Imagine a Force 4 wind blowing across the Saronic Gulf in July. You are on the flybridge of a Lagoon 52 catamaran, 12 miles from the harbour at Hydra. The children are at the cockpit table playing cards, and a glass of Sancerre sits perfectly steady on the console. You are moving at 8 knots, but the boat is level. Two miles to windward, a 60-foot Oyster monohull is cutting through the same sea. Its hull is buried to the rail, the crew are hiked up on the high side, and anyone below deck is bracing themselves against a 20-degree heel.
This is the central tension of family chartering. One vessel offers a floating villa with unparalleled social space; the other offers the visceral sensation of sailing and the ability to pierce through a head sea that would make a catamaran hobby-horse uncomfortably. As a captain, I see families struggle with this choice every season. The decision dictates not just how you sleep, but where you can anchor and how much you will pay in berthing fees.
The Case for the Catamaran: Stability and Volume
For most families, particularly those with younger children or grandparents on board, the catamaran is the logical default. The primary advantage is the lack of heeling. Because a catamaran derives its stability from its wide beam—often 8 to 10 metres on a 50-foot boat—it does not tilt under sail. This allows the crew to prepare lunch while underway and reduces the risk of seasickness for nervous passengers.
The layout of a modern power or sailing cat, such as the Sunreef 60 or the Excess 15, is designed around "seamless transitions". The galley, saloon, and aft cockpit are usually on a single level. This creates a massive communal square footage that feels more like a beach club than a boat. For a family charter in 2026, expect to pay between €15,000 and €45,000 per week for a crewed 50-60 foot catamaran in the Mediterranean peak season.
However, the "living large" aspect has a physical cost. Catamarans have a high surface area and a shallow draft. In a choppy headwind, the bridge deck (the flat underside between the hulls) can slam against the waves, creating a rhythmic booming sound that makes sleeping difficult in the forward cabins. Furthermore, their width makes them difficult to slot into tight, historic harbours like Saint-Tropez or Fiskardo. You will often find yourself relegated to the outer breakwater or forced to anchor out, which means more shuttle trips in the tender.
The Case for the Monohull: Performance and Elegance
The monohull is for the family that views the journey as the objective, not just the transport. Sailing a yacht like a Swan 54 or a Jeanneau 64 provides a sense of harmony with the elements that a catamaran cannot replicate. Because the hull is weighted with a deep keel, it slices through waves rather than bouncing over them. If the forecast calls for 20 knots of wind, the monohull will provide an exhilarating, controlled午 afternoon of sailing while the catamaran might feel strained.
The interior of a monohull is a cocoon. You are "in" the water rather than "on" it. Modern designs have mitigated the feeling of being in a basement by adding large hull portlights, but you still have a narrower floor plan. On a 60-foot monohull, the beam is roughly 5 metres—half that of a similar-length cat. This means the cockpit is the only real social area topside.
In terms of logistics, the monohull is a tactical advantage in the Mediterranean. You can slide into narrow berths that a catamaran simply cannot fit into. In many Greek and Italian marinas, mooring fees are calculated by the square metre or by a "multi-hull surcharge" which can be 50% to 100% higher than the standard rate.
Technical Comparison: 60ft Crewed Charter
| Metric | Monohull (e.g. CNB 60) | Catamaran (e.g. Lagoon 60) |
|---|---|---|
| **Typical Guest Count** | 6 guests in 3 cabins | 8-10 guests in 4-5 cabins |
| **Crew Size** | 2 (Captain & Chef/Host) | 2 to 3 (Captain, Chef, Stew) |
| **Weekly Rate (July 2026)** | €18,000 - €28,000 | €30,000 - €55,000 |
| **Average Beam (Width)** | 5.2m | 9.8m |
| **Sea-state Behaviour** | Slices through; heels over | Stays level; can "slam" in chop |
| **Fuel Efficiency** | High (lower drag) | Moderate (higher windage) |
The Practicalities of Life Below Deck
The most significant difference for a family is the cabin configuration. On a catamaran, the cabins are located in the two separate hulls. This provides excellent acoustic privacy. If you have two families sharing a boat, or parents who want distance from teenagers, the cat wins. Each "wing" of the boat feels like a private apartment.
On a monohull, the cabins are often clustered. Even on a boat as large as an Oceanis 62, the proximity of the engine room and the shared bulkheads means you will hear the movement of the crew and other guests more clearly. Storage is also more restricted due to the curving shape of the hull.
Key items to check when choosing your specific hull: * **Air Conditioning:** Catamarans have more window glass and heat up faster; ensures the generator and AC capacity are rated for "tropical" use. * **Water Toys:** A catamaran’s wide transom (the back of the boat) is a better platform for diving, paddleboarding, and launching the tender. * **The Galley:** If your family enjoys high-end gastronomy, look at catamarans where the galley is "down" in one of the hulls, leaving the main saloon entirely for lounging.
The Financial Reality of 2026 Charters
Pricing for the 2026 season is reflecting the increased cost of marina utilities and crew wages. A mid-range 50-foot catamaran like a Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 will start at approximately €14,000 per week plus expenses (APA). The APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) is typically 25-35% of the charter fee and covers fuel, food, and those higher berthing fees mentioned earlier.
For the same price, you can often secure a much more "prestigious" monohull with higher-end finishes and a more experienced crew. A 60-foot monohull often carries a lower base price because the maintenance on a single hull is less intensive than on two. However, the fuel consumption on a monohull is generally lower, as the hull is more hydrodynamic and requires less engine power to maintain 9 knots during the inevitable summer calms.
The Captain's Verdict
The choice depends entirely on the age of your children and your history with the sea.
**Choose a Catamaran if:** * You have children under the age of 10 who need flat decks and trampoline areas to burn off energy. * Members of your group are prone to seasickness. * You prioritise "outdoor-indoor" living and want to spend your time at anchor in secluded bays rather than tied up in busy ports.
**Choose a Monohull if:** * Your children are older/teenagers and want to learn the mechanics of sailing, winching, and trimming. * You intend to cover long distances (e.g., crossing from Mallorca to Ibiza) and want a boat that handles a 2-metre swell with grace. * You appreciate the aesthetics of traditional yachting and want the best chance of securing a prime spot in the centre of a harbour like Portofino.
From the helm, my preference is always the monohull for the "feel" of the rudder and the way it speaks to the water. But as a host, I recognise that for a family looking to relax without the stress of balancing plates and bracing for leans, the catamaran is the most successful platform for a holiday. Regardless of the hulls, the Mediterranean in June and September remains the sweet spot for temperature and wind—ensure you book at least 10 months in advance for the 2026 season to secure the most reputable crews.