Monohull boats are a classic type of vessel with only one hull, while multihull boats have multiple hulls. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these options, so how can you decide which is better for you?
The Basics: Multihull Boats vs Monohull Boats
A boat with a single hull is a monohull vessel. There are many types of monohull boats, such as traditional sailboats, fishing boats, and yachts. They’re instantly recognisable because they only have one hull in the water.
Multihull boats, in contrast, have multiple hulls in the water. If there are two hulls, side by side, you can call that boat a catamaran. If it has three hulls, you can call it a trimaran (though these are rarer). There are even quadramarans and pentamarans with four and five hulls respectively, but you don’t see many of these around.
Pros and Cons of Multihull Boats vs Monohull Boats
Let's start by taking a look at some of the advantages of multihull boats:
- Stability. One of the most important features of a multihull boat is a greater stability. Stand up normally and try to keep your balance; it's easy, right? Now try to stand on one leg and see how long you can last. If you have exceptional balance, you might be able to last a long time, but there's no question that standing on one leg is harder. In a similar way, balancing a boat on one hull is always harder than balancing it on two. Adding at least one more hull to your boat increases stability significantly, even in rougher waters.
- Safety. Higher levels of stability mean much greater safety for you and everyone else on board. Boats that are balanced on multiple hulls in the water are much less likely to capsize.
- Overall speed and performance. You might think that having multiple hulls would slow these boats down, but because of a variety of factors, multihull boats usually have greater speed and overall performance. Obviously, this is dependent on the type of motor you choose, and other variables associated with your individual boat. But generally, this is an advantage of multihull setups.
- Available space. With multiple hulls in the water, you'll have more available deck space and storage space between them. You can have a living space above or below the water, and more room to walk around on the deck. If you're interested in hosting multiple people, or if you just like to have as much space as possible during your aquatic expeditions, multihull boats could be a better fit for you.
- Easier manoeuvrability. Generally, catamarans are easier to manoeuvre than their single hull counterparts. If you find it difficult to steer a boat with a single hull, consider upgrading and getting multiple hulls.
- Easier mooring. You'll usually have an easier time docking a multihull boat because of its increased stability and manoeuvrability. If you like the idea of being able to dock a boat easily, this could be the best option for you.
- Comfort and less fatigue. Sailors and anglers often appreciate catamarans because they're more comfortable – and because they're associated with less fatigue. Rough waters, harsh winds, and other variables aren’t going to cause as much strain.
Of course, there are some advantages that monohull boats have as well:
- Greater thrills. Some people actively prefer monohull boats because they're less stable. When you're sailing, your decisions feel more impactful, and your vessel is more influenced by wind and water. This can make the activity much more thrilling.
- A “real” sailing experience. If you're thinking about the number of hulls associated with your sailboat, you might consider a monohull vessel because it's more associated with a “real” sailing experience. Of course, there's nothing wrong with sailing a multihull vessel, and you can still get an adequate sailing experience that way. But if you're looking for something traditional, monohull is the way to go.
- Less maintenance. Hull maintenance requires you to regularly clean and anti-foul each hull. If you have multiple engines, you’ll have to maintain both of them equally. Accordingly, monohull boats typically require less maintenance, saving you both time and money in the long run.
- Less bridge deck slamming. Because monohull boats don’t have a bridge deck, they don’t suffer from “slamming” in rough conditions.
- Easier transportation. Monohull boats tend to be smaller than their counterparts, making them easier to transport. If you're going to be driving your boat from one place to another, keep this in mind.
- Lower cost. Overall, we can assess that, on average, multihull boats have a few major advantages over their counterparts. But these advantages come with a cost. Multihull boats are more expensive to manufacture and are therefore more expensive for consumers. If you're trying to buy a boat on a budget, or if you just don't think the advantages are worth the extra money, a monohull boat may be a better fit for you.
The Most Important Factors to Consider
This decision can be a complex one, so let's boil it down to the three most important factors you'll need to consider when comparing multihull and monohull boats:
- Budget. How much money are you willing to spend? Catamarans and other multihull boats are associated with many advantages, but if you don't have the money to afford them, they may not be suitable for your needs.
- Stability. How stable and smooth do you want your ride to be? Adding another hull can make your ride better, but that's not always a good thing.
- Personal interest. Are you personally interested in one type over the other? For example, do you like the aesthetics of a classic catamaran?
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