Blog > The Growing Popularity of Power Catamarans for Charter

The Growing Popularity of Power Catamarans for Charter

by Dayle Reimer on Sep 25, 2023

Over the course of the past 20+ years, catamarans have soared in popularity in the boating market, with no sign of letting up. And while catamarans now dominate the sailing category, a more recent surge is the power catamaran, driven by improvements in design and fuel efficiency.

What are the reasons for this growing popularity of the power cat? Let’s begin with the key benefits of catamarans compared to monohulls, and then delve further into the reasons driving the increasing popularity of power catamarans among boating enthusiasts.

Catamarans have many great features that charter guests love:

Stability: Under sail, two hulls keep the yacht relatively flat in the water rather than heeling over to one side like a traditional sailboat with one hull. This design provides remarkable stability, reducing the discomfort of rolling and pitching often associated with monohulls. It's a game-changer for those who seek a smoother and more comfortable cruising experience, especially those with tendencies towards motion sickness.
Space: The beam (width) of the yacht nearly doubles with two hulls compared to a single hull, significantly increasing the square footage of usable space. This means you can enjoy larger cabins, expansive salons, and even a flybridge on larger models, providing breathtaking panoramic views.
Privacy: On a catamaran, guest ensuite cabins are typically located at each end of the hull as well as midship on larger cats. With this much separation there is an increased sense of privacy.
Draft: The shallow draft of a catamaran allows safer anchoring closer to shore. This can be a big benefit in areas with shallow waters such as the Bahamas.

For more information on types of yachts, see Types of Charter Yachts blog.

collage 6 fotos (35 × 20 cm)6.png Christal Mio 67 is a very popular power catamaran available for charter in Greece. She accommodates 10 guests in 5 very spacious guest suites, and cruises at 16.5 knots.

Power Cats – The Wave of the Future

The appeal of the power catamaran is that it combines all the benefits of a sailing catamaran with powerful engines to get you where you want to go quickly and efficiently. The engines are larger than on sailing cats and can reach higher speeds. While you may think this would translate to high fuel consumption, in fact the power cat has less resistance through the water which delivers better fuel efficiency. Compared to a traditional motor yacht, the fuel efficiency is considerable, and a growing number of catamaran brands are introducing new models with increasing fuel efficiency.

The prestigious catamaran builder Sunreef is one of the companies leading the way to better fuel efficiency and greener yachting with the introduction of its revolutionary new Power Cat Eco design. It includes a proprietary solar power system, cutting-edge batteries with increased weight-efficiency and performance, plus eco-built materials for what they call a “360° sustainable cruising experience.”

collage 6 fotos (35 × 20 cm) (1)5.png Launching in 2023, Sol 80 presents silent luxury and the future of sustainability and technology. This ECO Sunreef collects the sun to drive its electric motors for clean power yachting.

For charter guests, the fuel efficiency of a power cat translates to lower charter expenses. For example, a power cat that cruises at 18 knots may burn 150 liters of fuel per hour, whereas a traditional motor yacht cruising at that same speed might easily burn 300 liters per hour.

Check out these fabulous power cats available in popular destinations:

collage 6 fotos (35 × 20 cm).png

C'EST LA VIE (67 Feet): Sleeps 8 guests in 4 cabins.
Fuel consumption: 135 Liters/Hr.
Cruising Speed: 15 knots.
ALENA (67 Feet): Sleeps 8 guests in 4 cabins.
Fuel consumption: 120 Liters/Hr.
Cruising Speed: 18 knots.
SASTA (78 Feet): Sleeps 8 guests in 4 cabins.
Fuel consumption: 140 Liters/Hr.
Cruising Speed: 10 knots.