The Benefits of Chartering a Power Catamaran
For decades, the yacht charter industry primarily catered to experienced sailors eager to captain their own yachts in beautiful, exotic sailing 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.
What is a Power Catamaran?
A power catamaran, or ‘Powercat,’ features two hulls unlike the traditional single-hull monohull. Primarily fuel-powered, these yachts offer an accessible option for enthusiasts accustomed to motor boating, distinct from the wind-powered sailing catamarans.
Catamarans have become the preferred yacht type to enjoy charter holidays worldwide – because of their wide beam, added interior and exterior space, stability, and extra amenities, these yachts feel like floating resorts.
If you’re considering hiring a power catamaran for your next charter, or even purchasing one, below are some key benefits over traditional sailing yachts.
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 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 double as much space as 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 are no longer required on a power catamaran, Moorings’ power catamarans also feature a flybridge with 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.
Imagine sipping cocktails on the flybridge of your yacht as your skipper takes you across the cerulean-blue waters surrounding Belize, Croatia or Thailand – what could be better?
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 makers and water purifiers delivering fresh potable water to the full-size refrigerator/freezer in the galley, wireless charging pads, hidden flat-screen TVs and more, these power catamarans go beyond to offer all the comforts of home.
Maneuverability
Because of the wide placement of the engines and props, power catamarans not only offer exceptional speed, but also incomparable maneuverability. These yachts can turn on a dime, making docking or picking up a mooring ball on charter an absolute breeze. Not to mention, in areas that are very popular and crowded with yachts like the British Virgin Islands (BVI), this easy maneuverability could be invaluable.
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 – if the water is too shallow, a monohull will hit the seabed. Not only could this damage the yacht, but potentially damage coral reefs below the surface.
Power catamarans, despite being in excess of 40’ or 50’ in length, only feature a draft of about 3’. This means that they can 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.
The Smoothest Ride Possible
A great benefit of chartering a power catamaran is that, whether you’re racing across the open waters or cruising across the coast, you can do it in style. Larger and wider than your standard monohull, with a slower roll period, a catamaran is more comfortable for sailors. This can reduce your chances of feeling seasick and makes dining outdoors on the flybridge a dream.
Twin-Engine Reliability
Twice the power, twice the reliability. Equipped with two engines, a power catamaran is arguably one of the most reliable boats to sail with. While Powercats are still reliant on petrol, their two-engine design has a range of benefits. Not only can you sail further, and for longer, than you could with one engine, but you also have some insurance if one of the engines proves faulty.
Can Be More Fuel Efficient
Powercats have a reputation for using a lot of fuel, but it isn’t quite that simple. A power catamaran can be more fuel efficient once up to speed. This is especially true of smaller catamarans that aren’t quite as heavy, and thus require less power to get going. If you sail your Powercat efficiently, your fuel consumption should not be too drastic – if you’re interested in a crewed yacht charter sailing vacation, you can guarantee that your crew will know how to get the best value from a power catamaran.
Key Takeaways
Ultimately, power catamarans are the ideal charter 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. Browse our full range of Power Catamarans available for sale, or explore the Powercats available across a wide array of charter destinations, and discover the difference for yourself.
Discover the thrill and ease of piloting a power catamaran. Click here to explore our models and booking options.
Contributor
Alfredo Flores
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