Sailing is a great activity for families. Spending time on the water, vacationing together and exploring or swimming can be great family outings. Adventuresome families will like the combination of outdoor activities that are possible on a sailboat. Instead of spending time on the shore, some families can find new horizons together. But which sailboats are safest for families with young children?
The best catamaran liveaboards that are family friendly I have found are Nautitech 44, Manta 42, Voyage 44 and Privilege 435.
In this article I will briefly cover the basics of the two main types of sailboats, then quickly refine these into categories and then explore some of the pros and cons of each choice. I will focus on boats that are safe, comfortable and family friendly.
Let’s get started!
There are two basic types of boats in terms of hulls. Monohull, so named in modern times because it has one hull. This is the kind of boat we usually associate with the term sailboat. All of the grand old boats with many sails were monohulls.
Catamarans and Monohulls
The other kind of boat in common use today is a catamaran, which has two hulls. Having two hulls gives catamarans several advantages: stability, speed and horizontal orientation as opposed to a more vertical chaperons of the traditional sailboat.
Catamarans are generally more stable in rough weather because they don’t “heel” or tip when the sail catches the wind. This larger base also gives these boats more floor space. Catamarans can also be faster because their hulls are thinner and can move through the water faster.
The catamarans are much more family friendly with wide flat living spaces, great views in almost all directions and and the familiarity of living spaces. Catamarans rock back and forth less than monohull sailboats which means less people are less likely to be seasick.
The convenience and familiarity you immediately feel when you step unto a catamaran is counter balanced by a couple of drawbacks. And, even their supporters agree that catamarans do have a few drawbacks. They are larger, and therefore take up more space in berth at a harbor, which will cost more money. Also, this feature makes them most costly.
Sail Power and Motor Power
There are two other ways to classify boats of either hull design, and that is whether they are sail powered or motor powered. While there is an enjoyment in harnessing the free wind power with sails, there have been powered boats including diesel. However, solar power is rapidly gaining acceptance and slowly replacing diesel.
Diesel engines require regular maintenance, noisy, pollute the air and water, and consume fuel while operating. None of these are family friendly. Solar electric is quiet, maintenance and pollution free, and charges the batteries and uses that power automatically through the operation of the charge controller system.
These days, most boats of any description will have either an inboard or outboard motor of some kind for motoring in and out of their marina. This is usually not an area where wind is readily available, and you don’t want strong winds in tight quarters. Maneuvering with a slow motor is much preferable until you get out into the open water.
Diesel and Solar Electric
Solar powered electric catamarans (and monohull sailboats), is clean, quiet, user friendly, efficient and independent of wind. While there are some issues to sort out, many advancements are being made. Solar is cleaner, does not pollute your environment and is safer for families.
While hybrids are much more common, there are some 100% Solar Electric catamarans (and a few monohulls) already. Most notably the Silent Yachts are 100% solar electric (with a diesel generator as backup). This is the future of catamarans, and in fact, of sailing in my view. They take advantage of the flat roof for a very large solar panel array.
New and Older Boats
One word of experience. Nearly all of these boats are made of fiberglass. The older boats were made when fiberglass was less expensive and these boats are overbuilt. This makes them stronger than modern boats, and therefore can be not only a lower price but a better product.
For average families, you will want two or three cabins (rooms) and at least two head (toilets) for privacy and comfort. In my experience, boats under 30 feet are too small for families with growing children. Boats are usually identified by their length, measured in feet. A few are measured in meters.
Boats longer than 50 feet are usually too big for one-handed sailing and are generally too large to maneuver in and out of marinas.
Vacation and Liveaboard
While most families may choose to spend time on their boat part-time, there are some families who spend extended time on their boats. When people actually live on their boats it’s called liveaboard. You can do this in a berth in a harbor, at anchor or while traveling.
Liveaboard is definitely a minority use of sailboats and catamarans, but families living on their boat full-time is a growing trend. Catamarans make this an easy transition.
Best Catamaran Liveaboards
Some of the best known catamarans for liveaboard are Voyage 44, Privilege 435, Manta 42, Nautitech 44, Elba 35, and Lagoon 380. These vessels are safe, comfortable, seaworthy, and ideal for long-term family living.
Family Sized Catamaran
The best catamaran liveaboards that are family friendly I have found are Nautitech 44, Manta 42, Voyage 44 and Privilege 435.
Best Boats for Families
Some of the best sailboats for families are Catalina 22, Catalina 30 and Beneteau 49. These production boats were built some time ago and have stood the test of time. These boats can be found used on various boat selling websites and other locations. Remember that the older boats are usually built to higher standards.
Best Catamarans for Families
Some of the best catamarans for families are Lagoon 470, Catalac 9m, Catalac 10m, Silent 60 and Silent 80. These are larger catamarans. The Silent Yacht series is entirely solar electric and new, and therefore more expensive. They include all of the comforts of home, including washer and dryer, full kitchen, watermaker and more.
Conclusions
In this article I have offered you an overview, sorting some of the differences along the way, and finally some recommendations for family friendly sailboats. I hope this helped you with your question. Please let me know if you have more questions.