Catamarans for Sale: What to Know Before You Buy

Catamarans are the fastest-growing segment in recreational boating. Their combination of space, stability, and shallow draft makes them ideal for charter, family cruising, and living aboard. But catamarans are also significantly more expensive than monohulls of the same length, and they have unique characteristics that buyers should understand before committing. This guide covers everything you need to know about buying a used catamaran.

Why catamarans are so popular

Catamarans have two hulls instead of one, which gives them several advantages over monohulls:

• Space: A 12m catamaran has significantly more living space than a 12m monohull — the bridge deck salon is wide and open, and there are two cabins in each hull.
• Stability: Catamarans do not heel. This makes them more comfortable for non-sailors, children, and anyone prone to seasickness.
• Shallow draft: Catamarans typically draw 1.0-1.5m, compared to 1.8-2.5m for monohulls. This opens up anchorages and cruising grounds that monohulls cannot reach.
• Speed: In light to moderate winds, catamarans are often faster than monohulls of the same length, because they have less wetted surface and do not carry ballast.
• Safety: A catamaran with one hull breached can still float on the other hull. Monohulls rely on ballast and will sink if the hull is compromised.

Catamaran disadvantages — what to consider

Catamarans are not perfect for everyone. Consider these drawbacks:

• Cost: Catamarans cost 50-80% more than monohulls of the same length. A 12m Lagoon costs significantly more than a 12m Beneteau.
• Marina fees: Most marinas charge catamarans 1.5-2x the monohull rate because they take up two berths. This is a significant ongoing cost.
• Sailing performance in heavy weather: Catamarans do not point as high upwind as monohulls, and in very heavy weather they can be prone to pitching (bridge-deck slamming).
• Bridge clearance: The mast on a catamaran is often taller than a monohull of the same length, which can limit bridge passage on inland waterways.
• Resale market: The catamaran market is smaller than the monohull market. Selling a catamaran can take longer, especially outside the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

For a deeper comparison, see our sailboat vs motorboat guide and our catamaran buying guide.

The best catamaran brands

1. Lagoon (France)

Lagoon is the world's best-selling cruising catamaran brand. Owned by Beneteau Group, Lagoon produces the 380, 42, 46, 52, and 65 models. The Lagoon 380 and 42 are the most common used catamarans on the market — they were built in large numbers for the charter market and many are now available privately. Browse Lagoon boats for sale.

2. Fountaine Pajot (France)

Fountaine Pajot is the second-largest catamaran builder. Their models (Helia 44, Lucia 40, Elba 45, Saona 47) are known for performance and quality. Fountaine Pajot catamarans tend to sail better than Lagons but have slightly less interior volume. Browse Fountaine Pajot boats for sale.

3. Bali (France)

Bali is a newer brand (from Catana group) that has disrupted the catamaran market with innovative designs — solid foredecks, open-plan salons, and rack-and-pinion steering. The Bali 4.1, 4.3, and 4.5 are popular in the charter market. Bali catamarans are newer and harder to find used, but they are gaining market share quickly.

4. Leopard / Robertson & Caine (South Africa)

Leopard catamarans are built in South Africa and are the backbone of the Moorings charter fleet. They are rugged, practical, and designed for charter use. The Leopard 44, 46, and 48 are common on the used market, often ex-charter.

5. Nautitech (France)

Nautitech (from Bavaria group) builds performance-oriented cruising catamarans. The 44 Open and 46 Open are designed for sailors who want catamaran stability without sacrificing sailing performance.

Used catamaran price ranges

These are asking prices. Actual sale prices are typically 5-15% below asking. Ex-charter boats are at the lower end of each range.

What to check when buying a used catamaran

Catamarans have some unique inspection points compared to monohulls:

1. Bridge deck clearance. The gap between the water and the underside of the bridge deck is critical. Too little clearance causes slamming (waves hitting the bridge deck), which is noisy, uncomfortable, and can cause structural damage over time. Check for stress cracks on the bridge deck underside.
2. Daggerboards vs fixed keels. Some catamarans have daggerboards (lifting keels) that provide better upwind performance and even shallower draft. Check that the daggerboard mechanisms work smoothly and that the boards are not damaged.
3. Hull-to-bridge-deck joint. This is the most structurally critical area on a catamaran. Look for cracks, flex, or signs of repair. Any issue here is a major red flag.
4. Engines — two of them. Catamarans have two engines (one in each hull). Check both carefully — hours, service history, cooling, saildrives. Two engines means double the maintenance cost.
5. Ex-charter condition. Many used catamarans are ex-charter. They may have higher engine hours, more wear on sails and interior, and a more basic equipment spec. But they are also well-maintained (charter companies service boats regularly) and priced lower. Ask for the charter maintenance records.

For a complete inspection checklist, see our inspection guide and our survey guide.

Where to find catamarans for sale

Catamarans are concentrated in the Mediterranean (especially the Caribbean in winter) because of the charter industry. The best places to find used catamarans:

• Lagoon catamarans for sale — the largest selection
• Fountaine Pajot catamarans for sale
• Boats for sale in Spain — Mediterranean hub
• Boats for sale in France — catamaran building capital
• Boats for sale in Italy — growing catamaran market

The bottom line

Catamarans are an excellent choice for buyers who prioritize space, stability, and shallow draft. They are more expensive to buy and to berth than monohulls, but they offer a different kind of cruising experience that many families and liveaboards prefer. If you are considering a catamaran, focus on the major brands (Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Leopard, Bali), check the bridge deck clearance and hull joints carefully, and consider ex-charter boats for value. Start your search on Owning.pro, where catamaran listings from multiple portals are deduplicated so you see one listing per boat.