The Short Version
If you are chartering for the first time with a group of six or more, get a catamaran. If you are an experienced sailor who loves the feel of wind and heel, or you are a couple looking for the best value, go monohull.
That is the honest answer. Everything below explains why.
Space and Layout
This is where catamarans win convincingly. A 42-foot catamaran has roughly the same living space as a 50-foot monohull. The beam (width) of a catamaran is nearly double, which means a wider saloon, a bigger cockpit, and cabins that do not feel like sleeping in a cupboard.
A typical 40-foot monohull has two to three cabins with one or two heads (bathrooms). A 42-foot catamaran has four cabins, each with its own head. For groups of six to eight, this is a significant difference. Everyone gets a private space with a door that closes.
The cockpit on a catamaran is where you will spend most of your time. It is flat, wide, and shaded. On a monohull, the cockpit is narrower, and you are sitting at an angle whenever the boat is under sail.
Catamarans also have a flat foredeck with trampolines between the bows. This becomes the sunbathing and lounging area. Monohulls have a foredeck too, but it is angled and less comfortable for sitting around.
How They Sail
This is where monohulls fight back. A monohull under sail is a fundamentally different experience. It heels (tilts) with the wind, cuts through waves, and responds to every adjustment of the sails. If you love sailing as a sport, this is the boat you want.
Catamarans sail flat. They do not heel. Some sailors find this boring. Others find it a relief. If half your group gets queasy at the thought of the boat tilting 20 degrees, the catamaran solves that problem entirely.
Monohulls point higher into the wind, which means they can sail more directly towards a destination upwind. Catamarans have to take wider angles when tacking. In practice, this matters less than sailors think. Most charter itineraries are designed to avoid long upwind passages.
In light winds, catamarans perform better. They are lighter relative to their size and maintain speed in conditions where a monohull would be sluggish. In strong winds (above 25 knots), a well-sailed monohull is more predictable and easier to control.
Stability and Comfort
Catamarans are more stable at anchor. They do not rock side to side the way monohulls do. If you are anchored in a bay overnight, a catamaran sits flat and still. A monohull will roll with every passing wake.
This matters more than you might expect. Cooking on a monohull in a rolly anchorage is genuinely annoying. Sleeping on one can be difficult if you are not used to it. On a catamaran, the galley stays level and the beds stay flat.
For families with young children, stability is usually the deciding factor. Kids can move around a catamaran safely without the boat throwing them off balance.
The trade-off: catamarans can slam in choppy head seas. The bridgedeck (the flat section between the two hulls) hits waves from below, which creates a loud slapping noise. It is not dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable and noisy on rough days.
What They Cost
Here is the real comparison for a one-week bareboat charter in the Mediterranean (2026 shoulder season prices):
38-foot monohull: €1,800 to €3,500 per week. This is the entry point for a sailing holiday. Comfortable for two to four people.
42-foot catamaran: €3,500 to €6,500 per week. Charter companies confirm catamarans run 20 to 35 percent more than similarly sized monohulls, and often higher because demand outstrips supply.
Per-person example: A €2,500 monohull split between four people is €625 each. A €5,000 catamaran split between eight people is also €625 each. Same price per head, but with twice the space and a private bathroom.
Crewed charters follow the same pattern. A crewed monohull starts around €6,000 to €8,000 per week. A crewed catamaran starts at €10,000 to €15,000. The premium for a catamaran is typically 40 to 60 percent over a comparable monohull.
For a deeper look at charter pricing, see our yacht charter cost guide.
Mooring and Marinas
Catamarans are wider, which means they take up more space in a marina. In Croatia, catamarans pay a supplement of 50 to 60 percent on top of the standard mooring fee. Depending on the marina and boat size, expect €60 to €200 per night for a catamaran versus €30 to €80 for a monohull. In Greece, mooring fees are lower across the board (€23 to €70 per night), but catamarans still pay more.
Catamarans have a shallower draft (the depth of the hull below water). A monohull might draw 1.8 to 2.2 metres. A catamaran draws 1.0 to 1.4 metres. This means catamarans can anchor in shallower bays and get closer to beaches. In the Greek islands, this is a genuine advantage.
The flip side: some marinas and town quays are tight. Manoeuvring a 12-metre-wide catamaran into a narrow berth with crosswind is more challenging than docking a monohull. If you are bareboat chartering a catamaran, make sure you have practised docking one before.
Which Destinations Suit Which
Greece (Cyclades): The meltemi wind blows hard through the Cyclades in July and August, often 25 to 35 knots. Monohulls handle these conditions better. The Ionian islands are calmer and suit either boat beautifully.
Croatia: The Dalmatian coast has generally moderate winds and well-protected channels between islands. Both boats work well. Catamarans are popular because the island-hopping distances are short and the anchorages are plentiful.
Turkey: The turquoise coast is sheltered and calm. Either boat works, but catamarans are particularly nice here because you can anchor in shallow turquoise bays that monohulls cannot reach.
Caribbean: Catamarans dominate the Caribbean charter fleet. The trade winds are steady, the sailing is mostly downwind, and the shallow anchorages favour a catamaran's draft. If you are chartering in the BVI or Grenadines, a catamaran is the standard choice.
For Families
Catamaran. The stability, the space, the private cabins, the flat deck where children can play safely. It is not even close for families with kids under 12.
For Couples
Monohull. A 36 to 38-foot monohull is the most affordable way to charter, and two people do not need four cabins. If you are experienced sailors, the monohull gives you a better sailing experience. If you want more comfort and budget allows, a small catamaran (38 to 40 feet) works too.
For Groups of Six or More
Catamaran. The per-person economics make sense, everyone gets their own cabin, and the social spaces (cockpit, saloon, foredeck) can actually fit everyone at once. On a monohull with eight people, someone is always sitting on someone else.
Still Not Sure?
The choice between a catamaran and a monohull depends on your group, your budget, and how much you care about the sailing itself versus the holiday around it. There is no wrong answer. Just different trade-offs.
Tell us your group size, dates, and destination. We will send you options for both, with real prices, so you can compare side by side.
Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram to get started.