What is a Catamaran?
    Guide to Chartering a Catamaran
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What is a Catamaran ?

A catamaran is a type of boat (or occasionally ship) consisting of two hulls joined by a frame. Catamarans can be sail- or motor-powered. The word catamaran comes from the Tamil language, in which the word kattumaram means "logs bound together". The catamaran was the invention of the paravas, an aristocratic fishing community in the southern coast of Tamilnadu, India . Catamarans were used by the ancient Tamil Chola dynasty as early as 5th century AD for moving their fleets to conquer such south-east Asian regions as Burma , Indonesia and Malaysia .

Catamarans are a relatively recent design of boat for both leisure and sport sailing, although they have been used for millennia in Oceania , where Polynesian catamarans allowed seafaring Polynesians to settle the world's most far-flung islands. Catamarans have been met by a degree of scepticism from some sailors accustomed to more "traditional" designs.

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Catamarans have become extremely popular for yacht charters in recent years and dominate the Virgin Island 's charter fleet. Their spaciousness and ample deck space is very popular with families. With two hulls they are very stable and perfect for first time yacht charters; for those wary of sea-sickness. Finally, their equally-sized cabins mean an end to debates over who gets what cabin.  

Advantages of Catamarans  

• The small draft of a catamaran allows you to anchor in shallow bays or very close to the beach, which leads to more privacy and more options to drop anchor.
• Minimum heeling and more stability can help to avoid seasickness,
• A catamaran has about the volume of a 10' longer mono-hull i.e. a 42' catamaran has about the space of a 52' mono-hull. So, more room on deck and inside with wrap around windows. The right party boat but especially the elderly will benefit of the stable and spacious deck with no steps between inside and outside.
• The autopilot steers very well, because the hulls as well as the two rudders give good tracking.
• Somewhat faster as long as you are not overloaded, not sailing close hauled, and when sailing with enough wind.
• More privacy, since the sleeping accommodations, heads and showers are totally separate, located in each hull and in opposite corners.
• Handy storage of the dinghy pulled into the davits aft between the hulls.

Disadvantages of Catamarans  

• It is often difficult to find room to moor a multi-hull in crowded Mediterranean Greek and Turkish ports, especially in July and August. Yet, this can be avoided by arriving early in the afternoon.
• Many agree that anchoring is somewhat more difficult with the anchor chain entering the yacht between the two hulls and that the anchor is often stowed in either hull.
• There are fewer types of charter catamarans to choose from, since the majority of charter yachts in Greece, Italy, Croatia and Turkey is mono-hull
• Because of its width a catamaran experiences more windage in gusts, which makes it more difficult to raise or set anchor or to dock in windy or gusty conditions. Moreover, it lacks a keel to prevent leeway.
• A catamaran is much slower in fickle wind conditions than a mono-hull.
• Sailing upwind is a problem, because multi-hulls don't point that high.
• Catamarans are difficult to tack, especially in a choppy sea

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Why Charter a Catamaran with Travel by Morley?

We have a different approach to yacht charters than most. We believe that, to paraphrase Lance Armstrong, it's not about the yacht. Too many brokers get caught up in the details of the yacht; the length, the speed etc. Ultimately a successful charter is about the client and their vacation. A yacht charter is an exclusive experience, a unique vacation and the yacht is only part of the package.

We are more than yacht charter brokers. As part of the Travel by Morley luxury travel group, we can offer a complete range of services to complement your charter. We believe that it is not about chartering a yacht but about creating an unforgettable experience for you, your family and friends.

Please visit our Services section for more information about what we can do for your next catamaran yacht charter.      

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