sport Tuned for maximum performance, Windelo have saved 500 kg on the Sport version by removing, for example, the crossbeam forward, and replacing it with a longitudinal fore beam. All the materials used have been carefully chosen to limit weight.

How Much Does a Windelo 50 Cost? What is the Price Tag? This will depend on the options and pack you go for of course, but the prices start at €995k, €1075k and €1095k ex taxes for the Adventure, Sport and Yachting, respectively. We would estimate that you will need to add an additional €1-200k for your options to give you an idea of the sail away price. She is priced competitively versus the competition.

Who Are the People Behind Windelo? The company philosophy is to bring in the leading expertise onto the project. The founders are Olivier Kaufmann (Ex -Chairman of the Executive Board of Decathlon, Orange Marine, Cabesto) and his son Gautier Kaufmann. Christophe Barreau and Frederic Neuman head up the design team. Jean-Pierre Prade, one of the founders of Catana, is also involved. Didier Perrin (Syltec Consulting) brings his skills in composites and Jean-Paul Siaudeau (JPS Concept, Imoca and Ultimate) heads up the electrical systems and propulsion unit. The École des Mines d’Alès, an engineering school in the South of France is working with Windelo on material resistance. Quite a team!

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The Power Catamaran Compilation

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: December 21, 2018

Power Catamarans have been growing leaps and bounds in popularity, and, in lengths and widths. And for good reason. These cruise-centric yachts offer homelike livability for avid travelers, are fuel efficient and are fairly intuitive to run. Power cats are popular in the bareboat charter market too, for these very reasons.

Here, we take a look at 12 catamarans ranging from a cruising-couple-size 36-footer to a 78-footer for friends, family and some more friends. And there are myriad power options: outboards, diesel inboards, hybrid or even all-solar power.

Fountaine Pajot MY44

The Fountaine Pajot MY44 , a creation of Italian architect Pierangelo Andreani and French designer Daniel Andrieu, has a main deck that’s open from the aft-deck seating all the way forward to the starboard helm station. The sense of spaciousness is significant, for several reasons. First, four glass panels aft can all slide to port, creating an indoor-outdoor space with the aft deck and salon. In the salon, 32-inch-high windows extend for 12 feet down the sides of the yacht, with three sections per side, bringing in natural light along with the three forward panes that comprise the windshield. Finally, 6-foot-6-inch headroom provides vertical clearance, with a 21-foot-7-inch beam that adds interior roominess while keeping the yacht stable.

Read more: Fountaine Pajot MY44

Silent-Yachts 55

The ideas about which solar panels, electric motors, inverters and the like to use — and more importantly, Michael Köhler says, how to configure them — became the basis for the brand Silent-Yachts. The company offers 55-, 64- and 79-foot catamarans that run on solar-electric propulsion. The Silent 55 premiered this fall, and the 64 is sold out for the next two years, Köhler says.

Read more: Silent 55

Horizon PC74

As founder and director of The Powercat Company, a Horizon Power Catamarans distributor, Stuart Hegerstrom had long believed that catamaran builders needed to design their yachts to more stylish standards.

“The boats were very boxy,” he says, based on his years of experience with cats in the charter market. He and his partner, Richard Ford, asked Horizon to produce models that had high-end finishes and looked good inside and out.

The Horizon team brought in mega-yacht designer JC Espinosa to work with its own craftsmen. The result aboard the Horizon PC74 is a catamaran with exterior styling, layout and functionality that should appeal to private and charter owners alike.

Read more: Horizon PC74

The Aquila 36 is a departure from her sisterships in that she is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran, but she also adheres to MarineMax’s philosophies.

With a single main living level from bow to stern and a beam of 14 feet 7 inches, the Aquila 36 is like a bowrider on steroids. She has seating that can handle 20 adults for outings and barbecues, and there are two staterooms below, one in each hull, for family weekending. The staterooms have nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads, stowage and 6-foot-6-inch headroom.

Read more: Aquila 36

Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Lagoon is a division of Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest builder of sailing yachts, and the Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat is a developmental sistership of its Seventy 7 super sailing cat. The Seventy series yachts are built at Construction Navale Bordeaux in France, which had to add a new yard to construct these catamarans because they require separate stern molds for the power and sail versions.

Read more: Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Horizon PC60

To understand the Horizon PC60 power catamaran , you need to put aside preconceived notions about midsize yacht amenities. For example, main-deck master suites are the province of yachts over 100 feet length overall. Incorrect. This 60-footer has an elegant and spacious owner’s stateroom on the same level as the salon. If you want a 14-foot center console tender on a 60-foot yacht, you have to tow it. Wrong again. On the PC60, you hoist it onto the upper deck, no problem.

Read more: Horizon PC60

40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef is known for pushing the boundaries of catamaran design, incorporating four adjustable hydrofoils into a twin-hulled speedboat.

The Polish builder is one of several European builders (including Evo, Fjord, Wider and Wally) transforming the open ­day-boat category with creative designs. ­Beyond its hydrofoils, the 40 Open Sunreef Power ‘s cockpit has side “wings” along the aft gunwales that fold out at anchor, widening the beam from 17 feet to 22 feet 9 inches.

Read more: 40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Sunreef Yachts introduced its 50 Amber Limited Edition , with plans to launch just 10 hulls of the exclusive design.

The Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition will have a carbon fiber mast and boom, four layout options and numerous amber-colored elements, including the hull.

Read more: Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fitted with the optional twin 300-horsepower Volvo Penta D4 diesels, the Lagoon 630 MY burns only 1.64 gph total at 6 knots, giving a theoretical range of 2,952 nautical miles with standard tankage of 793 gallons. Hull No. 1 had an optional 502-gallon tank, giving it transatlantic range.

Luxury, stability and economy are all hallmarks of Lagoon’s return to luxury motor yachts. If you can take a ride, it will be worth your time.

Read more: Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fountaine Pajot MY 37

The Fountaine Pajot MY 37 easily accommodates the seafaring family with three- and four-stateroom options. In the three-cabin version, called ­Maestro, you’ll find an owner’s suite in the portside hull with a queen-size berth and en suite head. Two double-berth cabins and one more head are available for the kids. If your brood is bigger, the Quator setup features four double cabins with two heads.

The 37 is a traveler and can be powered with twin 150 hp or 220 hp Volvo Penta diesels. Top speed with the smaller engines is 17 knots, while it’s 20 knots with the bigger power plants. Interestingly, at 7 knots, the fuel consumption is the same, with either set of motors offering voyagers a 1 ,000-nm range.

Read more: Fountaine Pajot MY 37

Solarwave 64

Many yachts boast eco chops because they have a handful of solar panels that power the microwave or navigation lights. The Solarwave 64 , launched last summer, has the potential to run on sunshine alone. The vessel’s 42 solar panels generate 15 kW that are stored in batteries weighing about 1,300 pounds. They connect to electric motors.

Read more: Solarwave 64

Glider SS18

This British builder says it strives for design innovation and the Glider SS18 displays that DNA, the result of 8 years of research and development. She has a head-turning, catamaran hull form constructed from aluminum and composite materials. She is 60 feet LOA with a 17-foot beam, and has a relatively shallow 1-foot draft. Powered by quad Yamaha 300 hp outboards, she can reportedly reach 50 knots, and with her Stability Control System (SCS), should give a smooth ride while doing it.

Read more: Glider SS18

• More: aquila , Aquila Boats , Express and Flybridge Cruisers , Fountain Pajot , Glider Yachts , Horizon Power Catamarans , Lagoon , Power Catamarans , Silent-Yachts , Sunreef , Yachts
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50' Sailing Catamarans Yachts for Sale

50 feet sailing catamarans for sale.

TWW Yachts is delighted to showcase an exquisite selection of 50 feet sailing catamarans, each a masterpiece of maritime elegance and efficiency. Designed for the enthusiast who appreciates the balance between performance and luxury, these catamarans embody the spirit of adventure with a touch of sophistication. Their sleek profiles and innovative designs ensure optimal sailing experiences, while the spacious and luxuriously appointed interiors provide a sanctuary of comfort and style on the open seas. Ideal for both spirited sailing and leisurely cruises along breathtaking coastlines, our 50 feet catamarans are a perfect blend of agility and opulence. At TWW Yachts, we pride ourselves on offering vessels that not only meet but exceed the expectations of the most discerning sailors. Let us guide you through our handpicked selection of 50 feet catamarans, where each yacht is a promise of unforgettable journeys and the essence of the ultimate sailing experience.

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13 Best Liveaboard Catamarans (For All Budgets)

If you want to enjoy long-term living on the water, a liveaboard catamaran can provide the perfect combination of comfort and adventure. However, buying and owning a catamaran can cost you a fortune. If you're not sure which one suits your budget, here are 13 of the best liveaboard catamarans on the market today, covering a range of budgets and lifestyles.

The 13 best liveaboard catamarans for different budgets are:

Nautitech 46 Open

Lagoon 450f, nautitech 46 fly.

If you're on a tight budget but still want to enjoy the liveaboard lifestyle, the Leopard 40, Lucia 40, and Lagoon 400 are some of your best options. If you have a slightly higher budget to live up to your dream life aboard, let's see which of these catamarans will suit your needs best.

• Low-budget liveaboard catamarans cost anywhere from $350,000 to $450,000, while high-budget options range from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.
• The living space of the best liveaboard catamarans ranges from 77 sqm to 215 sqm, with the higher-budget options generally offering more space.
• Most catamaran models come equipped with one galley and multiple heads, with the number of heads ranging from 2 to 4.
• High-budget catamarans like Lagoon 52 and Catana 50 are built with advanced safety features such as a self-tacking jib and an automatic reefing system.

On this page:

Best liveaboard catamarans for all budgets.

When choosing the best liveaboard catamaran, there are questions you need to ask yourself such as:

• Are you planning to live aboard full-time or just part-time?
• Will you be traveling extensively or staying in one location?
• Do you plan to fish or engage in other water activities?

If you plan to sail around the world and are not sure what catamaran size is perfect for your goal , you can get some tips from this article.

You may also need to check your budget. Keep in mind that the purchase price is just one aspect of the cost of owning a catamaran. See how much it actually costs to buy and own a catamaran in this article.

You may also need to factor in ongoing maintenance, repairs, and other expenses, such as docking costs. Docking costs depend on the location of the marina and the actual size of your catamaran, but to give you an idea of how much it costs to dock a catamaran , here's an article that can help you.

The best liveaboard catamarans have these most important features :

Living space Look for a catamaran with an open layout, large windows, and plenty of natural light to create a spacious and inviting living area.

Galley and heads Choose a catamaran with a well-designed galley that is easy to use and has plenty of storage space. The heads should be spacious and comfortable, with a separate shower area if possible.

Performance and handling You might want to opt for a catamaran with a good sail plan and sailing controls that are easy to operate. If you plan to do offshore cruising, perhaps consider a catamaran with a shallow draft and good seaworthiness.

Safety and seaworthiness Choose a catamaran with sturdy construction and good safety features, such as handrails and lifelines. You might want to make sure also that the catamaran is designed for single-handed sailing if you plan to sail solo.

Estimated price range: $400,000 - $500,000

Living space inside Leopard 40

The Leopard 40 has a spacious interior with a modern and stylish design. It features four cabins and two heads, providing ample living space for up to 8 people.

The cabins are well-ventilated and well-lit, with large windows that offer panoramic views of the sea. The saloon is also spacious, with comfortable seating and a large dining table.

Galley and heads of Leopard 40

The galley is well-equipped with a large refrigerator, freezer, gas stove, oven, and plenty of storage space. The heads are also well-designed, with separate shower stalls and electric toilets.

Performance and handling of Leopard 40

The Leopard 40 has a sleek and streamlined design that allows it to move smoothly through the water. The twin engines provide plenty of power, and the boat is easy to maneuver even in tight spaces.

The boat also comes with a range of performance features, such as a large sail area, a self-tacking jib, and a full-batten mainsail.

Safety and seaworthiness of Leopard 40

The Leopard 40 is built to the highest standards of safety, with a strong and durable hull, high-quality rigging, and a range of safety features such as lifelines, handrails, and safety harnesses.

The boat also has excellent stability, which makes it very safe and comfortable to sail in rough seas.

Estimated price range: $450,000 - $550,000

Living space inside Lucia 40

The Lucia 40 is a spacious catamaran that offers plenty of living space for a family or a group of friends. It has a large saloon with a U-shaped sofa and a dining table that can comfortably seat six people.

The saloon is surrounded by large windows that provide plenty of natural light and a great view of the surroundings. The catamaran has four cabins and two heads, which provide ample sleeping space for up to eight people. The cabins are well-appointed and offer plenty of storage space.

Galley and heads of Lucia 40

The galley on the Lucia 40 is located in the saloon and is well-equipped with a three-burner stove, oven, fridge, and plenty of counter space for food preparation.

The two heads are located in each hull and are equipped with a shower, toilet, and sink. They are spacious and provide plenty of privacy.

The Lucia 40 is a performance-oriented catamaran

The Lucia 40 is a performance-oriented catamaran that is designed for cruising in comfort. It has a sleek and modern design that allows it to sail efficiently in a wide range of wind and sea conditions.

The catamaran is equipped with a full batten mainsail and a furling genoa, which provide excellent sail performance. The helm station is located on the flybridge, which provides excellent visibility and allows for easy handling.

The Lucia 40 is a safe and seaworthy catamaran

The Lucia 40 has a solid fiberglass hull and a structural bulkhead that provides excellent strength and rigidity. The catamaran is equipped with all the necessary safety equipment, including life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, and a first aid kit.

It is also equipped with a comprehensive navigation system, which includes GPS, radar, and an autopilot, to ensure safe and accurate navigation.

Estimated price range: $350,000 - $450,000

Living space inside Lagoon 400

The Lagoon 400 offers ample room for passengers to relax and socialize. The main saloon is located on the same level as the cockpit, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.

The saloon features a large dining table and comfortable seating, while the cockpit provides additional seating and a table for outdoor dining. The cabins are also spacious and comfortable, with plenty of storage space.

Galley and heads of Lagoon 400

The galley is well-equipped with a stove, oven, refrigerator, and sink, making it easy to prepare meals while underway. The heads are also well-designed, with separate shower stalls and electric toilets.

The Lagoon 400 has good sailing performance

This boat has a generous sail area, a powerful rig, and a light displacement, which allows it to sail well in a variety of conditions. The boat's twin hulls also help to reduce drag and increase stability, which makes it easier to sail in choppy seas or high winds.

The Lagoon 400 is also equipped with twin engines, which allow it to be easily maneuvered in tight spaces or when docking. The boat's shallow draft, which is one of the advantages of sailing a catamaran , also makes it suitable for exploring shallow waters or anchoring in secluded bays.

The Lagoon 400 is designed to be safe and seaworthy

The boat's twin hulls provide excellent stability, which reduces the risk of capsizing. See a detailed comparison between catamaran and monohull in this article.

The boat is also equipped with a range of safety features, including a solid fiberglass hull, watertight bulkheads, and a high freeboard, which helps to keep the boat dry and reduce the risk of swamping.

The boat is also built to withstand rough seas and strong winds, with a reinforced hull and high freeboard. It also features a range of safety features, including lifelines, safety harnesses, and an emergency tiller.

The Bali 4.0 is a catamaran that offers ample living space

The cockpit and saloon are on the same level, which creates a large open-plan living area. The saloon has a U-shaped seating area, which can comfortably seat six people, and a large table that can be lowered to create a double berth.

Galley and heads of Bali 4.0

The galley of Bali 4.0 is located aft of the saloon and is well-equipped with a three-burner stove, oven, refrigerator, and sink. The boat has four cabins, each with its own en-suite head and shower. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, and the heads are modern and well-designed.

Performance and handling of Bali 4.0

The Bali 4.0 has a self-tacking jib and a fully battened mainsail, which makes it easy to sail short-handed. The boat is also equipped with a Code 0 sail, which provides additional downwind performance. The boat's helm is responsive and easy to control, and the boat is stable and predictable in a variety of conditions.

Safety and seaworthiness of Bali 4.0

The Bali 4.0 is a seaworthy boat that is designed to be safe and comfortable in a variety of conditions. The boat has a high freeboard, which provides additional safety and protection from waves and spray.

The boat also has a solid foredeck, which provides additional safety when moving around the boat. It is also equipped with a full suite of safety equipment, including life rafts, life jackets, and safety harnesses.

Estimated price range: $500,000 - $600,000

Living space inside Bali 4.3

The Bali 4.3 has a large saloon with panoramic views, plenty of natural light, and a modern design. The saloon is equipped with a large U-shaped sofa, a dining table, and a chart table. The cockpit is also spacious and features a dining table, a sunbathing area, and a helm station.

Galley and heads of Bali 4.3

The galley and heads on the Bali 4.3 are well-designed and offer plenty of space and storage. It is located in the saloon and features a 3-burner stove, an oven, a large refrigerator, and plenty of counter space. The heads are located in each hull and feature a separate shower, electric toilets, and plenty of storage.

The Bali 4.3 is a fast and agile catamaran. It features a self-tacking jib and a square-top mainsail, which make it easy to handle and maneuver. The boat is also equipped with twin engines, which provide good speed and maneuverability.

The Bali 4.3 is a very safe and stable catamaran

The Bali 4.3 features a solid construction, a high freeboard, and a wide beam, which make it very stable and comfortable even in rough seas. The boat is also equipped with a number of safety features, including lifelines, safety harnesses, and life jackets.

Living space of Catana 42

The Catana 42 has a spacious interior layout with plenty of natural light and ventilation. The saloon and cockpit are integrated into one living area, which provides a comfortable and functional living space.

Galley and heads of Catana 42

The galley is located in the port hull and features a three-burner stove, oven, refrigerator, and ample storage space. The heads are located in the starboard hull, with one head serving as the owner's suite en-suite and the other serving the remaining three cabins.

The Catana 42 an excellent performer

The catamaran is designed to be fast and stable, with a high bridge deck clearance and a narrow hull-to-waterline beam ratio. It also has a large sail area, which provides good speed in light winds.

The Catana 42 is built with safety and seaworthiness

The boat is designed to be self-righting in the event of a capsize , and the hulls are foam-filled for added buoyancy. The boat also features a robust construction with a reinforced keel and rudder, making it suitable for offshore cruising.

Estimated price range: $600,000 - $700,000

Living space of Nautitech 46 Open

The Nautitech 46 Open is a spacious and comfortable catamaran that offers ample living space, a well-equipped galley, and multiple heads for convenience. The living area is open and airy, with large windows and plenty of natural light.

Galley and heads of Nautitech 46 Open

The galley is fully equipped with modern appliances and ample storage space, making it easy to prepare meals and entertain guests. The heads are also well-appointed, with modern fixtures and plenty of space for comfort.

Performance and handling of Nautitech 46 Open

The Nautitech 46 Open is a capable and responsive catamaran that is easy to sail and maneuver. The boat's twin hulls provide excellent stability and make it easy to handle in a variety of conditions.

The boat's rig is designed for performance, with a large sail area and a well-balanced design that allows for easy handling and excellent speed.

Safety and seaworthiness of Nautitech 46 Open

The boat is built to the highest standards of safety and durability, with a strong and sturdy construction that can withstand the rigors of offshore sailing. The boat is also equipped with all the necessary safety features, including life rafts, life jackets, and safety harnesses, to ensure that you and your crew stay safe on the water.

Estimated price range: $700,000 - $800,000

Living space inside Lagoon 450F

The Lagoon 450F is a spacious catamaran that offers plenty of room for living and entertaining. The saloon is large and open, with plenty of natural light and ventilation.

The cockpit is also spacious and comfortable, with a large dining table and seating for up to eight people. The cabins are well-designed and offer plenty of storage space, and the bathrooms are modern and well-appointed.

Galley and heads of Lagoon 450F

The Lagoon 450F has a well-equipped galley that is perfect for preparing meals while at sea. The galley features a large refrigerator and freezer, a three-burner stove, an oven, a microwave, and plenty of counter space. The heads are also well-designed and offer plenty of space and privacy.

Performance and handling of Lagoon 450F

The Lagoon 450F is a fast and stable catamaran that is easy to handle. The boat is powered by two Yanmar diesel engines, which provide plenty of power and speed.

The boat is also equipped with a high-performance sail plan, which allows for easy and efficient sailing.

The Lagoon 450F is designed to handle a variety of weather conditions

This boat is built to the highest standards of safety and quality and is equipped with all of the necessary safety equipment, including life rafts, life jackets, and emergency flares.

The boat is also designed to be self-sufficient, with a large water tank and generator, which allows for extended periods of time at sea.

Living space inside Helia 44

The Helia 44 has a spacious and well-designed interior that maximizes living space. The saloon features large windows that provide plenty of natural light and offer stunning views of the surrounding scenery.

The seating area is comfortable and can accommodate up to 8 people. The cabins are also spacious and well-appointed, with plenty of storage space and en-suite bathrooms.

Galley and heads of Helia 44

The galley on the Helia 44 is well-equipped and designed for easy use. It features a large refrigerator, a 3-burner gas stove, an oven, and a microwave. The heads are also well-designed, with separate shower stalls and plenty of storage space.

The Helia 44 is designed for excellent performance and handling

The Helia 44 has a powerful rig and a high aspect ratio sail plan that provides excellent speed and maneuverability. The boat also has a shallow draft, which makes it easy to navigate in shallow waters.

The Helia 44 is built to the highest safety standards

This boat has a solid construction that provides excellent stability and strength. It also features a range of safety equipment, including life rafts, EPIRBs, and fire extinguishers.

Estimated price range: $700,000 - $1,000,000

Living space inside Leopard 48

The Leopard 48 features a spacious saloon with a comfortable seating area and a large dining table. The saloon is surrounded by panoramic windows that provide plenty of natural light and stunning views of the surrounding scenery.

The catamaran also has a large cockpit area with a dining table and comfortable seating, perfect for outdoor dining and relaxation.

Galley and heads of Leopard 48

The galley on the Leopard 48 is well-equipped with modern appliances and ample storage space. It features a large refrigerator, a freezer, a three-burner stove, and an oven. The catamaran also has three heads, each with a shower, sink, and toilet.

Performance and handling of Leopard 48

The Leopard 48 is a high-performance catamaran that is easy to handle and maneuver. It has a powerful sail plan and lightweight construction that allows it to sail smoothly and efficiently even in light winds.

The catamaran is also equipped with a powerful engine that provides excellent speed and maneuverability.

Safety and seaworthiness of Leopard 48

The Leopard 48 is a safe and seaworthy catamaran that is designed to handle even the toughest ocean conditions. It has a sturdy construction and a stable platform that provides excellent stability and safety.

The catamaran is also equipped with modern safety features such as a GPS navigation system, a radar, and an autopilot.

Estimated price range: $600,000 - $900,000

Living space inside Nautitech 46 Fly

The Nautitech 46 Fly is a spacious catamaran that offers plenty of room for living and entertaining. The interior is bright and airy, thanks to large windows and an open floor plan.

There are four cabins and four heads, making it a great option for families or groups of friends. The salon is comfortable and features a dining area and a well-equipped galley.

Galley and heads of Nautitech 46 Fly

The galley on the Nautitech 46 Fly is well-equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, stove, oven, and plenty of counter space. There is also a double sink and a dishwasher. The heads are spacious and comfortable, with separate shower stalls and electric toilets.

Performance and handling of the Nautitech 46 Fly

The Nautitech 46 Fly is a pleasure to sail, with good speed and handling. The boat is responsive and easy to maneuver, even in tight spaces. The twin engines provide plenty of power and make docking and maneuvering a breeze.

The Nautitech 46 Fly is a safe and seaworthy vessel

The boat is designed to handle rough seas and strong winds, making it a great option for offshore sailing. There are also plenty of safety features, including lifelines, safety harnesses, and a well-equipped first aid kit.

Estimated price range: $1,000,000 - $2,000,000

The living space of Catana 50

The living space is designed for comfort and entertainment. The spacious saloon offers panoramic views and ample seating for guests.

The interior is finished with high-quality materials and features modern amenities such as air conditioning, a fully equipped galley, and plenty of storage space. It also has four spacious cabins and four heads, making it ideal for families or groups of friends.

Galley and heads of Catana 50

The galley on the Catana 50 is well-equipped with a large refrigerator, freezer, oven, and stove. The countertops are made of durable and easy-to-clean materials, and there is plenty of storage space for food and cooking utensils. The heads are spacious and feature modern fixtures and finishes.

The Catana 50 is designed for performance and speed

The catamaran's lightweight construction and high-tech materials make it fast and agile, while its twin daggerboards and rudders provide excellent maneuverability and control. The boat is easy to handle, even in challenging conditions, and offers a smooth and comfortable ride.

The Catana 50 is a safe and seaworthy vessel

The catamaran's hull design and construction are engineered to withstand the rigors of offshore sailing, and the boat is equipped with all the necessary safety equipment, including life rafts, EPIRBs, and fire extinguishers.

Need a complete list of safety equipment for your boat ? Here's an article that might be helpful for you.

The vessel also features a high freeboard, wide decks, and a sturdy rigging system, making it a stable and secure platform for sailing in all conditions.

Living space of Lagoon 52

The Lagoon 52 is known for its spacious interior and exterior living areas. The main salon is located on the bridge deck and features a large dining table, comfortable seating, and panoramic views.

The cockpit is also spacious and has plenty of seating for outdoor dining and lounging. The cabins are well-appointed and offer plenty of storage space and natural light.

Galley and heads of Lagoon 52

The galley on the Lagoon 52 is equipped with modern appliances and ample counter space, making it easy to prepare meals for large groups. There are also multiple heads on the boat, each with a shower and toilet, making it convenient for guests to freshen up after a day of exploring.

Performance and handling of Lagoon 52

The Lagoon 52 is designed for optimal performance and handling. It has a powerful sail plan and a lightweight construction that allows it to move swiftly through the water

The boat is also easy to handle, even with a small crew, thanks to its user-friendly design and advanced technology.

Safety and seaworthiness are top priorities on the Lagoon 52

The boat is built to withstand rough seas and harsh weather conditions, with sturdy construction and advanced safety features such as a self-tacking jib and an automatic reefing system.

The boat also has a spacious cockpit and wide decks that make it easy to move around and handle the boat in all conditions:

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What Size Catamaran To Sail Around The World

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

August 30, 2022

Catamarans are generally longer than monohulls, but their accommodations and handling vary widely between sizes.

The best size catamaran to sail around the world is 45 to 50 feet. The smallest catamaran with space for long-term provisions and a cabin is around 30 feet in length, and a 55 to 60-foot catamaran is the largest that can be accommodated at most marinas.

In this article, we'll go over the different sizes of catamarans and how they handle in the open ocean. Additionally, we'll cover each size category and the best sizes for traveling the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

We sourced the information used in this article from marine design guides and the consensus of experienced catamaran sailors.

Table of contents

‍ What Sizes Are Catamarans?

Catamarans come in all shapes and sizes, but the smallest models don't have the accommodations required to sail around the world. Most catamarans under 30 feet in length don't have a cabin at all, which is a stark difference that they have with monohulls.

Small monohull sailboats often have cabins, as there's plenty of room below on a wide single-hulled sailboat. Monohulls can be as small as 16 to 18 feet and still have a cabin, but catamarans must be much larger to have suitable accommodations.

The smallest catamarans are about 12 to 15 feet long. These are small recreational craft used primarily for racing, and they aren't designed for the open ocean. Larger catamarans in the 20-foot range can (and have) been used on the ocean, but they're usually classified as day boats.

Catamarans become practical for longer excursions once they hit about 30 feet in length. A boat of this size is large enough for a cabin and can usually accommodate between two and four people comfortably. Catamarans commonly stretch beyond 50 feet, which is where they're the most useful and comfortable.

Smallest Catamaran to Sail Around the World

So, what's the smallest catamaran you could use to sail around the world? In theory, any catamaran can sail long distances—but you need one that's large enough for shelter and storing provisions. Generally speaking, 30 feet is the bottom limit for an ocean-crossing catamaran.

Let's take the ME Cat 30 (Maine Cat) as an example. This small and nimble 30-foot catamaran makes use of its limited space and provides comfortable accommodations for a few adults. The ME Cat 30 is a split design that houses the basic accommodations in either hull, with an open seating area between them.

Inside the ME Cat 30, there's barely enough room for all the living spaces. It features a head and a large bed in one hull and a galley and a smaller berth in the other. With that, all the useful cabin space is filled—and this is considered a very good design for the size. As you can see, the best catamarans for sailing across the world are usually much larger.

Typical Ocean Crossing Catamaran Size

Based on what we discussed above, a 30-foot cruising catamaran is really pushing the limits on size. However, it doesn't take a whole lot more length to make a catamaran exponentially more comfortable and suitable for long journeys.

The typical ocean-crossing catamaran is usually about 40 to 45 feet long. With the addition of 10 feet in length, designers can fit an enormous amount of additional accommodations in the hulls.

This is because adding a little extra length allows designers and boatbuilders to widen each hull significantly, which makes room for luxuries like private bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and entirely separate dining and cooking spaces.

Cruising Catamaran Floor Plans

A 40-foot to 50-foot catamaran usually comes with a mirrored floor plan. The traditional catamaran has an identical layout in each hull. That means if one hull has a private berth in the bow and a shower and a toilet in the stern, the other hull will have the exact same layout except opposite.

This is usually because spaces like the galley and sitting area are kept in the center console, where there's much more space to move around. Spaces that are used at night or only occasionally are kept in the narrow hulls, as this has proven to be a more comfortable layout for crews.

Storage is usually kept deep in the hulls as well, as there's extra space to work with when the only other design purpose is for sleeping in bathing. Catamarans in this size range can also have separate hull layouts, but the mirrored design is by far the most common.

Best Catamaran Size for Pacific Ocean Cruising

Catamarans are very versatile craft, but some function better in the Pacific Ocean than others. One of the main considerations when choosing a catamaran for Pacific Travel is that the Pacific usually has greater distances between ports and stopping points.

This is especially true on the US West Coast, where there are only a handful of ports and safe anchorages. The best Pacific cruising catamaran size is between 45 and 50 feet in length, as you're likely to need more space to store provisions for extended cruising.

If you're starting in San Francisco or Seattle, even a 'short' trip along the coastline could mean you'll pass hundreds of miles of steep rocky cliffs and no stopping points insight. When crossing the Pacific, you may travel thousands of miles before you encounter a port or island with any infrastructure at all, let alone stocks of provisions and a full-service marina.

The Pacific is a huge ocean, and the last thing you want to do is run out of food or fuel a thousand miles from your destination. Larger boats store more supplies, and they also give you more breathing room when you're surrounded by empty blue water for months on end.

Best Catamaran Size for Atlantic Ocean Cruising

The Atlantic Ocean is smaller than the Pacific Ocean, and the coastlines of many countries that border it tend to be well-developed. This makes it easier to get away with owning a smaller boat, as you don't need to store as many supplies, and your voyages will be shorter.

Another factor to consider is that not all marinas on the Atlantic can accommodate extremely large catamarans, or it may be prohibitively expensive to dock a 55-foot or 60-foot double-wide vessel. That's why the ideal size for an Atlantic-crossing catamaran is between 40 feet and 50 feet. Today, 45 feet seems to be average.

The boat of this size will fit in at most marinas in developed countries around the Atlantic, and its draft is shallow enough for island hopping and exploring the coral reefs that the Atlantic Islands are known for. Additionally, 40 to 50-foot catamarans are usually just as seaworthy as the larger boats, and they're less expensive to maintain.

Unlike the US West Coast, where ports are few and far between, the Atlantic in the Gulf of Mexico is littered with marinas and safe anchorages. You can travel for weeks along the coastline of the United States and parts of South America and never be further than a hundred miles from a full-service marina.

There are also hundreds of islands, tourist destinations, and service locations that reduce your need for large stores of provisions aboard your catamaran. This gives you a lot more flexibility in choosing a size and a floor plan, as your needs are different than that of a Pacific sailor.

Best Catamaran Size for World Cruising

If you're planning to go on a world tour or a circumnavigation, you're going to need a catamaran that's large enough to fit your crew and your provisions comfortably.

You'll also need a boat that is small enough to be serviced and accommodated in most locations but also seaworthy enough to whether anything you're likely to encounter out of the water.

For most people, the sweet spot seems to be around 45 to 50 feet in length. A 50-foot catamaran is more than large enough to store enough provisions for many months of sailing. It's also roomy enough to house two to six people comfortably for many weeks at a time.

Catamarans between 40 and 50 feet in length are also extremely seaworthy and have been known to make circumnavigation frequently. You're almost guaranteed to find a 50-foot catamaran in almost any remote anchorage in the world where sailors are known to frequent.

Also, almost any marina can accommodate a 50-foot catamaran, and most boatyards can perform at least basic repairs on a boat of this size. Most marinas have fee schedules for boats based on size, and the cutoff for large boats is usually 60 feet. This keeps you in the 'medium' boat category, which can save you thousands.

How to Choose a Catamaran Size

Choosing the right size catamaran can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to narrow it down. First, examine how you plan to use the vessel. You can travel the oceans in a catamaran between 30 and 40 feet long, so if you have a small crew, you may want to consider a compact model.

Larger catamarans can sleep eight or more people comfortably. This is large enough for most people, though some charter captains may need additional room. A 40 to 45-foot catamaran is usually large enough for a small family, though a 50-footer would be more comfortable, especially if there are kids running around.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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10 Best Catamarans Under 50 Feet

A catamaran is simply a water vessel or any sea vessel propelled by air and composed of two hulls. These hulls are kept apart with space and the middle, but they are held together by a frame situated above them. But you probably already knew that. You are here probably because you are looking for an ultra-luxurious catamaran that you can use either as a summer vacation home or as a liveaboard. However, be prepared; the best catamarans between 40 and 50 feet featured here are pretty expensive. But you were probably expecting that as well. 

Here Are The Best Catamarans Under 50 Feet

Price: Around $1 Million USD on the Used Market

The Leopard 50 comes as a replacement for the Leopard 48. Let’s assume we dropped from a helicopter onto one of these bad girls floating out on the Maldives, and we get to see the exterior outlook first.

Its outdoor is equipped like never before. With the flybridge space comes a roomy lounge, a table, and a sunbed. As an option, exterior speakers and shade awning can be made available upon order. 

It is easy to get to the flybridge from the side deck using the floating stairs that were masterfully fitted in. Like other Leopard Catamarans, this is no different in that the flybridge has active contact with the helm station. The roomy lounge also serves to protect the helm station at the back of the bulkhead. It also enjoys a clear path of sight and movement into the aft cockpit. Movement of passengers is allowed on the flybridge, without them ever having to worry about meddling with the boom, unlike many other sailboats that are often compared to the Catamaran Leopard 50. 

Although one can decide to customize the exterior design of this beauty, it will prove extravagant as it is already made fabulous to sate a wide range of choices. The hull is now restructured to have a more positive switched-up outlook.

A little is said about the interior modifications. Still, it is enough said to have 4 – 5 independent cabins, a utility room for liveaboard, and an options list that looks like it will not end. The heads are around 4 – 6, and the berths can be from half a dozen to a dozen. There are up to 6 and no less than 4 showers on the Catamaran 50.

Specifications of the Leopard 50

Size Measurements

Length Overall: 50 feet and 6 inches. Waterline Length: 48 feet and 11 inches. Beam Measurement: 26 feet and 5inches. Draft: 5 feet and 3 inches. Height of Mast: 77 feet and 2 inches. Bridgedeck Clearance: 3 feet and 3 inches. Displacement of the Leopard 50: is 45415lbs. Its Load Carrying Capacity Limit: is 11905 lbs. Holding Tank Capacity: is 45 gallons. Fuel Tank Capacity: 243 gallons

Mechanical Specs

Engine: Yanmar engines Rated a 2 × 57hp power this bad girl, and it runs on diesel. It could also be upgraded to 2 × 80hp Yanmar engines, which will see you easily pushing 9 knots on the water at about 2,500rpm. You can also choose to kill one of the engines and go at a comfortable 6 knots (not in a hurry but not lazy either) for fuel consumption to decrease.

Propeller Dimensions: 3 blades: 18 inches × 14 inches.

Number of Engine Cylinders: 4

Leopard 50 Pros

• It has a huge living space, a bungalow at sea.
• Incredibly seaworthy
• It can sail well upwind.

Leopard 50 Cons

• They are not sleek therefore indubitably slow sailing
• With a lighter wind, the speed drop is significant.
• A high boom can make finding your way to the mainsail a bit dicey in a seaway.

Price: Around $620,000 – $850,000 On The Used Market

The Lagoon has its Architecture designed by the dedicated Van Peteghem-Lauriot Prévost. It seems very similar to the Lagoon 52, but the two main features that can distinguish it from the other contemporary Lagoons are the

Relocated Mast, which was moved for the purpose of balancing the gross weight and minimizing chances of pitching.

A beautiful silhouette that gives it an exquisite look thanks to the exterior styling of Patrick Le Quément. These designers saw to the Lagoon 42’s compatibility with short-handed sailing and couples because of its smaller boom and self-tacking boom. 

There are very room lounges everywhere, from the cockpit to the saloon. The wide flat decks have flushing opening hatches that serve as great ventilators. It also has a very easy access to the boom and with very sturdy and safe stairs that lead both to the upper deck and helm station.

The helm station atop the roof of the coach bulkhead makes for a direct communication and mobility between the cockpit and saloon. The interior finishing is by Nauta Design and consists of up to 4 cabins, 3 at least. Each aft cabin is furnished with an island bed, while the forward cabins have beds that are accessed primarily from the side.

Lagoon 42 Specs

Length Over All: 42 feet Beam: 25 feet 3 inches Draft: 4 feet 1 inch Mast clearance: 67 feet 9 inches

Mechanical Specifications are:

Engine (standard): The Lagoon 42 is driven by 2 x 45 HP YANMAR 4JH45s. Its Fuel capacity: 79 gallons (+79 gallons in option) of premium diesel.

Other Specifics include:

Light displacement: 26,460 pounds Sail area: 968 feet² Self-tacking genoa: 395.5 feet².

Lagoon 42 Pros

• The deck layout is truly genius.
• A self-tacking Genoa which helps short-hand sailing
• It sports only one single level from the aft platform to the saloon: a structural “revolution”.

Lagoon 42 Cons

• It may not be readily affordable.

Price: Around 500k On The Used Market.

The Lagoon 46 has an increased volume and a relatively better performance than the 450. Looking at the hull alone tells the story of how VPLP saw that this dream could be achieved. The waterlines are narrowed down and flared out inboard, and this notably increases the volume of the inside, especially the cabins in the forward area. This enables for the same size of beds to exist front and abaft.

Also added to the new 46 is a state-of-the-art cradle-like davit system and a relatively less weighty Bimini roof. The flybridge has also an area large enough for couples sunbathing which has direct access to the two side decks. There is also increase in the reserved storage space.

The mast is now situated at the aft position of the top of the boat, a self-tacking genoa becomes a necessity, and thus this is made a basic feature. Nauta Design sees to it that the innards of the Catamaran Lagoon 46 does not look anything short of blessed, with most of the finishes either light wood oaks or Alpi and many rounded edges.

Lagoon 46 Specs

Size Measurements:

Length Overall: 45 feet 11 inches Beam: 25 feet 10 inches Draught: 4 feet 3 inches Displacement: 33,603 pounds Sail area: 1,323 square feet. Self-tacking genoa: 500 square feet. Square top mainsail (optional.): 866 square feet.

Mechanical Specifications include:

Engine (standard): 2 x 45 cv CR to 2 x 57 cv CR. Fuel Limit: 79 US Gallon Fresh Water Capacity: 79 US Gallon

Berths : are up to six-twelve.

Lagoon 46 Pros

• The innovation in the double-side accessible beds in a cabins is surely a huge bonus.
• For more comfortable maneuvering, this two engined catamaran is worth having.

Lagoon 46 Cons

• It goes without saying that there are some places your Catamaran might not safely pass in the waters because of its size.

Price: Around 400k On The Used Market

We are at the Bali 4.1 as we arrive at the saloon, which couldn’t be larger and gated by a glossed-over pivot door. These and some others are the modifications that made the Bali 4.0 a huge success. They continue to create a sensation in the Catamaran world with the Bali 4.1. As it is a boat known for its seaworthiness, its component foredeck space provides rigidity and serves to protect from spray. It sports a very large space that can accommodate people for sunbathing. Its fore cockpit is large enough to fit in a small crew comfortably without their bumping each other’s heads. Reviewers have described the flying bridge as a glad-handering platform, while the helming station is somewhat elevated.

For the sake of unhindered natural ventilation, its windows open either as the gliding or retracting kind. In other news, new features have been added to the Bali 4.1, like the large side lockers, the new bench seats in the back cockpit, and a platform that connects the two hulls, which is situated in the aft position. The design mastermind of the Bali 4.1 is the LASTA Design Studio, and the Naval architect is Xavier Faÿ.

Bali 4.1 Specs

Length Overall: 39 feet 8 inches Beam: 22 feet 1 inch Waterline length: 38 feet 1 inch Draft: 3 feet 7 inches Maximum upwind sail area: 1135 square feet Mainsail: 516 square feet Jib: 355 square feet

Mechanical Specifications include:-

Fuel Capacity Limit: 105 gallons Engines: 2 X 20 HP and can be upgraded to the 2 X 40 HP for making those extra knots count while at sea.

Displacement: 9.9 US ton Maximum displacement: 13.0 US ton Freshwater Capacity: 211 gallons

Bali 4.1 Pros

• It promises more stability and less floating.
• There’s obviously more space on the Bali than on many monohulls.

Bali 4.1 Cons

• It is very expensive to charter a Bali 4.1, sometimes 200% more than yachts of the same length.
• It is both expensive and hard to find a place in marinas.

Bavaria Nautitech 46

Price: Between $500k and 800k USD On The Used Market

The Bavaria Nautitech 46 promises nothing less than elegance, comfort, and pleasure. One of the worthy of note things about this Catamaran is that it comes in two models: The Fly and the Open. They’re basically the same thing but for cabin variations. The Bavaria Nautitech 46 Fly is the flybridge variant of The Bavaria Nautitech 46. The flybridge provides a roomy space for the captain and passengers and an excellent view of all directions. The Bavaria Nautitech 46 architecture was handled by Marc Lombard, and Roseo Design saw to its finish.

You can opt for this 46 Open as a 3-cabin version if you’d prefer an owner’s suite or as a 4-cabin version that accommodates 8 people, especially if you intend to rent.

There is an area in the kitchen that was specially carved out as a chart table space where you can comfortably organize your navigation without losing coordination. A very spacious, well-designed saloon that provides passengers with an all-round view of the delectable sea while reclining on the comfiest seating, possibly sharing the experience with a loved one.

Bavaria Nautitech 46 Specifications

Length Overall: 45 feet 3 inches Length, Waterline: 45 feet Beam overall: 24 feet 9 inches Draft: 4 feet 9 inches Full mainsail: 818 square feet Self-tacking jib: 409 square feet Mast Altitude Above Water Line: 75 feet 2 inches Unloaded weight (approximately is): 23,814 lbs

Mechanical Specifics Include:

Engine runs on diesel, and it is also sail-driven. Engine power: 2 x 40 Hp Volvo Penta to run the boat at 8.1 knots to 9 knots at full throttle. Fuel tank: 2 x 79 gal Water tank: 2 x 79 gal

Bavaria Nautitech 46 Pros

• The number of rails and clip-on points assures safety and allows for easy movement around the cat 
• Engine bays are spacious enough to allow direct access to the engines
• Quality interior design

Bavaria Nautitech 46 Cons

• The aft helm have reduced visibility, especially towards the opposite bow.
• Due to the slender shape of the hills, there seems to be a decrease in the living space below.

Fountaine Pajot 45

Price: Between $500k and 900k USD On The Used Market

Fountaine Pajot 45 was debuted at the 2019 Cannes Yachting Festival and popularly known as the Elba 45; its bold and modern style was indeed made for comfort, relaxation, and… you guessed right, cruising. Forged with inverted bows and energy emitting lines, which makes for large interior spaces. The helm station was also remodeled to increase the handling experience. Indeed, the Fountaine Pajot 45 was primarily crafted for comfort. The fact that this point is being reiterated says a lot.

The cockpit is the size of very spacious, runs into the saloon in a direct access, and provides lots of storage spaces. Also available as a variation is the Beach Club electric platform for night parties. Standard relaxation spaces are on the foredeck, lounge, and the cockpit. There is something striking about the FP 45 that’s rare; the two refrigerators of 50.1 gallons & 34.3/23.7 gallons capacities, also there is a watermaker that produces drinking water 15.85gal/hour for blue-water cruisers.

Fountaine Pajot 45 Specifications

Length Overall: 44.2 feet Beam: 24.77 feet Draft: 4.3 feet Main Sail Area: 796 square feet Genoa Area: 484 square feet Displacement: 30200 lbs

Mechanical Specifics include:

Engine: 2 × 40 Hp or an optional 2 × 50 Up available for upgrade. Diesel capacity: 124 gallons Freshwater capacity: 185 gallons

Fountaine Pajot 45 Pros

• Has one of the best and largest living spaces of catamarans in its class.
• The Fly Lounge is clever. 
• Pretty nippy sharp when with the wind, and it is a good compromise between comfort and speed.

Fountaine Pajot 45 Cons

• The consumption of fuel increases in an upwind sailing.
• Not positively popular for its performance upwind.

Price: Around 600k USD On The Used Market

After we went through the details and characteristics of this Leopard Catamaran, we concluded that is was indeed deserving of winning the Boat of the Year Award in 2017. Also, we wish to affirm of its astute value and penchant for satisfying all sailors of the deep blue.

The overseer of the architecture of this catamaran is the popular Simonis and Voogd Yacht Design, with all exterior and interior finishing expertly handled by one team at Robertson and Caine. This boat was built while putting a lot of cruiser reviews into consideration. The lounge (which wasn’t in the original design but now in the later editions) provides a sunbed for sunbathers, a seating space, and table for either working or eating. It is accessed from the aft cockpit by floating stairs situated by the side while avoiding any direct obstruction to the helming station. It is available on the 3 or 4 cabins variation and can take from 6 – 8 passengers comfortably. 

Leopard 45 Specs

Length Overall: 45 feet Length, WaterLine: 42 feet 11 inches Beam: 24 feet 2 inches Draft: 4 feet 11 inches Mast Height: 70 feet Bridgedeck Clearance: 2 feet 9 inches Genoa Area: 501 square feet Load Carrying Capacity: 10141 lbs Displacement: 32849 lbs Holding Tank Capacity: 45 gallons

Engine: is powered by 2 x Yanmar 45HP which runs on diesel. Propeller Dimensions: 3‐blade 17inches x 14inches Engine No. Cylinders: 4 Fuel: 185 gallons Water Capacity: 206 gallons

Leopard 45 Pros

• The helm position has good visibility and clearly assesses to the cockpit. The only flaw is the absence of some kind of barrier between the helm station and the sidedeck, apart from an armrest. We’d want a more robust and more reliable barrier for safety onboard.
• Due to the abundance of rails and attachment points, movements of persons around the boat are encouraged.

Leopard 45 Cons

• A tough nut to crack is the question concerning the forward-facing cockpit’s drain time in the event of large waves over the bows. (Leopard claim 45 seconds)

Price: Around $750k USD On The Used Market

The Catana 47 comes with the Catana signature tall twin daggerboards, open helming stations, and a performance-oriented rig. The Catana 47 is built light and strong with a lot of carbon fiber input, which is a new innovation from the Catana company as their older models contained less of carbon fiber. We also see that this Catana promises to run faster because it was made lighter than the previous Model by 1,500 lbs. What’s more, is that it can also carry more.

In terms of space, crew members do not have to worry about bothering the passenger guests on board because the deck and cockpit have space enough to perambulate without bumping into another person. The Catana 47 was built by Catana Catamarans and designed by Christophe Barreau.

Catana 47 Specs

Length Overall: 46 feet Length, Waterline: 45 feet 6 inches Beam: 25 feet 1 inches Draft: 3 feet 7 inches Berth: 6 feet 5 inches × 5 feet 6 inches (forward) 6 feet 5 inches × 2 feet 2 inches (aft) Fuel Capacity: 158 gallons Water Capacity: 177 gallons Displacement: 21,800 lbs Sail Area: 1,035 square feet 

Engines: it runs on 2 × 40hp Volvo (saildrive) Electrical: the house is rated at 920AH, and the engine is at 230AH.

Catana 47 Pros

• Has quality headroom and enviable roomy space.
• It is fast enough for a catamaran.

Catana 47 Cons

• There is a blindspot diagonally looking from the helming station to the opposite bow. During docking, a watcher will be needed to direct the skipper.
• The running rig is led to a single winch.

Seawind 1370

Price: Around 700k USD On The Used Market

This is a one of a kind 45-foot long cruise cat. Made from contributions of previous Seawind 1600 and 1260 designs, she features a high-performance hull design. However, the makers still managed to give it the balance of roomy and warm comfort and residing spaces that make it an ideal cruiser for large families. The glass windows are shaped in a panoramic fashion and well toughened up to protect against the spray and afore positioned navigation station.

The opening to the saloon from the cockpit is the tri-fold door. Inside the cockpit, there’s a large transom lounge and a nice little bar that can serves as a small cocktail bar. The large saloon’s lounge has enough space, and more can be created by folding down the table to make a bed. 

The helm station houses all the lines and controls, which are through below the deck. This cat’s architecture was designed by Francois Perus, a French native. While equipped with high headroom in the cabins due to the well-shaped hull, it’s unique also due to its flat decks and galley up.

Seawind 1370 Specs

Length Overall: 45 feet Beam: 24 feet 9 inches Draft: 4 feet 2 inches Headroom: 6 feet 9 inches Job/Genoa: 387 square feet Mainsail: 1,937 square feet Displacement: 24,250 lbs

Engine: is powered by 2 x 40 Hp Yanmar engines which run on diesel fuel. Fuel Capacity: 158.5 gallons Water Capacity: 158.5 gallons

Seawind 1370 Pros

• It is comfortable, especially for a couple or small family.

Seawind 1370 Cons

• The Seawind cuts down of volume & space in the cause of it being a better sailing vessel.

Beneteau Excess 15

Price: From 200k to 1 Million USD On The Used Market

Excess 15 is succinctly put, the largest Catamaran in the new Beneteau Group. What I find most interesting in the boat, apart from its comfortable cruising and sleek make, is the twin helm stations, each situated where the hull aft ends up. The designers of this Beneteau Excess 15 say it is for the purpose of heightening sailing pleasure on skippers and crewmen alike. 

We start this catamaran’s internal look, and we see first of all that the saloon, which can also serves as a mini room diner, possesses a 360° view of the entire land/seascape due to the non-smoked bay windows. Another feature is the beam which at 26 feet 3 inches can afford to house a cockpit that can contain 8 people to sit on its large table.

With titanium-style of aluminum supports and Dyneema control cords (steering cables) to positively effect the level of response and sensitivity of the feel of the helm. A catamaran that was built for cruising with the artistry invented for race boats and guardwired with fluorescent finer.

Beneteau Excess 15 Specs

Size Measurements: 

Length Overall: 48 feet 5 inches Length: 46 feet 11 inches Beam: 26 feet 4 inches Draft: 4 feet 7 inches Jib: 592 square feet Displacement: 42,018 lbs

Engines: are the 2 × 57 Hp or the 2 × 80 Hp variant. Fuel Capacity: 2 × 137 gallons Water Capacity : 2× 67 & 2 × 46 gallons

Beneteau Excess 15 Pros

• It has a of stability
• For what’s worth, she is a seaworthy vessel
• The Beneteau Excess 15 has prestige written all over it.

Beneteau Excess 15 Cons

• The Excess 15 is a luxury boat through and through, and one must be willing to sacrifice speed for it.

What is your favorite Catamaran Under 50 Feet? Let us know in the comments below.

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Catana 53: Best Cruising Multihull Over 50 Feet

• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: December 11, 2018

In the quest to determine the Best Cruising Multihull Over 50 Feet, it soon became apparent that the contenders were nicely split between two sets of quite similar vessels. On one hand, you had two evenly matched 50-footers: the Lagoon 50 and the Leopard 50. On the other was a pair of 50-foot-plus vessels, each of which crested the million-dollar price tag: the Catana 53 and the fleet’s lone trimaran, the Neel 51.

The two “Ls” are produced by a couple of the world’s biggest catamaran builders, France’s Lagoon and South Africa’s Robertson and Caine. Both produce hundreds of cats each year, many of them bound for the world’s largest charter fleets (the Leopard is also available in a dedicated charter version that’s marketed as the Moorings 5000, while Lagoon says a solid 40 percent of its new 50’s production run will be charter boats). Finding much to like about all four boats, and recognizing they were all conceived with different purposes in mind, the judging team decided to consider the Lagoon 50 and the Leopard 50 in a separate category: Best Charter Boat .

That left the big cat and the big tri, dedicated long-range cruisers that Tim Murphy said squared up against each other very well. “I think the Neel and the Catana are very fair competitors against each other,” he said. “They’re not billed as 20-plus-knot thoroughbred racing multihulls, but they’re very quick. They’re promising 10 or 12 knots, but day after day. I think they’ll both achieve that. They both do a lot of really good things where their sail plans can be set up for knocking out those ocean miles. They’re really miles-per-day boats, where you’re going to see those 240-mile daily runs I think pretty regularly.”

So there we have the ­similarities, and they are clearly impressive ones. What about the differences?

Well, perhaps obviously, trimarans and catamarans are inherently different, a point Alvah Simon made when discussing the Neel 51. “The builder had charts showing righting moments, stability curves and polar diagrams, and I like that because you can believe science, you can believe data,” he said. But Simon also remarked that above and beyond the impressive figures, there’s a tactile difference between a cat and a tri, one you can feel: “This is a good boat. It’s a good ­concept, and it makes for light, fast multihull sailing, with easier motion, easier speed and easier sailing too.”

There was a lot to like about the Catana 53 as well, and Murphy sang its praises. “Catanas are built to be cruising boats for liveaboard sailors who want to sail fast and have fun,” he said. “The construction of the boats isn’t at the leading edge of technology, but they use technology well. It’s Divinycell core, vinylester and E-glass through most of the boat, but then they use carbon at structural points along the way. They’ve got good placements of crash bulkheads. I think it’s a nice use of technology without being extreme.

“We had a whole lot of fun sailing this boat,” he ­continued. “We saw 10 knots with the screacher up, and it was pretty sweet. Visibility from the helm, a topic we’ve been ­visiting with all the multihulls, was excellent. There were some nice things about the way the ­mainsail was set up, with double triangulated blocks and tackles on soft shackles that can be moved outboard so you basically end up with a really beautiful vang built right into it. I can just imagine doing lots of ocean miles that would be really lovely.”

In the end, it was little things that tilted the scales. For instance, said Ed Sherman, the Catana was “very quiet with the engines running. With 3,000 rpm we were under 70 db in the main saloon.” For the Catana 53, that relative silence was golden, and a reason it’s 2019’s Best Cruising Multihull Over 50 Feet.

See All Winners: 2019 Boats of the Year

Other Winners:

• Domestic Boat of the Year
• Import Boat of the Year
• Best Midsize Cruiser Under 38 Feet
• Best Midsize Cruiser Over 38 Feet
• Best Full-Size Cruiser Under 48 Feet
• Best Full-Size Cruiser
• Best Cruising Catamaran Under 50 Feet
• Best Charter Boat
• More: Boat of the Year , boat of the year 2019 , catana , Sailboats
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