We’ve been sailing Lake Erie for the past 15 years (raising kids and money), and will have our turn in 5.5 years. We are leaning towards a 40+’ catamaran for live-aboard in the Caribbean and hopefully South Pacific. I am about 1/3 through your Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia and now I see your new book is out. Do you address multihull vs. monohull, have an opinion, and or experience? Any recommended reading on the topic? Sincerely, Bill and Lucinda
Hi Bill and Lucinda:
The mono/multi question is quite complex. In our new book (Surviving the Storm) we go into the heavy weather issues and tactics with each in great detail. It is a difficult issue to summarize. However, I think I can safely give you our own opinion.
1. It is very much a question of where you sail, and your experience level, and how the multihull in question is designed and outfitted.
2. Most production multihulls are designed for the charter trades, and for this type of work, i.e. short hops between anchorages, protected weather environment, they are fine.
3. In heavy weather the ultimate defense for a multihull is lying ahull, with boards all the way up, slipping to leeward as breaking seas impact the hulls. However, this does not work as well with fixed keel designs and/or heavier boats which sit low in the water. Also, size plays a major issue in resistance to capsize.
4. Monohulls take less skill skill on the part of the crew than with multihulls in heavy weather.
5. A major safety factor with multihulls in heavy weather is speed. This means keeping the boat light (an oxymoron in cruising configuration, unless you are really dedicated), and good wing clearance, so you don’t slam in heavy going. Speed, plus the knowledge of weather, will keep you away from the bad weather.
Good Luck .
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
