Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Catamaran (With 4 Examples)

Turns out that owning a catamaran is pretty affordable. Not cheap, but it can absolutely be done on a budget. In this article, I'll show you what to expect.

Sure, there are plenty of unimaginably expensive catamarans available, but a modest, used open catamaran can be as cheap as $6,000 and an additional $1,000 per year.

A new catamaran costs $144,000 on average at 30 foot, while a used one will cost between $29,000-$134,000 on average. New catamarans cost $751,000 at 50 foot, while a used one ranges from $203,000-$690,000. The average annual cost ranges from $2,805-$10,950.

Of course the price of a catamarans depends on many factors, like the size for example, and your choices determine whether owning one is a rich man's game, or actually a very good holiday investment.

It may come as a surprise that you can get a decent 34-foot catamaran for as little as $25,500 on Craigslist.

This will be a long article because there are so any aspects to cover. I'd like to spend some time exploring the costs of actually buying the boat . Then I want to go into recurring costs , like mooring, maintenance, and insurance.

38 foot catamaran cost

Cost of buying a sailboat

If you're also eager to find out what regular sailboats cost on average, I have published a very similar article on that topic. Sailboats are a lot more affordable than catamarans, so if these numbers startle you, you could check out the cost of regular monohulls .

But first, to get a good sense of the ballpark amounts, I'll give some real-life price examples, like:

  • what does it cost if you want to keep your cat in good shape and have a good sailing experience? - aka: most people
  • what does it cost if you ONLY spend the absolute minimum amount to keep her floating?
  • if I want to sail the world on a budget, what's the absolute minimum?
  • if sailing is more of a status thing to you, how much money COULD you spend?

38 foot catamaran cost

On this page:

Examples of popular catamarans and how much they cost, what does it cost to buy a catamaran, what does it cost to own a catamaran, catamarans are 60% more expensive than monohulls.

There are a lot of great boats out there for a good price and there are also some boats that are so expensive (or so cheap), it's not even fun to look at them.

But one thing's for sure: there are plenty of boats available, and even if you're on a very tight budget, you could absolutely still make it work. Sailing is in and of itself actually not that expensive: wind is free, water is free, boats can be cheap - if you're willing to look around a bit. It's all the little extras that add up quickly.

Listed below are four boats that make great beginner boats. Since more than 80% of all boats that are bought are second-hand, I'll use the prices of used boats I found on Craigslist and Yachtworld.

If you want to know exactly where the numbers come from, don't worry, I'll explain them after the four examples.

38 foot catamaran cost

1. Sea Cat 226DC 22' for stressless weekends on the lake

Boat: Sea Cat 226DC 2007 22 foot The one-time costs are $53,615 Your total recurring costs are $9,510 per year, or $793 per month

Let's say you're like me and most other people and just want a nice cat without too much hassle. So you pay people for any important maintenance that's not easy to do yourself. You do the required maintenance and save up for future repairs. You do a little yourself, which saves you a couple of hundred of bucks a year. You also join a (cheap) sailing club to learn how to not trash the boat.You don't want to buy a bad boat, so you pay a fair purchase price.

One-Time Costs

Recurring costs.

38 foot catamaran cost

2. Extreme Low Budget Kantola Mach II 35'

Boat: Kantola Mach II 1968 35 foot The one-time costs are $26,440 Your total recurring costs are $2,805 per year, or $234 per month

Let's say, for argument's sake, you want to buy the cheapest cat you can, saving as much money as possible on repairs and annual costs. How cheap could you theoretically go without ending up with a trasher?

I think something like this old but sturdy Kantola Mach II will be right for you. It will save you massively on the purchase price. However, beware, you'll have to antifoul the boat next fall, which will cost you (roughly $2,000). It's common with very cheap boats: upcoming maintenance. But if the current owner is fair and discloses it, you may get a good deal.

In this case, you won't join any clubs. You'll simply do the most important maintenance to keep the boat from falling apart, find a nice mooring place in a far-away (cheap) location, and sail along quietly and affordably.

38 foot catamaran cost

3. Low Budget 35' Cruising Catamaran for traveling the world

Boat: Gemini 105 1996 Cruising Catamaran 35 foot The one-time costs are $85,850 Your total recurring costs are $10,950 per year, or $913 per month

Let's see what it would take to get a good bluewater cat with all the features you'll need to sail across the world on a budget. In this scenario, you buy a fairly priced, not too old cat that is ready to cruise. Something like this Gemini 105 1996 will do.

Not too long, but comfortable enough for extended onboard time, reducing length will greatly reduce cost as well. With boats, you pay per foot, both in maintenance, fuel, and docking costs.

You don't join a sailing club, reserve quite a bit of change for your maintenance fund (since you'll be bluewater sailing), but you don't need to winterize the boat, as you'll simply sail to the Bahamas and stay in the warm waters there. Or at least, that's what I'd do.

Your mooring costs will be somewhat higher, sailing to and from more popular destination, but your overall monthly cost won't exceed your monthly mortgage or rent payments, and you could permanently live onboard without problems.

You'd need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) to be able to cross all international waters. You can learn how to get your certificate here .

38 foot catamaran cost

4. Luxury 52' Cruising Catamaran

Boat: Shuttleworth AeroRig 2022 52 foot The one-time costs are $2,326,020 Your total recurring costs are $53,400 per year, or $4,450 per month

So what if you're in it for the fame? Well, don't worry, there are many status symbols to be had and there is plenty of cash to be burned.

In this case, we buy a new cat of 52 foot, which is not overly decadent, but it's a real piece of gear nonetheless. This Shuttleworth AeroRig comes equipped with all the comfort and luxury you'll need for extended cruising in style.

Of course, you'll pay for joining a decent club, since that's where you can show off your rig. We'll also invest something extra into equipment, regardless of the full electronic rig that comes with the boat.

The annual costs will be high due to mooring fees, the club, and pretty hefty winter storage fees that come with a boat this large.

Unlike monohull sailboats, the price difference between new and second-hand catamarans isn't as great. Regular used sailboats go at a 65-75% discount, while the discount for an average used catamaran is just 10% .

The price difference becomes more noticeable the larger you go, with second-hand catamarans of over 75 foot going at a 35% discount , but that's as high as it gets.

Size and condition affect price the most

There are a couple of important factors that determine how much money you end up spending.

  • Size - length determines mooring costs, insurance, amount of paint on your hull: literally everything gets more expensive with every foot of length
  • New vs. used - of course, it makes all the difference whether you buy new or used. Typically, the price of a 35-foot used catamaran vs. a comparable new one is 10% lower (ie. $237,714 vs. $261,286).

Price of new catamarans

The price of new catamarans ranges from roughly $1,765 - $54,491 per foot. An average length catamaran costs between $144,000 and $505,000 (30 - 45 foot). Some go for as low as $42,000 to as high as $924,000.

I've looked at the prices of thousands of catamarans (really) on one of the largest yacht marketplaces in the world (- not manually, don't worry: with the help of their search function). This is what I came up with:

Average price new catamaran per foot in USD:

Catamarans get a lot more expensive from 50 foot and up:

  • under 30 ft: $2,835 per ft
  • 30 - 50 ft: $9,767 per ft
  • 50 - 75 ft: $18,055 per ft
  • 75 - 120 ft: $41,737 per ft

Purchasing price new catamarans

Source: Yachtworld.com , Q2 2022

Price jumps at these boat lengths

As we can see from the data above, the average price per foot drastically increases for new boats at the following lengths: 25 foot, 35 foot, 40 foot, 60 foot, 75 foot, and 100 foot . Buy just under these lengths to get the most boat for you buck.

Price of used catamarans

The price of second-hand catamarans ranges from roughly $756 - $39,909 per foot. An average length catamaran costs between $134,000 to $467,000 (30-45 foot) on the second-hand market. Some go for as low as $29,000 to as high as $848,000.

We did the same for used catamarans, comparing thousands of listings. Here are the complete data:

Average price used catamaran per foot in USD:

On average, second-hand catamarans go at 35% less of the cost of a new boat:

  • under 30 ft: $2,236 per ft
  • 30 - 50 ft: $9,021 per ft
  • 50 - 75 ft: $16,204 per ft
  • 75 - 120 ft: $30,945 per ft

Purchasing price used catamarans

If this is too much for you, you could always rent a boat instead. I recommend chartering. You can get great catamarans at great prices. Check out my charter recommendation here .

As we can see from the data above, the average price per foot drastically increases for second-hand boats at the following lengths: 25 foot, 40 foot, 55 foot, 75 foot, and 100 foot . Buy just under these lengths to get the most boat for you buck.

38 foot catamaran cost

To get an average of the price of a used sailboat, I went over to Craigslist. I took the first 10 relevant search results for sailboats under, and over 30 feet.

Of course, the averages here are very speculative, as prices vary from day to day. But it gives a broad range of what to expect.

Over 50 feet, listings become meagre. I believe people tend to not place their 80-ft catamaran on Craigslist, but sell it through a broker instead. So I've kept used yachts over 50 feet out of the picture for now.

This is what I found on Craigslist:

Source: Craigslist , Q2 2022

I've calculated the median price, not the average. The median is the price that's most common within the price range. This way the highest and lowest prices don't have as much impact.

The average Craigslist price-per-foot of a used catamaran:

38 foot catamaran cost

So let's take a quick look at the costs for owning a sailboat.

One-time costs:

  • Registration : costs of registration differ per state, but usually run anywhere from $3 - $10 per foot.
  • Taxes : differs per state and country. Most governments want you to pay property tax and sales tax. Sales tax is usually about 5%. Property tax varies and is more complex, so I'll leave that up to you to figure out.
  • Sailing club initiation fee : $1,500 - $4,000

Recurring costs:

  • Mooring : $20-30 per foot per year (can be much higher for prime locations)
  • Insurance : typically 1.5% of the total value of the boat. So a $100,000 30' cruiser will cost $1,500.
  • Maintenance : a good rule of thumb is 10% of the boat value. Expect to spend anywhere between $1,000 - $5,000 per year for small to mid-sized boats.
  • Fuel : depends on how much you use the boat and the engine, but on average something between $100 - $150.
  • International License : if you want to sail on international waters, you have to get your ICC (International Certificate of Competence. Plan on spending anywhere between 400 to 500 dollars.
  • Safety equipment : plan on spending anywhere between 150 to 600 bucks for lifejackets, first aid kit, and distress signals.
  • Winterize boat : $4,000
  • Sailing club: $800 - $1,500

Maintenance cost

Your average maintenance cost will be roughly $144 dollars per month for boats under 30', or just under $2,000 per year.

Maintainance involves a lot of hidden costs We took an in-depth look at everything . The result is a comprehensive article that lays it all out for new boat owners. Read all about maintenance costs

Gas engines run for about 1,500 hours, diesel engines run for 5,000. After that, you'll need to change them out.

A standard 15HP or 20HP outboard gas engine will cost you about $5,000 - $6,000 and needs replacing every 20 years or so. If you do the work yourself, it's more something like $1,000 - $1,500.

A smaller engine uses less fuel, reducing your total cost You can actually use a pretty small engine for most sailboats. To learn how small (and efficient) you can go, I've written a guide on how to calculate it yourself. Read all about outboard engine size

Replacing the sails and rigging

Most people that own a sailboat will have to replace the sails and rigging at least once in their lifetime. Replacing the mast is uncommon, but if you're unlucky and get demasted, it will need to be fixed. So I've added it to the "be aware this might happen" list - but won't add it to the monthly recurring costs.

If you need to replace the mast and boom, prepare to spend anywhere between $15,000 - $25,000.

I won't go into detail, but I have written a detailed article about the exact cost of new sails . It's a really helpful post if you want to know what to expect.

Good quality cruising sails will need to be replaced every 10 years or so.

The cost of new sails is on average:

  • 26' Bermuda Sloop rig will cost you about $1,000 - $2,500.
  • 34' Bermuda Sloop rig will cost you about $3,000 - $5,000.

The cost of the new rigging is on average:

  • Standing rigging - every 10 years at $4,000
  • Running rigging - every 5-10 years at $5,000

Underside of catamaran hulls

Bottom Paint

Another important cost will be antifouling, or bottom paint. The cost of antifouling is between $20 and $45 per foot . Since a catamaran has two hulls, it will cost roughly twice as much.

  • Cost of antifouling a 40-foot yacht is $1,300
  • Cost of antifouling a 40-foot catamaran is $2,600

Depending on the usage, you may want to antifoul yearly of bi-yearly, making this a pretty substantial expense: $1,300 to $2,600 of additional annual maintenance costs .

Replacing safety equipment

USCG safety regulations require you to replace safety gear regularly.

  • Lifejackets have to be replaced every 10 years.
  • Flares have to be replaced every 42 months. You could consider buying a LED electric distress light instead, which will last you a lifetime.
  • If you carry a life-raft you'll need to replace that every 12 years as well.

Adhering to the minimum safety requirements shouldn't cost you more than $150-$250 every 5 years. However, if you want the good stuff, or need more fire extinguishers, plan on spending more like $600. If you want a life raft, that's another $1,500.

To avoid you have to go cheap on your safety gear, I've put it in the budget for $500.

If you want to know exactly what the USCG safety requirements are, including checklists , definitely check out my article here.

Winterizing your boat

Winterization is an often overlooked cost, but it can be one of the largest expenses each year. If you're like me, and not so lucky to live in Florida, you need to winterize your boat.

Failing to winterize it will increase your maintenance cost over time, as the engine wears out more quickly, and your plumbing and equipment will fall apart. Winter storms and ice can damage the hull and mast as well. It's the best way to protect your boat in wintertime, period.

It consists of two parts:

  • Winterizing - costs $1,000 to $2,000 - This is the preparation for winter storage. You flush the cooling system with anti-freeze, and the boat gets wrapped in a shrink wrap cover.
  • Winter storage - costs $100 per ft on average for catamarans (double the regular fee).

Other maintenance costs

  • Batteries: deep cycle batteries need replacing every 4-6 years at $600
  • Deck hardware: every 20-30 years (bullseyes, tiller, eye straps) at $3,000

Joining a Sailing Club

If you're new to sailing, you might want to consider joining a sailboat club. This might help you to get tips, make friends, and learn in a safe environment. Most clubs also organize races, which are a great way to quickly improve your sailing skills.

But it comes at a cost. Sailing clubs are very expensive.

  • Initiation fees range anywhere between $1,000 - $4,000. But that's not all.
  • Then there's an annual fee of $500 - $1,000 per year. And lot's of additional fees: for dining, lockers, etc.

If you're willing to skip Christmas, go for it.

I've already referred to my guide on the average sailboat cost, which covers the same costs of purchasing and ownership as this article, but for monohulls.

Comparing the two, we can safely conclude that catamarans are way more expensive than monohulls. On every point, you'll pay more per foot for cats, both in the purchase and the upkeep.

On average, catamarans are roughly 60% more expensive than comparable monohulls. But there are exceptions.

To get the exact difference in price between monohulls and catamarans, I've done a in-depth comparison of the data. This gives us a detailed overview of the price difference for different boat lengths, both for new and second-hand boats.

If you want to learn about the price differences, and explore if there's a sweet spot of owning a catamaran for you, I really recommend reading my cost comparison of monohulls vs. catamarans next .

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Lagoon 380 catamaran.

The Lagoon 380 is the smallest catamaran built by Lagoon at 38 feet and is known as the most successful cruising catamaran model. Introduced in 2000,  it was built to be a workhouse for the charter industry and an entry level-cruiser. It is a great entry level cruising catamaran that sails better than many other cats and provides lots of living space for the money.

Despite the small size the Lagoon 380 combines spacious accommodations normally reserved for much larger catamarans while still retaining decent performance. Charter versions of the Lagoon 380 have four staterooms and two heads. Owner versions have a master suite in the starboard hull that has a spacious bathroom with shower and head, in addition to a small office space. 

The Lagoon 380 has above average performance and can reach speeds up to 10 knots in strong winds. With the wider hulls, weight and low aspect keels, the Lagoon 380 performance significantly decreases as you get closer to apparent wind. It is also slow in lighter winds due and most sailors will prefer to motor. 

The main salon is spacious and provides 360 degree views of the world outside. It is fitted with the vertical windows that Lagoon is known for and a sliding  panel that opens up to connect the saloon and the cockpit. The saloon has able seating for a family or entertaining guests. However, it suffers from limited shelf space and a small navigation station that doesn’t have much room for charts or additional electronics. 

The Lagoon 380 has a single station helm on the port side with a raised platform that gives good visibility. Most of the sail controls including the main halyard, main sheet and port jib sheet are accessible at the helm.   The hulls are built of solid fiberglass below the waterline and a mix of foam and balsa core above the waterline. The hulls are rather wide to accommodate double births and the bridge deck has 2.65 feet of clearance.

Lagoon 380 Specs

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2019 Lagoon 380

New sail catamaran for sale-vessel summary.

New Sail Catamaran for Sale 2019 Lagoon 380

BASIC SUMMARY

Dimensions & specifications, hull and deck configuration, engine details, generator details, dinghy details.

New Sail Catamaran for Sale 2019 Lagoon 380 Boat Highlights

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  • Email me when price drops
  • Do you own a boat like this? Sell it now

Boat Description

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors to investigate such details as the buyer desired validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may not properly reflect the current condition of the actual vessel offered for sale. In some cases stock photographs may have been used.

Mechanical Disclaimer

Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing.

Dinghy Disclaimer

All dinghies are considered separate vessels and should have separate titles and documents. There is no guarantee as to the title of the dinghy on this vessel so Buyer accepts that while he may receive the dinghy included in the transaction, he may not receive the proper title to it.

A Compact, Do-Everything Catamaran

A compact, do-everything catamaran, the SeaHunter 38 CTS can take you anywhere it’s bigger brothers can with the absolute comforts of riding rough seas in a catamaran.

The smooth, dry ride will not only “wow” a catamaran novice, but also impress customers that have considerable experience riding this style hull.

The interior is built for comfort, whether it’s fishing or cruising with the family, this model does them both with ease.

  • SPECIFICATIONS
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38 foot catamaran cost

BUILD YOUR SEAHUNTER 38 CTS

Choose your SeaHunter 38 CTS power options, color, options & accessories

The layout on deck is enormous; offering one of the largest square footages of any of other boat in its class. No front step on the deck, making moving around safer and much easier. This boat features two massive live wells, multiple seating options and various hardtop configurations.

»» Fresh & Saltwater Washdown »» Center Transom Door »» Trim Tabs »» Undergunnel Lights »» Electronic Power Steering »» Battery Charger w/ Outlet »» Combing Bolster & Leaning Post

»» 1 Battery Per Engine + House »» Retractable Boarding Ladder »» 3 Livewells w/ Pump »» Hardtop »» Pull-up Stainless Steel Cleats »» Flourescent, Spreader & Map Lighting »» Trim Tabs

38 foot catamaran cost

Versatile, Comfortable, and SeaHunter Tough — Designed to Handle Any Adventure, Any Condition

Explore the thoughtfully designed deck layout of the Seahunter 38 CTS, where versatility meets comfort, providing the ideal platform for both fishing and family cruising in SeaHunter’s signature tough and reliable style.

POPULAR  OPTIONS

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»» LED Lightbar

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»» Custom Engine Paint

»» Removable Rear Bench Seat

»» Eisenglass Enclosure

»» Side Door

»» Optimus 360 Joy Stick Steering

»» Toilet System

»» Underwater Lights

»» Powder Coated Aluminum Tubing

»» Carbon Fiber Outriggers

»» Rocket Launcher

»» Upper Drive Station

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38 foot catamaran cost

TWIN 450 HP HMM

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38 foot catamaran cost

QUAD 350 HP

Twin 500 hp, twin 600 hp, quad 300 hp, quad 400 hp, quad 500 hp.

38 foot catamaran cost

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Katamarans

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Lagoon-380-3

Description

38 foot catamaran cost

Production Numbers in 4 Figures Lagoon delivered over 1000 boats over the production lifetime. Line her up against the Lagoon 46 catamaran or the 42 and she still comes out as the top seller although production has now ceased. The 42 might overtake her at some point. The entry level boat at Lagoon is now the Lagoon 40, although sister company Excess has a 37 footer on its books: the Excess 11.

Circumnavigator The Lagoon 380 is a proven ocean crosser. She’s a sturdy, safe little boat that saw off the Lagoon 39 (also no longer in production) and continues to attract fans. She holds her value pretty well on the 2nd hand market too – quite a feat when you think of how many 380s are out there.

A Classic Catamaran This is an economical boat that is comfortable and has an acceptable level of performance. She’s no Ferrari (read our Gunboat 68 review if that´s more your budget). I would say she’s more of a Renault Espace. A reliable, solidly built catamaran that’s roomy for her size. How many other boats have this many hull numbers under their belt to feed back into the design process?

I can only think of the Prout Snowgoose. The L450 comes close.

  • The Lagoon 380 is one of the best selling catamarans ever (with the Lagoon 42), so it is tried and tested. And some! 380s are well built and safe.
  • She is comfortable for her size with those beamy hulls.
  • She is great value for money.
  • That compact size means it is easy to dock this boat -they are highly manoeuvrable with the twin engines. This boat turns on a sixpence.
  • Those vertical windows keep the sun out at midday and give you more living and head space.
  • She is a proven ocean crosser, even a circumnavigator.
  • The aft cockpit fits 6 people comfortably and feels secure.
  • You can’t leave the helm in both directions.
  • It isn’t the quickest catamaran, she’s slow to get going in light airs.
  • She is not great going to windward with those fat hulls and fixed keels. 55-60 degrees to true is probably optimal, with leeway. At 45 degrees, the speed drops off and the leeway picks up.
  • The quality of the interior finish is acceptable but it doesn’t wear that well.
  • Many of the older boats still have the soft top bimini.
  • Lagoon 380s do suffer from hobby horsing . Remember, this is a 37′ 11″ boat! On longer passages, you might want to move the anchor back off the front. Try and centralise the weight.
  • It´s not that easy to clamber up that high coach-roof

Lagoon’s signature vertical windows mean that you get the maximum space possible inside the boat for her length. Open up the double sliding doors and you have a decent sized area up top and the forward windows open right up to let the breeze flow through the boat at anchor.

Charter a Lagoon 380

Are you looking to charter a Lagoon 380? Browse our extensive list of Lagoon 380’s for rent below ⇓

Find a well maintained Lagoon 380 for charter.

Acceptable Performance You can expect to sail at 6 to 9 knots in a decent breeze – perfectly acceptable for cruising. She won’t sail to windward like a dagger-board cat, but what were you expecting? You’ll probably be pointing at 55-60 degrees to true and doing 6 knots or so. Stick the leeward engine to get the speed up and head 10-15° or so higher.

Bear Away Off the wind, she’s a great little mover! You will see the low teens in decent conditions from time to time.

She does have a reputation for being a bit of a hobby horse when the waves get up, but we are talking a 38 foot boat, right? You might need to focus on getting weight off the nose and away from the stern for longer passages: try to centralise the weight as much as you can. All in all though, she’s a compact, cosy boat.

Construction

The 380 is not the lightest boat for her size- it is a production boat after all, but it does pack a decent sail plan with an SA/D ratio of 22 (square top mainsail option) which is higher than many of Lagoon’s current models.

The hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline and is cored with a mix of foam and balsa above the waterline. Lagoon use a vinlyester resin in the outer layers of the laminate to protect against blistering. The deck is balsa-cored with solid laminate under the areas that need more strength.

Interior bulkheads are bonded to the outer sides of the hulls.

lagoon 380 salon

Cosy with Guests The saloon table and seating area is really cosy- great for entertaining, and you have a nav station, fridge and galley all in here. Pretty impressive!

The cabins are spacious for a 38 footer and the heads are functional.

The finish is not the highest quality, but it is acceptable at this price point and easy to fix. They are known to look tired quickly as the veneer damages easily, so you will need to look after her. The other big downside is the soft top bimini on older versions: you´ll just have to live with it at this price point, or dust off your wallet and add a hard top bimini and dodger.

The Hard Top Bimini Came Later Later versions have the hard top bimini as standard, with a neat sliding sunroof to poke your head out of. The mainsheet traveller remained on the aft beam.

Lagoon 380 S2

This being a yacht with such a long production run (1999 to 2019), the Lagoon 380 molds went through a few modifications. For example, Hull #35 (Serenity Now) was built in 2000, still almost 1000 hulls off the final production run tally. Barit is hull number 509, launched 2008.

The main upgrade (although owners of the original design would probably say it was a downgrade) was with the launch of the Lagoon 380 S2 in 2003.

The main changes they made were:

  • New shelves over the engine compartments
  • They moved the bulkhead of the shower forward in the Starboard Hull (more space inside, less in the forward locker).
  • Larger windows in the hulls
  • Sliding door for privacy in the owner’s hull (on the owner’s version of course)
  • Improved galley, sink and countertop
  • Improved helm dash (on later S2s)
  • Double helm seat (a good addition this)
  • Additional winch on the port side.

38 foot catamaran cost

Good Clearance Bridgedeck clearance is good and the sail plan will happily cover you from anything from 9 knots of wind to 35. You should be averaging 7 knots SOG most of the time giving you 150 nm a day- perfectly acceptable for safe long distance cruising.

The other thing is that it is difficult to see and trim the mainsail on a starboard tack given that the helm is on the port bulkhead. But this is not an issue that is unique to the 380.

Well Organised The running rigging is well thought out for short handed sailing. With an electric winch for the main halyard, she’s easy to handle on your own and Lagoon have over spec’d the standing rigging on this boat. She´s a safe little mover.

38 foot catamaran cost

You Won’t Overtake a Gunboat Upwind At 55 to true, she will sail. At 45-50 degrees, the speed drops off and you will be pushed sideways.

In light to moderate winds when close hauled, set the traveler to windward a couple of feet from centre & ease the main sheet a bit. Keep the momentum up before a tack and move the boat through the wind cleanly and steadily and she won´t stall.

At the end of the day, you´ll need dagger-boards to sail well to windward and that means less space and comfort. An older Catana would probably do it. The speed will drop off if you are sitting at 50 degrees or less to apparent, and in anything under 10 knots of wind you will need the engines on unless you have a bowsprit fitted and a Code 0 or gennaker to fly.

Put the first reef in at around 18 knots depending on your angle of sail & second reef when it blows over 25.

The 380 does hobby horse, so make sure that you move the weight back on longer passages (including the main anchor, for example). In a moderate to rough sea you may notice some slamming, especially going into the weather, but no more than comparable sized cats.

Under Power

The Twin Volvos 30s (well 29s) are more than enough to power you through the chop. Cruising speed with one engine is around 5 and a half knots, using around 2.5 litres per hour. Stick the other engine on and you will hit 7 knots comfortably, with 8 knots at Full Steam Ahead.

Very Manoeuvrable And with twin engines manoeuvering a relatively small cat, you’ll start to feel like you are an old hand in the marina in no time.

The engine rooms are well deigned as well, and easy to access.

Lagoon 380 Polar Diagram

lagoon 380 polar

Lagoon 380 Blogs

38 foot catamaran cost

Because the 380 is such a popular boat, there are quite a few good sailing blogs out there which are useful if you want to get a better feel for the catamaran.

From the Horse’s Mouth A good one is Sailing on the Sunnyside which all about a couple living the minimalist life on their 380: Sunnyside. She´s hull number 322, made in 2005.

You should also check out the blog archive of Seth from the Sailing Family. They circumnavigated on a Lagoon 380 called Honeymoon : that is worth a read.

They have now upgraded to an Outremer 51 (well, you would if you could, wouldn’t you?)

SV Straycat is another 380 blog on a 2000 Lagoon (hull # 24). There’s a great description of the boat on the blog.

Then there’s the Phase 2 Catamaran vlog. These guys are really out there enjoying themselves.

Lagoon 380 Plan

38 foot catamaran cost

Lagoon 380 Brochure

The stand out fact about the Lagoon 380 is that they have sold so many. You get what you pay for, of course, and with the 380 you get a lot for your money. Lagoon deliver exactly what they promise. These catamarans are great value for money and are easily able to stand up to regular private use, but make sure you keep on top of that ‘job list’. But that´s the same for any boat, right?

It’s a Clever Design The Lagoon 380 is a  clever compromise on volume versus performance, and she has a very good load-carrying capacity for a boat that is less than 40 feet.

She’s a classic catamaran.

Is the Lagoon 380 still in Production? No, Lagoon stopped making the 380 in 2019. Originally, it was going to be replaced by the 39, but they stopped production on that boat as well. The smallest Lagoon cat is now the 40. You might want to check out the Excess 11 which is part of the same Group – it’s a similar sized boat, but has aft helms.

How many 380s did Lagoon produce? They made around 1000. It is one of their top selling models behind the 42.

How much does a Lagoon 380 cost? There are plenty on the second hand market, but good examples hold their price and they remain popular. You can pick one up from €120,000 to €200,000 on the second hand market, we´d say you need to spend from 150-180k for a decent, well looked after boat. There are a lot of ex charter boats out there on the market – that’s fine, but they might need some money spent on them.

What are the Main Differences Between a Lagoon 380 and a Lagoon 380 S2? The shower bulkhead was moved forward in the S2 to create a bigger shower/head. Larger windows were used in the hulls and a sliding privacy door was installed in the owner’s hull. They improved the galley and remolded the helm station. These were all minor changes, more of a marketing update if anything, and many prospective buyers prefer the older boats which have more storage, better quality interior finishes and easier access to the engines. The first 380 S2 launched in 2003.

Lagoon Specs and Video

Technical specification.

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38 foot catamaran cost

The Lagoon 380 is a classic sailing yacht, with several spots to lounge and comfortable cabins

UP TO 6 GUESTS

2 BATHROOMS

38 foot catamaran cost

This large, modern 38 foot sailing catamaran is perfect for spending a week exploring the Greek islands in comfort and style. If your trip includes a hostess, this yacht can accommodate 4 guests. Without a hostess, it can fit up to 6 guests.

  • 2-3 available double cabins (depending on hostess)
  • 2 full bathrooms
  • Large kitchen/saloon with refrigerator, sink, oven and stove
  • Outdoor covered seating area for relaxing and dining
  • Front netting perfect for relaxing in the sun

38 foot catamaran cost

Features & Amenities

Snorkel sets, refrigerator, full kitchen, on-deck sound system, dishes, glasses & cutlery.

The yacht includes all of the cups, plates and silverware you’ll need for your meals, drinks and snacks.

Shower on Deck

There is a handheld shower on the back of the yacht near the swim deck. This is great for rinsing off after an afternoon swim. Don’t worry, there are showers in the bathrooms too.

If you anchor off a secluded beach, you can use the dinghy to get ashore. Occasionally, you’ll also use the dinghy in port if the marina is crowded.

All of our yachts include free unlimited wifi via a modem that connects to the 4G cell network.

Shore Powered Air Conditioning

Indoor & outdoor dining areas, inverter/ac power, bed linens & towels.

38 foot catamaran cost

Each of the three available cabins on the Lagoon 380 come with reading lights, storage under the bed for shoes and gear, and a closet for hanging clothes.

In case it gets warm, there are bedside fans and multiple windows that open to let the breeze in.

Keep in mind that the skipper will sleep in one of the four bedrooms, which is why only three are available for guests.

Experienced, Local Sailing Skipper Hostess Included Half-board: Breakfast & Lunch Included Basic Snorkel Sets 2GB of Wifi Luxury Linens All Port Fees Included Fuel Costs Included VAT/Tax Included End-Cleaning Included

May & October

Pricing without a hostess and half board : €6,800/week

June - September

Peak season.

Pricing without a hostess and half board : €7,900/week

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10 Best Pocket Catamarans (Under 38 ft)

  • Post author By Rick
  • Post date September 11, 2020
  • 3 Comments on 10 Best Pocket Catamarans (Under 38 ft)

38 foot catamaran cost

Smaller cruising catamarans are an excellent entry level gateway into cruising catamarans and of late have become very popular. This is an effort to select some of the most well respected of these smaller catamarans. This was a difficult task, as many of these boats, designed and built some time ago, are still found in all the popular cruising grounds, and a list like this is subjective after all. All I can do is apologize in advance for leaving a boat off this list.

  • Prout Snowgoose 37

38 foot catamaran cost

The Snowgoose  (all iterations) was the first truly popular mass produced catamaran with more than 500 built. Known as safe, strong and capable of being sailed off shore, which some say is because of the position of their main mast, they make a perfect coastal cruiser or circumnavigator for an adventurous couple. This is a lot of boat for the money. These boats began their model run as a 35’ boat but as time went on Prout changed the mould by extending them to 37’. The Snowgoose can be found in every ocean on the planet.

The interior is simple and lightweight in order to maintain good sailing performance. A combination of classic woods and modern materials give the boat a spacious and open feeling that is hard to find on a boat this size.

Under sail, the Prout Snowgoose 37 is consistent, and it doesn’t need to be micromanaged, making it an ideal passagemaker. During passages,150 miles per day can be expected without pushing the boat. The Snowgoose 37, with its flexible cutter rig, balances easily and handles well under autopilot.

The Snowgoose is renowned for its rugged construction and sea kindliness as these boats were built to cross oceans, and not as additions to Caribbean charter fleets. Somewhere around 500 boats were built, and, although statements like this are impossible to confirm, its been said that nearly 100 have completed circumnavigations. True or not, Prouts have probably done more circumnavigations than any other catamaran of their era. The Prout designs have proven themselves time and again as tough, reliable cruisers and if a sailor wants a cat to sail around the world, there’s a good chance he’ll probably end up in a Snowgoose.

  • Gemini 105M

38 foot catamaran cost

The most popular American line of catamarans with over 1100 deliveries, this Gemini 105MC is one of the most affordable catamarans on the market. The Gemini’s performance is legendary yet they still manage to surprise unsuspecting newcomers.

These boats squeeze 3 cabins, a head and full Galley (in starboard hull) and a deck layout and rig which offers a stable, safe, and well-reasoned platform for whatever comes your way. And the ingenuity of lifting centerboards and kick-up rudders will have you sailing through less than 2′ of water, making this boat the ultimate Island hopper. All this and more at 33′ 6″ length and a 14′ beam that can dock in a standard slip or truck across the country.

The Gemini 105M has plenty of room, is an excellent value, with outstanding accommodations, and solid sailing performance.

  • The Lagoon 37 TPI

38 foot catamaran cost

The Lagoon 37 TPI catamaran was built by the famed boat yard Tillotson Pearson in Rhode Island. They were introduced in 1993 following the success of the Lagoon 42 in the US charter market and draws from a long lineage of great multihull designs and continues the collaboration of Jeanneau of France, and TPI (American). With the same designers and builders as the forerunner model and targeting the same market, these boats have achieved cult status among catamaran sailors. Their pointing ability, and comfort aboard are legendary.  These boats were designed with the much preferred straight propeller shafts instead of sail drives and were sold as 3 cabin 2 head laid out as an Owner’s Version.

A French design, built in the USA by TPI in Rhode Island, they have become a very sought-after catamaran. These boats are fast and comfortable both at sea and at anchor with ample storage room and comfortable accommodations.

38 foot catamaran cost

The PDQ 36 was a Canadian built catamaran offered in two arrangements. The LRC (Long Range Cruiser) is a legend among cruising catamarans and included 2 Yanmar diesel engines coupled to straight shafts. The PDQ 36 Capella, was built with pods for two Yamaha extended shaft outboards.

These are solid boats with excellent construction as the expert use of materials and construction techniques results in a strong boat yet keeps the hull weight low. With twin inboard diesels, she’s designed for coastal cruising. They aren’t seen for sale very often.

These are well-built and well-regarded catamarans, designed with a gracious entertaining area, and two luxurious staterooms complete with queen-size beds. At 36′ the boat is the ideal size for single-handing, as the twin engines contribute to excellent maneuverability in tight spaces while the diesel engine version offering considerable charging capability.

Two equal staterooms with plenty of storage throughout the boat. The head and shower stall are one piece for easy cleaning. The galley is located in the port hull, has dual sinks, a Force 10 oven with two burner range and refrigerator for easy access. The salon seats six for dining.

The cockpit is spacious with pilot and co-pilot seats and an aft bench seat. The engines are either inboard diesels or in pods and retract out of the water for no drag when under sail. 

38 foot catamaran cost

The Catalac 9M was a British built, 30 foot design, with a modest rig, high coach roof, large  cockpit and 5 berths in four sleeping areas which provided lots of sun bathing deck space, a shallow draft, and had reasonable performance. In a good blow (>20 knots of wind speed) 10 knots at 45 degress apparent can be expected from the Catalac 9M and in enough wind the boat will tack inside of 45 degrees. In strong quarterly winds speeds of 12-14 knots under sail has been documented with the outboard engine configuration in a lightly loaded boat. Remarkable performance from such a boxy design  given that it’s design priority was comfort rather than speed

The mast is cabin stepped in a tabernacle. These were designed be raised and lowered single handed. They were sold with a mainsail, working jib and a 170% Genoa. When the rig is set up correctly, they sail with a very balanced helm. Twin rudders contribute to their agility and later models (>1980) have matching skegs just forward of the rudders to increase windward ability. About 250 boats were built.

38 foot catamaran cost

EndeavourCat 36 cruising catamaran is an American designed and buit boat by Endeavour Catamaran Corporation of Clearwater, FL. The EndeavourCat 36 draws less than 3 feet and can go most places that others can’t. These boats are very easily docked with twin diesel engines. They were built with three staterooms with queen-size beds. There are identical staterooms aft in each hull with a bedside table, hanging locker and drawers. Each stateroom has a ceiling light, reading lights, large hatches, opening ports. The bright, airy salon can comfortably seat 6-8.

The Galley is located in the port hull and is large enough for two people to prepare a gourmet meal side by side. Designed to be sailed single-handed without ever leaving the cockpit, all lines lead to the cockpit, two two-speed winches make easy work of sail handling. Both main and jib are completely self-tacking.

38 foot catamaran cost

The Endeavour 30 was built by Endeavour Catamaran Corporation of Clearwater, FL and features spacious Salon, Massive Galley, Huge Head with separate two-person shower with a built-in seat. Twin Queen births with full hanging cedar lined closest and plentiful storage space.  The hull, deck, and structural bulkheads are manufactured of biaxial fiberglass with isophathalic vinylester resins and NidaCore (a polypropelene honeycomb) coring. Vacuum bagged construction was used to enhance stiffness, strength, and reduce weight. There is a full interior fiberglass grid used as the interior mold for strength and rigidity. The headliner is a full fiberglass molded piece. The hulls and decks are fastened both chemically and mechanically for strength. Twin fiberglass molded keels are foam filled and have integral sumps. The balanced rudders are constructed of high denisty foam/fiberglass.

These boats have a very unique layout merging the cabin with the cockpit with broad companionway doors. Tons of features packed into her 30 foot length. A lot of catamaran for the money.

  • Fountaine Pajot Mahe 36

38 foot catamaran cost

Fountaine Pajot Mahe 36 was based on an Olivier Flahault design and with a Joubert/Nivelt hull, The Mahe 36 is built for safe navigation with comfortable, bright living areas and a fully protected cockpit alongside the salon.

The Mahe 36 features an open-plan / sheltered cockpit and saloon and raised helm station.  Entering the main salon through the sliding cockpit door the well-appointed galley is to starboard and the Nav station and storage is to port. Down into the starboard hull is the master stateroom aft with a Queen berth with several opening ports, a hanging locker and shelf storage with vented doors.

Forward to starboard is the ample head with shower which is a single fiberglass unit very easy to keep clean. Down from the saloon to the port guest stateroom aft with a Queen berth with several opening ports , a hanging locker and shelf storage with vented doors. Forward to port is the ample head with shower which is a single fiberglass unit very easy to keep clean. The large windows forward, Port and Starboard in the saloon make for an airy, open feeling.

These boat offers great comfort both sailing and at anchor while at the same time offering excellent performance. The Mahé 36 allows you to move around freely onboard, enjoying comfort when navigating (at the helm, in the cockpit or down below) or while moored. Everything has been thought out so that you can move about on this 36 ft yacht without anything getting in the way.

38 foot catamaran cost

The Catalac 8M is a pocket cruising catamaran which has a solid reputation for quality, strength and durability. Many of the boats found in North America today, were sailed there from Great Britain. The Catalac 8M, although classified as a pocket cruiser was designed with blue water sailing in mind. Offered in two versions, twin diesels or a single outboatd engine. The twin inboard diesel models can easily motor almost 1000 kilometers without refueling. The 70 amps of charging and 70 gallons of stock water tanks in the Catalac 8M and 9M make even these smaller boats terrific coastal cruisers. The Outboard versions sail a bit quicker as the engine can be raised during sailing, reducing drag. Constructed with solid fiberglass hulls, these are quality boats which were built like battleships. Chuck Kanter calls them one of the catamaran brands that live on through the decades.

The Catalac 8M is masthead rigged with a relatively short, but thick mast. As with all boats in the Catalac production lineup, this contributes to a stable boat with a low center of effort. No Catalac has ever been known to fly a hull under any circumstances.

The mast is cabin stepped in a tabernacle. These can be raised and lowered single handed. The standing rigging is over sized to withstand the extra loading experienced by catamarans. They were sold with a mainsail, working jib and a 170% Genoa. When the rig is set up correctly, they sail with a very balanced helm. Twin rudders contribute to their agility and later models (>1980) have matching skegs just forward of the rudders to improve windward ability. 

Designed with a single full size berth forward, a large 8 foot long galley in the starboard hull, a quarter berth, nav station and head in the Port hull, these small catamarans pack a lot of features in a small package. Their cockpits are as large as a 38 – 40 foot catamaran. Most of these boats are in Europe but a fail number were either imported or sailed to North America.

38 foot catamaran cost

The Seawind 1000 is an Australian built 37′ catamaran. These Australian designed and built catamarans have won world wide acclaim and awards for their stability, spaciousness, luxury and performance.  The Seawind 1000’s blend of simplicity and sophistication is an example of what a modest cruising catamaran needs to serve the minimum needs of its crew, and what it should have to make sailors want to use and keep their beloved catamaran.

She has a well equipped galley with plenty of bench space and storage and the large open saloon. Featuring 2 cabins, 4 berths, large bathroom, and very nice galley. They feature a large double bed, additonal bunk and bathroom portside. On the starboard side, kitchen, additional bunk, desk and seperate cabin. The saloon features a large table that can convert to a huge daybed for lounging while under sail. Her large trampolines up front are perfect to laze around and for sun baking. The large open saloon with seating and table is fully open to the cockpit for plenty of space for the guests to move around.

The functional galley is loaded with fridge, a small oven and gas 2 burner stove top making meal preparation hassle free. She has a galley bench top w/ integral double sink and drain.

The Seawind 1000 is a solid, safe cruising catamaran that moves beautifully in the water and more than comfortable to live on.

  • Tags Buying Advice

Rick

Owner of a Catalac 8M and Catamaransite webmaster.

3 replies on “10 Best Pocket Catamarans (Under 38 ft)”

Thank you, Rick. My wife and I are planning on cruising the Med in a few years and the boats profiled give a good starting point for the “perfect” boat. ?

Excellent work…

Gerry Gray hear from Pointe Claire Yacht club looking to buy a super clean pocket cat on the east coast or in the carribean or central america….under 100k cad please.

Cheers Gerry

Hi Gerry: Best thing to do is sign up for our mailing list to be first to hear of new catamarans.

https://www.catamaransite.com/contact-enroll/

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How Much Does A Catamaran Cost?

How Much Does A Catamaran Cost? | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

‍ Catamarans are known to cost more than monohulls. But what do new and used catamarans cost, and what can you sell one for?

New cruising catamarans cost between $200,000 and $1,000,000, with an average price of about $500,000. Used cruising catamarans cost between $200,000 and $600,000. Small recreational catamarans, usually under 20 feet in length, cost under $50,000.

In this article, we’ll examine the average cost of new and used cruising catamarans. We’ll also showcase the average prices of small recreational catamarans, such as the famous Hobie Cat. Additionally, we’ll cover the factors that influence new and used catamaran prices and how to get a fair price on your next purchase.

We conducted a careful analysis of the new and used catamaran market and reported our findings in this article.

Table of contents

‍ Factors that Influence Catamaran Prices

Catamaran prices are influenced by numerous factors, namely size, and type. Large catamarans are, predictably, more expensive than small catamarans. But unlike monohulls, catamaran sizes don’t vary extensively. Prices differ substantially between large and small catamarans, and so do their uses.

This is because there are two main types of catamarans on the market, and they’re vastly different sizes. The large type is the cruising catamaran, which is almost never less than 30 feet in length or more than 50 feet in length. The other type is the recreational or racing catamaran, which has no cabin and rarely exceeds 30 feet in length.

Small Racing Catamaran Cost

Small racing catamarans are a niche market, and their prices are pretty consistent for specific makes and models. These vessels don’t have a cabin, so people don’t usually spend hundreds of thousands for them. They’re fun boats for people who enjoy going fast on the water during weekends and at regattas.

Factors that influence small catamaran prices are usually its condition, size, and make. The most popular racing catamarans, like Hobie Cats, sell for anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the size and condition. You can reliably find an open racing catamaran for less than $50,000, and usually around $10,000 to $20,000

New Cruising Catamaran Prices

Here’s where things get pricey. New cruising catamarans are some of the most expensive sailboats you can buy, second only to trimarans and other advanced aluminum and carbon yachts. New cruising catamarans never sell for less than $100,000, and the average price is around $350,000. A new cruising catamaran, depending on the length, can sell for up to $1,000,000.

New monohull sailboats are much less costly. A premium monohull built by a well-known manufacturer sells for between $175,000 and $250,000, with some outliers breaching the $350,000 mark. You can reliably expect a catamaran to cost almost double what a monohull of equal length does. That said, the additional comfort and unmatched speed are well worth the cost.

New Cruising Catamaran Cost Factors

What makes one new catamaran sell for $150,000 while another sells for $350,000? Other than size, there are a few factors that lead to such a dramatic price disparity for two seemingly similar vessels. The brand has something to do with it, but the design is the key element in pricing.

A basic cruising catamaran has few frills and utilizes standard hardware and sailing equipment. A high-end cruising catamaran in the same size and weight category has dramatically different equipment, automation, and even sailing characteristics. A high-end catamaran requires thousands of additional hours to design and develop hull shape, systems, and accommodation and thus costs significantly more.

And speaking of accommodations—the overall level of fit and finish below decks can contribute substantially to the price. High-end catamarans with central HVAC, advanced energy-saving systems, automation, and all the associated equipment add a lot to the initial cost. Additionally, high-end custom interiors require expensive materials and hours of specialized labor.

Basic cruising catamarans can be constructed and sold for little more than the price of a high-end monohull. This is because the accommodations and equipment used aboard are standard, and therefore not too disproportionately priced. Most cruising catamarans fall into this category, as they’re already quite expensive, to begin with without air conditioning, automatic sail controls, and carbon fiber masts.

Used Cruising Catamaran Prices

Used catamarans cost less than brand new models, but they still cost more than many brand new monohulls. The average price of an average-sized 40-something—foot used catamaran is around $250,000. Age doesn’t vary much, as these kinds of catamarans have only been popular since the 1990s.

The lowest price you’ll probably find for a used catamaran is about $100,000. At this price, you can get a smaller old catamaran or a vessel that needs work, like a new mast, new rigging, or hull repairs. This compromise is well worth it to some, who can save upwards of $50,000 by making repairs.

The priciest used catamarans typically top out at $700,000 to $1,000,000. These vessels, which range in size from 45 feet to 55 feet, are the cream of the crop and usually only a couple of years old. For example, a 45-foot 2019 Lagoon 450F with its advanced wave-piercing hull design and luxurious interior sells for around $550,000 to $620,000 used and sells for $635,500 new. As you can see, late-model catamarans suffer from very little depreciation.

Used Cruising Catamaran Cost Factors

The prices of used cruising catamarans vary wildly, as there are many more factors at play. The most significant pricing factor is the age of the boat. Newer and late-model catamarans built by respectable manufacturers cost almost as much as they do now, which is always in the $100,000+ range. This is limiting to many sailors who don’t want to spend a mortgage on a sailboat.

Older used catamarans are much more reasonably priced, and the condition is the primary factor. This includes the condition of the interior, rigging, and hull. Famous catamarans will cost more regardless of their age or condition, as these vessels have a large following due to some mystical characteristics like handling, speed, or seaworthiness.

Reputation plays a big part in the used catamaran world due to its relatively small size. Catamaran people know each other—and they all hang out on the same online forums. These people have an actual and quantifiable influence on used catamaran pricing.

Why are Catamarans So Expensive?

Many sailors wonder why catamarans cost so much more than monohulls. After all, it usually costs more to buy a 15-year-old 40-foot catamaran than a brand new 40-foot monohull. There are a few reasons for this, and it comes down to a combination of construction cost, demand, and ability.

Catamarans offer numerous undeniable handling benefits over monohulls. For one, they’re stable and dramatically increase passenger and crew comfort in rolling seas. They’re safe and easy to handle and very difficult to capsize. Additionally, they have much more usable interior storage and living space and accommodations for many people.

Catamarans have the upper hand with speed, as they aren’t bound by the restrictions of hull speed. Catamarans can sometimes travel at twice the speed of monohulls, which reduces costs and increases your practical cruising range.

Additionally, the cost to design, develop, and build catamarans is much higher than monohulls. Catamarans require careful engineering and strength of materials calculations, as the two hulls must be joined in the middle and also support the mast.

Catamarans use up much more material than monohulls, as they require two separate hulls with living spaces and an enclosed center cockpit area. The materials themselves are often higher quality, along with the additional cost of advanced and automatic winches, navigation systems, and controls throughout the vessel.

Design and materials alone can double or triple production costs for a catamaran, not to mention the expensive man-hours and skilled labor involved in the building process. The benefits catamarans provide to their owners keep prices high on the used market, and their limited production can never keep up with demand.

How to Tell if a Catamaran is Fairly Priced

How do you know if you’re getting a good deal on a catamaran, and what should you sell yours for? Many people consult catamaran dealerships and boat appraisers, which are a good “official” resource for boat pricing. That said, the online catamaran community shouldn’t be overlooked.

The forums are an excellent source of real-world expertise on catamaran pricing. As we mentioned previously, the ‘catamaran guys’ usually congregate online and keep track of the used catamaran market. Their consensus can help you figure out what a fair market price is—and what catamaran buyers are willing to pay. After all, they’re your target market.

Before asking, it’s a good idea to check the market yourself and see what other boats are listed and sold for. This can give you a ballpark idea of what to expect. On many boat trading sites, you can filter for sold listings and see what boats like yours recently sold for.

Related Articles

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Trek Baron

How Much Does a Catamaran Cost? (By Type)

Posted on May 27, 2022

We all want our catamaran or to upgrade our current ones, but keeping up with the prices and knowing whether we’re getting a good deal isn’t always easy.  For those of us who already own one, we know they are expensive, but we hope to get a deal. 

The online forums are usually of great help with costs. You should check the market before asking to see what’s listed and what recently sold prices are. In the meantime, let’s take a general look at what the prices are out there. Keep in mind that the prices jump significantly every extra 15 feet in length.

For cruising cats, you’ll fork out between $200 thousand and a million dollars to get a new one. The median price is $500K. On the other end of the spectrum, pre-owned cats average $300 thousand. Generally, they cost between $200K and $600K. Looking for something recreational, that’s small? Prepare to spend about $45K to $50K.

Let’s look at the different types of cats, their average prices plus the things that impact their prices. We did in-depth research, but as suggested above, still go ahead and check because getting the right price means being thorough. Let’s take a look!

catamaran

We are going to tell you what the different types of catamarans cost and what helps to determine their prices. 

New catamaran’s average price per foot :

Catamarans get a lot more expensive from 50 feet and up:

  • $2,835 per ft for under 30 feet
  • $9,767 per ft for 30 to 50 feet
  • $18,055 per ft for 50 to 75 feet
  • $41,737 per ft for 75 to 120 feet 

New Cruising Catamarans

38 foot catamaran cost

A new cruising catamaran is one of the most costly sailboats on the market. It is only topped by the most modern aluminum or carbon yachts. Catamarans for cruising have an average price of $350,000, and you won’t ever find them for less than $100,000 when they’re brand new. According to length, a new cruising cat can fetch up to $1M in cost.

I know what you’re thinking (these prices are ridiculously high. I’ve been there, and I know what you’re thinking.) Why don’t I go with a monohull? You may count on paying about twice as much for a catamaran as you would for a monohull of the same length. It’s worth it, however, for the increased comfort and unparalleled quickness it provides.

Is there a reason why one catamaran costs $170,000, while another costs $340,000? Size alone isn’t the only thing to think about in defining the price difference between two cats. Pricing is influenced by the brand. However, design is the most important factor.

To keep costs down, a basic cruising catamaran uses only simple materials and tools. State-of-the-art cruising catamarans of the same weight and size class have vastly variable equipment, automation, and sailing traits. A pricey catamaran design takes thousands of extra hours to design and build.

The integrity of under-deck accommodation has a big effect on the boat’s final cost. The initial cost of high-end catamarans with central HVAC, innovative energy-saving systems, automation, and all of its related equipment is astronomical. It’s also worth noting that high-end custom interiors need quality fabrics and hours of expert labor.

Catamarans for cruising can be built and marketed for almost the cost of a fancy monohull. There aren’t very many differences in price between the various types of onboard cabins and equipment. Carbon fiber masts, AC, and auto-sailing controls aren’t standard equipment on the majority of cruising catamarans. That means they’re out of reach for most cruisers.

Small Racing Cat Prices 

racing catamaran

Prices for small racing catamarans are very stable for specific types and makes. There isn’t much of a market for these yachts because they lack cabins. They’re great for weekend boat events.

The make, size, and condition of a small catamaran all play a role in its price. Racing catamarans like Hobie Cats, which are very popular with the sailing community, range in price from $10,000 to $30,000. Generally, an open racing catamaran costs between $10,000 and $20,000 and is readily available for less than $50,000.

The Cost of a Secondhand Catamaran for Cruising

catamaran

Pre-owned catamaran’s average cost per foot :

The average pre-owned catamaran costs about more than 30% less than a new one:

  • $2,200 per ft for less than 30 feet
  • $9,000 per ft for 30 to 50 feet
  • $16,200 per ft for 50 to 75 feet
  • $30,900 per ft for 75 to 120 feet

There are certain pros and cons to buying pre-owned catamarans. Around $250,000 is the typical price of a 40-foot secondhand catamaran. In the 1990s, these types of catamarans became popular, and the age of the boat isn’t much of a factor.

A used cat for sale under $100K is about as cheap as you’re going to get. It’s possible to get a tiny vintage catamaran or one that needs repairs, such as new masts or rigging. Fixing a cat can save owners up to $50K. Therefore, the trade-off is worth it for them.

The most expensive pre-owned catamarans typically cost between $700K and $1 million. These 45- to 55-foot-long vessels represent the apex of the industry. They’re typically no more than a few years old. 

It’s not uncommon to find a pre-owned 2019 Lagoon 450F for roughly $550,000 to $620,000, or $635,500 brand new, with a wave-piercing hull. The depreciation on late-model catamarans is relatively minor.

There are a plethora of variables at play when determining the price of a secondhand cruising catamaran. The age of the boat is the most important determining factor in its price. 

Most newer and late-model catamarans, even those made by reputable manufacturers, are in the $100,000 price range. Many sailors can’t afford to buy a sailboat outright, therefore this is a barrier to entry.

Catamarans Before the ’90s

old Catamarans

Used catamarans from the 1970s and 1980s can find for significantly less money, and the main consideration is the boat’s condition. Interior, rigging/hull conditions are all included in this category. 

Since these vessels have an enviable reputation for their mythical qualities like speed, seaworthiness, or handling ability, they’ll command a higher price no matter how old or damaged they may be.

It’s important to have a good reputation when buying a secondhand catamaran because of its small size. Catamaran enthusiasts are close-knit and frequent the same web forums. Used catamaran prices are influenced by folks like this.

Why Do Catamarans Cost So Much?

how to pack for children on a cat cruise

Sailing enthusiasts often ponder why catamarans are more expensive than monohulls. Buying a 15-year-old 40-foot catamaran is more expensive than buying a new 40-foot monohull. Construction costs, demand, and ability all play a role in why this is happening.

The handling advantages of catamarans over monohulls cannot be overstated. For starters, they’re rock-solid, which means they’re better for passengers and crew alike when traveling through rough waves. They’re safe, easy to handle, and nearly impossible to capsize when on the water. They also feature a lot more useful interior storage and living space, so they can accommodate a large number of individuals.

When it comes to speed, catamaran vessels have an advantage over their hull-bound counterparts. Catamarans can go twice as fast as monohulls, resulting in lower expenses and a longer usable sailing range.

The cost of designing and building catamarans is significantly higher than the cost of building monohulls. To link the two halves and hold up the mast, catamarans necessitate meticulous engineering and material strength calculations.

A catamaran has two separate hulls with living quarters and an enclosed center cockpit, which consumes a lot more material than a monohull. Greater-quality components, such as winches, navigational systems, and other shipboard controls, all add up to a higher overall cost.

With just the expense of design and materials, a catamaran’s construction can cost as much as three times as much as a conventional boat. Used catamarans are in high demand because of the numerous advantages they offer their owners, and as a result, their manufacturers are unable to keep up with the demand.

What Determines the Catamaran’s Cost?

Numerous factors affect the cost of a catamaran, but the most important is its size and type. Predictably, larger catamarans cost a lot more than smaller ones. As compared to monohulls, the size of catamaran vessels does not vary greatly. There are significant price and use differences between large and small catamarans.

This is because there are two primary varieties of catamarans on the market, and they come in a wide range of sizes. The largest catamaran is the cruising catamaran, which is virtually never less than 30 feet in length or more than 50 feet in length. Catamarans used for leisure or racing have no cabins and are rarely longer than 30 feet.

Identifying an Affordable Catamaran

Is it possible to tell whether or not you’re getting a decent price on a catamaran? A suitable “official” source for boat pricing is a catamaran dealership or yacht appraiser. However, the online catamaran community must not be neglected.

38 foot catamaran cost

How Much Do Catamaran Boats Cost? (14 Helpful Examples)

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Catamarans are becoming increasingly popular. They are wonderful vessels with great stability and speed.

Here are ten amazing catamarans you should know about!

Table of Contents

Budget-Friendly (Used) Catamarans for Sale:

I think we all know that your budget can be important when it comes to looking for a vessel.

Below are some great, budget-friendly catamarans.

1. 30′ Iroquois MK-II 1982

38 foot catamaran cost

Perfect for sailing in colder waters, this gorgeous Iroquois MK II is a safe, seaworthy ship. It is well-equipped with a full galley with sink, spirit stove, refrigerator and plenty of storage. It has a diesel heater, 200-liter tank for freshwater and two small, inboard Farymann diesel engines which power at 9 hp.

It is also outfitted with a radio, VHF, compass, an autopilot feature, two mainsails, and solar panels. This perfect, affordable catamaran is yours for the taking, and great for first-time journeys!

Price: $34,782.14

2. 39′ Flica 34 1999

38 foot catamaran cost

This Flica 34 catamaran is 39 ft long and outfitted with a diesel inboard, Volvo Penta MD 2020D engine. It has a 3 blade propellor and runs at 20 hp. Family-owned, this catamaran has seen and done a lot.

It is perfect for those long, family trips and could use a lot of love and care!

The swim platform is perfect for fun trips out on the water, and the galley is outfitted with two pit stoves, stainless steel sink, top loader fridge, and a portable air conditioner.

This catamaran comes with standard safety features such as a life raft, fire extinguishers, and life vests!

Price: $49,000.00

3. 24′ F24 Corsair 1996

38 foot catamaran cost

This superfast catamaran has a full set of sails and an outboard motor. It includes a VHF radio, battery porta-potty and a small kitchenette with a sink. It is able to sleep two and has cabin space for additional guests if needed.

It includes a navigation system outfitted with a compass and a wind indicator in the masthead.

This catamaran is wind propelled through its sails, but its outboard engine allows for gas-fueled transportation at 15hp if needed.

This sleek, simple boat is perfect for your beginning catamaran needs and will assist any adventurer on their first voyage. Hitch it up to your trailer and you’re ready to go!

Price: $19,950.00

4. 33′ Edel Strat Edel Cat 33 1985

38 foot catamaran cost

This open sail catamaran was completely refinished in 2015 and is impossible to miss! It is powered by a TOHATSU 18 HP 2 stroke outboard engine. It sleeps four to six people and has two double cabins.

This catamaran is built for comfort. It’s spacious, and the open cockpit will keep you feeling comfortable and at home all day long!

It has two double cabins with slatted bed bases, two single cabins that include plenty of storage space. On the aft platform are a shower and a flexible water tank on the port side.

The saloon cushions are modern and comfortable from 2015 and it even has a Bluetooth speaker! You’ll be sitting pretty on a large sun awning and bask in the light of modern solar panels that help generate power to the navigational lights to the boat!

For those who are interested in beginning in style, this is the one for you!

Price: $41,626.08

Mid-Priced Catamarans for Sale (Used):

If you have a bigger budget, you could be interested in the Catamarans listed below.

5. 31′ Fountaine Pajot Maldives 32 1992

38 foot catamaran cost

This 31ft catamaran is a great mid-priced ship for someone interested in getting on the water for a long journey! Built-in 1992, this catamaran has been well-kept and has all the amenities of a small, family ship.

In total there are four cabins including the galley and seating area and does include a head with cockpit shower. It has solar panels totaling at 350W which power navigational lights and other electrical parts of the ship.

There is also an autopilot feature as well as a radio, CD player, GPS, and a depth sounder.

This is definitely a back-to-the-basics mid-range catamaran with all the necessities without all the pomp and circumstance of a more expensive ship.

Price: $55,233.00

6. 30′ Catamaran American 3014 1992

38 foot catamaran cost

If you’re looking for an inexpensive but well-built catamaran for your sailing needs, this one is perfect for you! Great for beginners, this smaller model catamaran is great for getting your feet wet as a new captain on the seven seas!

Surprisingly roomy with two private rooms and a large head with separate stall shower, you will find comfort and simplicity in this model. The galley includes a stove/oven and a refrigerator/freezer, sink and plenty of storage room for you to keep your supplies for short journeys!

The head includes a toilet, sink, storage, and great ventilation, as well as a separate shower.

This catamaran is powered by a 10hp Mercury Outboard motor with a 15hp Evinrude updated in 2016. You’ll be dying to get this baby out on the water and sail off into the sunset!

Price: $42,500.00

7. 35′ Prout Snowgoose 1977

This middle-range priced beauty is outfitted with fiberglass engine covers, stainless steel aluminum arch, additional stays, heavy rigging and a storm jib with socked spinnaker.

This catamaran even has solar panels that charge two deep-cycle 12v batteries which run the appliances and all required anchor or navigational lights at night.

Recently, this ship has also been outfitted with a brand new toilet, new countertops, sinks, shower pumps, a new shower, and faucets. No doubt you’ll feel completely at home on this ship!

This Snowgoose is operated primarily by sail, but also comes with Honda 15 4-stroke and one 2012 Yamaha 25 4-stroke engines which are gas-fueled. Fuel consumption on this boat is slightly over ½ gallon per hour and will get you where you need to go!

Price: $64,900.00

Used Catamaran Yachts for Sale:

These used catamaran yachts are both luxurious and more affordable than a brand new catamaran. Their overall construction and timeless feel are great for those with a bigger budget but are still interested in a more simple design.

You’ll never go wrong with a used catamaran yacht, fulfilling your needs for both budget and style!

Most pre-owned catamaran yachts are well taken care of and will impress even the most experienced of sailors. Check them out!

8. 35′ Island Packet 1996

38 foot catamaran cost

Built in 1996, this Catamaran yacht comes with Twin 27 HP Yanmar Diesel engines, a Panda generator, and air conditioning. It also comes with a Yamaha 4-stroke outboard motor and stainless steel Davit lift.

It can sleep six people, has two staterooms, both double berth with private head and showers.

This older model has a lot of charm, and even though it may show its age as a 90s model, this amazing catamaran has been updated and carefully tailored to fit the needs of its captain.

It has an amazing, full galley kitchen with a microwave oven, a propane two-burner stove, and refrigerator. This catamaran is made for a luxurious trip around the Florida Keys, and is perfect for anyone looking to purchase their first yacht!

Price: $97,500.00

9. 34′ Gemini 2003

This gorgeous boat is a well-equipped Gemini 105Mc that includes solar panels, davits, stern hammock seat, screecher and track, air conditioning, helm seat, BBQ and more. It sleeps eight people, has a U-shaped dining space with seating for six to eight people and outfitted with a queen berth master stateroom for the lucky captain of this ship.

The engine is a 27 hp Westerbeke diesel with a 55-amp alternator and heat exchanger for hot water. The engine drives a steerable outdrive leg with a large efficient propeller, that lifts out of the water when sailing or at anchor.

There are also two, 18-gallon diesel tanks with a fuel-shut off for those long trips around the coast.

This 34’ Gemini will carry you from place to place in style and with grace, so don’t forget to bring some friends along!

Price: $89,000.00

10. 31′ Corsair 31 Ultimate Cruiser 2002

38 foot catamaran cost

This Ultimate Cruiser has a rotating aluminum mast and a performance-oriented sailplan that provides any experienced sailor a guaranteed performance of excellence! The forepeak area houses the head, shower, wet/dry storage and hanging locker.

This Corsair includes a full standing headroom, hot and cold pressurized water system and an optional gas cooker. It has a fuel capacity of six gallons with freshwater at 18 gallons. It included LED interior lighting, a four-speaker stereo system, and a two-burner alcohol stove.

This amazing, gorgeous ship is great for friends, family and experienced captains looking for some fun on the waves!

Brand New Catamarans for Sale:

These catamarans are brand new and ready to go!

Although they may be a little higher-priced, their amenities, gorgeous design, modern architecture and overall luxury will greatly make up for it. You’ll be blown away by these brand new catamarans that are on the market for sale, right now!

11. 38′ Gemini Freestyle 37

38 foot catamaran cost

This absolutely gorgeous catamaran is a Gemini Freestyle measuring in at 38 ft. It has two cabins, two heads, and a Yanmar 15 horsepower inboard diesel engine. It has a fuel capacity of 56 gallons and freshwater capacity of 60 gallons. You know that on this ship, you’ll be fully equipped to get where you’re going!

Explore exciting destinations, enjoy dockside restaurants, visit local islands, or just relax and entertain family and friends aboard!

Made from reinforced fiberglass plastic-FRP and designed into that lovely catamaran-style, this ship is absolutely perfect for your next, new catamaran purchase!

Price: $255,630.00

12. 38′ Lagoon 380

38 foot catamaran cost

This lovely Lagoon-style catamaran is filled to the brim with accessories and luxuries, you won’t know what to do with them all! With its great, white sails, its beautiful design and modern architecture, this catamaran is perfect for someone who knows exactly what they want!

With three cabins, two heads, a fully stocked galley and LED lighting interior, this ship is reliable, innovative, fast, easy to handle, and comfortable both at sea and at anchor!

You won’t be able to tear yourself away from its beauty, or its amenities! With a 53-gallon fuel tank and 79-gallon fresh water holding, you’ll never leave!

Price: $399,824.00

Extreme High-End Catamarans for Sale:

These are your ideal, luxury catamarans that are meant for long-term sailing and many passengers. If you’ve got the budget for it, you’ll never go wrong with investing in a catamaran for your style of ship.

Perfect for smooth coasting and long trips, these high-end catamarans will not disappoint!

13. 67′ Lagoon 67 2001

38 foot catamaran cost

Powered by twin 125hp Yanmar (2016) and equipped with two generators and diving compressor, you’ll never get stranded on this gorgeous ship! This extra ventilated catamaran is practically a mansion on the water! It opens itself up to endless possibilities of sailing, partying and family fun! You’ll never be bored on the Lagoon 67 Catamaran.

The double cabin, large dining saloon with dining table and all the amenities of home make this catamaran ideal for those going for extreme luxury!

It comes with a dishwasher, ice maker, coffee machine, drinks cooler, freezer, a 5-burner gas stove, Two Hisense 195 Biofresh fridges, and a washing machine!

There is no excuse to skip laundry day on this fantastic craft!

In addition, the Lagoon 67 also offers plenty of storage space, queen beds and huge fuel and water tanks to keep you on the water for weeks! It has a Westerbeke 12.0 BTDC 50Hz generator, two Vectren Energy Inverters, eight solar panels and several discharge pumps.

This Lagoon 67 Catamaran truly is one of the Highest-End catamarans out there!

Price: $1,088,075.33

14. 64′ Privilege Series 6 2016

38 foot catamaran cost

This absolute luxury of a catamaran yacht is perfect for long voyages on the ocean, accompanied by all the comforts imaginable. This fantastic ship offers four cabins, four heads, 528-gallon tanks for fuel and water and top of the line navigation technology. You’ll basically live on this gorgeous catamaran yacht and never want to leave!

The three guest cabins are very large, and each one has its own en-suite bathroom with a separate shower. The galley is outfitted with a gas cooker with four burners, an electric oven, a built-in microwave, and a stainless steel fridge and freezer.

There is a dishwasher and wine cooler, as well as a washing machine and dryer.

Furthermore, this amazing ship is outfitted with the finest accents of woodwork, microfiber curtains, and seats, as well as large walkways and plenty of space for plenty of guests!

It would be impossible not to have a great time on this luxury catamaran yacht. What are you waiting for?

Price: $2,319,786.00

Final Thoughts:

When you decide to buy a new boat, it’s important to remember what your experience level is, what your needs and wants are, and how you want to engage in the open water.

These amazing boats are both luxurious and practical, allowing for several types of sailing experience. From huge luxury yachts for long-term sailing and huge parties to small practical ships that are great for a quick trip down the coast, these ships are sure to keep everyone happy.

New Versus Used Ctamarains:

Like always, it’s good to take the pros and cons into consideration for both new and used boats.

One of the biggest cons of a new catamaran is that it is incredibly expensive. You may want that brand-new, never been used feel to your boat, but you may also find that nothing fits your budget. Instead, there are a lot of loved and well-cared-for used catamarans out there that will do the job credibly, and are usually refurbished or updated from their original model year.

Many of the boats on our list have updated motors, solar panels that power their generators and updated GPS or autopilot features.

Regardless of how old the boat is, most likely you’ll end up with something carefully remade to fit each captain’s needs and wants!

You also want to make sure that when purchasing a used boat, you carefully inspect it for any issues or flaws. Especially if you are buying a higher-priced used boat , you will possibly want to consider getting it inspected by a marine inspector.

These people are trained to look for any and all issues in the mechanics, hull, and overall integrity of a used boat.

A boat is a very big commitment and you will want to make sure that you are purchasing one that is worth the money spent.

You also want to make sure that you know any immediate problems that may need to be fixed before you make the purchase so you can decide if those repairs are in the budget.

Don’t forget to take your own needs into consideration, and purchase a boat that you believe will not only work well for you but also will be easily customized to your personality and style.

Always consider what you’re looking for in a boat, and what will make you happiest both for your lifestyle, and your budget!

With so many amazing boats to choose from, how can you go wrong?

38 foot catamaran cost

Because of their stability, catamarans are good vessels for combating seasickness as well as transportation. From racing to leisure, these ships are perfect for any boating lifestyle.

Here’s an in-depth guide we wrote on how to avoid being seasick and here’s exactly how catamarans stack up against other boat types when it comes to seasickness .

Mono-hull boats can be loud and rough but with a catamaran, you receive a smooth ride. You can stay on the water longer, and go farther. You’ll come back with more energy and fewer bruises. And, along with that comfort, you’ll have the confidence to head out in conditions that keep other boaters at the shore.

Catamarans also have multi-use, not just multihulls! They can be used to ferry people from place to place as well as vehicles and cargo! Finally, a catamaran can be perfect for getting from one island to another.

Catamarans are all-around great boats, and that’s why we know you’re dying to get one!

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SEAWIND 1160

The 1160 innovative design has gained worldwide acclaim for its clever layout, use of space and efficient short-handed sailing performance., performance through optimization, live, expore and discover with an 1160.

The Seawind 1160 Lite platform features timber laminates that reduce the boat weight by almost 1,000kg. The catamaran layout maximizes the space of this 38-footer and allows for open airflow from the fully-opening cockpit doors through the saloon, down into the cabins, and through the forward wet locker. With 360 degree views and plenty of natural light down below, you have a great view point from any angle on this catamaran design.

MORDERN CRUISING CATAMARAN ERGONOMICS

Live, explore and discover with an 1160.

The Seawind 1160 pioneered modern cruising catamaran ergonomics, including the transverse bed arrangement – one bed arranged fore-aft and the other arranged transverse, meaning you will always find a comfortable sleeping angle in the cabins. The broad saloon allows for a large double bed – so sleep under stars when anchored. While under way, have a comfortable nights sleep in the saloon, within easy reach of the captain on the helm. It’s these easy and natural ergonomics which meake the Seawind 1160 design the cruisers choice across the globe.

SLEEK INTERIOR DESIGN

The Seawind 1160 Lite has a sleek new interior design and fitout, with lightweight and stylish timber-effect laminate surfaces and a contemporary colour pallete. Upholstery is modern, angular, supportive and comfortable, with a range of premium interior fabrics to choose from.

LUXURIOUS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR DELUXE VERSION

The Seawind 1160 Deluxe has a sleek new interior design and fitout, with lightweight and stylish timber surfaces and a traditional yet modern contemporary colour pallete. Upholstery is modern, angular, supportive and comfortable, with a range of premium interior fabrics to choose from.

One of the most noticeable differences on board the Seawind 1160 catamaran is the new sleek interior design and fit out. The timber kit will be replaced with lightweight and stylish timber look laminate surfaces, with a new contemporary neutral colour palette as specified by Seawind’s interior stylist.

With well over 150 Seawind 1160 boats launched and sailing the world, the design has been well proven, from crossing the world’s largest oceans to chartering in the beautiful locations such as the Whitsundays, Thailand and Caribbean.

The Seawind 1160 platform enabels boat owners to choose between traditional Yanmar diesel sail drives or the significantly lighter 20hp Honda (or 25hp Yamaha) outboard engines with electric tilt, a simple push of a button tilts the engine up and out of the water so you have no prop and shaft dragging.

Full in-depth tour from Learning the Lines

"We're seriously considering the Seawind 1160 Lite for our next sailboat because of the long list of positives this catamaran has to offer. Here's just a few of the most important ones to us: Size - We don't want a huge catamaran. Seaworthiness - Plenty of Seawind catamarans have circumnavigated. Performance - The Seawind 1160 Lite is designed to sail well first and foremost. Livability - This catamaran has got a lot of accommodation and room for a 38' sailboat. All of that combined with the fact that we can set one up with electric outboards, daggerboards, and lifting rudders means we think that the Seawind 1160 Lite might be the best catamaran boat possible for our budget and lifestyle."

38 foot catamaran cost

SPECIFICATIONS

Overall length, 38' / 11.6 m, 21'4" / 6.5 m, 3'6" / 1.1 m, displacement, 14,300 lbs / 6,500 kgs, 2 x 20 hp petrol outboard, 71 us gallons / 269 litres, fresh water, 185 us gallons / 700 litres, 861 sq ft / 80 sq m, 15,400 lbs / 7,000 kgs, 2 x 29 hp diesel inboard, 95 us gallons / 360 litres, recommended options.

38 foot catamaran cost

ANCHOR BRIDLE

38 foot catamaran cost

One of the few shortcommings of a catamaran is its tendancy not to stay head to wind on anchor. As wind blows across the bows the boat will tend to twist from side to side around the anchor chain. This effect is combatted by the use of an anchor bridle.

38 foot catamaran cost

MARINE VINYL COCKPIT FLOORING

This foam backed waterproof marine flooring by Infinity Luxury Woven Vinyl will help keep your cockpit clean and tidy, It reduces pressure on your heels when barefoot onboard and looks super classy!

38 foot catamaran cost

SOLAR PANEL UPGRADE FROM 2X 125W TO 2X 210W RIGID AND 2X 320W FLUSH PANELS

In this configuration we installed 2x 320w flush panels on the hardtop and 2x 210w framed panels off the back of the targa arch giving a total of 1060W. The flush mount panels can contour to the shape of the roof and can therefore cover more surface area, their weakness however is reduced efficiency (our tests showed a 10% reduction compared to the framed panels of equivalent wattage).

38 foot catamaran cost

UPGRADE TP 12" ZEUS3 CHARTPLOTTER

The Zeus³-12 is a complete chartplotter navigation system for blue water cruisers and regatta racers. This high-performance multi-function display features a 12″ diagonal widescreen display, incorporating SolarMAX™ HD technology for brilliant daytime visibility and ultra-wide viewing angles.

38 foot catamaran cost

B&G FORWARD SCAN OPTION

Explore poorly-chartered or unfamiliar waters confidently, avoid upcoming dangers or obstructions and set custom shallow depth alarms with B&G’s forward-looking sensor. With an effective range eight times the actual depth, ForwardScan® helps you avoid groundings or damage to keels and rudders while pinpointing the ideal spot for anchoring.

38 foot catamaran cost

SATALITE PHONE/DATA WIFI ROUTER IRIDIUM GO

The Iridium GO! is a satellite wifi router/phone. Once installed in the boat the boat will have a wifi hotspot the same as any office/home and all devices (phones, computers, chartplotters, c-zone etc) can then easily be connected to the internet.

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The True Cost of Living on a Sailboat: Our Monthly Expenses

pin of of man standing on front of catamaran holding onto jib rigging looking out at horizon

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Catamaran at anchor on the water

How much does it cost to live on a boat? This was my biggest question when we were planning and saving to cruise. I was clueless when it came to creating a budget for our future life aboard. I was looking for someone to tell me exactly how much it would cost ME to live on a sailboat full-time.

I quickly learned some people cruise for less than $1,000 a month and some for upwards of $10,000 a month. Most are somewhere between.

Not so dissimilar from living on land, different people cruise on all sorts of budgets.

For us, our cost of living on a sailboat isn’t so far from our land-based spending.

Part of this journey was learning to live with less, but we still maintain some creature comforts on the water.

Here is a breakdown of our cost of living on a boat full-time while cruising the US east coast.

Cost to Live on a Sailboat

pie chart of cost of living on a sailboat

Average cost of $2,424 per month*

Sailboat Maintenance Expenses

Average cost $1,006.

Sunnyside captain working in bilge on the sump pump

Maintenance, Parts & Tools ($687)

It’s no surprise boat maintenance is top of the list.

You will continuously be fixing broken things or maintaining things on a sailboat. You will also need different tools, spare parts, cleaners, etc., as you cruise.

There will be months when you won’t need much in the way of tools and parts (especially if you already have a lot of tools and spare parts onboard). Then in one month, you might spend 40% of the annual budget.

We make a strong effort to do most boat projects ourselves.

Shortly after we began cruising, our wallets learned the hard truth of paying people to work on your boat.

Since then, we’ve been our own plumber, mechanic, seamstress, and electrician.

You’ll always be learning. But if you can maintain and fix your vessel, you’ll save boatloads of cash (pun intended, I couldn’t resist).

READ NEXT: Check out our 9 Helpful Things You Need in Your Sailboat Tool Kit .

Insurance ($233).

If you are a newbie cruiser, your boat insurance options will most likely be limited. Insurance was a considerable expense in our first year. In our second year, the cost dropped from 2.8% of the boat’s value to 1.3%. (We now have restricted cruising grounds for July – November.)

Do your research and consider using a broker. Get quotes based on where you’ll be cruising and staying in hurricane season.

Miscellaneous ($86)

The miscellaneous category is everything else boat-related. This includes any small purchases we make for the boat (ex. rug for the salon), our USCG documentation, Amazon Prime membership, etc.

We also have a Boat US membership , which more than pays for itself. We get dockage and fuel discounts often. And, of course, the towing service is priceless when you run aground with only one engine. (What, just me?)

For a modest fee, this membership is a no-brainer for boat owners.

Marinas vs. Anchoring

Average cost $339.

Sailboat at anchor with dinghy behind it at sunset

Marina Costs

If you’ve been researching the cost of living on a boat, you know it is more economical to anchor than to dock in a marina slip. We love anchoring out, but it does come with a set of variables that dictate comfort and safety while you’re on the hook. Not to mention, it requires a lot more planning.

Marinas can be expensive, especially in popular cruising areas. Dockage is usually charged per foot, so the bigger the boat, the higher the costs associated with docking fees. However, you can find liveaboard boat marinas with slip fees that are paid monthly.

Many cruisers prefer to dock at a liveaboard marina during hurricane season and save anchoring for cruising season. This allows you to keep your cost per night at marinas down, and your overall costs balance out throughout the year.

READ NEXT: Check out our post on Liveaboard Marinas: Finding the Best One for You .

Anchoring challenges.

Dreaming of our cruising days, I had the idea we would anchor out and rarely pay for marinas.

In reality, that’s not what worked for us out of the gate. Being beginner sailors and newbies to cruising and boats in general – there was an enormous learning curve.

Learning to live this lifestyle is not always easy. And yes, marinas make it easier. Especially when you REALLY need it to be easier.

Anchoring out requires the captain to always be “on”. You must be aware of the weather, wind direction, currents, and tides. You also have to be aware of the boats around you. None of this stops when you leave the boat or when you sleep.

The reality is you need to slowly become more comfortable living on the hook.

With experience, you can build more confidence.

You’ll become more comfortable with boat systems, weather, and making repairs while on the anchor. Conserving power and water becomes more natural, and you learn how to stay warm in the cold and cool off in hot weather. With some practice, you can spend less time (and money) at marinas.

For folks dreaming of this lifestyle, I’m not saying you won’t be able to start living on the anchor immediately. But the stress level accompanying living on the hook will lower with time and experience.

Average Cost $449

Provisions are consistently one of our most significant expenses on the boat.

Anticipating my new life on the water, I knew I wanted to learn more about cooking, baking, and making things from scratch. And since we planned to live on a smaller budget, I also wanted to be conscious of spending on food.

A game I often play with myself is to see how long we can go until the next big provisioning trip.

Buddha bowls with lettuce, carrots, peppers, chickpeas, tomatoes and hummus

You might be thinking – that sounds miserable. But we eat pretty darn well most of the time.

We ration veggies and fruits, ensuring we leave the hardiest for last. We start with fresh salads and other raw veggie meals, such as cilantro hummus bowls. As the freshest veggies thin out, we work our way to curries and stir-fries. Then, when the fridge grows empty, we move on to rice and bean dishes, pineapple and jalapeño pizza, and bean tacos with pickled onions and cabbage.

One skillset you develop living on a boat is the ability to eat more sustainably.

Learning to make bread, yogurt, and vegetable broth from scraps is super satisfying.

Spend time learning to make flexible meals. Use a balance of fresh, canned, and dried ingredients. Do this, and you can stretch your provisioning budget without sacrificing flavor.

You can also save money by minimizing disposables, such as paper towels, sandwich bags, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil.

READ NEXT: Check out our ideas for Flexible Meals on a Boat and our Best Zero Waste Swaps for Small Spaces .

Having sundowners is a bit of a staple in the boating community. It’s a common way to meet and greet other boaters in a marina or in an anchorage. Given that, we always like to have a few extra beers onboard or the ingredients for a simple cocktail.

We love good wine, but we managed to find some enjoyable boxed wines. (Bonus, lose the boxes at the dock, and there’s very little trash to contend with.)

Sunnyside crew on beach with beers

When we find a deal, we stock up on beer. Nothing hits the spot like a cold beer after the anchor drops. We even discovered a reasonably priced rum we enjoy. (No boat is complete without rum!)

Expenses here are based on personal taste. For us, it was possible to have more affordable beverages and still enjoy sundowner traditions!

Average Cost $233

Sunnyside crew member enjoying a seafood platter at a restaurant

As a couple who dined out regularly in our Colorado ski town, it was going to be tough to start cooking three meals a day living aboard.

I read a lot of advice that said, “if you like eating out, you probably won’t stop eating out because you move on a boat.”

There is truth to this. Whenever we are in a place where eating out is convenient, we tend to fall back into old habits.

However, when we dock in remote places or anchor away from shore access, there is less (or no) opportunity to eat out.

Instead, we experiment with different types of food to make meals onboard rewarding.

We still enjoy going out to experience the local cuisine, but it has become a treat instead of how we live.

A great way to cut costs is by dining out for a late lunch rather than dinner or skipping the alcohol. Opting for a refreshing drink on the trampoline while watching the sunset isn’t a bad way to close out a night.

Average Cost $103

Sunnyside boat captain driving the dinghy

Diesel, gas, and propane are three resources you will continuously be aware of while living on a boat.

Here are a few adjustments we make to maximize our fuel efficiency.

  • We use our sails. This isn’t easy as new sailors on a big boat. We have slowly become more confident, but it took us months of traveling on the water to start getting comfortable using the sails. We are still learning.
  • We don’t put ourselves in a position where we are in a hurry or have a schedule. This almost always leads to running the engines more.
  • We run on one engine. We can run one engine instead of two on our catamaran and only lose about 1 – 1.5 knots. On the ICW, we unfurl the jib to improve speed if the wind is right.
  • We always make sure to travel at an optimal time for the current. Some areas of the Intercoastal Waterway can have a current that’s pushing 2-3 knots. Choosing a departure time around the current makes a big difference in travel time and fuel efficiency. 
  • Heating water with the electric kettle if the engines are running or we are on shore power.
  • Using hot water from the engines (when we have it) to get water boiling.
  • When cooking pasta, we use a minimal amount of water. We’ll often turn the propane off and let the noodles finish cooking in the hot water.
  • Quality cookware makes a big difference. Once brought to a boil, some dishes can finish cooking with the lid on. This is helpful when coming into an anchorage. Often, I’ll kill the propane, and by the time we are anchored, dinner is ready.
  • If we plan to make a few trips to shore, we’ll anchor closer to the dinghy dock. This doesn’t always work out, but being conscious of it has helped us stretch our gas budget.
  • If it’s a short trip to the dock and we aren’t carrying supplies, we use the kayak. Paddling is free (and fun)!

Average Cost $140

Working on the computer on the boat

When we were saving for the cruising kitty, we found ways to cut our mobile bill by using data on our home and work WiFi. When we moved aboard, our phone plan became the primary internet source. We quickly realized we would need to rethink our data plan.

There are a lot of options for unlimited data in the US, as well as hotspot data. I recommend having at least unlimited mobile data for research and logistics involved when cruising. If you need to work from the boat, you may also want to invest in an additional mobile service as backup or satellite internet. Starlink is starting to become popular in the boating community.

Our Mobile Plan

While cruising the east coast, we use T-Mobile. With this carrier, we get unlimited data and 40GB of hotspot data each month (20GB per phone). This is on the pricier end, and we have been looking into other options, but we enjoy having the hotspot data. Even after the 40GB, we still have hotspot data at 2G. When we cruise the Bahamas, we are planning to use My Island WiFi service .

Entertainment

Average cost $23.

TV with streaming services loaded on the screen

This category is for consumable entertainment since most other entertainment on the water is free.

Music, movies, and books are popular forms of entertainment onboard. Even when we cut down on spending, we kept a few options that provided these services. Instead of ditching all the monthly streaming apps, we looked hard at our memberships and cut back or found free services to supplement.

  • Spotify membership for music (we can download or stream) $11
  • Movie library on an external hard drive created before we ditched our DVDs Free
  • Hulu (included with Spotify) Free
  • Disney Plus (prepaid for three years during a special offer) $4
  • Nexflix (included with T-Mobile plan) Free
  • Tubi (a free streaming app) Free

Spotify and Audible are great for downloading books and playlists for when you are out of service or on passage. You can also download movies and shows through many streaming apps for playback when you don’t have a signal or are running on a budgeted amount of mobile data. An external hard drive of your favorite movies is also a great source of video entertainment that will never let you down.

Personal Care & Clothing

Average cost $73.

Crew member applying tinted moisturizer

Hair & Skin Care

Go more natural with skin and hair care. Most boats won’t have spare power for hairdryers and straighteners. On top of that, the sun and humidity will destroy makeup.

Start now researching ways to simplify your personal care regimens. It will make the transition abroad much easier.

Tips for Hair & Skin Care

  • Get a tinted moisturizer with SPF for your face (I like Raw Elements ), a flexible eye shadow, and waterproof mascara. Opt for reusable makeup remover cloths to cut down on waste.
  • Work on a natural look for your hair, and see if you can find a style you can cut yourself. Shampoo and conditioner bars are a great way to save space and are typically made with clean ingredients that won’t harm sea life.
  • Opt for a simple personal care routine. The fewer products you use, the more space, time, and money you’ll save.
  • We love to use UPF clothing in combination with sunscreen. The more you can cover up, the less sunscreen you’ll need.

For us, this area is where expenses remain similar to land life. There are no unique expenses with health or dental care, although finding healthcare coverage for multiple states can be challenging.

For the lady sailors, I recommend researching ways to have a zero-waste period. A menstrual cup is something I wish I had transitioned to before cruising. It will make your life easier, plus save you money and storage space.

If you can minimize laundry and wash some stuff on board, you can limit the need to find a washing machine.

Tips for Laundry on a Boat

  • Wear clothes that are easy to wash and dry and can be worn several times between washes.
  • In the summer months, wear UPF synthetics and bathing suits that can be washed by hand. This will also extend their life.
  • In the winter months, wear merino wool and dress in layers to get the most wears out of your clothes before washing.
  • Save sheets, towels, and bulkier clothing for when you have access to a washing machine. We aim to do machine washing about once a month.

Having a solid system in place for handwashing clothes helps limit our laundry budget. We average $8 per month spent on machines.

We try to buy high-quality clothing that is durable for boat life. Once you’ve created a boat wardrobe that works, you’ll find there is little you will need.

In six months, the only clothing I have purchased is a UPF shawl, a sun hat (to replace one I lost overboard), and a tank top. I previously spent a lot of money on clothes. Now I enjoy dialing in a functional, minimalist wardrobe for living on a boat.

READ NEXT: For more on clothing for boat life, check out What to Wear Sailing and How to Downsize Your Wardrobe .

Average cost $58.

View from commercial airline

For us, our travel budget for many years has consisted of only credit card membership fees. These help us earn points that pay for our travel.

Booking a flight or rental car without worrying about how it affects the budget is a nice perk in this lifestyle. There are times you need a car to get a project done or to book a last-minute flight to visit family.

We also get an annual travel credit with the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. We use a lot of the credit toward Ubers and Lyfts – great for when grocery stores aren’t within walking distance or you need to make a larger provisioning run.

Getting Started With a Cruising Budget

Sunset on the Intracoastal Waterway

Here are some final thoughts when creating your future sailboat cruising budget.

  • The above expenses are based on actively cruising on our 38-foot catamaran. For us, extended time at the dock is just a redistribution of funds. Maintenance and fuel go down, and marina expenses go up.
  • Our maintenance costs are at about 4% of the hull value. Aside from the trampoline, we have not replaced any big-ticket items, so we expect this percentage may increase over the next couple of years.
  • If you hope to stretch your cruising kitty, give yourself time to overcome the learning curve. Learning to maintain, operate, cook, and just be on a boat will take time. As you get more experience, your spending habits will improve. Be patient and keep moving forward.
  • I highly recommend you continue researching and reading as much as possible about the cost of living on a sailboat. Get perspectives from different cruisers. This will help you create a cruising budget that will be unique to you.

Other Resources

  • Gone with the Wynns created a very detailed article and video that breakdowns their cost of living on a boat.
  • Sailing Kittiwake also has a great video on the cost of living on a sailboat on a budget .

*Costs not included in this overview are health insurance, taxes, business expenses, and gifts or donations. These expenses are particular to each individual’s situation and so are excluded from this article.

Want more tips on how to get started cruising on a boat?

For more information on the reality of boat life and tips for living on the water, view our complete guide.

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5 Big Costs of Living on a Sailboat

Morgan, the founder of The Home That Roams, has been living nomadically for over five years. She began her journey traveling across the U.S. in a motorhome and cruising on a liveaboard sailing catamaran. Currently, she lives full-time in a travel trailer, sharing resources on RV living and boat life to help others downsize their lives and thrive in an alternative lifestyle.

Excellent article. Thank you!

I started getting the urge to return to the sea not long after I got out of the Navy in 1974…. Started out on a 15′ Phantom…. Up to 21′ Keels, up to a 26′ Bristol and finally a 28′ Newport…. You learn alot of tricks of the trade at a working marina… Barter system, I used to go up the mast or anything Aloft in return for favors with anything that I had a problem with …. Had to give up the sailboat when I couldn’t sail it by myself anymore … Looking for a 35′-38′ trawler to live in the Tampa Bay area for the rest of my day…. From the Sea I came, back to sea I will return … Anchor’s Aweigh….

Hi George, it sounds like you have lived and breathed boats for a while! One of my favorite things about a good liveaboard marina is how everyone trades boat maintenance favors and helps each other out. I sure hope you find a good trawler to liveaboard in Tampa – sounds lovely!

Do you use a specific budgeting software or anything to track your transactions? Please share if so

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    Find Lagoon Catamaran boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Lagoon Catamaran boats to choose from. ... extending from 38 feet to 76 feet. Type of yachts by Lagoon. ... with costs up to $4,111,067 for the most advanced and biggest yachts. What Lagoon model is the best?

  18. How Much Does a Catamaran Cost? (By Type)

    We are going to tell you what the different types of catamarans cost and what helps to determine their prices. New catamaran's average price per foot: Catamarans get a lot more expensive from 50 feet and up: $2,835 per ft for under 30 feet. $9,767 per ft for 30 to 50 feet. $18,055 per ft for 50 to 75 feet. $41,737 per ft for 75 to 120 feet.

  19. Lagoon 380 boats for sale

    Catamaran upgraded at the end of 2022 and 2023, for long periods of full independance. Upgraded with a huge solar capacity for 2 digital nomads living on board... plans change so now she is on sale. 4 cabins in total. One of them can be configurated as office or cabin. TVA VAT not paid. Documentation & Financial transactions are conducted in ...

  20. How Much Do Catamaran Boats Cost? (14 Helpful Examples)

    This absolutely gorgeous catamaran is a Gemini Freestyle measuring in at 38 ft. It has two cabins, two heads, and a Yanmar 15 horsepower inboard diesel engine. It has a fuel capacity of 56 gallons and freshwater capacity of 60 gallons. You know that on this ship, you'll be fully equipped to get where you're going!

  21. Seawind 1160

    The Seawind 1160 Lite platform features timber laminates that reduce the boat weight by almost 1,000kg. The catamaran layout maximizes the space of this 38-footer and allows for open airflow from the fully-opening cockpit doors through the saloon, down into the cabins, and through the forward wet locker. With 360 degree views and plenty of ...

  22. The True Cost of Living on a Sailboat: Our Monthly Expenses

    The above expenses are based on actively cruising on our 38-foot catamaran. For us, extended time at the dock is just a redistribution of funds. Maintenance and fuel go down, and marina expenses go up. Our maintenance costs are at about 4% of the hull value.

  23. Leopard 38 boats for sale

    2010 Leopard 38. US$272,257. US $2,130/mo. Leopard Catamarans Brokerage | Moorea, French Polynesia. Request Info. <. 1. >. * Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price.