Power Catamaran vs Sailing Catamaran: Which is better for your vacation?

April 18, 2024 5 min

Anyone passionate about sailing has their two cents to add to the “sail vs motor yacht” debate.

Many swear by classic sailing yachts – after all, there’s nothing like the bliss of cruising across the waves as the sun beats down and the wind catches in your sails. But there are also many arguments to be made for power yachts. They offer a more hands-off way to sail, and often more luxury. If you need a vacation of complete relaxation, a power yacht may be the better choice.

Read on to learn all the points for and against sail yachts and power catamaran yachts so you can make an informed choice for your dream vacation.

What is a Sailing Catamaran?

We offer two types of sailing yachts here at The Moorings: catamarans, which have two hulls, and monohulls, which have one, both with extraordinary sails.
When you think of a sailboat, a monohull is likely what comes to mind, but a sailing catamaran is ideal when you want all the charm of a sailing yacht but more space for your friends and family. Read our Beginner’s Guide to Sailing Catamarans for more information.

Sailing Catamaran Yacht Advantages

It’s easy to see why sail yachts are so beloved – they offer an incredibly rewarding experience to people who live and breathe sailing. Here are some points in favor of choosing a sailing catamaran over a power catamaran:

1. Sail catamarans are quieter

If what you want from a sailing vacation is a complete break from the constant noise of regular life, sail yachts are perfect for you. Since they aren’t too reliant on engines, you don’t have to worry about engine noise. It’ll just be you, your loved ones, and the waves. Sailing catamarans are perfect for mindful getaways.

2. They’re better for the environment

We understand how important it is to push forward with more sustainable practices in sailing. Sailing catamarans are predominately powered by the wind – some have engines, but you’ll rarely have to use them. This makes sailing yachts far cleaner and greener than motor yachts in general, as they use little to no petrol to get you where you want to go.

3. Sailing catamarans can be cheaper to run

Sailing catamarans are almost always the more affordable option. Since they are often smaller than motor yachts, it takes far less power to get them where you need them to go. This means that even sailing yachts with engines require far less petrol, keeping fuel costs low.

4. They’re often the safer option

A lot of the design features of a sailing catamaran make it far less likely to capsize – for example, they often have far heavier keels, and this amount of ballast is crucial to keeping the boat stable in rough weather. Power catamaran yachts are certainly faster, but this inevitably means that they have lightweight (and less stable) designs.

5. There are more sailing yacht charters

There are several areas where motor yachts are banned in the interest of conservation and protecting local wildlife. Sailing catamarans are undisruptive to nature, so you will often find sailing charters available in areas where power charters are not – for example, in St Lucia, Antigua and Thailand.

6. Sail yachts are more reliable

If you run out of fuel on a power catamaran boat, you’re stuck until someone can come to your aid. This isn’t the case with sailing yachts – even if your sailing yacht has an engine, it serves a supplementary purpose. With a little technical skill, you can sail through most conditions in a sailing yacht, and fuel is a non-issue.

7. Sailing catamarans are incredibly rewarding to charter

Sail yachts undeniably require more skill to operate, but that’s what makes them such a dream for people who are truly passionate about sailing. There is no better way to build your confidence than to take the reins on a sailing catamaran – you learn so much about yourself as you cope with different conditions and get to know how to work in harmony with the boat. We cannot undersell how satisfying it is to master a sailing yacht.

What is a Power Catamaran?

Power catamarans, or “powercats”, are catamarans without the grand sail at the top.
They still have two hulls and many of the same design features, but they’re powered by fuel engines instead of the wind. This makes them a quick, modern and stylish alternative to sailing catamarans, and a perfect choice for groups looking to spend more time island-hopping than on the water.

Power Catamaran Yacht Advantages

In the sail vs power yacht argument, the sailing yacht side is certainly persuasive. However, we believe there is an equally valid argument to be made for motor yachts – they satisfy different needs to sail yachts, and that is no bad thing.

1. Power yachts are less challenging to operate

If you’re still fairly new to sailing and have not built up the confidence to tackle a sailing yacht, but are not interested in a skippered or crewed charter, a power catamaran is a brilliant choice for your sailing vacation. They are easy to operate for people with less experience so that you can cruise across the waves with ease.

2. They’re faster, and more exciting

Maybe the gentle pace of a sailing yacht charter is not quite what you’re looking for in a sailing vacation – if that is the case, power catamarans are perfect. There are plenty of opportunities to relax, but you can also experience the thrill of unmatched speed and power. A powercat makes you feel like you rule the seas.

3. Power catamarans are more spacious

If you’re looking for true luxury, you will have more luck with a power catamaran than a sailing catamaran. Not only is there often more underfloor space in a motor yacht, but you can also have a flybridge where there would otherwise be a sail – this is the perfect space for socializing with friends, eating dinner, and admiring the views.

4. They’re far better for low bridges and shallow waters

In the interest of stability, sail yachts have deeper hulls that make sailing through shallow waters dangerous. Their grand sails also make low bridges a challenge. The design features of motor yachts eliminate these issues. If you want to stay near the coast, a motor yacht is the ideal choice.

5. Power yachts offer more shelter

Operating a sailing yacht doesn’t offer much respite from the sun – in the scorching climates of the Caribbean or the Americas, this can mean you have to work twice or thrice as hard to protect yourself from UV rays. Motor yachts have plenty of shaded spaces to help you keep cool.

6. Power catamarans are better for relaxation

While we attest that chartering a sailing catamaran for yourself is something special, it does not offer you many opportunities to rest – you are constantly busy when actively sailing. Motor yachts better suit people who would rather get where they’re going quickly and put their feet up, or care more about enjoying the incredible destinations of each charter than the journey there.
Learn more about the Benefits of Chartering a Power Catamaran.

Key Takeaways

The sail vs motor yacht debate has a simple conclusion: your choice depends on how you want to experience life at sea. Powerboats are designed for comfort, while sailboats are better for people looking for new adventures and challenges.

Explore our Sailing Yachts

Explore our Power Yachts