The Benefits of Chartering a Power Catamaran
For decades the yacht charter industry has catered predominantly to sailors, allowing those with proper sailing experience to explore the world as the captain of their own personal yacht in beautiful, exotic destinations.
In recent years however, the development of new products has opened the world of yacht chartering to completely new audiences. Enter – the Power Catamaran.
A catamaran is a yacht with 2 hulls, as opposed to a traditional single-hull yacht or sailboat, called a monohull. Catamarans have become the preferred yacht type to enjoy charter vacations worldwide because of their wide beam, added interior and exterior space, stability, and amenities which turn these yachts into floating resorts. Now, companies such as The Moorings have pioneered a new version of these yachts, removing the sailing component and allowing more traditional powerboaters to make the leap to captaining these charter yachts for themselves. Below are just a few of the benefits of chartering a power yacht vs. a sailing yacht.
A Need for Speed
The first benefit of chartering a power catamaran is obvious: speed. Sailing has been playfully described as “the fine art of going nowhere slowly at great expense”. While we respectfully believe that sailing is a truly majestic experience, it certainly isn’t for everyone. For those looking to quickly set off to the next beach, bar, restaurant or anchorage, a power catamaran gets you there in a fraction of the time. A Moorings charter catamaran such as the 534PC is outfitted with twin 350hp Yanmar diesel engines, allowing for a comfortable cruising speed of roughly 25kts while also being extremely fuel efficient. Compared to the average sailing speed of traditional sailing yachts (between 6-8kts), a power catamaran will get you to your destination in speed and style.
Space, and more Space
The wide beam of a catamaran means the interior volume allows for infinitely more space than a traditional monohull. Between the large en-suite staterooms, roomy saloon, spacious galley, and ample seating throughout, there is no shortage of areas for everyone on board to gather together, or spread out and enjoy some alone time away from the crew. Perhaps most importantly, because the mast and rigging is no longer required on a power catamaran, the added feature of a flybridge is a critical component, essentially doubling the living space on board. On Moorings charter yachts, the flybridge is a massive platform complete with a helm station, seating for the whole crew, sunbeds, and a full wet bar and electric grill. Factor in the panoramic views and premier sound system, and this is inevitably where you will spend most of your time while on charter.
The Latest in Yachting Tech
Sailing purists certainly enjoy a traditional, low-tech boating experience, but power boaters enjoy the latest in yachting tech, and our Power catamarans deliver in spades. From touchscreen chart-plotters and GPS, to full yacht diagnostic displays, generator-powered zoned Air Conditioning systems, water maker and water purifiers delivering fresh potable water to the full-size refrigerator/freezer in the galley, wireless charging pads, hidden flatscreen TV’s and more, these power catamarans offer all the comforts of home, and more.
Maneuverability
Because of the wide placement of the engines and props, power catamarans not only offer exceptional speed, but also incomparable maneuverability. These yachts are able to turn on a dime, making docking or picking up a mooring ball on charter an absolute breeze.
A Dream in Skinny Water
Traditional sailboats feature a keel below the waterline, which often means they need upwards of 5-7’ of depth in order to navigate. Power catamarans, despite being in excess of 40’ or 50’ in length, only feature a draft of about 3’. This means that they are able to navigate the beautiful, shallow waters of the Caribbean or the Bahamas with ease, allowing charter guests to experience areas nobody else can get to.
Ultimately, power catamarans are the ideal vacation platform, custom-designed to make the most of your time on the water in comfort, speed, and style. They are the perfect vessel to accommodate groups of 6-10 guests, and their space and stability make them ideal for families with children. But don’t take our word for it, explore our full range of Power Catamarans available in a wide array of charter destinations here, and discover the difference for yourself.
Contributor
Alfredo Flores
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