One question you’ll hear floated around a lot in the sailing sphere is, ‘Are catamarans safe?’ It’s an ongoing discussion that never reaches a conclusion.
Catamarans are among the most popular boats to rent these days, but questions often arise about their safety, particularly when they’re compared to other vessels. This is especially true when navigating choppy seas like the Mediterranean, which have a reputation for sudden shifts in weather.
If you’re considering hiring a catamaran with Sailyachts.com but have some concerns about their safety, rest assured, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll dive into the ins and outs of catamaran safety, putting any worries to rest with a clear look at how well these vessels are built to handle rough spells in the ocean.
How Safe Are Catamarans For Sailing?
Let’s get right to it: while many sailors choose a catamaran for the extra level of comfort and premium features, they also have a fantastic reputation for dealing with high winds and rough waves out at sea. You’re probably wondering, ‘But how?’
Firstly, catamarans don’t rely on a heavy ballast for balance. Without a ballast, there’s no risk of an uneven load shifting, which means they naturally avoid the chance of the boat totally destabilizing when it hits a big wave in the sea.
Another thing to point out is that catamarans, by design, are basically resistant to capsizing with a broader base and a low center of gravity. In other words, even if you’re cruising through a strong Mediterranean gust or navigating a choppy stretch, the likelihood of a hull lifting is slim to none.
When you compare a catamaran to something like a monohull that often has a keel weighing it down, it’s safe to say they’re one of the safest types of vessels we have at Sailyachts.com.
Catamaran Safety Pros
They’re Fast Enough to Escape Bad Patches of Weather
The first thing you probably imagine when sailing in the Mediterranean is turquoise-colored water and dreamy islands. Sure, these are all nice things you’ll experience on your voyage, but trust us, it can get rough out there. The weather can change in the ocean with the click of a finger. But thanks to the advanced navigational systems on our catamarans, it’s relatively easy to escape the bad patches of weather as long as you spot them early.
Generally, you can travel between 200 and 250 miles on a catamaran, so unless there’s a huge storm forming, you’ll be able to sail your way out of any problems that lie ahead.
There’s a Back-up System in Place
Every sailor’s biggest fear is getting stranded out at sea, but luckily, if one of your engines blows out on a catamaran, it won’t be the end of the world since they’re built with two engines, unlike monohulls. Say one of your motors shut down if you were sailing between the Greek Islands in the Mediterranean; your catamaran would easily be able to pull along with one until you made it to an anchorage. However, it’s best you try to get to land as fast as possible, just on the slight chance the other engines break down, then you’ll have a real problem.
They’re Protected Against Flooding
There’s much to praise about a catamaran’s design, including its flood-proof design. It has a clever zoned layout where the captain is positioned high above the waterline. This elevation provides an added layer of safety, meaning that if a leak were to happen, it would take a significant amount of water to have any meaningful impact on the vessel.
Think of it this way: if a leak were to happen in one of the hulls, it’s certainly an issue that needs addressing, but it wouldn’t spell disaster for you because of the two hulls. You’ll be able to stay afloat with the leak, but you should repair it as soon as you can to avoid any further damage down the line.
Catamaran Safety Cons
Advanced Sailing Skills Are Required to Operate a Catamaran
While a catamaran’s amazing design is sure to keep you out of harm’s way if something bad happens, you’ll need advanced skills to operate them in case you run into bad weather. Unfortunately, a reliable vessel will only get you so far, so you’ll have the expertise to sail this type of boat, or you won’t stand a chance. Having a skilled captain with a solid crew to back you up will eliminate many risks that the Mediterranean poses.
Capsizing a Catamaran Isn’t Completely Out of the Question
It’s rare that you ever hear of stories of catamarans capsizing, but there have been situations where it has happened in the past. If, for whatever reason, a catamaran capsizes, the same thing would happen in a monohull in that situation. One thing to be aware of is that the newer catamarans have positive buoyancy, meaning the vessel wouldn’t go underwater even if you did capsize, so you can hold on to the ship until you’ve got help.
Unique Catamaran Safety Features
Dual Hulls
One of the main safety features a catamaran has is its two hulls, which give the vessel strong stability when it’s on the water. This layout minimizes rolling, allowing for a smoother and more comfortable sail, even if the conditions are choppy. The dual hulls distribute weight evenly on the catamaran, so you get a nice level of balance, and it’s much less susceptible to the forces of the sea that you’ll have no control over.
Modern Technology Solutions
Almost all modern catamarans have built-in GPS systems and auto-pilot modes to ensure sailors can navigate the open ocean freely, even if the weather is poor. Along with that, all of our catamarans feature highly advanced radio systems, whether it’s VHF or EPIRBs, so you always have a line of contact if you find yourself in a spot of bother in the Mediterranean.
Anchor Bridle Set-ups
Because catamarans have an anchor bridle set-up hooked onto the anchor chain and twin bows, it adds to the vessels’ stability. In a situation like when the boat is sitting in an anchorage, this prevents it from moving side to side and potentially hitting another vessel, which could be an expensive accident that could easily be prevented.
Greater Buoyancy
One thing you can’t take away from a catamaran is that it has greater buoyancy in its design. You’d think that these vessels would easily sink in shallow waters or struggle against crashing waves, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This impressive stability stems from the way the side hulls are connected, creating a solid balance and making them incredibly resilient in challenging conditions.
They’re Built to Withstand the Force of Rough Waters
Catamarans have rightfully earned their reputation for their robust design that can handle the challenging waters of the Mediterranean. They’re made with reinforced materials that are stronger than those of a monohull, which means that even if you encounter a few rough patches, these vessels are built to handle them.
Now, some skeptics might mention rare cases where catamarans have split, pointing to the weak fiberglass that connects the two hulls. However, this is often a misconception; it’s not about the fiberglass or any design flaws but more about the construction behind a specific model from the manufacturer.
Final Words
For anyone who was on two minds about hiring a catamaran with Sailyachts.com for their next trip out to sea, we hope this guide has calmed your nerves and assured you that these boats are safe for tackling the rough patches in the Mediterranean.
Sailyachts is the leading company offering professionally built catamarans for hire in the Mediterranean. If you’d like to hire your next rental with us, visit our Contact Us page to secure your boat today. Our extensive catalog features catamarans of all shapes and sizes, available for hire with or without the option of skilled skippers and crew.
