I hear from many readers interested in small catamarans. Recently, the folks at www.CatamaranSite.com reached out to interview me about our experience cruising on our Gemini 105, Barefoot Gal and we began chatting about the various small catamarans on the market. One thing led to another and I’m pleased that Rick Marcarelli was willing to contribute a guest post sharing information comparing ten of the most popular small catamarans on the market.
When most buyers think of catamarans these days, they think of designs by Lagoon, Leopard, and Fountaine Pajot.
These are all fine vessels. But they were built to cater to the charter markets. And so they may not be the best boats for long-term, liveaboard cruisers.
Charter vs Liveaboard Cruising
The typical charter catamaran accommodates three or four couples sailing for one to two weeks in the Caribbean or Mediterranean. Usually they will provision once, sail a few daylight hours, eat out more than a typical cruiser, and anchor or moor for the night.
Compare that itinerary to the typical liveaboard cruiser.
Most cruisers spend over 90% of their time at anchor or a dock. They provision repeatedly and usually for many months at a time. Many cruisers rarely eat out at restaurants. And most importantly, cruisers sometimes sail non-stop through the night for multiple days or weeks when making a passage between cruising destinations.
The differences between charterers and cruisers cause them to desire different cabin layouts and amenities.
For charter boats, the focus is on several small cabins, each having its own accompanying head. They also have minimal storage space and enormous salons and cockpits.
Long-term liveaboards generally desire a large master cabin, fewer heads, and significant storage space. They are usually willing to compromise space for superior sailing performance to reduce passage making days and increase safety by avoiding severe weather.
Affordable Catamaran Market
Unfortunately for liveaboard cruisers interested in catamarans, the market is dominated by enormous, often very expensive, four cabin-four head charter models. In fact, our analysis of sales data suggests that about 38% of the market consists of Lagoon catamarans and over 50% are Lagoon or Fountaine Pajots. In addition, 90% of the market consists of catamarans over 38 feet in length. Please see the infographic.
While a majority of catamarans for sale are large, expensive, charter catamarans, our site’s traffic suggests that 40% of buyers are looking for smaller, simpler, affordable catamarans under 38 feet in length.
These are buyers like Carolyn was when she purchased S/V Barefoot Gal. And they are buyers who may be like you and are looking for something affordable that is suited to your liveaboard needs.
Modest Cats for Cruisers
Consider widening your net. Here are some additional models to consider in your search:
Prout 37 Snowgoose
- Cruising Grounds: Bluewater
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 2.08′
- Mast Height: 40’ (Standard) / 50’ (Elite)
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Average
- Layouts: 3 cabins, 1 head; galley down; open version has larger salon while private stateroom has larger master cabin
- Speed: Slow
- Engines: Usually single outdrive; rare versions have twin inboards
- Availability: Relatively common all over the world
- Ballpark Price: Around $100,000 USD
Catalac 9M
- Cruising Grounds: Built for North Sea
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 2.5′
- Mast Height: tabernacle mast
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Above Average
- Layouts: 3 cabins, 1 head; galley down
- Speed: Slow
- Engines: Single gas outboard or twin inboard diesels
- Availability: Somewhat rare; usually a couple on the market or 8M sister ship; more in Europe
- Ballpark Price: Under $50,000 USD
Lagoon 37 TPI
- Cruising Grounds: Bluewater
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 4′
- Mast Height: 55’
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Above Average
- Layouts: 3 or 4 cabin; 2 heads; galley down
- Speed: Fast
- Engines: Twin inboard diesels
- Availability: Very rare; cult classic
- Ballpark Price: Over $100,000 USD
PDQ 36 Capella
- Cruising Grounds: Bluewater
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 2.82′
- Mast Height: 47’ (Standard) or 55’ (LRC)
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Average
- Layouts: 2 or 3 cabin; 1 or 2 heads; galley down
- Speed: Slow
- Engines: Single gas outboard, twin gas outboard, or twin diesel inboard
- Availability: Usually a few on the market and more likely in USA
- Ballpark Price: Over $100,000 USD
Seawind 1000
- Cruising Grounds: Bluewater
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 3.2′
- Mast Height: 47’
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Average
- Layouts: 4 cabins; 1 head; galley down
- Speed: Fast
- Engines: Twin gas outboard
- Availability: Usually a few for sale; newer models still being built; originally built in Australia
- Ballpark Price: Over $150,000 USD
Antigua 37
- Cruising Grounds: Coastal
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 3.35′
- Mast Height: 55’
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Average
- Layouts: 4 cabins or 2 cabin Maestro; 2 head; galley up
- Speed: Fast
- Engines: Twin inboard diesels with saildrives
- Availability: Usually a couple on the market often in Caribbean
- Ballpark Price: Around $150,000 USD
Endeavour 36
- Cruising Grounds: Coastal
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 2′ 9″
- Mast Height: 47’
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Average
- Layouts: 3 cabin; galley down
- Speed: Slow
- Engines: Twin inboard diesels
- Availability: Rare and likely in the USA
- Ballpark Price: Around $100,000 USD
Mahe 36
- Cruising Grounds: Coastal
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 3.62′
- Mast Height: 55′
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Average
- Layouts: 3 cabin / 1 head; 2 cabin / 2 head; galley up
- Speed: Fast
- Engines: Twin inboard diesels with saildrives
- Availability: More common especially in Caribbean
- Ballpark Price: Newer version up to $300,000 USD
Gemini 105
- Cruising Grounds: Coastal
- Underbody: Centerboards
- Draft (max): 5′
- Mast Height: 47’ (M) or 48’ (MC)
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Below Average
- Layouts: 3 cabin; 1 head; galley down but open
- Speed: Fast
- Engines: Single inboard diesel with retractable outdrive
- Availability: Common especially in the USA
- Ballpark Price: Around $100,000 USD
Dean 365
- Cruising Grounds: Coastal
- Underbody: Fixed Keels
- Draft (max): 3′
- Mast Height: 46′
- Bridgedeck Clearance: Below Average
- Layouts: 4 cabin / 1 head; 3 cabin / 2 head; galley down; bathtubs on some
- Speed: Slow
- Engines: Single or twin inboard diesels
- Availability: Rare model
- Ballpark Price: Around $50,000 USD
Rick Marcarelli is the webmaster of CatamaranSite.com featuring cruising catamarans for sale by owner as well as educational articles. Rick is the owner of S/V Catalpa, a Catalac 8M based out of Merritt Island, Florida. The site also functions as the owner’s website for Catalac catamarans. If you are planning on buying a catamaran, CatamaranSite.com might save you a considerable amount of money and lead to years of happy sailing.
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Jerry says
I would think draft on the fixed keel boats would be important to many who are considering cats.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’ll see if we can perhaps add that.
Richard says
Hi Jerry:
Good addition. I have provided drafts to Carolyn, so please watch this article for that to be updated. Any questions or additional information you would like added please comment again.
Richard
Drew Frye says
The best way to look at speed ratings is the PHRF rating or other handicaps. I used to own a PDQ 32 and never found a Gemini I couldn’t pass rather easily on autopilot, so I don’t think it rates slow if well handled. Granted, mine was turboed a bit and carried a 120 rating.
Florida ratings, according to US Sailing
PDQ 32 135
Seawind 1000 137
PDQ 36 156
Gemini 105 MC 168
Snowgoose 250
The others rate around 130-145
And of course, this is only fast or slow within the class. Fast multihulls cruising (?) multihulls rate 0-60.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks! Good info.
Dai says
I have an Edel 35′.
For their price, they are a good option, for this size of catamaran.
They are not slow, by any means.
Disadvantage: clearance under nacelle.
Erin Michaud says
Great info, we met an owner of a Catalac 9M in Key West Garrison Bight Marina a couple of weeks ago. His name is Eric & he moved his boat to the Boca Chica Navy Marina. I will send the contact info for Rick to him specifically for the Catalac boats! Thanks!
Carolyn Shearlock says
Catalacs are great boats. We saw a couple for sale around the time we bought Barefoot Gal but they were sold the same day they were listed so we didn’t get to even look at them.
Mark says
Hello. I was wondering if you can identify this open catamaran which boasts a GRP cockpit with seating?
https://imgur.com/gallery/2wzUJmR
Thanks!
Bruce Bayne says
I noticed that the Privilege 37 and 39 were not mentioned in your 10 list of catamarans. Is there a reason? How do they stack up to the others with regard to speed and bridgedeck clearance?
Doug says
Beams?
Rayma Church says
Last November we purchased a Fontaine Pajot power cat (MY4s) that is 37′ long and has a beam of 16.8″, with a draft of 2.6″ and a height of 15′ but is tall inside for my 6’5″ partner without having to hunch over. This means we can go under the lowest bridges on the Great Lakes leg of the Loop, although we do not have a fly bridge.
This is a new model (made its debut in 2023) and we plan to start the Great Lakes leg in June 2025 – the boat is being handed over to us in Annapolis in October. One of the reasons we selected this boat is because of the need for interior height but exterior “shortness” to get under the bridges. Also, this model has access on both sides of the boat that are about 18″ wide – another safety feature as my 6’5″ man has size 14 feet!
We have been receiving your emails for the last 9 months or so in preparation for so many things boat related. We are both so happy to crib off of your experience rather than learn through adversity! Thanks, rayma
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great choice of boat for the Loop!
Philip Ritson says
if you can put up with the time investment needed to build your own and posess the necessary skills Richard Woods has some great designs ranging from 28 to 34 feet.
Just google “Richard Woods Sailing Catamarans”