Ten years ago, catamarans were a rare option in Turkish charter fleets — most guests still preferred gulets or classic motoryachts. Today the picture has changed: for family groups and large groups of friends in particular, the catamaran is increasingly becoming the "first choice." Builders have responded quickly to this demand, with new models, new interior layouts, and new hull designs appearing every season. But within this category, there is a debate of its own.
Why Catamarans?
A catamaran's best-known advantage is stability — its twin-hull design means far less rolling in waves compared to a monohull. For guests prone to seasickness, this makes a real difference. The second advantage is space: for the same overall length, a catamaran's deck and saloon area is typically much larger than a motoryacht's. A shallow draft also allows anchoring closer to shore in some bays.
Comfort or Performance?
Within the catamaran segment, there are two main directions. On one side are "cruising" models — wide cabins, large sunbathing areas, spacious saloons; comfort and social space come first. On the other side are performance-oriented sailing catamarans — lighter builds, narrower hulls, and models that deliver a genuinely engaging sailing experience under wind. This second group is drawing growing interest among guests with a sailing background, though it can come with some trade-offs on the comfort side.
The real question when choosing a catamaran isn't "how many people" — it's "how do you want the day to feel?"
This debate also shapes design decisions at the builder level. Some brands offer "hybrid" models that try to take a bit from both worlds — preserving generous living space while making the hull form more efficient. But the laws of physics are clear: more space means more weight, and more weight means some compromise on performance. The real skill for designers is striking a balance between these two priorities that guests will actually notice.
What This Means on the Charter Side
For charter operators, catamaran demand shows up most clearly in day charters. A spacious deck, the capacity to comfortably host multiple families or groups of friends at once, and a relatively lower risk of seasickness — this combination makes catamarans especially appealing for groups with children and larger circles of friends. For weekly private charters, the choice depends more on the guest's priority: social space, or a genuine sailing experience?
In the end, "catamaran" is no longer a single answer — it's a range of questions. The right choice becomes clear based on the guest's group size, route plan, and sailing expectations, which is exactly why the right guidance before a charter matters so much. A model with the widest deck might suit a single day on the water perfectly, while a model built for sailing performance could offer a far more rewarding experience over a week-long cruise.
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