catamaran sailing around the world

Can You Sail a Catamaran Around The World?

‍ Many people have sailed around the world in traditional monohull sailboats, but has anybody tried with a catamaran?

Sailing around the world is hazardous and trying at times, so it pays to have a sailboat that's built for the job. Sailors place a premium on safety and comfort—so where do catamarans fit into the equation?

Yes, you can sail a catamaran around the world. In fact, full-size catamarans are some of the best circumnavigation sailboats on the market. They offer superior comfort, safety, storage space, and speed when compared to monohulls.

Catamarans have become increasingly popular since the 1990s, and they're seen in ports all over the world. If you consider their handling characteristics, it's no wonder they're so popular for circumnavigation. But what are the things that make cruising catamarans so good for long ocean voyages?

We sourced the information used in this article from sailboat design guides and the online sailing community. We also considered the input of several experienced catamaran captains, most of which have embarked on circumnavigations in catamarans and monohulls.

Table of contents

‍ Can You Circumnavigate in a Catamaran?

You can absolutely sail a catamaran around the world! In fact, catamarans are preferred by many sailors for long ocean voyages, and dozens circumnavigate in all seasons each year. The number of catamarans continues to rise every year, and some of the world’s most influential long-distance sailors have switched to them from monohulls.

There are many benefits to choosing a catamaran for a circumnavigation, and we’ll cover some of those soon. But first, here’s what makes a catamaran suitable for an around the world sailing trip.

What Kind of Catamaran Can Sail Around the World?

Not all catamarans are ideal for long ocean voyages, but the vast majority above 25 feet in length are. The kind of vessel that's suitable for a long ocean voyage is called a cruising catamaran.

Cruising catamarans have a number of defining characteristics that make them ideal for Sailing around the world. Here are a few of them.

Cruising catamarans have extensive cabinet space. Smaller catamarans that aren't designed for large ocean voyages aren't designed for comfort. Cruising catamarans have between two and four staterooms, along with a large covered cockpit and standing headroom throughout.

High Freeboard

Cruising catamarans have a high freeboard, which means the decks are relatively high above the water. They also have a shallow draft, as a catamaran has no need for a centerboard, fin keel, or bulb keel.  

Catamarans are not as long as monohulls relative to their capabilities. A 35 or 40-foot catamaran has much more interior space than an equivalently-sized monohull. Catamarans split their living quarters between the two hulls and include an additional spacious covered cockpit above.

Cruising catamarans range in size from 30 feet to 60 feet in length, and they typically measure around 40 to 50 feet from stem to stern. The bottom limit for livable Catamarans seems to be about 25 to 30 feet. Catamarans that are smaller than this lack the space for comfortable living accommodations.

Benefits of Catamaran Circumnavigation

Catamarans are quick and robust, and they make excellent long-term cruising sailboats. They're spacious, safe, comfortable, and have exceptional handling characteristics in almost all weather conditions. Here are some of the main advantages of choosing a catamaran to sail around the world.

Speed is one of the most significant benefits of sailing a catamaran around the world. The ocean is a huge place—and unless you're sailing just to sail, it's always advantageous to shorten the time between destinations.

Catamarans are fast—really fast. A typical cruising catamaran can reach speeds in excess of 20 knots in the best conditions, which is more than twice as fast as a typical monohull. This is because catamaran hulls cancel out the hydrodynamic interference that limits the 'hull speed' of monohulls.

Speed also has other important benefits. For one, it reduces the amount (and cost) of provisions that you need to store aboard. Additionally, speed gives you more flexibility when planning and avoiding weather.

Comfort in Rough Weather

Speaking of weather, catamarans have another notable advantage: stability. Catamarans are inherently stable vessels, and they ride much more softly in the rough weather than traditional sailboats.

Catamarans distribute their weight between two hulls. These hulls are connected on the tops, and water is free to flow in between them. Catamaran hulls are also sharp and narrow, and their shape allows wave punching.

This allows them to cut through waves instead of riding over them, and the effects of lateral rolling are also greatly diminished. That means it won't roll as violently from side to side.

All that extra stability contributes to the overall safety of the catamaran design. Since they incorporate two hulls, catamarans are extremely difficult to capsize.

There's another hidden safety benefit of the catamaran design. If in the very unlikely event that you capsize, a catamaran will float just as well upside down provided the hulls split apart. This makes it an effective life raft in a catastrophic situation.

Extra Storage Space

Catamarans have tons of extra storage space, especially if you're traveling with a smaller crew. A typical cruising catamaran has accommodations for around eight people or more and usually includes at least four bunk areas in the hulls.

With all that extra room, there's plenty of space to store food, toiletries, emergency supplies, souvenirs, and personal items. There's also plenty of room for guests.

Room for More Passengers

Catamarans have many more sleeping spaces than an equally sized conventional sailboat. Catamarans usually include two master staterooms in the forward part of each hull and two aft.

The hulls typically contain at least one head in each, and usually two. Some catamarans include four large bathroom/shower combinations, which give each passenger or couple a private bathing area.

Larger 'Day Living' Spaces

Catamarans also have larger living areas between the hulls. The cockpit of a cruising catamaran is usually covered and spans almost the entire beam of the vessel.

This space often contains the galley and a large sitting area, along with a chart table and other essential equipment. The hulls can be accessed on either side of this space, and there's usually a large window forward.

There's standing headroom throughout the covered cockpit. It more than makes up for the lost space in the comparatively narrow hulls, as these areas are used primarily for sleeping.

Shallow Draft

Catamarans don't need an extended keel for stability. As a result, they draw very little water and can traverse shallow waters that similarly sized monohulls couldn't dream of accessing.

It's easy to beach a catamaran which makes it an excellent island-hopping boat as well. Plus, when the tide runs out, a catamaran will rest evenly on the seabed without any additional supports.

Cons of Sailing Around The World in a Catamaran

So what are the cons of sailing a catamaran around the world? We covered many of the benefits, and we'll touch on a few additional topics here. But there are some downsides that are important to consider.

Size Limitations

Size is your friend out on the open ocean. The wide beam and considerable length of most cruising catamarans make them exceptionally safe and comfortable in a variety of weather conditions. However, most marinas aren't designed for Doublewide boats, and size restrictions could cause headaches in many parts of the world.

The problem of having a wide boat extends beyond the marina. Many channels in passageways can't accommodate wide boats, and those that to me charge more for your passage.

Structural Deficiencies

The vast majority of cruising catamarans are extremely well-built and will never suffer any serious structural failures. However, the basic design of a catamaran makes it vulnerable in certain places, specifically where the hull meets the frames that hold them together.

There have been several cases of catamarans literally snapping in half, usually when under tremendous load or when improperly maintained. This can usually be attributed to a flaw in a specific vessel, and it's not very common. But it is a possibility, and monohulls are not susceptible to it.

Cost to Sail a Catamaran Around the World

Are you waiting for the downsides of sailing a catamaran? Cost is the biggest one. Catamarans are obscenely expensive compared to conventional single-hull sailboats.

The average new catamaran cost upwards of $300,000, and some cost as much as $750,000. An equivalent monohull, new from the factory, costs around $150,000-$200,000. Cruising catamarans don't lose much value either, and you're still likely to pay over $100,000 for one.

Compare that to a monohull. A conventional sailboat that's capable of sailing around the world (say, 40 feet or so in length) is likely to cost between $30,000 and $60,000. Some are even cheaper. For many people, the cost is the prohibiting factor when choosing a sailboat to circumnavigate with.

How Popular are Catamarans for Circumnavigation?

If you've spent much time in the sailing community, you've undoubtedly noticed the prolific number of catamarans on YouTube, internet forums, and sailing blogs. But are catamarans really as popular as they seem, or is it just a case of selection bias?

Catamarans are surprisingly popular these days, but mostly among buyers of new and lead model sailboats. Catamarans, as we know them today, weren't produced in great numbers until recently, and they've only been popular for sailing around the world since the 2000s.

Over the years, an increasing number of people have chosen a catamaran as their long-range cruising sailboat, and the sailing community widely accepted the superior handling and comfort of these vessels.

Catamaran Vs Monohull for Circumnavigation

So, which is better for sailing around the world, a catamaran or a monohull? When it comes to sailing around the world, a Catamaran is an obvious choice for a number of reasons. Speed, safety, and comfort or the primary benefits, and these are worth their weight in gold on a long circumnavigation.

Catamaran Vs Trimaran for Circumnavigation

But what about the trimaran? Many multihull sailors prefer the trimaran due to its superior speed, and many claim it has better motion comfort as well. A trimaran, which has three hulls, is a sizable upgrade from a monohull.

Comparatively, a trimaran is a much less considerable improvement over a catamaran. They also cost more, but the exceptional handling and motion comfort of a trimaran is worth it to many.

Related Articles

How to Sail Around the World

What Size Catamaran To Sail Around The World

Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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 Best Sailling Route Around the World

Sailing around the world : Step by step guide for the best catamaran itinerary

Sailing around the world on a catamaran is not a crazy dream: couples, families with three ou four children on board Nautitech 40 or 46 prove at this very moment that adventure is within reach.

Because this adventure does not present, far from it, the same level of sporting, physical and mental demand as the Vendée Globe. Because it’s entirely possible, as many sailors have told, it is quite possible to sail around the world without encountering a single storm, not even the slightest gale.

Only thunderstorms or squalls, sometimes going with strong gusts of wind.

Best time to cast off on a sailboat, practical guide and tips

Obviously, when you look at a chart to find the best possible route around the world, sailing a catamaran, the first question that arises, in addition to the one of the budgets, is not so much of where to go, but when leaving for this journey of a lifetime. Which naturally leads to a prerequisite: how much time do we have?

Aboard their Nautitech 46 Open catamaran Kumbaya, the Dolley family was off for a three-year journey. As a matter of fact, they’ll spend four years to complete it. Of course, it’s still possible to race against the stopwatch, but as you’re not exactly on a Jules Verne Trophy or a world record, its better, with a sailboat, to plan with a wide margin, even if you’re not going on a cruise: three years is a reasonable amount of time, we’ll see why.

Routes and Winds: Understanding the Trade Winds for your Trip.

Another obvious observation: the best route around the world when sailing a catamaran, is the one where the wind always blows in the right direction, in other words the one where you’re heading. With following seas. With the wind and waves on the stern, catamarans are made for sailing an average of 160 to 200 nautical miles per 24 hours. Now, nature being well made, this route exists, it’s the one that follow the trade winds. In both hemispheres, Highs have the good idea of basking between the tropics and mid-latitudes.

HOW DO WINDS WORK IN EACH HEMISPHERE?

In the Northern Hemisphere anticyclones, the winds rotate clockwise around the high-pressure bubbles. And in the opposite direction in the South. Thus, by following a course south of the Highs in the Northern Hemisphere and north of these in the Southern Hemisphere, you are sure to benefit from this wonderful find of Nature that is the trade winds, a real all mapped out itinerary.

As the Atlantic islands are located right in the trade winds of the Northern Hemisphere, and the Pacific and Indian ocean islands in the trade winds of the Southern Hemisphere, the would be circumnavigator tells himself that all he has to do is leave and let himself and his sailboat be carried away by the warm and steady breezes which the Anglo-Saxons call trade winds, the winds of commerce.

The importance of weather when planning

All that remains would be to be more specific about the most idyllic route around the world aboard a catamaran, for a trip that would be remembered for the rest of one’s life.

But it’s not that simple. Of course, tropical regions do not experience winter. But in summer, they suffer nasty disturbances called hurricanes, cyclones, or typhoons, depending on the part of the world where these dreadful whirlwinds are rampant.

And everyone knows that summer in the Northern Hemisphere is winter in the South, and vice versa. This leads the candidates around the world by catamaran to build a route that, much more than a choice of departure and arrival dates, simply avoids cyclone season in both hemispheres. Or at least one that rules out the possibility of crossing an ocean during this infamous period. You are now faced with the choice of dates, route, and destinations. It’s the moment when you dream… while keeping your feet steady on deck !

The ideal crossing of The Atlantic for a round-the-world sailing trip

From la rochelle to the canary islands : start of the trip.

So, let’s leave La Rochelle and France in the summer. Our Nautitech is ready. The got his sea legs during short weekend sailings or brief vacation cruises. We set sail, heading to 240° to exit the Bay of Biscay without too much delay. It’s not that the Bay is hostile during summer, quite the opposite, even if a stormy low can sometimes make it look threatening. It’s that here, on occasions, the sea can be very unpleasant. The Atlantic swell bounces off the edges of this chamber pot and often produces a kind of messy chop that jostles the hulls of the boats and their crew.

When to cross the Atlantic with a sailboat ?

You might as well pick up your moment by looking at the swell maps. If, for the best reasons in the world, you can’t leave in July or August, don’t linger too long in early autumn. A departure at the end of September or beginning of October is obviously still possible, but be wary of the stopover in A Coruna, in the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula. You can get stuck there for days on end with the big autumn lows.

It is therefore better to aim directly for Cascais, at the mouth of the Tagus, which can be reached in five days on average from La Rochelle. On the way, you pass Cape Finisterre, our own Cape Horn and, Portuguese trade winds filling your sails, you sail downwind to the Blue Country and to Lisbon, a stunning capital city that offers everything you need to prepare for the next stage of your itinerary, the Canary Islands.

In the summer, the 600 nautical miles crossing (allow four days or less) to Graciosa or Lanzarote let you get used to the open seas without risking weather traps, which is not always the case in autumn. The anchorage of Graciosa, at the end of the crossing, offers a delightful transition before heading to one of the three beautiful marinas of Lanzarote. There, you’ll be able to prepare for the next crossing.

From the Canary Islands to Le Marin marina in Martinique, transatlantic crossing

Better to cross the Atlantic in November, hoping that the trade winds will have settled in, which is not always the case in this season.

If the schedule is a bit tight and the route more flexible, you will embark directly on the crossing to the West Indies. The best thing to do with a Nautitech catamaran is to aim for the south of Martinique, a little less than 3 000 nautical miles away. This will take fifteen or twenty days on average. Dropping the anchor in Sainte Anne, at the end of the crossing, offers a magical transition. The boat is stationary, the water is still. Then, you can reach Le Marin marina, where the local Nautitech dealer will be able to check your catamaran and fix the possible small damages of the crossing.

Let’s sail to Dakar and explore a captivating Africa

On the other hand, if you have eternity ahead of you or almost, leaving Lanzarote for a crossing -sometimes not free from calms- of a thousand miles towards Cap Verde Islands or Dakar has several advantages. If you are aiming for Mindelo, in front of the captivating Santo Antao, in the northwest of the archipelago, you continue learning the open sea with a crossing roughly twice longer than the previous one. Then, you dive in the Cape Verdean melody, made of smiles, music and strong traditions.

Set sail for Dakar and the amazing country of Senegal and discover an incredibly vibrant Africa. And give yourself the opportunity to sail up the Sine Saloum River, a day’s journey from Dakar, where the shallow draft of the catamaran will allow wonderful explorations in the land of the lions of Teranga.

Leaving Africa for America

A new choice then opens up : either set a course 220° for the shortest possible Atlantic crossing – 1650 nautical miles towards Jacaré marina in Brazil, between Recife and Natal, with crossing the Doldrums and the equator, which can take up to two weeks on average, or sailing to French Guyana, which lengthens the crossing by about 600 nm (approximately four days) following course 255°, but gives access to a piece of Equatorial France, from the Salvation Islands to the Kourou site, with a little further north, the possibility of sailing up the river Maroni. There, the catamaran once again proves to be a perfect fit.

Note that you can choose this American tour on the way back, if you’ve decided to sail round South Africa rather than daring to sail the dangerous Red Sea and the Suez Canal… Also, bear in mind that Cayenne being located at 4°52 North, the weather there is equatorial, with very muggy, very humid, and boastful conditions.

The good news is, the next goal being to sail to the Caribbean, if the trade wind is lazy, a branch of the North Equatorial current leads northeast to the West Indies with up to two knots of speed.

From the West Indies to Panama, an essential stop on the journey

You sail up to the island of Grenada, a little-known pearl of the West Indies, that some consider the most beautiful of all. There, you can prepare your Caribbean Sea crossing toward Panama, at the southern tip of Central America. Before departing for this leg, you can moor in the Grenadines islands (which depend on Saint Vincent) then visit on the way the Dutch ABC islands (Aruba, Bonnaire, Curaçao), a striking change of scenery, and finally stop in beautiful Carthagena, Colombia, then the San Blas archipelago, reaching at last Shelter Bay marina, in front of Colon, in Panama, where you have all the time and resources you need to prepare the boat and crew to cross Panama Canal.

Best itinerary across the Pacific Ocean

Explore the mythical galapagos, an iconic south american location.

Once crossed this strange cargo ships elevator, you won’t hang around Panama City too much. It is preferable to prepare the crossing and the route to the Galapagos islands (consider the cumbersome and expensive administrative procedures mandatory to enter there) in the Perlas islands archipelago, for instance.

The 850 nm crossing to the mythical Galapagos (course 232°), a true wonderland off the coast of Ecuador, can be done very quickly, in less than a week, especially during the favourable period, from February to May. However, it is possible to encounter headwinds that force you to tack and therefore seriously lengthen the route in South American waters. Keep in mind that currents can also complicate this maiden crossing of Pacific waters.

Entry formalities into the archipelago, listed as World Heritage site, can only be done on the main island of San Cristobal. Don’t forget that, if you do not wish to make a paid visit to the archipelago, the duration of the ship’s stopover is limited to 72 hours. This is enough to secure food and water supply before undertaking the first major crossing of the Pacific, but maybe a shame, considering the richness of the magnificent islands.

Heading for a dream destination: Tahiti

The next leg to the Marquesas is about as long as the crossing between the Canary Islands and the West Indies (a little less than 3000 nm on course 258°). With a big difference: in the Pacific, the trade winds are generally less strong than in the Atlantic. Especially since you start from the equator on which the Galapagos are located, and you only sail down to 9° south. Which means the south-east trade winds are sometimes poorly established. Therefore, counting on an average of twenty days at sea for this leg is a reasonable, if not conservative, approach of the ideal route. 

Jacques Brel, the singer, showed that you could spend your life in Marquesas. The circumnavigators have other countries and other islands to visit. Nevertheless, many will be surprised to discover that since the beginning of navigation on the Pacific, offshore wanderers often meet from islands to islands. For the good reason that the alternation of seasons dictates the moments of crossing by sailing boat.

Thus, the best time to reach Tahiti from the Marquesas is from April to June. About 800 nm long, the route cuts through the Tuamotu archipelago, approximately three days crossing from Hiva Hoa (520 nm on course 235°). Long dreaded by navigators, the crossing of these atolls and reefs on which the great swell of the Pacific breaks has not become a formality with the GPS – the lagoon entry passes remain tricky to take by sailboat- but close to. Stuck aboard their catamaran Nautitech 40 Open by the Covid 19 lockdown, the Laudet family spent a month and a half in this paradise without experiencing a second of boredom…

Continue the round the world trip to the Fiji archipelago

Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora… the seduction of the French Polynesia islands is undeniable and hardly needs publicity. Once again, a round-the-world trip on a catamaran cannot be satisfied there with a simple Formula One pitstop. So, you have to allow yourself to stay there a few weeks, or even a few months, bearing in mind the rest of the trip and giving yourself a departure date. The best season to continue sailing to Fiji, New Caledonia, and possibly New Zealand (like Kumbaya) is from June to October. This means that it’s possible to reach the antipodes, roughly half the distance of the journey, in a year or a bit more. As long as you never hang around. But then again, the whole thing is not about breaking a record.

Speaking of distance, precisely, at this point of the journey, you realize that the Pacific is very big. The Fiji archipelago is located in the west of Tahiti, at 1800 nm, or two short weeks, even only ten days, of catamaran sailing. From there, you can sail down to New Caledonia (650 nm course 245°) and its legendary lagoon. Then set the course -for the first time since leaving France- to east of south (150° precisely) to reach Auckland, in New Zealand, at 950 nm. Needless to say, these archipelagos -Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand- deserve to spend weeks there.

Last leg of the Pacific crossing, bound for Australia

However, the issue deserves a careful review of the dates and routes of the continuation of the trip. Because the best itinerary for the rest of the round-the-world trip suggests sailing up to the Torres Strait, between Australia and New Guinea. Again, then, the best time to leave the Pacific and to cross Torres before making a stopover in Darwin, in the north of Australia, before heading to Bali and possibly Indonesia, is also from July to October. As the Torres Strait is nearly 2500 nm from Auckland, keep in mind it takes at least 15 days of sailing. And that the cyclones season begins in December, November is already estimated late in the season. But with all the time in the world aboard a sailboat, who would want to skip Sydney (1300 nm away, course 277°) and the Great Barrier Reef, hundreds of miles long (there are still 1500 nm to sail to reach the Strait)? In short, stopping in New Caledonia, New Zealand, Australia for several weeks or even months is not an option to be ruled out at this stage of the trip.

Best Route across the Indian Ocean

Choice of route by sailboat: north or south.

Once at the gateway to the Indian Ocean, a new choice arises, potentially difficult. Is it better to aim for an exit through the North, in other words through the dangerous Gulf of Aden and the even more dangerous Red Sea, then the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea and all its treasures, or through the South, round South Africa and across the South and North Atlantic ?

The North route, a perilous journey

The North choice allows to visit fabulous destinations: Sri Lanka and Maldives islands, 2500 nm away from Bali (course 286°), then following the 250° course, Seychelles islands, 1200 nm from Maldives, before sailing north-westward towards the infamous Gulf of Aden, then sailing the 1200 very tricky miles of the Red Sea, with its very rough weather and political hazards. This last stretch is not trivial in terms of safety. Even though pirates’ attacks have been rarer these days, they have not disappeared. Crossing the Gulf of Aden in a convoy of boats imposes many constraints, specifically a mandatory engine speed. It’s best to collect as much information as possible before opting for this solution. Not to mention the new dangers of the Red Sea.

When crossing the Indian ocean through the North ?

Concerning the ideal season to sail across the northern part of the Indian Ocean, it runs in theory, from November to April.

Knowing that in the Seychelles, for example, the south-east trade winds blow from May to October while the prevailing winds blow from the northwest from December to April, you’re getting a little closer to the puzzle. In theory, at least, because off-seasons in the Seychelles -October and November then April and May- promise steady winds of 10 to 15 knots on average and good weather. But you must keep in mind that in the South, the hurricane season which can threaten Mauritius island, Réunion island and Madagascar begins around the 15th of December…

In short, which looked like an obvious and peaceful route into the Pacific, becomes a bit complicated in the Indian Ocean. This is the reason why it’s a good idea to plan to spread out your round-the-world trip over three years by sailboat is a good idea. Both for the catamaran and for the crew.

Choosing a crossing through the South 

You can then aim for Mauritius, Reunion Island, and then South Africa (with a possible detour to Madagascar) at the best possible moment, that means between June and October. From Bali, the route goes through Christmas Island, less than 600 nm away (course 260°) then the Cocos Keeling archipelago (roughly same distance and same course). Then, count 2500 nm to Mauritius (still the same course), and its neighbor Réunion island (100 nm away).

Cape town is now 2200 nm away. But it could be wise to plan an alternative route to Durban (1500 nm) and/or Port Elizabeth (1800 nm). This is arguably the most delicate moment of a round-the-world trip in a catamaran. South-African waters can be very rough: they are swept by powerful currents, such as the A admin gulhas current, and strong contrasts in large air masses, between the hot African air and the freezing one coming from the Antarctica. That’s why wisdom commands you to take your time. That won’t be wasted time. Don’t hesitate to plan some stopovers. South Africa is one of the most beautiful and endearing countries in the world. There is no record to set, only beautiful memories to build.

From the island of Saint-Helena to La Rochelle, the perfect sailing back home across the Atlantic

Then, around the beginning of January, it will be time to get back on track and resume sailing across the South Atlantic. Saint-Helena is 1500 nm away from Cape town (course 310°), meaning a week or slightly more sailing a catamaran, with a steadier south-east trade winds blowing from the back of the boat. After the historical stopover in Saint-Helena, the logical route to avoid having to beat against the north-east trade winds -not a good idea with a catamaran- this route goes back to the Caribbean, with the option of new stopovers in Brazil -possibly sailing up the Amazon? a catamaran can do it- and in French Guyana. Then back to the West Indies, sailing up to Antigua and Barbuda, and in May, crossing towards the Azores. This route, following a 54° course, is 2100 nm up to Horta, in the Faial Island, is now preferred to the one which takes a detour through Bermuda, even if it means taking extra cans of Diesel on board the catamaran, to motor through the calms of the high which lay right in the middle of the path! On the other side of the high pressures, you’ll find again the westerly winds all the way to the Portuguese archipelago. There are then 1300 nm to sail to return to France, and La Rochelle at the beginning of summer, around the world completed, three years lived to the fullest and million stories to tell.

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Sailing around the world on a catamaran

Setting off around the world in a multihull, perhaps aboard a catamaran… It’s a dream come true! On the trade winds route, in the Atlantic, the Pacific or the Indian Ocean… Let’s discover together, in this article written with Bénédicte, owner of an Outremer 55, the most beautiful round the world stopovers not to be missed.

It was the expedition of the Portuguese explorer Magellan in the 16th century that led to the first circumnavigation of the globe under sail. Setting off with five ships in search of a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the navigator discovered what would later be known as the Strait of Magellan. The explorer’s reduced squadron continued sailing from east to west around the world, and a single ship completed the circumnavigation. Three years later, he returned to his starting point in Spain and achieved the feat of the first circumnavigation by sailboat.

Even today, sailing around the world is a dream come true. Fortunately for us sailors, today’s conditions are very different and the adventure is much more accessible! It’s now possible to set off on a trip around the world fully equipped. Whatever corner of the globe you find yourself in, you can take advantage of the best instruments to help you navigate and guide you. You’ll also have the luxury of staying connected, so you can check the weather forecast, keep in touch with your loved ones and, above all, stay safe.

Among multihull owners, Bénédicte Hélies can testify to this! She has been on two round-the-world catamaran voyages with her husband and children, and this is not the first time:

For her first voyage – aboard the Outremer 51 #39 named Moby, the family chose to follow the trade winds. Bénédicte, Loïc, Victor, Arthur and Anna headed for the world’s most famous ports of call, to discover 32 countries and 121 islands. All this in three years and 50,000 nautical miles aboard their catamaran on three oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Indian.

For their second circumnavigation under sail, this time aboard Saga – l’Outremer 55 #1, the crew is this time opting for new stop-off points, which were not part of the first itinerary. Still sailing from east to west, the family made stops off the beaten track, which they later recounted in the blog Le voyage de Saga .

At the heart of this second adventure, Bénédicte agreed to help us write this article, sharing her best tips for a great catamaran voyage.

Read also: Meet the GLYWO 500 crew: Marijke & Mark on an Outremer 55

Ports of call while sailing around the world, on the trade winds route

The Trade Winds route is the classic itinerary followed by most ocean-going catamarans. It promises crews the chance to sail around the world pushed by the wind, downwind, as long as they follow the rhythm of the seasons. It’s possible to sail a catamaran from east to west, crossing three oceans and stopping off at some fantastic destinations.

Leaving Europe, the yachts and their crews generally start by making a transatlantic crossing to the West Indies. They then sail through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean, where they make several stopovers. They then sail, usually via the Torres Strait, to Indonesia and then the Indian Ocean.

From here, there are two ways to reach Europe: via the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean, or around the Cape of Good Hope to the Atlantic. With this second option, crews then generally cross the South Atlantic, followed by a final transatlantic crossing from west to east, in the northern hemisphere.

The first Atlantic legs, from Europe to the West Indies

You will probably start your journey from the Atlantic coast or the Mediterranean Sea. After crossing the Bay of Biscay or the Strait of Gibraltar, you’ll head for the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Here, you can make your first wonderful discoveries, among friendly people who are used to the passage of voyaging yachts. These destinations are renowned for their sailing sports!

Some crews then stop off in Senegal, where they can also drop off humanitarian supplies taken on board in France. It’s not just a great cruise, it’s also an opportunity to help others…

Then it’s off to the West Indies. After your first transatlantic ocean crossing lasting several weeks, you’ll be able to envisage shorter crossings, between numerous islands that are well worth the diversions. From north to south: the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago… All these destinations promise a sunny end to the year, as well as particularly pleasant sailing conditions. You’re sure to enjoy some exotic experiences!

If you have a little time before passing through the Panama Canal, you could consider sailing to the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, off the coast of Venezuela, which are ideal for water sports. The Cartagena region of Colombia may also be worth a visit.

Finally, before crossing the Panama Canal, the San Blas are a particularly popular destination for tour-dumondist sailors: highly renowned for sailing, the archipelago offers the chance to sail from islet to islet in idyllic landscapes…

In the Pacific Ocean, from the Panama Canal to Australia

After passing through the Panama Canal, you’ll continue to be amazed. A multitude of magnificent destinations await you in the largest ocean on our planet: the Pacific.

After exploring the Pacific coasts of Panama and Costa Rica, the Galapagos archipelago in Ecuador is a comfortable stopover before the trans-Pacific. From there, you can head for the Marquesas Islands and sail through the enormous territory that is French Polynesia, to discover all its riches!

Following in the footsteps of many other sailors, you can stop off in the Tuamotu archipelago, the Windward Islands, the Leeward Islands or, even further afield, the Austral Islands. A word of advice: allow plenty of time to get there, as the distances are great and the destinations are all magnificent… The programme is packed: discover the islands and pearl farming, snorkelling, diving and underwater fishing.

Bénédicte and her family chose to visit the Gambier archipelago: “In Polynesia, to get off the beaten track, we chose to head for the Gambier archipelago. Getting there from Panama is demanding: nearly 3 weeks at sea, at less downwind than usual, on a beam. But with a 55-foot catamaran like ours, that’s no problem. The Gambier archipelago alone is a concentration of the best of the Marquesas, the Tuamotus and the Leeward Islands. As in the Tuamotus, there are motus and a magnificent coral reef with a rich underwater fauna. We had a wonderful time, both underwater and on land! There’s a very strong culture here, with very warm values of sharing and hospitality. It’s easy to make contact, especially when it comes to bartering for the fruit and vegetables that grow in the inhabitants’ gardens, just like in the Marquesas Islands. As in the Leeward Islands, you can enjoy lovely walks and hikes in the forest, along well-kept gardens, with magnificent views from the summits. You can also visit pearl farms producing some of the finest pearls in the Pacific.”

Many yachtsmen are won over by French Polynesia. Arriving at the furthest point on the globe from France, they often feel they have found the most beautiful place on earth and sometimes decide to call it a day. However, further down the road, there are so many other wonderful destinations to explore on a catamaran!

As you continue westwards, still in the South Pacific, you’ll discover other countries and peoples that are well worth a stop. In the Cook Islands, the Samoan archipelago, Tonga and Wallis and Futuna, your sails will take you to magical places, where you’ll come into contact with people who are, once again, very welcoming. In Fiji, you’ll enjoy traditional villages and numerous spots perfect for water sports. The stopover in Vanuatu should also provide you with some unique experiences…

On the subject of New Zealand, Bénédicte confides: “Everyone thinks that it can only be visited by van, but it’s a well-kept secret that it can also be visited by sail! It offers three exceptional sailing basins, each with dozens of safe anchorages, splendid panoramas, magnificent walks and easy access to supplies. Not to mention the restaurants and vineyards!”

Finally, New Caledonia and Australia are also good stopping-off points before leaving the Pacific: as well as a change of scenery, you’ll find everything you need to maintain and refuel your catamaran before continuing your journey.

From the Torres Strait to the western Indian Ocean

While some yachts opt to sail around Australia, most take the Coral Sea and Torres Strait to reach the Indian Ocean. Explore Papua and the Raja Ampat archipelago, East Timor and the Komodo dragons, Borneo and the orang-utans, or enjoy cultural adventures and idleness in the world’s largest archipelago: Indonesia!

Some crews choose to sail all the way back to Thailand, sometimes leaving their boat in the town of Krabi for a while.

One of the little-known destinations on our westward journey is the small Australian archipelago of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands: a stopover in the Indian Ocean that Bénédicte describes as “very interesting from every point of view” . She remembers an excellent anchorage, a magnificent stretch of water for wingfoiling, a pleasant and friendly beach, and some great snorkelling sessions. On the neighbouring islet, which is inhabited, there are also plenty of opportunities for cultural visits! After that, the journey continues, sailing across the Indian Ocean to Mauritius, the Maldives, the Seychelles or Reunion Island. For Bénédicte, Mauritius should be much more than just a stopover: “It’s the traditional stopover on a crossing of the Indian Ocean, where the boats think about stopping off, content to stay in Port Louis. It’s true that it’s a nice stopover, with the Caudan marina, its large open shopping arcade, its museums, its lively market, its restaurants… But Mauritius can also be visited by sail! On two occasions, with both Saga and Moby, we sailed around Mauritius, stopping at various anchorages: on the east coast, at Trou d’Eau Douce – which gives access to Ile aux Cerfs, Mangénie islet, Mahébourg – an old colonial town – and Blue Bay marine park; on the west coast, at Rivière Noire – which gives access to Gorges park – and Tamarin, with its surf beach and magnificent sunsets. Finally, to the north, Grand Baie and the surrounding area offer lively, beautiful beaches and several other pleasant little anchorages.”

As well as this well-known destination, the yachtswoman recommends visiting other territories in the Indian Ocean: “The Chagos Islands, for example, are a nature reserve teeming with birds and fish! There are thousands of coconut crabs, frigate birds, dolphins and dolphinfish in the inner lagoon, as well as a wealth of underwater life. You can spend a maximum of three weeks here, with permission. And it’s a privilege to witness such a wild and abundant nature”. The deserted archipelago of Saint-Brandon is also well worth a visit: “It’s a well-known destination for yachtsmen from Mauritius and Reunion, where you’re guaranteed a change of scenery! It’s a semi-enclosed atoll made up of dozens of islets of varying sizes, renowned for its seabed and fishing. When it comes to board sports, it’s paradise: there are exceptional kitesurfing and wingfoil spots, wild beaches with rare shrubs and thousands of birds.”

n the end, Rodrigues is a small island with an old-fashioned, tranquil atmosphere, which the traveller still recommends: “We spent ten fantastic days sailing there. The island is very welcoming and offers two anchorages: in town, at Port Mathurin, and at Port Sud-Est. The first offers a very pleasant stopover with a market and small restaurants. The second is a spectacular anchorage on the inner edges of the channel, with direct access to the lagoon and ideal spots for wingfoil and kitesurfing.”

Bénédicte insists that, for her, the Indian Ocean’s great cruising destinations are poorly known and largely underestimated. For her, the Indian Ocean is an “exceptional sailing destination on a catamaran”.

After visiting these destinations, it’s already time for your final stopovers in the Indian Ocean. Depending on the stopover points you have chosen and whether or not you wish to use the Mozambique Channel, you will make a stopover in Madagascar or Tanzania, or head straight for South Africa.

This country will be a compulsory stopover – but also a very pleasant one! – before your second Atlantic crossing: the stopover in Cape Town will allow you to prepare the boat for one of the last ocean crossings, in a port where everything is easily accessible. Here, you can wait comfortably for the right “weather window” to cross…

Sailing back to Europe from South Africa

You will cross the South Atlantic Ocean from east to west. On this occasion, you may make a stop on the territory of Saint Helena. But where to next?

In the Western Atlantic, before returning to Europe, you may be tempted to make the same stops as on your first passage. But if you want to see more, your round-the-world catamaran trip could be the perfect opportunity to visit some new destinations! Brazil, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the United States, for example, are still waiting for you.

Finally, for your last ocean crossing, the return Atlantic crossing, you will undoubtedly stop off in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. There’s no doubt you’ll meet other crews who, like you, have sailed around the world in a catamaran. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to look back together at all these beautiful stages…

Gone are the days of the great explorations. You probably won’t have the chance to discover unexplored lands by sailing around the world on a catamaran these days. On the other hand, by choosing stopovers off the beaten track, you’re sure to feel like an adventurer! Just what you need to make your round-the-world sailing experience unforgettable…

Read also: Working remotely and sailing around the world: David and Inês are living the dream onboard their Outremer 5X

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40.000 miles and 3 years to get from La Grande Motte to La Grande Motte

Marijke and Mark sail the Outremer 55 Great Circle.

Since its launch in 2021, the boat has sailed around the world with the GLYWO 500.

Setting off on a catamaran with the best sailing weather

When you’re getting ready to set off on a sailing trip, it’s vital to find out about the seasons and weather phenomena in your chosen sailing area. Even before choosing your cruising destination or travel itinerary, or even selecting your yacht!

Catamaran VS Monohull: what should you choose to sail around the world?

Sailing around the world is a dream come true: you discover the world to the rhythm of the wind and the stopovers, exploring new destinations every day as you sail. If you’re just starting to read this article, you’re probably nurturing this project. Are you planning to sail around the globe? Then the choice of ship for your next voyage is crucial.

My Cruiser Life Magazine

Best Catamaran for Sailing Around the World — Best Cruising Catamarans

Sailing around the world is a dream of many. It’s the grandest adventure you can have in a sailing vessel—or at least one of the top five. But what kind of boat do you choose?

For many, the go-to answer has become a bluewater catamaran. These boats offer outstanding comfort and living space. They outperform most monohull sailboats of their size, and their bright and airy salons and cockpits will convert non-sailors to the ideas of what is possible with such a boat. 

Here’s a look at some of the best long distance cruising catamarans and why these boats are great choices for many crews.

Table of Contents

Lagoon 440/450/46, leopard catamarans 42/43 (circa 2000-2007), pdq antares 44/44i, catana 471/47, fountaine pajot orana / helia 44, balance 482, what is a cruising catamaran, cruising catamaran pros, cons of catamaran offshore cruising, what to look for — best catamaran for sailing around the world, best cruising catamarans faqs, 8 popular choices for best cruising catamarans.

Every boat has strengths and weaknesses, and every list is biased. There are tons of boats out there, and it’s impossible to be familiar with every single one. Furthermore, as time passes and our needs change, the types of boats that catch our attention change. 

Sailing long distances, like around the world, is a very specific mission. It’s not something you wake up one morning and say, “Today, I’m setting off around the world!” 

No, a circumnavigation is the culmination of years of preparation and research. Just finding the right boat is a big part of that. Some experienced cruisers make their business helping people find the right boat to suit their needs. If you’re completely lost in the boat-buying process, reaching out to an experienced expert (not just a yacht broker!) is an important step. 

One such person is John Neal. Neal runs Mahina Offshore Services and is a consultant for folks wanting to cast off the lines. He’s written extensively about what makes a good bluewater cruiser and specializes in boat consultations. Be sure to visit his website and download his free ebook, Selecting and Purchasing an Ocean Cruising Sailboat.

Another great resource, especially if you’re considering voyaging with your kids, are Jamie and Behan Gifford of Sailing Totem . They work as consultants helping couples and families find their path to a successful circumnavigation—what they call “from dream worthy to seaworthy.” Totem and crew crossed their wake a few years back, and they write for Cruising World and often speak at events like Cruiser University at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in the fall.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular long-distance cruising catamarans. This isn’t an all-inclusive list, nor are these really recommendations. Rather, they’re a look at some boats, both good and bad, to consider for the ultimate sailing adventure.

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Lagoons are the ubiquitous production boat of the catamaran world. Next to Leopard, they dominate nearly every list of catamarans since the company makes so many of them. They’ve been cranking these boats out for over 20 years, longer than many other manufacturers. When you do the math, there’re more examples of individual Lagoon models out there than hulls made by many other manufacturers combined. 

What does all that mean for the buyer? For one thing, it means it’s not hard to find a Lagoon for sale. If you pick your model, you’ll probably find a few dozen for sale worldwide at any given time. A cursory look at Yacht World shows 23 listings for the 440 and another 77 for the 450 (not including those listed separately as 450F and 450S!). 

The 440 was the first of Lagoon’s popular flybridge models. This offers an upper level so that the helmsperson can see all points of the boat and is separate from the salon and cockpit area. Many liveaboard 440 owners have converted the upper flybridge with an enclosure to make it an all-weather helm. 

The 450 took the 440’s success and improved all the details. The updated design was one of the most popular boats Lagoon ever made. They eventually divided the lineup it the 450F, with the standard flybridge, and the 450S, with a “sporty” helm on the aft coachroof. 

Both are very popular boats and are sized right for world voyaging. They aren’t without problems, however. Around 2020, many owners began discovering serious problems with bulkheads delaminating from the hulls. However, Lagoon has an official fix, and many boats have been successfully repaired. As always, get a good survey, research, and ask the right questions!

Lagoon 450s are currently listed for anywhere between $400,000 and $800,000. 440s are older and can be found between $275,000 and $450,000. As always, keep your eyes peeled for the less common and much more comfortable owners’ version layouts with one huge master cabin.

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Leopard is another ubiquitous brand in the catamaran world. The company’s newer models, like the current (2023) Leopard 45, have a forward seating area and a large opening door on the front of the salon. In short, they’re perfect charter boats. Leopard habitually reuses their model numbers repeatedly, making getting the right model confusing. The newest Leopard 42 started production in 2020 and features the forward patio lounge. 

The Leopards included on this list are much older and lack this forward patio design. Instead, these original Leopards have a low-profile aesthetic perfect for ocean sailing. They’re comfortable and functional. They’re a little on the small size for world cruising but would be perfectly suited for a couple that wants the smallest boat they can get. 

The difference between the two models was only one thing—the 42 included a soft-top bimini, while the 43 had a hard top. Most owners have now converted their 42’s soft top to a hard one. 

Leopard 42s and 43s from 2000 to 2007 are currently listed between $250,000 and $350,000. The 43s, which are a bit newer, go for just a little more. Since so many saw charter use, finding good examples with owner’s layouts is hard. When you do, they’re worth the trouble to bring home.

If you’re looking for a bargain, the older Leopard 45 and 47 were remarkably similar in design. They are less common on the used market today, but if you find one in good shape, it’s worth a look. 

This boat started life built by Canadian catamaran builder PDQ. The design was wildly successful. However, when PDQ shut down, the hull molds made their way to Argentina and found new life. This is one of the few catamarans out there that is built for the specific mission we’re addressing here—a long distance cruising catamaran for a couple or a small family. 

The Antares is built from the keels up to be reliable, simple, comfortable, and safe. She’s not winning any races against the Outremers, Gunboats, or fastest catamarans of the world, but she makes up for it with her sturdy design and comfortable handling.

At 44 feet long, she’s the perfect length for a voyaging catamaran. She has impressive bridgedeck clearance and can handle most anything King Neptune throws her way. Her fit and finish are above average—excellent, in fact—and her layout is supremely functional. This is one catamaran that must be on your shortlist if you’re considering a circumnavigation.

Currently, two Antares are listed on the market, from $595,000 to $798,000. Only a handful of 44s are out there, and while the boat has been in production since around the year 2000, there just aren’t many to choose from. Those that are out there are coveted for their build quality and seaworthiness, so they don’t come cheap.

Catana is a French builder that makes performance catamarans with retractable daggerboards. These improve upwind performance dramatically and reduce your draft when gunkholing. Proponents of daggerboard designs will also point to their improved handling at sea, allowing the boat to slip freely down waves, thereby reducing the likelihood of capsizing in extreme conditions.

Catanas also feature a unique helm layout. Twin helms are located outboard on each stern, so you can pick your driving position for the best visibility, the best shade, or the best breeze. You’ll be driving with the autopilot from the nav station at sea anyway. It keeps sailing a little more fun when you’re out there for the fun of it. 

The 47 and 47OC (Ocean Class) are the newer versions of the boat. All versions feature Catana’s uniquely strong, lightweight composite layups and distinctive asymmetric narrow hulls. They’ve got outstanding bridgedeck clearance and 

Catana 47s and 47OCs are listed between $360,000 and $700,000. The older 471 is a little harder to find. Catana has always been a higher-end, low-volume brand that makes fewer hulls each year than other makes. 

Fountaine Pajot is the third of the “big three” catamaran makers. The French brand is often compared to Lagoon and Leopard, but their designs have always stuck more on the performance side than the bulky cruiser side. In the ocean-going length, their 44-footers are just about right. 

Regarding layouts and features, it’s hard to imagine a more perfectly suited boat than the FP 44s. These boats are big enough to carry all your stuff and give you space to spread out. But they’re also good sailors and stable at sea. They feature the preferred coachroof-mounted helm, which is raised enough to provide good visibility without being disconnected from the action in the cockpit. 

Oranas are currently listed from $295,000 to $468,000, while the newer and more popular Helias go for anywhere from $447,000 to $649,000. These were popular boats with private owners, and in charter, so there are usually quite a few available. 

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Mantas are a well-built, American-made catamaran sailboat that went through several revisions. Overall, the hulls and layouts never changed from the early 38s to the last 42 Mark IVs. But the transoms were extended for speed and better handling, and the extra length of the later models makes them just right for a small ocean-going cat. 

Balance is a South African company that has made their business to produce a modern sailing catamaran for a new age of sailing. This isn’t a legacy brand, so you aren’t going to find one at a bargain price. Instead, these boats are being built on a semi-custom basis for owners like us who want to sail their boats around the world. 

The company describes the Balance 482 as a “trend-setting circumnavigator.” It won Boat of the Year from Sailing World Magazine in 2022.  

HH boats are built in Asia as cutting-edge sailing catamarans for the owner/sailor market. They’re designed by Morrelli and Melvin, one of the multihull world’s top design firms.

These boats are also semi-custom, so you won’t find many on the used market. They’re known for their modern innovations, including a fold-down swim platform and an EcoDrive hybrid system. You can spec your boat with either mini keels (OC or “ocean cruising”) or daggerboards (SC or “sport cruising”).

The HH50 is the company’s best bet for circumnavigating with a small family. There’s also the capable, smaller sistership, the HH44.

Why Are Catamarans Great for Long-Distance Voyaging?

Catamarans are immensely popular for a few reasons. For one thing, they’re some of the most comfortable boats for long-term living aboard. They offer lots of living space, storage, and tankage. They have panoramic views, with huge windows letting light and air into the open salon. Unlike classic monohull sailboats, they are not dark and stuffy at all. 

Catamarans also don’t heel like monohull sailboats do. This is good and bad, but most people (especially non-sailors) prefer it. It means when you’re sailing, you aren’t at an angle for days or weeks at a time. Your stuff isn’t constantly rolling downhill on the counter and falling out of the medicine cabinet whenever you open the door. They still move and rock on the waves, but the motion is always more upright than heeled to one side. 

There are a dozen other reasons folks prefer catamarans to monohulls for long-distance or long-term traveling. And, like all things in boating, every sailor is a little different. Some don’t like catamarans and prefer a beefy bluewater monohull’s stability and solid feel. Your mileage may vary, as the saying goes. 

Of course, the longest voyage of them all is sailing around the world. The typical downwind circumnavigation involves several long-distance passages and many months of hopping through remote island nations. The longest leg is typically from Panama or the Galapagos Islands to French Polynesia (The Marquesa Islands), a leg of at least 3,000 nm that typically takes 20 days or more. 

In total, a circumnavigation takes at least 18 months but commonly even longer. That’s a long time to spend on any vessel, so the comfort of a cruising catamaran makes a lot of sense.

A cruising catamaran is roughly defined as one designed to carry passengers and crew long distances. Obviously, this means it needs to be equipped with staterooms and heads, a galley, and a salon. But that also means it must hold enough fuel and water to keep its passengers safe for long voyages. 

The cat also needs to be designed to be stable enough for all of that to be used to capacity. Two to four people, plus enough supplies to keep them fed and healthy for months, weighs quite a lot. Then you add in spare parts, water toys, and other goodies, and it adds up. Catamaran speed and stability come from its lightweight design. If you make it too heavy and overload it, it will be slow and less stable in rough conditions. 

When you consider all of this, you’ll come up with a minimum size for a catamaran to carry all the stuff you need for such a long voyage. Generally, the smallest cats in this class will be around 42 feet long. This is the right size for a cruising couple that doesn’t often sail with others. A 44-footer will be a little more comfortable and make having occasional guests onboard a more pleasant experience. Once you get to 50 feet or longer, the boat is a bit large for most private owner skippers to handle. Costs start to balloon at this length and above, as well. 

What about a small catamaran ? Many people have successfully done the trip in smaller boats, of course. Generally, however, these smaller cats are pushed to their limits in terms of load carrying capacity. In most cases, circumnavigators will take on extra crew for longer legs (this is sometimes even an insurance requirement!). The ride in rough seas is not as good in shorter cats, which tend to hobby horse more in a chop. So, overall, 42 feet and above is about the sweet spot.

Comfortable Living Space

The huge salons and cockpits catamarans offer, with comfortable seating at big tables, truly improve your life at sea. The importance of all the light and air coming through those windows can’t be underestimated—it’s great at anchor when enjoying the sunset. But it’s also great to have an interior nav station where you can keep watch from the comfort of the salon. In short, a liveaboard catamaran is one of the most comfortable options for any type of cruising.

Better Speed, Especially Downwind

Compared to monohulls of similar length, catamarans are nearly always faster. This goes for fast catamarans, sure, but also for cruising catamarans. This becomes very apparent when traveling downwind, something that most monohulls struggle with. And downwind is the preferred direction to travel on a sail around the world route .

Comfort at Sea

The lack of heeling makes catamarans the preferred choice for long distance sailing. When given the choice of doing a 20-day passage perfectly upright or at a 10-degree tilt, which would you pick? Even the saltiest of sailors has to agree that heeling over is fun for a while but gets tiring quickly.

Redundant Systems and Structures

With two hulls, two engines, two water tanks, two fuel tanks, two sets of bilge pumps, and tons of other redundancy built in, catamarans offer owners extra layers of safety. 

If all of this sounds too good to be true, it’s because we haven’t discussed the most limiting factor for most sailors—the cost of the boat! Catamarans are expensive from the outset. When juggling all of the factors with an around-the-world cruise, boat cost is the biggest. 

Catamarans cost more than monohulls for many reasons. They are larger, but even still, they often sell for more. One reason is their popularity. These boats are in demand. Far fewer examples are on the market than monohulls, and more buyers are looking to purchase them. So prices are high and are likely to stay high. On the other hand, Monohull prices are much lower because there are more monohulls out there than there are monohull buyers.

With any boat, there is also the cost of keeping it once you own it. The larger the boat, the greater your expenses will be. This is true for everything from maintenance to storage. Catamarans cost more than monohulls in nearly every instance. For maintenance, you’ll be limited to facilities that can haul a boat with your width—which will be more expensive. You’ll have two engines, which means twice the maintenance and twice the replacement cost when that time comes.

Choppy Motion

Despite all the plusses and the flat ride, plenty of sailors out there just don’t like the ride a catamaran offers. You have to take one to sea to understand fully. A catamaran is light and tries to fly across the water, from wave to wave. It smacks each wave twice and always tries to come back upright after each impact. This leads to a choppy, jarring ride sometimes. 

A monohull is built heavy and is designed to slice through the waves and push the water out of its way. The wind pressure on the sails keeps the boat’s angle steady (in most cases). So, a heavy monohull can ride quite comfortably in a chop, whereas a catamaran might feel like it’s taking a pounding. Many heavy-displacement monohulls built for long-distance travel were designed to provide a soft, comfortable ride that allows the crew to rest. 

All sea conditions are different, as are all sailors and their expectations. So this is a personal choice as to which method you like better. And for every condition uncomfortable in a catamaran but smoother in a monohull, there’s something smooth and lovely in the cat and uncomfortable in the monohull. The ocean is just like that.

All cruising cats over about 40 feet are capable, and most have become proven circumnavigators in the past few decades. The right one for you simply comes down to the balance of cruising amenities versus performance. Fast catamarans are all the rage, but you’ll have to put a price on exactly how much performance you can afford.

To learn more about other boats before deciding, check out:

• Catamaran vs Pontoon
• Yacht vs Sailboat

What type of boat is best for sailing around the world?

The type of boat best suited to sailing around the world is a well-built, long-distance cruising boat. Many sailboats fall into the camp, both monohulls and catamarans.

This question has a million answers. Ask every sailor who wants to go around the world, and you’ll get a different one. And, once they’ve sailed around the world on that boat, they’d choose a different boat. The only rule is that there is no perfect boat. 

What is the best catamaran to sail Caribbean?

Catamarans are extremely popular in the Caribbean because their open-air living space allows cooling airflow. Their living space is supremely suited for the tropical environment—imagine living al fresco on the waterfront all the time! 

The right catamaran for the job depends on your group size and how long you intend to spend aboard. Full-time liveaboard couples prefer cats in the 38 to 44-foot range, while small families opt for something slightly larger. 

Are catamarans easier to sail?

Catamarans are easy to sail—but similar to sailing a similar-length monohull sailboat.  Beginners sometimes find them less intimidating because they do not heel and therefore seem more stable. However, monohulls are more forgiving of errors. Catamarans have large sails and rigging, and reefing early to avoid overloading the rig is extremely important on these boats. For more on beginner boats, check out my post: Best Boat for Beginners .

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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Can You Sail a Catamaran Around the World?

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When Magellan and Elcano circumnavigated the globe, it took them three years. These days, you can make the trip in under two months in ships that are much more comfortable. Circumnavigation might conjure images of huge monohull ships , but can you make the trip in a catamaran?

You can sail a catamaran around the world if the boat is equipped for offshore cruising and has a heavy load capacity. Modern catamarans are well-balanced and can be large enough for multiple crew and their supplies. They’re fast and sail smoothly, making them a comfortable choice for long voyages.

Sailing a catamaran on a trip around the world can be rewarding, whether you’re going solo, with a partner, or a whole crew. This article will give you the information you need to start planning your voyage so you can cross one ocean or all of them. 

What Makes Catamarans Good for Long Voyages?

Everything about the way catamarans are designed makes them good for long voyages. The dual-hulls make them more stable than their monohull counterparts. They also have a lower water resistance (drag) than monohulls and don’t produce as much of a wake. Ultimately, this makes them much harder to capsize , even in rougher waves.

Catamarans are also very fast and easy to handle. Dual engines make maneuvering in and out of ports easier–and if you’re sailing around the world, you’ll be stopping in a lot of ports. Because they’re lightweight and have such a low water resistance, they can go incredibly fast with wind alone in the open ocean. 

Picking the Right Catamaran

Catamarans come in many sizes and are equipped for different types of sailing. Boats designed for chartered vacations and short trips close to shore are built differently from long-haul ships that cruise the open ocean full-time.  Usually the owners version offer fewer berths and a different layout.

You’ll also want to balance the size of your boat with the size of your crew. If you’re sailing with a large group, a thirty or forty-foot ship might start feeling too small after a few weeks. Larger boats are also safer in the open ocean. 

Inshore vs. Offshore

To sail around the world, you’ll want a catamaran that’s made for offshore sailing . Inshore boats will not be as comfortably designed and won’t necessarily be equipped for the weather and conditions of the open ocean. 

Most inshore catamarans will be much too small for a long trip. Inshore boats are made for fishing close to shore or leisure boating, without room to store provisions or have a proper cabin. Offshore catamarans will also have better sails for cruising open waters and more comfortable living arrangements.

Offshore boats are made to be out at sea for weeks at a time, in all kinds of weather conditions. They will be more stable and sturdy than an inshore boat. A well-built offshore catamaran can sail so smoothly that you don’t have to bolt down the furniture or worry about capsizing in a squall. 

Size Does Matter

The smaller the catamaran, the easier it is to capsize. For this reason, a larger boat is safer for a long voyage that takes you far offshore. The smallest you should go for a worldwide trip is about forty feet. Anything less would pose an unnecessary risk to you and the crew. 

Don’t be deterred by the length of a boat when choosing your catamaran. Even large boats are easy to sail with a small crew these days ( or on your own ). The navigational tools and automated systems mean you can operate much larger boats by yourself or with just a handful of crew. 

It’s also important to consider the weight and your speed. The longer the hulls, the faster you’ll be able to go. You’ll also have an easier time picking up knots if your boat is lighter. Whether that’s from netting on the deck instead of fiberglass, or smaller engines, or strategic cabins, the less weight your boat is carrying, the faster it can go. 

Sailing Alone vs. With a Crew

Next to picking the right boat, picking the right crew is the most crucial part of preparing for a catamaran voyage around the world. Even if you’re only crossing one ocean and not going for a full circumnavigation, you’ll be sharing tight quarters and intense responsibility with the other people on the boat.

It’s possible for someone to sail most modern catamarans single-handedly . Automated controls and furling sails mechanisms make it possible to complete many sailing tasks on your own. It’s safer to travel with at least one companion in case of emergency, but sailing double-handed is more than enough crew.

On the other hand, a few weeks at sea can be a long time to be alone. Whether or not you need their help, a crew can be a welcome bit of camaraderie and social contact while you sail. With two hulls, catamarans have multiple good-sized berths so that you can maintain some privacy even with company aboard. 

It’s also an option to take on extra crew for some legs of the journey, but not the whole thing. For any around-the-globe voyage, you’ll need to make stops along the way to restock provisions, make repairs, or even visit new places onshore. You can also make changes to your crew at these stops if your current configuration isn’t working out. 

Other Helpful Tools To Sail a Catamaran Around the World

When you’ve chosen your boat and your crew, the next things you’ll need to get your catamaran voyage underway are your tools and provisions . The equipment on your boat will be important for navigation and survival.

Navigation and Boat Tech

When you’re preparing for your voyage, it’s a good idea to bring repair manuals and user guides for all of the electronic equipment on your catamaran, especially if you installed it yourself. Any literature or guides that came with the boat when you purchased it are also a good idea. Being at sea for an extended period means there are more opportunities for things to break and need repairs. 

Aside from any radar system, you’ll also want a good CPN — or computer navigation system. Satellite imagery and maps aren’t always reliable, so having multiple forms of wayfinding is critical. 

Similarly, you’ll want to have multiple methods to check the weather so you can avoid storms and rough waters.

While catamarans can take a significant amount of wind and rain, it’s better to be safe and steer away from storms whenever possible. 

One tool that will immensely improve your catamaran sailing trip is a water desalination and filtration system. Minimizing the amount of water you have to haul will help keep the boat light and quick. If you can “make” water while you sail, you’ll never have to worry about running out.

Refrigeration and storage in the galley is another place where innovation will help you make the most of your journey. Catamarans equipped with good kitchen appliances (and the generators or solar panels to support them) make it easier to pack your provisions.

The smooth handling of a catamaran also means you’ll have ample opportunity for some deep-sea fishing while you sail. There will be plenty of room on your boat to stow a Fiblink Offshore Heavy Trolling Rod from Amazon when you aren’t busy catching tonight’s dinner.

Sailing a catamaran around the world can be a wonderful adventure. Modern catamarans are perfectly designed for a comfortable and safe voyage across as many oceans you want to sail. Whether you’re going solo or taking a whole crew, a catamaran is a great choice for spending time on the open ocean. 

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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