Are Catamarans Easy to Sail?
Catamarans are not necessarily easier to sail on their own, but they do have some characteristics that make them safer and more pleasant. Catamarans have an enormous amount of inherent stability.
They divide the force of the wind between two equally sized hulls, which almost entirely eliminates heeling and the dangers associated with it.
Catamarans are also much faster than equivalently-sized monohulls. This is because they don't suffer from hull speed limitations, which are caused by interfering bow and stern waves on monohull sailboats.
This is actually detrimental for singlehanded sailing, as additional speed reduces the time you have to react to danger.
The primary benefit of additional stability is reduced risk of falling overboard or getting injured during tight maneuvers. Additionally, catamarans are extremely difficult to capsize, which increases the amount of time you have to react to a sudden gust or changing sea conditions.
As you can see, single-handing a catamaran is really more of a mixed bag than a cut-and-dry alternative. There are benefits and drawbacks, though it is possible to sail a catamaran by yourself (provided you have the necessary experience to handle a different kind of boat).
What Size Catamaran is Best for Singlehanded Sailing?
Catamarans come in lots of different sizes, though they're not as varied as monohulls. There are two primary types of catamarans: open catamarans and cruising catamarans.
Open catamarans are small and useless for long-distance travel. These boats are primarily for recreation and racing, and they have a limited market. Almost all open catamarans are designed for singlehanded sailing, though some of them can accommodate a crew of two or more people.
Cruising catamarans are completely different beasts. These vessels start at around 30 to 35 feet long and top out around 50 feet.
Anything longer than 60 feet is likely a superyacht, and only a handful of these types of catamarans exist. No catamaran in the superyacht category can be sailed single handed without the help of complex electromechanical and automated systems.
The ideal size for a cruising catamaran is around 35 feet to 45 feet if you intend to sail it yourself. These sizes are manageable due to the limited force required to manipulate halyards and reef the sail.
Also, visibility on a smaller cruising catamaran is usually adequate to maneuver without additional spotters. These vessels make it easier to get to the sail and winches in a short time, as you don't have to run 20 feet between the cockpit and the mast.
Electronic and Mechanical Controls
Some of the larger and more luxurious catamarans come equipped with advanced automatic controls. These systems allow you to raise, lower, and reef the sail from the cockpit, theoretically enabling a single person to perform these tasks while continuing to steer.
Automated winches are increasingly common on larger catamarans, as they reduce the energy required to do relatively simple tasks and allow the crew to focus on navigation.
These systems have proven to be quite reliable even in the harshest conditions, though they should never be trusted completely in place of a competent crew. As a result, the maximum size of catamaran that can be safely singlehanded is still limited.
That's said, having these systems certainly makes it a lot easier and safer to sail a catamaran alone. Smaller catamarans are also being equipped with automatic controls, and autopilot has been available for quite some time.
Do People Buy Catamarans for Singlehanded Sailing?
Generally speaking, people don't purchase catamarans solely for the purpose of singlehanded sailing. Catamarans are more popular for families and groups, as they have more comfortable accommodations in their large double hulls. This is why you don't happen to see catamarans manned by a single person.
Smaller specialty catamarans have been produced for ages. These vessels were often crewed by a single person, but they were made specifically for breaking a record for extreme exploration. Catamarans like these live in record books but aren't manufactured or sold to the wider public.
Challenges of Sailing a Catamaran By Yourself
Catamaran sailing poses a number of challenges, particularly when it comes to the shape of the boat. Catamarans have an extremely wide stance, which makes them difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. Some catamarans have thrusters that can somewhat alleviate these issues.
Additionally, catamarans are more difficult to get around than monohulls. Tending to the boom isn't as simple as reaching overhead in many cases, especially with closed-cockpit models.
But overall, catamarans have a lot more benefits than drawbacks. Singlehanded sailing can be challenging, as you can't dive into the cockpit from the deck like you can on a monohull in the event that you need to rapidly steer the boat.
Additionally, catamarans have a lot of interior space. While this isn't necessarily a problem, it begs the question—what's the point of having such a big and expensive boat if 90% of the interior space goes unused?
Single Handed Catamaran Sailing Tips
Sailing a catamaran single handed is completely possible, although it does require a different set of skills than sailing a monohull. Here are a few tips to help make single handed catamaran sailing safer and easier.
1. Sleep in the Pilothouse
Most cruising catamarans have a spacious covered cockpit, also known as the pilot House. The pilothouse usually contains the galley and a large sitting area for eating or plotting charts.
In the vast majority of cases, the sitting area in the pilothouse can be easily converted into a large bed. It is much safer to sleep in the pilothouse than in the lower hulls while singlehanded sailing.
This is because, when you're sleeping, nobody else will be on watch. If a situation arises and you need to take control of the boat, you have a much better chance of getting to the helm in time if you're sleeping in the cockpit.
2. Install Warning Radar
This goes for all single handed sailors. Installing a warning radar system can make your journey significantly safer. These systems alert you to the presence of nearby ships, such as cargo ships, and give you identifying information such as vessel size and speed.
Marine radar systems can alert you with an audio alarm if you pass within a certain distance of another vessel. This can be useful if you intend to communicate with the vessel, and it can also wake you up if you need to take control of the boat.
Remember, commercial traffic and warships always have the right of way. This is because the stopping distance and turning radius of a large ship are measured in miles, not feet, and you can maneuver much quicker than they can. Again, they will not get out of your way—and radar can tell you when you need to move.
3. Install Automatic Winches
Automatic winches can make singlehanded sailing an absolute breeze. These electric devices allow you to control lines and sheets from the cockpit, and you never have to go out on deck except to raise and lower the sail. Some automatic systems can even reef the sails.
Additionally, automatic winches can save energy, as you don't have to exhaust yourself reeling in and taking out the line. Automatic winches are particularly useful when tacking, as the headsail can be adjusted to either side without going up on deck.
Advanced automatic controls can be linked to your autopilot system. The system can steer instead of your boat and use the weather data from instruments to adjust the sails for maximum speed and efficiency.
4. Buy a Smaller Catamaran
Smaller boats are usually easier to handle—it's a simple fact about sailing. If you plan on single-handing a catamaran, why purchase a 50-footer when a 40-footer would be more than adequate?
There's a point where the seaworthiness tends to flatten out, and a 40 to 45-foot catamaran can handle just about any reasonable sailing conditions without much trouble. You'll save money on slip and lock transit fees, and it'll be easier for you to manage by yourself. Plus, there's still plenty of room for guests to come aboard.
