Catamaran Delivery: What Owners Need to Know

Catamaran Delivery: What Makes It Different

The multihull market has grown steadily over the past decade, and with it the demand for professional catamaran delivery. Whether you are collecting a new build from the yard, repositioning for the season, or moving a recently purchased cat to her new home port, understanding the specific requirements of a catamaran delivery helps you plan better and avoid surprises.

Beam and Draft Considerations

The most obvious difference is beam. A 45ft catamaran can have a beam of 7.5 metres or more, which creates constraints that simply do not exist for monohulls of the same length:

• Marina berths: Not every marina can accommodate wide multihulls. Berth availability needs confirming in advance, especially at fuel docks and overnight stops
• Bridge clearances: Inland waterways and canal routes are generally not viable. Air draft (mast height) can also be a factor on covered berths
• Lock transits: Where locks are part of the route, beam limits must be checked. Some Mediterranean locks restrict beam to 6 metres
• Lift-out and haul-out: Not all travel hoists handle wide catamarans. Yards with suitable equipment need booking ahead, particularly in peak season

Handling Characteristics

Catamarans behave differently from monohulls in several important ways, and your delivery skipper must have genuine multihull experience:

• Windage: The high freeboard and wide profile of a cruising cat means significantly more windage than a monohull. Close-quarters manoeuvring in marinas requires confident twin-engine handling
• Speed under power: Most cruising catamarans cruise at 7 to 9 knots under power, comparable to monohulls, but fuel consumption varies widely depending on hull design and loading
• Heavy weather: A well-handled catamaran is very stable, but speed must be managed in following seas. Experienced multihull skippers know how to manage wave angles and speed to keep the boat comfortable and safe
• Sailing performance: On delivery passages where conditions allow, sailing a catamaran reduces fuel costs and engine hours. A good crew will use the rig when it makes sense

Crew Requirements

For most catamaran deliveries, the crew requirements are similar to monohulls of the same length. However:

• The skipper should have documented multihull experience, not just monohull miles
• Twin-engine handling is a core skill, particularly for Mediterranean port entries with cross-winds
• For larger performance catamarans (50ft+), an additional crew member may be required for sail handling

All Yacht.Delivery skippers assigned to catamaran passages have verified multihull sea time. We do not send monohull-only skippers to deliver catamarans.

Insurance Considerations

Hull insurance for catamarans often has specific requirements:

• Some insurers require the delivery skipper to have a minimum number of multihull miles
• The policy must cover the specific route, and some insurers impose seasonal restrictions (e.g. no Bay of Biscay crossings between November and March)
• Skipper third-party liability insurance is essential. The skipper should carry cover through a recognised maritime insurer such as Schomacker or Pantaenius, appropriate for the vessel type and route

Check with your insurer before the delivery. We can advise on what documentation they are likely to require.

Common Catamaran Delivery Routes

We regularly deliver catamarans on these European routes:

• France to Greece: Post-purchase deliveries from yards in La Rochelle, Canet-en-Roussillon, or Les Sables-d'Olonne to the Ionian or Saronic Gulf
• Turkey to Croatia: Repositioning for charter or private use
• UK to Mediterranean: Seasonal moves south via Biscay or the French canal system (beam permitting)
• Caribbean to Europe: Transatlantic returns, typically in May or June
• Mediterranean coastal: Short repositioning between marinas within the same region

What to Expect from a Professional Catamaran Delivery

A well-managed catamaran delivery should include:

• Pre-departure inspection covering both hulls, steering systems, engines, rigging and safety equipment
• Live tracking via satellite (Garmin inReach) so you can follow the passage in real time through HELM
• Expense reporting with receipts for fuel, marina fees, and any costs incurred
• Handover documentation including a condition report, engine hours log, and any maintenance notes
• Completion report summarising the passage, weather encountered, and vessel condition on arrival

Getting a Quote

To quote a catamaran delivery accurately, we need:

• Make, model, and year (e.g. Lagoon 450 F, 2019)
• LOA and beam
• Current location and destination
• Preferred dates or deadline
• Any known mechanical or rigging issues

Get a personalised quote for your catamaran delivery or read how we price deliveries.