Sailing Catamaran Charters
Sailing Catamaran Charter Greece
Two hulls, full sail. The format that turned charterers into catamaran loyalists.
Why a sailing catamaran
In its favour
- True sailing experience with catamaran living format.
- Lower fuel cost than power catamarans on equal itineraries.
- Reaching the Aegean Meltemi at 10 to 13 knots is the postcard.
- Modern designs (Sunreef, Outremer) sail upwind well for a catamaran.
- Quieter at anchor: no genset running for refrigeration in mild weather.
Worth knowing
- Slower upwind than a monohull sailing yacht of equal length.
- Larger beam restricts marina options and increases mooring fees.
- Less responsive helm feel for experienced monohull sailors.
Best suited for
- Sailing families with children under 14
- Couples who want sailing romance without monohull heel
- Charters across the Cyclades in peak Meltemi weeks
- Repeat catamaran charterers stepping up from a bareboat week
- Lower-budget honeymoons that still want crew and sailing
Notes from George
- Lagoon catamarans are the production standard. Sunreef leads on luxury. Outremer leads on performance. Choose by what you value.
- On a sailing catamaran above 55 feet, ask whether the helm is on a flybridge or in a cockpit. Flybridge gives view; cockpit gives social proximity.
- Reaching at 12 knots is sustained on Lagoon 55+ in good Meltemi. Day passages of 80 nm are realistic; plan accordingly.
- The galley on a sailing catamaran sits between the hulls. Chefs work in tight space but with excellent ventilation.
- Sailing catamarans are easier than monohulls for first-time crewed charterers. The boat feels stable from the first night.
Frequently asked
About sailing catamaran charter greece
Sailing catamaran or power catamaran?
Sailing catamarans are 25 to 35% lower in weekly rate, lower in fuel cost, and deliver actual sailing days as part of the week. Power catamarans cover ground faster (18 to 22 knots vs 8 to 12 under sail) and suit cross-Aegean itineraries. For Ionian and Saronic itineraries, sailing wins. For Cyclades to Dodecanese, power.
Do sailing catamarans handle rough weather well?
Yes. The wide stance and reduced heel make them more stable than monohulls in firm conditions. Captains reef earlier on catamarans than on monohulls but the boats themselves tolerate Meltemi 30 to 35 knot gusts very comfortably.
Can we actually sail every day on a sailing catamaran week?
Most weeks see 4 to 6 sailing days with 1 to 3 marina or sheltered-anchorage rest days. Pure-sail weeks are possible but require itinerary flexibility. If sailing every day matters, brief the captain at day one and they will route the week around it.
How experienced does the captain need to be?
We work with captains who have run charter weeks for at least three seasons on sailing catamarans specifically. Beneath that, monohull-experienced captains often handle catamarans differently than the boats want; the experience curve matters.
What about teak decks versus modern composite?
Traditional charter sailing catamarans (Sunreef, older Lagoon) have teak decks. Newer production catamarans (recent Lagoon, Bali, Fountaine Pajot) often use composite or cork. Teak is warmer underfoot, more traditional; composite is cooler, lower-maintenance. Most guests don't notice after day two.
Continue exploring