After deciding between a crewed and a bareboat charter, the next big question is what kind of yacht you’d like. In the Caribbean, the choice usually comes down to four: a sailing catamaran, a sailing monohull, a motor yacht or a power catamaran. Each gives a very different week. None is better than the others; it depends on your party and what you want from the holiday.
Sailing catamarans
Two hulls joined by a wide deck, catamarans have become the most popular charter yachts in the Caribbean, and for good reason.
Why people love them
- Space. A 50-foot catamaran has far more living space than a monohull of the same length: a big saloon, a shaded cockpit, a flybridge and often a trampoline at the bow.
- Stability. Catamarans sail and sit at anchor almost flat. Drinks stay on the table, and guests who worry about seasickness usually feel much more comfortable.
- Privacy. Cabins are spread across both hulls, often with their own bathrooms, so couples or families sharing a yacht each have their own space.
- Shallow draft. They can anchor closer to beaches, which makes swimming ashore easy.
What to know
- They’re not the most exhilarating boats to sail upwind, and some sailors miss the feel of a heeling monohull.
- Berths in marinas can be more expensive because of their width.
Catamarans are our first suggestion for most families, groups of friends and first-time charterers.
Sailing monohulls
The classic sailing yacht: a single hull and a keel, heeling in the wind.
Why people love them
- The sailing. Nothing matches the feeling of a well-designed monohull leaning into the trade winds. For keen sailors, it’s the point of the holiday.
- Seakeeping. Good monohulls handle open-water passages beautifully, which matters in the Grenadines or between the Leeward Islands.
- Character. Many of the most beautiful charter yachts are classic monohulls, all varnished wood and elegant lines.
What to know
- They heel under sail, and roll a little more at anchor, so they suit guests who are comfortable on the water.
- Space below decks is narrower, and cabins can be smaller.
Monohulls suit couples, keen sailors and guests who want to take the helm.
Motor yachts
From sleek 60-footers to superyachts with crews of ten or more.
Why people love them
- Speed. A motor yacht can cover in an hour what a sailing yacht covers in a morning, so you can see more islands in a week, or spend longer at each one.
- Luxury. Larger motor yachts offer hotel-style cabins, air conditioning throughout, big flybridges, jacuzzis and serious watersports: jet skis, Seabobs, water skis.
- Comfort under way. Modern stabilisers keep them steady at anchor and at sea.
What to know
- They’re thirstier, so fuel is a significant part of the cost, usually paid on top of the charter fee through an advance on expenses.
- You won’t sail, and some guests find the engines less restful than wind and water.
Motor yachts suit guests who want to cover ground, celebrate in style or have the most comfort and the biggest toy box.
Power catamarans
A newer option combining the stability and space of a catamaran with engines instead of sails.
Why people love them
- Stable and roomy like a sailing catamaran, with even more deck space without a mast and rigging.
- Faster than a sailing catamaran, with more economical running than a traditional motor yacht.
What to know
- No sailing, which will disappoint some guests.
Power catamarans suit families and groups who want space, stability and a bit more pace.
A quick comparison
| Sailing catamaran | Monohull | Motor yacht | Power catamaran | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space for its length | Excellent | Good | Very good | Excellent |
| Stability | Excellent | Fair | Very good | Excellent |
| The sailing | Good | Excellent | None | None |
| Speed between islands | Moderate | Moderate | Fast | Fairly fast |
| Best for | Families, groups, first-timers | Sailors, couples | Covering ground, luxury | Families wanting pace |
Other things that matter as much as the hull
- The crew. A brilliant crew on a modest yacht beats an average crew on a beautiful one. We always talk about the crew first.
- Cabin layout. Two couples need two equal double cabins; a family may want a twin for the children close to the parents.
- Bathrooms. Ideally one per cabin.
- Toys. If watersports matter, check what’s included.
- Shade. In the Caribbean sun, a well-shaded cockpit and flybridge make a real difference.
Let us narrow it down
Tell us who’s coming and how you like to spend a holiday, and we’ll suggest the type of yacht we think suits you, with a shortlist that’s free on your dates. Start an enquiry, or browse our yachts to get a feel for what’s out there.
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