Multihulls have often been seen as ‘unconventional’ – a tag which does them no favours and, understandably perhaps, puts a lot of people off. Worse still, because the multihull label covers such a wide range of different types, boats with more than one hull regularly find themselves at the rough end of derogatory and misleading generalisations. In fact, there’s a world of difference between, say, a stripped-out trimaran with a cramped central hull and a couple of outriggers – and a cruising cat with spacious decks and palatial accommodation.

So maybe it’s time for a rethink? Advocates would say it’s long overdue. Above all, they maintain, sensible, beamy, twin-hulled boats are ideal for families. Unlike a monohull which has everyone clinging on for dear life as soon as the wind starts to blow, a cruising cat remains on a relatively even keel. There’s less stress and everything’s considerably more relaxed. Cruising cats are also spacious - with light airy accommodation built across the two hulls. On the downside, it may cost you more than a monohull to keep one in a marina (which is why some tris have folding or detachable outriggers) but thanks to shoal draft it means you can explore remote anchorages and shallow creeks. There may also be room to carry a dinghy on deck – and some even have twin engines, one for each hull, which makes them extremely manoeuvrable under power. Those with single outboards are less handy but others which fit swivelling outdrives are impressively agile.

Multihulls also dry out level so you can anchor near the beach and let the kids make sandcastles when the tide goes out. But multihulls are also synonymous with speed – and while it’s true that most are faster than their single-hulled sisters – a distinct advantage - some are faster than others. As already intimated, with some exceptions, trimarans are invariably built with modest accommodation contained in a narrow central hull to provide the best possible performance. Catamarans, on the other hand, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are little more than heavy and commodious motor-sailers; others have no superstructure at all and pursue the same objectives as any uncompromising tri. It all depends what you want.

The distinctions are important for another reason – for while it’s true that nearly all unballasted multihulls can capsize if you push them too hard, extreme multihulls have given the breed an undeserved reputation. Indeed, some cats are so wide and carry such a modest amount of sail that capsizing them would be almost impossible. It’s also true that multihulls prefer to sail on the level, so prudent skippers will always reef in good time.

In any case, you need to work out your priorities. Do you want to race – or do you want to cruise? Is stability more important than speed? And remember, well informed insurers understand the subtleties and distinctions; they know that, like people, multihulls are all different, so when it comes to setting premiums, they deserve individual treatment.

Article by Roger Witt