There are all kinds of boat lovers out there. Traditional sailors with a hunger for the rolling waves of the deep sea, pleasure cruisers who love spending their weekends on the water, technical sailors who spend their time honing their skills for sport… and each one needs the right vessel for their needs.
The same applies to sailors who want to take their families with them as they journey from coastline to coastline. If you’re planning journeys with your family, you’re likely searching for a custom vessel that can provide a safe, comfortable ride without skimping on the thrill of the ocean. That’s where the catamaran comes in.
This multi-hulled vessel has taken the sailing world by storm for a number of reasons. As world-leading catamaran builders with forty years of experience providing custom vessels to sailors from all walks of life, we’re breaking down why this is the perfect choice for your family adventures.
By their very nature, catamarans come with built-in features that make them a safer choice for family adventures. Unlike monohulls, catamarans come with two hulls, two rudders, and two engines.
In the unfortunate event that one of the hulls is breached or one of the engines fails, you will still have a backup to keep the vessel afloat and moving. This makes them virtually unsinkable, especially considering they are unlikely to capsize, thanks to the shape of their construction.
One of the first things you'll notice about a catamaran is the amount of space it offers. In comparison to the narrower monohull boats with compact cabins, catamarans have an expansive deck with plenty of space to relax and socialise with your family while out on the water.
This also translates to a larger living area below deck, which is a huge benefit if you’re taking the whole family along for multi-day trips. You’ll have more space for lounging, cooking, and storing gear, ensuring everyone stays comfortable no matter how long you’re out on the water.
Seasickness is a common phenomenon that many new sailors have to deal with, and it can hit young children or the elderly particularly hard. While monohulls have a deeper keel that puts traditional sailors in touch with the rock and bob of the ocean, catamarans are infinitely more stable in choppy water.
Catamaran builders use the double-hulled shape to provide extra balance and minimise rocking and pitching, ensuring your family feels safe and secure while on board (and reducing the chance that someone gets seasick). For long stints on the water or even multi-day trips around the coast, this is a major benefit.
Catamarans are well-known for being safe and easy to handle for both novice and experienced sailors, which makes them an ideal choice for family-friendly boating. They tend to be more forgiving than monohulls, especially when it comes to docking and turning. If you’re new to the art of sailing yourself, or you’re planning on teaching your little ones how to work the sails while out on the water, there’s no better choice than a catamaran.
Since these vessels are generally easier to handle, this translates to them being safer and less prone to unexpectedly capsizing. Not to mention, the wider stance of the dual-hull construction means they’re much more visible to other vessels out on the water, which can help prevent accidents.
To stay upright and agile, monohulls require a deeper keel than catamarans, which means docking or anchoring in shallow bays or coves is unrealistic for these vessels. But with the shallow draft on a dual-hulled vessel, you can comfortably anchor just about anywhere to prepare for an overnight stay or an afternoon on the water.
The wide and expansive deck also provides plenty of room for catamaran builders to customise your on-deck experience. All that room makes it more comfortable to accommodate more people for longer periods. Where you might be squished like sardines in a can on a monohull, you’ll have plenty of room to relax on a spacious catamaran deck. Not to mention, there’s more storage room for equipment for fishing, kayaking, and even paddleboarding.
Finally, anyone investing in a custom aluminium catamaran will have the opportunity to tailor their vessel’s design to meet their family’s specific needs. If you have unique ideas about your vessel’s interior design or construction, working with a team of custom catamaran builders is a surefire way to get everything you want while balancing safety and functionality.
Custom interior features like enclosed lounges, spacious kitchens, or outdoor entertainment areas can make your catamaran feel more like a home on the water, giving you the perfect set-up for long-term family adventures.
So, the verdict is clear. Catamarans are the ultimate family-friendly vessel, providing better safety, comfort, and accessibility than their monohulled counterparts. This is the kind of boat that will serve your family for years to come!
Our experienced team of catamaran builders at Circa Marine is ready and waiting to create a safe, trustworthy, long-lasting vessel that will see you across the waves for decades to come.
Get in touch today to begin the design process for your custom aluminium catamaran.