catamaran vs v hull center console

From the PBC Vault: Catamarans vs V-Hulls

Wherein lies the difference?

By Steve Bandler

Poker Runs America / P ower Boating Canada has received a number of letters asking about the differences between catamarans and V-hulls. This is in response to those letters. For our readership, we will address only planing catamarans, primarily for high performance, in the 20- to 50- foot length range, although most of the discussion applies to all cats.  

Design and Performance Considerations

The underside of the supporting structure is referred to as the wing. Originally, cats were designed to improve a boats lateral stability. At low speeds, the cat provides a platform in the water analogous to a person standing on two feet as opposed to one foot for the V-hull. This reduces the tilting that occurs when a boat is loaded off its centerline.

As speed increases, a planing hull rises in the water. A V-hull has to balance on its V as the wetted area narrows. When the wetted area becomes sufficiently narrow, wind and water disturbances, and steering input can result in chine walking, a lateral instability where a V-hull rocks back and forth from side to side. As speeds increase, chine-walking amplitudes can increase to dangerous levels.

Deep-V’s, popular in offshore applications to provide a softer ride in rough water, are more prone to this condition than flatter bottomed boats. The catamaran, with its wider stance, provides a solution to this problem. The cat’s sponsons can be sharpened along their keels to reduce slamming in rough water while still providing a running platform.

As more powerful engines have been produced, speeds have increased to the point where aerodynamic forces have become significant. The wing like supporting structure between the hulls of a cat can be shaped to provide aerodynamic life.

Since water is more than 800 times as dense as air, using a cat’s wing to generate lift, and reduce water area on the boat, improves life to drag ratios significantly as compared to a V-hull. This makes cats of similar size, weight and power faster than V-hulls.

Designing a cat to properly account for the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces is not easy. Correct location of the centers of both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces is essential to providing a safe and stable ride. If the center of an aerodynamic force is too far forward, a cat can blow over if the angle of attack is too great when launching off a wave.

Also, if insufficient aerodynamic lift is generated, waves can impact the wing, an effect know as tunnel slap, resulting in excessive slamming in rough conditions. Such design deficiencies kept early high-speed cats from running as fast as V-hulls in rough water and they were considered smooth water boats. Today, with improved designs, cats will typically outrun similarly sized V-hulls in all but the roughest conditions. The air compressed under the tunnel cushions the ride.

Handling Considerations

When considering handling characteristics, it is important to remember that cats typically run faster than their V-hull counterparts. Higher speeds alone result in handling differences. That being said, a well-designed cat tends to provide a more stable and secure ride than a similarly sized V-hull at the same speed.

Other than speed, the greatest difference that I’ve found between cats and V-hulls is in turning, especially at high speeds. When rudders or outdrives are deflected to turn a boat, a momentum, or torque is generated that cause the boat to rotate about its longitudinal axis and lean into the turn.

With its narrow stance in the water, a V-hull will lean deeply into the turn allowing its bottom surfaces to deflect water away from the turn to ate forces that will counter the centrifugal forces. This allows a V-hull to carve a tight turn with little skidding. With its wide stance, a cat cannot lean as deeply into the turn.

This results in smaller hydrodynamic forces to counter the centrifugal force so that the cat tends to skid around the turn. Advancing the outboard throttle slightly in a twin-engine cat can help improve turning, but care must be taken not to over-steer or the cat will spin out or catch a sponson and flip over.

This is not to say that the same problems can’t be encountered by a V-hull. It’s just that a cat is more sensitive to them. As with any boat, seat time is important before taking a boat near its limits.

In choppy water, at idle and very low speeds, water displaced in the tunnel between a cat’s sponsons may not be able to exit at the transom if the aft section of the wing is submerged.

This water is forced forward and can exit the tunnel at the bow in an upwards direction. If this water comes up over the bow it can result in a wet ride. A V-hull deflects water to its sides eliminating this condition.

Needless to say, in very windy conditions with heavy seas, neither hull is immune to a wet ride. Due to the greater distance between propellers in a twin-engine cat than a high-performance V-hull, the cat will outmaneuver its V-hull counterpart around the docks.

The greater the propeller distance from the centerline of the boat, the great the turning moment. This makes it easier to turn the cat in a shorter distance than a V-hull. The turning effect of placing one drive in forward and the other in reverse is greatly enhanced.

Accommodations

The requirement for larger wings to increase aerodynamic lift in high performance cats gives rise to cats that are typically wider than similarly sized V-hulls. Therefore, cats usually have more available deck space than similarly sized V-hulls.

On the other hand, the cats tunnel takes away from the potentially available cabin space. It’s unusual to see standing headroom in a high-performance cat. Catamaran cabin designs typically provide headroom in the sponsons and use the section over the wing for tables and berths while V-hull designs plan for maximum headroom along a center aisle.

Structural requirements and design complexities tend to make catamaran hulls more expensive than similarly sized and outfitted V-hulls. However, a cat will generally be more efficient to operate than a V-hull at the same speed, thereby saving fuel costs. Also, some of the higher costs of the hull can be recovered in engine and drive package savings since a cat can run as fast as a V-hull with less power. 

Cats versus Vees: A   Racer’s Point of view

By Michelle May Schmidt

Driver – Don Q Cristal, 2000 APBA   offshore Super Cat National Champions, APBA Half of Champions

Patel is a heavyweight in the offshore arena. He has also owned and races cats and Vees.  

“In super rough water, Vee bottoms cut through better and vision is better. To me, it’s safer to race a Vee hull”  

Patel feels that catamaran hulls sporting twin canopies can produce a negative effect towards vision.

“It becomes difficult when you try to make a left-handed turn. You get a skewed view and have to look through the throttleman to make the turn safely.”

That, says Patel, combined with the higher potential to turn a cat over, would be two facts to consider when looking at racing a cat hull.

And he should know, since he blew one over at 150+ miles per hour a few years ago in testing. That in mind, Patel still prefers the stability in the width of a cat when turning in rough water.  

Suggestions for non-racers wanting to wear the uniform in pursuit of the checkered flag? “Start off in Factory Class. It’s the cheapest, safest and most dependable to run in. and know your limits. Don’t run over your head and get hurt.”

Steve David

OPBRA vice president, former APBA   president, former driver – Citgo Supergard, Unlimited Hydro Champion.

David points out that Vees are highly exciting because at top end they are on the edge and require very little lateral stability. They’re super reactive to drive, tab and wave action.

According to him, a smaller Vee hull can take larger seas than an equivalent cat, although that equalizes as you get into the 40+ foot range. In addition, a Vee can run through exceptionally rough head, quartering and following seas while maintaining pretty good headway.

“The flip side,” says David, “is that it takes a lot of power to get a vee hull over 100 mph and then huge incremental horsepower gains to exceed 120 mph, whereas the equivalent horsepower in a cat would yield another 20 mph.”

David admits cats can run quick without massive horsepower and have excellent turning characteristics, but he feels it’s a rough and wet ride until you get into the larger ones.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a negative, but more of an observation that the larger cats have a reduced utility in terms of everyday use, because of the width for trailering or dry storage.”

David wants those not yet involved in offshore racing to know that the same courtesy that exists in everyday boating exists in racing as well.  

“Whether one is a pleasure boater meeting new friends at a distant marina or anchorage, or a new offshore racer, boating is a family activity in a much larger sense.

It’s a shared experience of exploring, the freedom to roam and virtually no limit to your travel desires. Boating, including offshore racing is an exclamation point to our daily lives!”

John M. Kiely

Owner/throttle-man – Kiely Motorsports/Team Tellium, Factory 3, 2nd Place National and Worlds, raced in early 1990s

John Kiely runs a skater and feels that the efficient hull design of the catamaran allows for a high top end speed without the need for big, expensive power. He adds that the distance between drives allows him to maneuver around docks and other boats without too much effort.  

“The downside to cats is that there is limited salon area on the pleasure boat applications, but the upside is that my twin ABPA 502 EFI Mercs accelerate my 36 Skater well over 100 mph on pump gas.”

Kiely says that Vee bottoms ‘have it made” in the public’s eye, because they automatically view the hull as THE original shape of offshore high performance, due in part to the fact that many legends in the sport started with a deep Vee. “However, the public also seems to have a misconception about cats in reference to their stability in rough water,” he adds, in support of the cat.

As for the pro side to Vees, Kiley feels that it is far more practical to haul a Vee bottom citing that it is not uncommon for a 45-foot deep Vee to have a beam of 8’6” or less.

As for performance, the downside, in Kiely’s opinion, is that some deep Vees have a nasty habit of chine walking. To him, this characteristic is uncomfortable at any speed. It also takes a large financial and labor-intensive effort to obtain speeds in excess of 100 mph in a Vee bottom.

“To anyone not involved but interested in racing I offer these words of advice. The positives of cats and Vees can be enhanced, and the negatives can be diminished as long as you’re a team.”

Peter Doerner

Owner/throttleman – Freedom Offshore Racing, F-1, 1999 National and World Champions

In a racing situation, Doerner will tell you that the deep Vee hull is much faster and more agile in the corners than a cat. It’s also an outstanding rough water hull.

He will also add that the V-hull needs to break contact with the water to gain the maximum speed this design will allow.

Doerner finds that the current step designs in some V-hulls tend to be squirrely around flat water corners in.

High-speed situation whereas the wide design of a catamaran hull allows for an air entrapment that gives it more stability in average conditions.

“The positive lift design of an air entrapment hull will produce more speed, given like horsepower, than a Vee hull design,” say Doerner. “However, it does take longer to get on plane for a cat, given the same horsepower, than a Vee hull.”

Doerner’s advice for those who are not already involved in offshore racing is to come to a race, meet the teams, look at the equipment, bring their families, and “catch the fever that the next great motorsport is fueling all over the country!”

David Woods

Owner/throttleman, Pier 57 Fountain fleet

Woods had surely gotten more run for the money than any offshore racer out there this past season, via advertising on his fleet, ever-growing Vee bottoms.

His stable includes Fountain USA.com, Pier 57 Fountain, Fountain Pier 57, and Utz Pier 57 Fountain, racing in the Super Vee, Vee Lite, and Factory Classes.

Woods’ first comment out of the box was Vees are way too cool. To which Art Lilly, his partner in offshore adds, “They are long lean, fighting machines.”

As an afterthought, Woods states: “I sell Vees. I race what I sell. And, I like Reggie.”

Woods does admit that cat hulls go fast with little horsepower whereas it takes more horsepower to get a Vee-bottom going. Another cat positive? “There is no drag in flat water where the Vee has more boat in the water. But lets face it, cats have training wheels,” he jokes with Lilly. “Art’s raced both.”

Woods does concede that Vees are more difficult to race at higher speeds. “It’s basically a balancing act,” he says, compared to running a cat hull. “You don’t run a cat like a boat, you fly it like an airplane.”  

Related Post

Race world offshore brings the big guns to toronto canada, honda marine and mclaren engineering introduce the all-new 300hp outboard, bennington unveils the 2025 m-series: elevating mid-range pontoon boats.

Log in or Sign up

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser .

catamaran vs. Deep V

Discussion in ' Powerboats ' started by Armand Salese , Sep 19, 2001 .

Armand Salese New Member

Am considering purchasing a WorldCAt Center Console for off-shore fishing. Are catamarans better than DeepV's for that purpose? What are the plus/minus between the two designs?  

Scott Junior Member

In a light to moderate sea I would say a well designed catamaran will ride very stable, be more fuel efficient, and be a great fishing platform. But I don't have enough experience aboard cruising/fishing (deeper hulled) cats to say how they perform compared to a v in heavy seas. I know Sport Fishing Magazine did a review a World Cat in the spring...  

Here it is World Class Catamarans 226 Center Console The marine industry considers me a major promoter of catamarans, and as such, I get to drive virtually all of them. I’ve discovered that, as with any type of product, you can find good and bad, expensive and inexpensive. In the case of World Class Catamarans, you can rest assured that its boats have no superiors in terms of quality, attention to detail and performance, especially when it comes to fishing. (Just wait until you see its new 26-foot Tournament Edition Cat.) The newest World Cat model, the 226 Center Console, has more room than most any other 22-footer I’ve ever driven and handles snotty weather every bit as well as its larger siblings. PERFORMANCE Twin Yamaha 115-hp four-strokes hummed as they powered us out Palm Beach Inlet on a beautiful, Florida winter day. The shoreline blocked 15-mph southwest winds, keeping the seas to a civilized 2 to 3 feet offshore. World Cats have planing hulls, but without a vee at the transom. The basic running surface of the 226 mirrors the larger 26 but with some slight changes. The company carried the beam a little farther forward, which gives more buoyancy and also moves the center of gravity forward. The result? A dry, smooth, comfortable ride on all points of sea. Down-sea in our moderate conditions, the 226 tracked straight as an arrow with hands-off ease. Running straight into the seas (something cats don’t cotton to) we managed 31 mph, still smooth as silk, with the bow trimmed down. To save wear and tear on Eastern Yacht Sales’ demo model, we went back inside to the Intracoastal Waterway for our speed runs, where the 226 proffered an upcurrent/downcurrent average of 40 mph top speed at 6,000 rpm while burning an average 21.5 gph. Pretty impressive fuel economy compared to carbureted engines. A more modest 3,900 rpm produced 30 mph but used a mere 11 gph total. I also managed to eke out 16 mph on one engine — quite enough to get you back to the dock should you ever have to shut one engine down. I discovered that if you overtrim the engines and hit a big wake, the boat launches rather than cutting through the wave. However, it provides a landing that you’d expect from a deep vee, even though the World Cat’s planing hulls have a relatively flat radius curve to the bottoms. FISHING As you’d expect, the 226 Center Console offers open fishing area from bow to stern. Four custom-made, in-gunwale rod holders include much beefier pins in the bottom than the industry standard. A very large, in-transom fish box complements the livewell and 75-gallon, in-deck fish box aft. You’ll appreciate the stern seat on the way out to the fishing grounds, but then it can be removed for more unobstructed fishing area. Though the 226 drifts beam-to the seas no matter what angle you start at, the roll moment — like most cats — is quicker than a monohull because it doesn’t roll as far. Drift fishing might take a little getting used to, so you’ll probably want to lean against the rail to brace yourself at first. DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION World Class Catamarans augments totally wood-free construction throughout with composite in the topsides and transom. Bi- and tri-axial fiberglass afford multidirectional strength. What’s really unexpected (and welcome) is the lack of creaks and squeaks on a 22-footer. Hatches can be slammed hard with no ill effect. All hatches sport piano hinges and heavy-duty weather stripping. Even the stainless nuts holding on hinges have been glassed in to prevent any chance of oxidation. In fact, from Day One, when owner Forrest Munden bought the company, no World Cat has yet to experience a single hinge failure. About the only change I would like to see (and World Cat is working on it) would be a ladder that could be deployed by a swimmer in the water rather than the ever-popular Armstrong “Christmas-tree” type. Ladders mounted on the transom can’t be reached by a swimmer. Overall, I heartily commend World Cat. Sure, I’ve always been partial to its boats; they seemed about as good as anyone could make them. This 226 proved me wrong. It’s better than any other World Cat before it. Click to expand...

• Advertisement:

Guest Guest

FinCat Boats If you are considering a Catamaran for offshore fishing you should take a look at the FinCat boats built by Parker Marine www.rodnreel.com/parkermarine/  

Deep V catamaran optimisation...

Planing catamaran vs planing mono hull vs displacement cat fuel 8kts

New Power Catamarans

37’ Power Catamaran

Outboards on small power catamaran

Review self made catamaran

Coastal house catamaran (EC cat. C or D) "kit"

Catamaran sank

Experimental Catamaran with active X-Y-Z stabilization from "Velodyne Marine"

Please explain hull knuckle on power catamarans

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

• CREATE AN ACCOUNT
• Boat Cover Finder
• Bimini Top Finder
• Boat Propeller Finder
• Engine Parts Finder
• Anchor & Dock
• Watersports
• Clothing and Footwear
• Engine Parts
• Cabin and Galley
• Covers and Biminis
• Electronics
• Paint and Maintenance
• Pumps and Plumbing
• Anchor Chains & Ropes
• Boat Fenders
• Boat Mooring
• Boat Protection
• Dock Storage & Protection
• Ladders, Steps, & Platforms
• Top Sellers

• Fishing Rods
• Fishing Reels
• Fishing Rod & Reel Combos
• Fishing Tools & Tackle Boxes
• Fishing Line
• Fly Fishing
• Fishing Bait & Fishing Lures
• Fishing Rod Holders & Storage Racks
• Fish Finders, Sounders & Sonar
• Trolling Motors
• Fishing Nets
• Fishing Downriggers & Acessories
• Fishing Outriggers & Acessories
• Fishing Kayaks
• Fish Cleaning Tables

• Inflatable Rafts
• Paddle Boarding
• Paddles & Oars
• Wakeboard, Wakesurf & Ski
• Wakeboard Towers
• Tow Ropes & Handles
• Life Jackets & PFDs
• Snow Sports
• Roof Racks, Carriers, Dollies

Men's Clothing

• Accessories

Men's Footwear

• Atheltic Shoes
• Water Shoes

Women's Clothing

• Dresses & Skirts

Women's Footwear

• Fuel Systems
• Sacrificial Anodes & Zincs
• Generator Parts
• Inflatable Boats
• Propeller Parts & Accessories
• Boat Manuals
• PWC Parts & Accessories

• Fishing Boat Seats
• Offshore Boat Seats
• Ski Boat Seats
• Pontoon Boat Seats & Furniture
• Boat Seat Pedestals & Hardware
• Boat Seats by Manufacturer
• Boat Tables & Hardware
• Boat Seat Covers
• Boat Seat Vinyl
• Floating Boat Cushions

• Barbeque Grills
• Boat Drink Holders
• Cabin Accessories & Hardware
• Boat Ventilation
• Interior & Cabin Lighting
• Marine Teak Products
• Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
• Binoculars & Telescopes

Boat Bimini Tops

• Bimini Top Accessories
• Pontoon Bimini Tops
• Other Biminis
• RV & Trailer Covers
• Boat Shrink Wrap & Accessories
• Boat Shelters

Boat Covers

• Boat Cover Accessories
• Boat Lift Canopy Covers
• Other Covers
• Boat Wiring & Cable
• Marine Batteries & Accessories
• Marine DC Power Plugs & Sockets
• Marine Electrical Meters
• Boat Lights
• Marine Electrical Panels & Circuit Breakers
• Power Packs & Jump Starters
• Marine Solar Power Accessories
• Marine Electrical Terminals
• Marine Fuse Blocks & Terminal Blocks
• Marine Switches
• Shore Power & AC Distribution

• Marine Audio & Video
• GPS Chartplotters & Accessories
• Electronic Navigation Charts & Software
• Digital Instruments
• Display Mounts
• VHF Radios & Communication
• Marine Radar
• Auto Pilot Systems
• Action Cameras

• Fiberglass & Epoxy Boat Repair
• Boat Paint & Varnish
• Marine Adhesives, Sealant, & Caulking
• Marine Engine Maintenance
• Boat Cleaners & Waxes
• Boat Cleaning Supplies

• Fresh Water Boat Systems
• Bilge Pumps
• Marine Plumbing Parts
• Wash Down Pumps
• Livewell Aerator Pumps & Live Bait Wells
• Toilet & Waste Pumps
• Marine Pump Replacement Parts

• Tires, Rims, & Hub Kits
• Boat Trailer Winches
• Boat Motor Supports & Transom Savers
• Boat Trailer Guides & Rollers
• Boat Trailer Fenders
• Boat Trailer Lights
• Boat Trailer Hardware
• Boat Trailer Jacks
• Boat Trailer Brakes & Axles
• Boat Trailer Tie Downs
• Couplers, Mounts, Hitches, & Locks

• Boat Deck Harware
• Marine Nuts, Bolts, & Screws
• Boat Handles, Pulls, & Rings
• Prop Nut Kits & Hardware
• Boat Cabin Hardware
• Marine Fasteners
• Boat Windshield Parts
• Boat Tubing & Rails
• Boat Mirrors
• Marine Tools & Tool Kits
• Boat Lettering

• Women's Clothing Deals
• Men's Clothing Deals
• Fishing Deals
• Anchor & Dock Deals
• Electrical Deals
• Electronics Deals
• Paint & Maintenance Deals
• Pumps & Plumbing Deals
• Boat Seats Deals
• Trailering Deals
• Camping & RV Deals
• Dealer Login

• Forums Login

• Search forums
• General Boating/Outdoors Activities
• Boat Topics and Questions (not engine topics)

Catamaran vs. v-hull?

• Thread starter SeaNile
• Start date Dec 9, 2002
• Dec 9, 2002

Hello,<br /> Does anyone know the similarities between a catamaran vs. a v-hull? I am in the process of buying a new boat, but I have never rode in a cat before. If anyone has some insight on this, it would be greatly appreciated.  

Jack Shellac

Lieutenant commander.

• Dec 10, 2002

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? I have always owned deep-V's for use in salt water because that was the best design, UP TO the emergence of the catamaran. The cats ride much smoother in rough water and you can run faster than any other design that I know of in choppy water. They're also more stable at low speeds and at rest. I suggest you check them out thoroughly before you make a final decision.  

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? This will depend a great deal on what the boat is being used for and what size it is. We need to know more about how you expect to use your boat.<br /><br />Kelly Cook  

Fleet Admiral

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? I don't much care for the looks of a cat but that may be off shoot big time by the ride. The only downside that I see is that handling with one motor out may be difficult as they are so far apart. Also the ones I have seen require a specialized trailer due to the hull design.  

Chief Petty Officer

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? The cats are reportedly more stable on waves due to the balancing act of the 'two' hulls. A deep vee may list as it rides up the front or back of a wave (unless taking the wave head-on) because the single hull will remain perpendicular to the wave's diagonal surface and roll with the wave. A cat will remain more level because it will have one vee taking the wave at a time while the other stabilizes. The cat will 'cut waves' in this manner. If the waves are very large in proportion to the boat, of course, this effect will diminish as both vees are riding up the same wave.<br /><br />I'm on inland lakes exclusively so I only see waves as large as 2'-3' whitecaps or so, but while the rest of us are getting our butts slammed around in vees the few cat owners are going all out like they're on glass! Cats seem to be at a huge advantage when going fast (very fast)in rough water.<br /><br />Again, my experience is limited to inland waters/small boats so...  

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? if you can afford it i would get a cat, the only down side i would see is turning in an unexpected high sea swell. but then any boat is a problem. one motor shouldnt be bad either, look at pontoons they are just lighter but same priciple. you will also be suprized at how stable they are when people are moving around. im 170 and my fishing bud is 350 when he moves on my trophy i hang on. thats when i wish i had a cat.  

• Jan 24, 2006

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? I've been considering a Cat hull. Seems as if their owners really love them because it's hard to find 'em used. They have everything I want: more room on deck and below (in a WAC)for family/lake and a better ride than deep V for choppy water sea fishing. But, I can't quite get over the look of them and the seem so pricey. I'm surprised there are not more topics on Iboats debating the cat hulls versus V. Seems to me like a these boats would be more popular. I'd like to hear some of your opinions about these hull designs and the pros /cons.  

Supreme Mariner

Senior chief petty officer.

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? Hi all, I have had "V" (mono) hulls for ages before I had my first "cat" (in about 1980 I got my first) now I would not even consider anything else if you are after a fishing boat,not too good for a ski boat though, the advantages of twin hulls far out weigh the disadvantages (and there are a few)good things are stability, ride, space (the boat is basically square) twin motor safety,very easy to control in marina as the motors are a long way apart, easy to put on and off trailer, even a newbee can drive on and off if necessary, a few downsides, initial cost, usually big to tow and store, not real good on tight turns like you would if skiing, (they lean outwards like a car)and maybe a couple of other small things but all in all the best by far for a fishing boat  

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? if anyone is remotely interested just send me an email with any questions I may be able to answer as I have spent thousands of hours on cats of all sizes doing all sorts of things from abalone diving ,game fishing and shark fishing, don't claim to be a marine expert but have spent a lot of time on the water in twin hulls.<br /> [email protected]  

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? If the twin engines placed so far apart offers good manuverability, how come the the boat would not turn as well as V at speed? I'm asking because I intend to use it in the lake for skiing with the family.  

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? because they tend to lead outwards when turning at speed, you can turn but nowhere near as tight as a V which leans inwards, if you want to turn around in a harbour or something, one motor in forward and one in reverse and you can do a turn in your own length (like a v but much much easier)  

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? a high speed turn can of course be good fun (and exciting sometimes)  

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? They turn well at speed, they just turn flat . . .<br /><br />If you have a boat now you know that a V-hull banks into turns naturally. This helps to keep all of your passengers seated when you turn. You would not believe the difference in a high speed cat. They literally stay flat. It is quite noticeable if you ever get a chance to watch one.<br /><br />So imagine your observer yells "down" and you take a quick look for traffic and then turn to protect your skier. Well imagine this with one of your passengers leaning over into the cooler. With a v-hull the beer, the ice and the passenger all benefit from the banking. In the case of the cat hull, everything wants to fall over or spill out as the hull stays flat and the direction changes. I personally think it could be pretty dangerous, easily minimized, but I think the opportunity for injury ultimately goes up . . .  

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? The downside of cats? Running downwind in large following seas in breaking inlets. They are more prone to broaching than monohulls. When waves are too steep for the boat to drive perpendicular to the wave you have to drive at an angle to it. The angle means one hull is at the bottom of the trough and the other hull is on the face of the wave. The upper hull is lifted and puts more weight and force on the downward hull. The downward hull is "stuffed", burries the bow and trips the boat...broach or rollover type things happen. Monohulls aren't as sensitive in this regard and can be driven out of the same situation easier. Some "multihullers" are in denial about this, only because they haven't learned yet. You can see this in action at any bad inlet. There is one nearby where I live and watching boats on big swell days is really entertaining...everbody enjoys watching cats get in trouble. My cousin bought a cat and sold it after his first run though a nasty inlet. He said it was too hard to control compared to monohulls. <br /><br />Then there is sneezing and waves slapping the bridge. If running into big headseas it's best if the bridgedeck stays above the waves. Otherwise it's solid water hitting a big blunt wall. That's why cats are typically so tall. The little things cat owners don't seem to talk about is what you need to ask questions on. In smooth waters none of the above matters.  

Petty Officer 1st Class

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? cat's are long fast boat if you see of shore racing there a class of them, and they handle rough water real well but watch for stuff, if you have open cabin boat I rather have a v for fishing off shore speed isn't what wanted just to get us there with no break downs,and enough power to get though rough water too just though's i would do.  

• Jan 25, 2006

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? As mentioned, cats turn flat and may be boring; if you are out for thrills rather than a smooth stable ride. That and hard trailering are the only 2 gripes I have heard of.<br /><br />Mark  

Seaman Apprentice

• Jul 25, 2009

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? One guy has said trailering is easier for noobies, and another said trailering is harder with catamarans. I would imagine trailering would be no different as far as launching the boat, but retrieving it would be harder as you have to perfectly line up each hull with the trailer bunk. Anyone have catamaran trailering experience? I'm considering buying a cat as my next boat and trailering is my only worry (I dry-rack store my monohull right now).  

• Jul 26, 2009

Re: Catamaran vs. v-hull? Hate to bump this thread but I'd really like to know if retrieving a catamaran is more difficult than a monohull  

• 2024 BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
• Email Newsletters
• Boat of the Year
• 2024 Freshwater Boat and Gear Buyers Guide
• 2024 Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Water Sports Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide
• Cruising Boats
• Pontoon Boats
• Fishing Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• Water Sports
• Boats for Sale
• Boat Walkthroughs
• What To Look For
• Watersports Favorites Spring 2022
• Boating Lab
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Catamaran Versus Deep-V Monohull

• By Chris Caswell
• Updated: February 26, 2018

Ever since the Polynesians started crossing oceans on catamarans when much of the “civilized” world was still afraid of the sea, the idea of the twin hull has ebbed and flowed in popularity. For centuries in the Western world, the monohull ruled the seas. At least until 1876, when Nathanael Herreshoff designed a sailing catamaran that was so fast, cats were actually banned from racing for years. Yes, cats are cool. But how do they really stack up against the classic, tried-and-true deep-V monohull?

Let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of catamaran and monohull boats. We picked two boats of similar length: the Sea Ray Fly 400 (43 feet 6 inches) and the Leopard 43 Power Cat (42 feet 8 inches). The Sea Ray displaces more (30,900 pounds versus 25,794 pounds), but the major difference is beam: The Leopard, carrying 22 feet 1 inch of beam, is nearly 9 feet wider than the Sea Ray (13 feet 6 inches). And that is where many differences between the two start.

Before we go on, we need to provide a disclaimer. We know we’re comparing apples to oranges to some degree, so don’t go sending us angry letters about an unfair comparison. Frankly, it’s sometimes good to compare the taste of oranges and apples. And here’s the thing: We like them both! Both boats ended up with good scores in some areas, lesser in others. We do believe that the concepts that surfaced as a result of comparing these two boats will help cruiser buyers make a more informed decision if the question of cat versus mono arises in their quest for a new boat. That said, let the comparison begin.

Fast Action: Speed Vs. Efficiency

With 960 hp from twin Cummins diesels, the Sea Ray easily wins in top speed at nearly 34.5 mph compared to the Leopard (27.6 mph), but at a serious cost in fuel. At 20 mph, the Leopard is using just 20 gph, for an even 1 mpg. At the same speed, the Sea Ray is using 32.6 gph, netting 0.5 mpg.

“A strength of the catamaran is that it has such low drag,” says Gino Morelli, the catamaran designer, whose credits range from America’s Cup contenders and Olympic-class cats through power cats for charter use up to a record-setting round-the-world 125-foot cat. “It’s just basic hydrodynamics: Two slim hulls have very low resistance. They push much less water than one wider hull and therefore require smaller engines for increased efficiency.”

The Sea Ray is faster; the Leopard is more efficient. It’s nice to have speed when you want to outrun an approaching squall or get to an anchorage first. On the other hand, you’ll probably spend most of your cruising time at the lower speed more comfortable to your guests.

Our take: Both are winners. It’s your choice.

Pain and Gain: Ride Vs. Handling

“Two sharp hulls pound less in a seaway too,” says Morelli. Monohulls, especially cruising monohulls like the Sea Ray, tend to experience bow rise when accelerating, while catamarans remain flat throughout their speed range. It’s generally agreed that catamarans provide a softer ride in a seaway because their knifelike hulls slice the waves rather than crush them, and the motion of a catamaran in waves is more like a cantering horse, which some people like and others don’t. At low speeds in a beam sea, some power cats can have a sharp roll as swells pass under each hull separately, but monohulls also roll considerably, which is why gyrostabilizers and stabilizer fins have become popular aboard monohulls. But the roll moment is different for each, and you may or may not prefer one motion to the other.

In hard turns, catamarans remain flat or even lean outboard somewhat, which can intimidate inexperienced skippers more used to the inboard bank of a monohull. Handling is another factor to consider, and catamarans have both good and bad features. With the engines widely spaced in the two hulls, a catamaran is more maneuverable at slow speed and spins easily by using its engines. A monohull, with the two engines close together, requires more power and technique to spin.

The downside of handling a cat, of course, is the much wider beam: Turning a platform that is more than half as wide as it is long can take planning, especially in narrow channels. Some, but not all, catamarans also have some weird quirks, such as “sneezing” between the hulls when running in some conditons, which sends spray over the bow, and also pounding at times at idle speeds due to air pockets.

Draft is something to keep in mind too, especially if you want to explore shallow waters. The Leopard draws 3 feet 1 inch compared to the Sea Ray at 3 feet 7 inches. The Leopard also has skegs to protect its props, rudders and running gear if you decide to nose up to a beach.

That 22-foot beam has another downside: It doesn’t fit in many marina slips, which means the Leopard is likely to moor on end ties (with more wave motion) or on side ties along a seawall, while the Sea Ray will fit into most any marina slip. Catamaran slips are often more expensive too.

Our take: The catamaran wins for its soft ride in a seaway. The V-hull wins for fitting into a greater number of protected, less-expensive marina slips.

Interior Accommodations – Salon

There’s no getting away from the fact that a 22-foot-wide boat will have more space than one with a 13-foot beam, or so it should seem. But that isn’t quite true. Let’s start with the salon.

Having a 20-something-foot-wide living room is something you don’t find aboard monohulls until you pass the 100-foot length, and this is exactly why catamarans are proving popular with liveaboard owners. In the case of the Leopard, there is a large dinette, a single-seat lower helm station, and a spacious L-shaped galley with counter space measured in acres. Galley gear includes a three-burner gas cooktop with gas oven, and a two-drawer fridge.

The Sea Ray has a doublewide helm station, a pair of facing couches, and a galley aimed more at dining ashore, with limited counter space, a two-burner electric cooktop, microwave and fridge.

While the Leopard salon excels in sheer space (there is room to dance in the salon), it also has one popular feature: a front door. Both boats have sliding doors aft into the cockpit, of course, but the Leopard has an offset door that opens to the foredeck for anchoring or sunning.

Our take: The salon winner is the Leopard catamaran.

I said “so it should seem” about a wider beam on the Leopard equating to more space, which was true for the salon, but not so much for the staterooms. The Sea Ray has a conventional monohull layout for this length, with the master stateroom forward and a midship cabin under the salon with two berths that can slide together to become a double. The Sea Ray master cabin has a walk-around island queen-size berth, while the midship cabin has limited headroom, but a couch and a separate head are optional.

The Leopard, on the other hand, offers either a four-cabin or a three-cabin owner’s layout. The four-cabin is popular with chartering, placing two cabins in each hull, with a head and stall shower between, while the owner’s version fills the starboard hull with the berth aft and the bow becomes a large head with stall shower.

The shortcomings of the catamaran are the narrow hulls, which limit the width of the cabins. The berths literally fill each cabin, hullside to hullside, making these into less graceful ­­crawl-in berths, and each cabin has limited floor space and stowage.

Our take: We’ll call this even, depending on whether you want more smaller cabins or fewer but more-spacious cabins.

Once again, sheer beam is the determining factor in flybridges. The Leopard has a wraparound dinette, doublewide helm seat, and outdoor galley with barbecue grill and fridge. The Leopard bridge still has ample space for deck chairs or kayaks. A walk-through next to the helm leads to a sun pad on the forward bridge for lounging.

The Sea Ray 400 Fly has a single helm chair and a double companion seat, as well as a dinette and mini galley, but no extra space.

Our take: The Catamaran’s extra width offers a more spacious flying bridge.

Transom Platform

The Leopard Power Cat has smaller transom platforms, but there are two of them. Leopard created a clever electric davit that can launch or retrieve a tender and provide secure stowage while underway, making tender operations easy. The Sea Ray offers a standard transom platform or an optional hydraulic platform, either of which serves as a terrific “beach” for your crew while at anchor. It can carry up to a 500-pound tender such as a Sea-Doo Spark PWC.

Our take: The monohull’s single wide swim platform is superior for tender handling, swimming and socializing

Fit and Finish

This last item is empirical, and the fact is the two boats are finished to different standards. The Leopard ($459,000 MSRP), like many catamarans, is designed for minimal maintenance for tough charter service, with expanses of fiberglass and Formica-like materials. The Sea Ray ($809,542 MSRP), on the other hand, uses fabrics and finishes that create a more opulent, yachtlike interior.

Engine access on the Sea Ray 400 Fly is good via a gas-lifted cockpit deck, while the Leopard engines are under the berths in the two aft cabins, which rise on gas lifts, but there is some upheaval of two cabins to check the oil. Again, a personal choice: one engine room or two.

Our take: Finish is not strictly a cat or mono attribute. Any boat can be finished to any level, depending upon the builder’s target market.

Catamaran or monohull? Both are right for certain owners and, just like apples and oranges, both taste good for different reasons. Boating ‘s position for decades has been and continues to be: There is no perfect boat, but there is probably a boat that is perfect for you.

• More: Boats , Cruising Boats , Leopard Catamarans , sea ray , versus

2025 Cobia 265 CC Open

The Boat Choices of TowBoatUS Captains

Firecrown Acquires Active Interest Media’s Marine Group

Seakeeper Ride 750 and 750 Quad

Boat Parade Safety

The First Secretary of Boating

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Boating may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2024 Boating Firecrown . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.