People asking if a catamaran is a smooth ride probably were seasick on a sailboat. Comfort on the ocean waves can be complicated. Sometimes people are just fine until they have lunch, or they look away from the horizon. I was seasick myself while crossing the English Channel in fair weather.
A catamaran is a smooth ride. They don’t rock back and forth like old sailboats because their wide base is spread across two hulls instead of by a long keel with lead weight. Their bows don’t bounce up and down with the waves because their hulls are very thin and split the water rather than ride on top.
A Catamaran is a Smooth Ride
Every year more and more people choose a catamaran over a traditional sailboat, even though they are more expensive. Why? Because a catamaran is a smooth ride. They are also faster, more roomy and easier to maneuver in tight spaces.
Some people can be seasick without a real cause. In these cases, it’s best to sit where there is little movement and where they can see the best view. Just seeing the stable horizon can help ease a feeling of disorientation.
The Best Place to Sit on a Cat
The best ride on a catamaran is toward the center of the boat. This is where any rocking or heeling is minimized by the stability of the broad base. This area is usually on a catamaran salon and it usually offers a good view.
Catamarans Offer a Comfortable Ride
Under most conditions catamarans give a stable, comfortable ride, which is great for children or anyone prone to seasickness. In windier conditions you will sometimes find a catamaran may be more affected by the waves. In these cases, a monohull may become the smoother ride because it cuts through waves.
Avoiding Seasickness on Any Boat
There are some over-the-counter medicines available for minimizing the effects of seasickness. Any pharmacy will have something for your stomach.
Plain old ginger is great for calming the stomach. It’s freely available and easily found. There may be some in the galley! If you need some, go get it. Mix a teaspoon into a glass of water and sip at intervals.
Conclusion
Catamarans are the most stable sailboat. They avoid heeling (rocking side to side) by spreading their wide base across two hulls. They avoid the bow bouncing with very narrow hulls that split the waves instead of riding on top. Besides, this is an excellent design.
This is why every year more and more people choose to buy a catamaran instead of an old sailboat, even though they are more expensive. They are also more costly to berth in a marina because they take up more space. Therefore, there’s a reason people choose cats.
I hope I have answered your question. If not, please leave me some feedback and I will do more research, update this page, and I will get back to you.
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