Two hulls are better than one, according to a growing contingency of yacht owners, designers and builders, who have seen a significant growth in interest in multihulls in the last few years. Stability, safety, and space are considered the three winning qualities of a large power cat, particularly for prolonged periods at sea. Multiple hulls not only tend to deliver a higher, wider beam but reduce motion in big seas. Speed and fuel efficiency are also key considerations, with most fuel-sipping catamarans outrunning monohulls of the same length. Plus, as any naval architect will tell you, a catamaran design reduces water resistance and improves aerodynamics. Other owners take advantage of the space that a twin-hulled layout affords, both inside and out.
As the appetite for multihulls increases, design has taken a significant leap forward. Few yachts turn heads like Tecnomar’s asymmetric 2023 build, This Is It, one of the wildest yachts launched last year. Silent Yachts recently announced that Venice-based studio Nuvolari Lenard will design its new generation of solar-powered cats.“The goal is to enhance not just the aesthetics but also the overall onboard experience,” says Silent Yachts CEO Fabrizio Larrera.
These days, just about every catamaran builder seems to share those goals. As a result, the multihull world is moving away from its boxy, utilitarian past and trending toward more sleeker, more luxurious yachts.
Here are seven of the coolest cats that launched, emerged from a refit or were new to charter, in 2024.
