What Size Catamaran to Sail Around the World
Anyone who knows you says this trip is already long overdue. The ocean is calling out to you and has been for a long time now. You’re more than ready to sail the seven seas. In fact, you’re virtually dying to do so. But first, you need to pick out a catamaran — moreover, one that is the correct size not merely for getting you around the world, but also for serving all your needs, wants, and goals on your trip.
You need to find the catamaran that will make all your trouble worth it. This seems simple enough, but as you begin your search, you quickly discover that there are so many (too many) options out there. Now you’re probably wondering, “Which size is right for me?” and “How do I figure this out?” In this article, we will break down how to choose what size catamaran to sail around the world with.
Some consider catamarans sized at 35 feet to 45 feet to be the best for ocean sailing. Many consider 45 feet to be the sweet spot when it comes to picking out a catamaran for trips around the world.
Determining what size catamaran to sail around the world can appear difficult to those unfamiliar with selecting a vessel, but is made simpler when certain variables are prioritized. The best size varies from person to person, but the decision-making process always demands a handful of initial factors and considerations, including:
1) Basic comfort, speed, and circumnavigation of the vessel.
2) The amount of “cargo” you’ll have on the catamaran — in other words, the essential stuff needed in order to actually make your catamaran run, how many passengers will be on board, what it is you plan to do while on board, which items will be involved in making this happen, and how much space will be required for these activities.
3) Your budget in regards to catamaran size and, even more importantly, safety.
4) The actual measurements of the catamaran: 20 feet to 30 feet, 35 feet to 45 feet, and 50 feet to 60 feet being among the most popular sizes.
As we already stated before, the best catamaran size for a journey around the globe varies on a case-by-case basis. It depends entirely on your needs, wants, and intentions while out at sea. Nonetheless, the most important thing for everyone — new and seasoned sailors alike — to recognize while settling on a catamaran size is that it is never too early to consider anything and everything that might play a role on your trip. Every little thing matters, and the sooner you factor something in, the better you can plan for your voyage. This should also optimize the amount of fun you’ll have while on board.
Remember — it’s always better to be overprepared for the ocean than underprepared for it. Being underprepared while at sea can be the difference between life and death or, in less hazardous situations, the time of your life and utter, lasting misery.
The overall goal is generally to have a safe and successful experience while sailing your catamaran around the world. Of course, what counts as a successful trip will always vary from person to person, sailor to sailor, and passenger to passenger.
That’s why we went ahead and made you this little list — to make your intentions and, therefore, your catamaran size selection process — just a tiny bit easier. Ask yourself the following:
Is this, for me, about the distance sailed?
The ocean covered?
The places visited?
The company on board?
The memories made?
The knowledge gained?
The time spent on the water, and with the natural world?
The experience of actually steering a vessel through the sea, one of nature’s greatest miracles?
A combination of the above?
None of the above?
Think about it. Really take your time. Once you have a clear, honest idea of why you might want to sail a catamaran around the world, write it all down on a piece of paper. These notes will be your best friend while you read through this article and, eventually, decide on the appropriate vessel for your journey.
Initial Factors to Consider When Settling on a Catamaran Size
Primary items to consider when deciding on the size of your catamaran include basic comfort, speed, and circumnavigation.
For example, yes — the smaller, cheaper catamaran can carry a certain amount of people. But can it do so comfortably? Or will you and your passengers pay the price? We’ll get into this in more detail in just a moment. First, let’s talk about the speed of your catamaran. It’s all related — we promise.
When it comes to determining size, one must consider speed as well. Large, overloaded boats can move too slowly — but smaller ones can, too. This is where the shape of the boat comes into play. Boats with longer shapes and builds are absolutely your friends when selecting a catamaran — regardless of the size, you wind up going with. Not only are these better for speed, but they also come highly recommended by experts for circumnavigation and cargo purposes — the latter of which we will get into in more detail in the next section.
Regarding circumnavigation — what fun is sailing a catamaran if you can’t control it? Your ability to guide your catamaran should always be the top priority. Anything that seems to complicate or hinder this is something you should immediately rule out when deciding on a vessel.
How long does it take to learn how to sail? Find out here.
The Relationship Between Catamaran Size and Essential “Cargo”
There are different types of “cargo” (used loosely) to consider when deciding on a size for your catamaran. There is, of course, the standard cargo — all the stuff you need to make your catamaran run. No one wants to be stranded out at sea or met with an emergency event in a catamaran that is ill-equipped for the journey or corresponding obstacles. This type of cargo is the most vital since you quite literally can’t sail without it.
But there are other types of “cargo” as well. Necessary supplies, recreational items, the number of human beings, and how much space passengers will need while on board also matter — significantly.
For starters, ask yourself while you settle on a size for your catamaran whether you will have enough room for all the necessary supplies. Be honest with yourself. Longer, slower trips take more time and, therefore, require more of them. No matter what, you’ll need these items — food, water, first aid, medications, hygiene products, and other essential, rather heavy, and bulky supplies — while on board.
Additionally, if there are plans for fun and recreation while sailing — which, let’s be honest, there probably are — then you’ll need to ensure your vessel has the capacity for all of that as well. We’re talking furniture, sports stuff, audio equipment, and more. This aspect may seem like it should be an afterthought, but we promise you — it shouldn’t be. Be sure to keep it in mind while shopping around. What point is there to sailing around the world if you feel deprived, bored, or full of regret the entire time anyway? Make sure you have everything you’ll want and need before setting sail.
Furthermore, and as we already mentioned before, passenger “cargo” is also a thing. It’s vital that your catamaran have enough capacity for humans not only to survive but to travel comfortably.
Is this sail around the world all work with little to no play or human company? Then you won’t need as much room. The more likely scenario, however, is that you and the other people on board are looking to have fun — and therefore require adequate space to do so. This is a different type of “cargo,” but one that should be adequately considered throughout the selection process.
Similarly, imagine acquiring all the recreational items and loading them on board only to start sailing and discover that there isn’t even any room to use them all. Recreational, social, and even essential activities require the room in which to do them. Therefore, it’s important to have an idea ahead of time regarding what activities might be taking place on board. This will help you determine just how large of a vessel you need, as well as the shape of it.
What’s the point in sailing a catamaran around the world if you even can’t carry the things or people you need to make the trip worthwhile anyways?
Determining Catamaran Size in Relation to Your Budget
Of course, one of the most important considerations when deciding on a catamaran size is your budget. Larger catamarans with more features will cost more money upfront, yes. Nevertheless, the payoff regarding comfort, efficiency, practicality, and enjoyability while on board — as well as mandatory supplies you’ll need to carry on your travels and maintenance the vessel may eventually need — might make the investment worth it.
More importantly, safety is never worth skimping on, especially when it comes to sailing through the ocean over an extended period of time. If a smaller, simpler model is more affordable for you, just make sure it serves all your purposes, and that the lower price you’re paying is only in regards to the size of the catamaran. Paying less for a smaller vessel should not equal a higher risk factor while on board. Safety is key, and therefore, nonnegotiable.
The Best Catamaran Size(s) for Sailing Around the World
Now, for the technical stuff: measurements. There are a variety of them, but some tend to be more popular— specifically, those in the 20 feet to 30 feet, 35 feet to 45 feet, and 50 feet to 60 feet ranges.
Some consider catamarans sized at 35 feet to 45 feet to be the best for ocean sailing. Many even consider 45 feet to be the sweet spot when it comes to picking out a catamaran for trips around the globe.
This isn’t to say that smaller vessels aren’t also an option. Catamarans sized at 25 feet to 30 feet are far more affordable — though, again, boats in this size range do tend to be more uncomfortable and less convenient. They also have less capacity. However, it is still possible to sail around the world in a catamaran sized within this 25 feet to 30 feet range.
Conversely, very large vessels are also doable. Catamarans in the 50 feet to 60 feet range absolutely do exist and are available for interested parties. However, they are extremely expensive. They are very much intended for those seeking total luxury while ocean sailing.
Again, a catamaran ranging between 35 feet and 45 feet should absolutely do the trick — for comfort, efficiency, space, and more importantly, function. These will get you around the world, and happily at that.
Either way, don’t forget that the size and price of your catamaran aren’t everything. Shape, safety, and circumnavigation are equally, if not more, important when it comes to ocean sailing.
Related Questions
What kind of recreational activities are popular while sailing? Depending on the length of the trip, people may want to do anything from eating fine cuisine to drinking and dancing, to sipping coffee and reading books, to even just tossing a basketball around. It just depends on the passengers on board.
Is a faster catamaran a better catamaran? Not necessarily. It just depends on how much time you want to spend at sea, and whether your trip is more about efficiency or luxury, and land time or water time. Just keep in mind that more time at sea means you’ll need more supplies and, therefore, more capacity for storing them.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.