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!
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
New Cruising Catamarans
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
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
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
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?
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.