Guide
Monohull vs catamaran: which suits Caribbean sailing?
Choose a catamaran if space, a flat ride and a steady boat at anchor matter most. Choose a monohull if you want a boat that points higher, feels more connected under sail and is usually cheaper to berth and maintain. In the trade winds of Grenada and the Grenadines both work well — it comes down to who’s aboard and how you like to sail.
By Terrel Andrews · Last updated 2026-10-19
How do they compare?
| Catamaran | Monohull | |
|---|---|---|
| Living space | More, mostly on one level, with a big cockpit and saloon | Less for the same length, mostly below deck |
| Motion under sail | Sails flat with little heel | Heels, with a motion many sailors prefer |
| At anchor | Very steady | Can roll in a swell |
| Upwind | Generally doesn’t point as high | Points higher and tacks more easily |
| Draft | Shallow — anchors closer to the beach | Deeper keel |
| Marina berths | Often charged more for the extra beam | Usually a standard berth |
| Best for | Families, groups, comfort at anchor | Sailors who want feel and upwind ability |
Does switching type matter?
Yes. Handling is different — a catamaran has two engines and a lot of windage when docking; a monohull heels and carries its way differently — so insurers may ask for experience on the type you’ve bought, and a few days of coaching on it is time well spent.
Which do you sail?
Both. I grew up aboard a Beneteau Oceanis 461 monohull and have since sailed monohulls and catamarans around Grenada and up the islands as far as Guadeloupe, so I can skipper, deliver or coach on either.