20' catamaran

8 Best Catamarans That Are 30 Feet or Less

20' catamaran

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site.

Large-sized catamarans are appealing due to their ample spacing and comfort. Therefore, a cruising family or couple looking to buy a boat is more likely to go for one of these. But are there small cruising catamarans that provide the performance, comfort, and amenities found in larger boats?  

The best catamarans under 30 feet (9.14 m) include the TomCat 6.2, Cadillac 27and 30, Gemini 30, Endeavour 30, and Maine Cat. These time-tested cruising cats are easy to handle, premium built, and are great for daytime sailing, overnight trips, and some even suitable for long-range sea passages. 

In this article, you’ll find a list of the best cruising catamarans below 30 feet (9.14 m). Keep reading to discover which catamarans make this list, what they have to offer, their pros and cons, and how much they cost.

If you are unsure whether or not 30ft is too small for your needs, then I suggest you check out another article I wrote named Best Size Catamaran , it will discuss why length matters and how it affects safety.

Unlike most catamarans designed for racing purposes, the TomCat 6.2 is a medium-sized cat that’s well-suited to daytime cruising. It boasts high-quality construction, vacuum-bagged hulls, and a plywood-reinforced deck.

This 20 footer (6.09 m) comes with an 11-foot (3.35 m) beam and not only offers you safety and comfort but performance and versatility as well. 

This boat has a centrally placed outboard engine and two rudders that allow it to turn quickly and maneuver confidently into and out of marina slips. The 9.9 hp outboard propels it to speeds of around 8 knots (9.21 mph or 14.8 kph), though the boat has the potential to move faster if desired.

This simpler type of cat (just one engine as an example) also allows for cheaper and easier maintenance. Maintenance costs are something most people underestimate when getting a cat, if you want to get some real numbers from actual sailors then I suggest you read this article (How much does it cost to maintain a cat).

The boat sails with minimal heeling, comfortably accommodate 6-8 people, and you can sail it single-handed or take a crew. 

High and narrow hulls bearing arched bottoms allow for a low wetted surface. The hull design provides low resistance and a great deal of reserved buoyancy and also enables you to drive through closely spaced waves.

On most 20-footers (6.1 m), driving through waves generates a smooth but wet ride, but with the TomCat’s enclosed deck (link to parts names explained here ), you are safe and protected behind a windshield and the high bulwark.

The TomCat makes an excellent cruiser because it performs impressively well both under sail and power. It combines the performance of a modern sailing cat with the comfort, style, and convenience of a powerboat. It’s also trailerable since you can detach the hulls from the deck , winch up the deck on a trailer, and slide the hulls underneath.

But the best part is that it’s easy on the pocket, with the price ranging between $36,750 and $44,580 .

20' catamaran

Catalac 30 (9M)

The Catalac brand consists of strongly built vessels that sport thick hulls, glass windows, narrow beams, and vertical transoms . Catalac 30 was the first vessel in this popular British cruising line designed by Tom Lack in the late 60s. The boat’s appeal was attributed to its safety, ample spacing, well-built interior, and load-carrying abilities.

These characteristics are extremely important on a safe catamaran, overloading your cat makes it sit lower in the water, increases drag, reduces handling and speed, there is stuff you should know about this (so that you can make an educated buy). I have created an article where I try to explain the basics of a safe cat ( link here )

Sporting 5 berths, a massive galley, plus a cockpit with a sheltered steering position, the 30-foot (9.1 m) Catalac makes an excellent floating home for a cruising family. It sails exceptionally well, doesn’t heel ( heeling explained here ), and delivers a reasonable motor-sailer level of performance.

Furthermore, the hulls provide adequate headroom, allowing those on board to move around comfortably, and there’s enough space on the deck for sunbathing. 

20' catamaran

The Catalac’s structure features solid fiberglass, chined hulls, and a staggered sheerline that allows easy aft access. With a modest rig that’s easy to handle, the Catalac can deliver top speeds of up to 12-14 knots (13.81-16.11 mph / 22.22-25.9 kph) under sail.

Given that the boat’s design focuses more on comfort than speed, this is a spectacular performance.  

Catalac 9M requires a skilled hand when turning into the wind as it is prone to blowing sideways. This is because the boat lacks ballast (which helps in keeping momentum during a tack) but also centerboards ( explained here ).

Skills are always the most essential things to bring aboard and you can acquire them in many ways, my two favorite ways are through NauticEd courses (two free courses here ) or by reading books (my top 15 books here )

Back to the boat! This model came in two versions; the standard layout contained a 30-40hp outboard, while the second option had duo engines. The latter is easier to maneuver into a marina. 

20' catamaran

These cats retain their value pretty well. However, they might not be easy to come by since most owners find it challenging to get their hands on a larger boat with similar qualities and performance.

A Catalac 30 (9M) goes for between $33,000 and $55,000.

20' catamaran

Catalac 27 (8M)

The Catalac 27 8M is a pocket cruiser that boasts a strong reputation for high quality, durability, and strength. Besides, the boat’s design makes it somewhat suitable for bluewater sailing ( understand why the small size is an offshore problem).

Built like a battleship, the boat contains solid fiberglass hulls. Additionally, it comes with double engines, a large cockpit fitted with cushions all around, and features standing headroom in each hull.

20' catamaran

Like the Catalac 9M, this boat comes with two different layouts; a twin inboard diesel engine or an outboard engine. The twin-engine models can motor up to 1000 km (621 miles, read more on cat fuel consumption here ) without needing to refuel, while the 70 amps of charge plus water tanks (70 gallons / 265 liters) make these vessels remarkable coastal cruisers. 

Catalacs equipped with outboard engines sail faster since you can raise the engine during sailing and are also lighter. This helps to minimize drag . Catalac 8M sports a short but thick mast that helps make the boat stable. 

20' catamaran

Though small in size, this catamaran packs a lot of features in its small frame. It has a full-sized berth, a large galley that’s almost 8 feet (2.4 m) long, a quarter berth, head, and navigation station.

What’s more, the cockpit is as large as that of a 38 to 40-foot (11.5 to 12.1 m) cat.

Catalac 27 costs about $31,836.

20' catamaran

The Endeavour 30 

The Endeavour 30 catamaran is a boat characterized by stability, ample deck space, and a spacious interior. It boasts fast cruising speeds under both sail and power.

The boat has mini keels and rudders plus symmetrical hulls separated by a hydra-cell. The latter is a center section with a characteristic V-shape. 

The boat’s vacuum-bagged construction helps enhance strength and stiffness while reducing weight. Furthermore, the interior has a fiberglass mold, providing extra strength and rigidity. With sufficient breeze, this vessel can deliver reasonable off-the-wind and doable upwind speeds.

As such, you can expect to attain speeds of about ~10 knots (11.51 mph or 18.5 kph) on power reaches. Below is a video showing a panoramic tour of the Endeavour 30:

This vessel has the internal capacity of a 40-foot (12.1 m) monohull. And you can tell this from the unique layout merging the cabin and cockpit with wide doors to the numerous features packed into this 30-foot (9.14 m) vessel.

It has a spacious salon, an enormous galley, two queen berth staterooms with plenty of storage space, a head with separate showers, and a sizable U-shaped dinette. 

You can get this boat for under $50,000 .

20' catamaran

The Geminis by Tony Smith were the United States’s first production cruising cats. Today, these vessels remain the most appealing American-built cruising catamarans. Built between 1981 and 1990, the Gemini 30 does not have a contemporary design, but it works remarkably well for cruisers desiring generous living space in a small affordable sailboat.

At only 14 feet (4.2 m) across, Gemini cats are somewhat narrow. But this mean s they can easily fit into most of the regular marina berths.

Besides, the boats still contain enough interior space for a queen-size double berth and two smaller doubles housed in separate guest rooms.

There’s also a modest but serviceable saloon with duo settees and a collapsible table that can transform into an additional double berth.

20' catamaran

For the Gemini 30, this translates to a cruising cat with standing headroom that can comfortably accommodate 3 couples in private cabins or a family with small children. A good-sized galley, a spacious head with a shower, nav desk, and a large comfy cockpit make up the Gemini 30’s cruising palace.

Catamaran layout is highly personal and if you want to learn more about different characteristics then I suggest you read my article Designing the perfect catamaran layout ( Link )

While not that fast, the Gemini 30 will easily outsail the Endeavor 30 discussed above. Its daggerboards (which are explained in detail here ) can point well, and if you keep it light, it can do 7-8 knots (12.9-14.8 km/hr) under sail.

Besides, raising the daggerboards reduces the wetted surface area, and increases the speed downwind.

20' catamaran

The Gemini 30 tends to pound and hobbyhorse a little when sailing in choppy waters – particularly when overloaded (more on load carrying capabilities in this article ), but the deep pivoting daggerboards provide stability and lift underwater.

Furthermore, the Gemini’s retractable rudders enable it to venture into shallow waters.

This is a very popular cruising cat that’ll give you a lot of bang for your bucks.

You can find a Gemini for less than $65,000.

20' catamaran

Maine Cat 30 

The Maine Cat 30 combines premium quality construction materials with the most advanced building techniques to create a lightweight vessel capable of handling most offshore conditions. What’s more, this boat can remain trouble-free for years on end with little effort.

If you are in the market for a simple liveaboard cruiser that you can use for a short weekend getaway or a cruising voyage, this is it.

The boat has a sizable primary stateroom berth with ample overhead space and a dresser fitted with a hanging storage cabinet. The enormous head includes a toilet, sink, 20-gallon (75.71 L) holding tank, vanity, and a pressurized shower.

Covering the open bridgedeck is a permanent hardtop. This spacious bridgedeck can hold quite a crowd and comes with a convertible dinette that turns into an extra berth. If need be, you can even enclose the entire space using acrylic windows or screens. Gabo

20' catamaran

The 360-degree visibility from the cockpit allows the captain plus the crew a panoramic view, and all sail controls go back to the cockpit, which is very useful if wanting to sail single-handedly.

I believe that most boats should be set up in this way since sooner or later you might be in a situation where there is only one person to handle the controls, such as in an emergency. But more on that in another article ( Link ).

The Maine Cat 30 is a classic boat that delivers on high-performance multihull sailing. Designed to offer much better performance than catamarans bearing tall and heavy bridge decks, this cat weighs less and suffers less windage thanks to the acrylic windows.

The boat’s interior layout allows for easy cleaning as surfaces sport a smooth gel coat and satin-finished cherry trim. The solid but lightweight furniture bears the same Core-Cell foam core employed on the hull, deck, and hardtop. Plus, there’s ample storage for all your sailing equipment, cleaning supplies, and provisions.

A Maine Cat 30 can cost up to $110,000.

Heavenly Twins 27

The overall design of this well-equipped catamaran makes it a superb pocket cruiser.

Heavenly Twins 27 manages to fit not one but two coachroofs on hulls that are only 27 feet (8.20 m) long. Canoe sterns and a central cockpit separating the duo coachroofs form the boat’s other prominent features. 

Famous for their excellent build quality, medium-depth draft, and narrow beams, Heavenly Twins 27 appeals to a wide range of boating enthusiasts.

These include solo sailors, weekend sailors, cruising families, circumnavigators, beginner sailors, and experienced liveaboards such as this famous Youtube channel “Kittiwake”.

The vessels house double cabins in the hulls while the forward starboard contains the heads and, to port, the galley. You can easily access the bar from the well-protected cockpit while the Comfordesk accommodation converts into a double dock. 

A stoop through allows access from below-deck to the aft compartment without going through the cockpit. There’s ample storage space throughout the boat, plus you can section off the large stateroom into smaller double compartments if desired.

The price range for this boat is $ 20,098 to $24,193. (I believe that kittiwake is for sale too)

20' catamaran

The last cruising catamaran on my list is the Aquilon 26 . This French-built cruising vessel is light in weight and trailerable, which means you can disassemble it in a few hours or transport it as-is.

Designing a boat that is possible to disassemble usually means that it is structurally less strong, which by no means is a problem during coastal sailing but the Aquilon 26 is mostly attractive to sailors who prefer inland lake sailing. It’s also suitable for beginner sailors.

Although there are no real “beginner cats” there are specs to consider if you are a beginner with catamarans, most of them I have listed in another article ( here ). Gabo

This 26-footer (7.92 m) has the potential for good speed though its layout is anything but conventional- which forms part of its appeal.

The cockpit works as the saloon, and a full bimini protects the crew from lousy weather. The starboard hull contains a dinette and galley, and the port has a double berth stateroom. The windows are quite unusual, but they provide lots of light, remarkably enhancing interior visibility.

Aquilon 26 can deliver an average cruising speed of 10knots (11.51 mph or 18.5 kph).

On a beam reach, you can expect around 25 knots (28.77 mph or 46.3 kph) with an adequate breeze ( I have never sailed at 25knots but researching this boat supposedly it is possible).

You can get this boat for under $50,000.

What Makes Small Cruising Cats Attractive?

Small cruising cats are ideal for sailing along the coast. But that’s not all. Under capable hands, properly fitted smaller cats can also deliver spectacular offshore passages similar to their larger counterpart (Heres a list of full-sized bluewater cats).

They can operate over long cruise ranges, cross oceans , and circumnavigate the globe . Smaller cats are also suitable for day sailing, overnight trips, and coastal or inland voyages. 

For most sailors, comfort on board is crucial, so they’ll look for a vessel that guarantees a comfortable cruising experience. The good thing is that smaller vessels provide almost the same qualities and amenities that bigger vessels offer. Plus, you can do quite a bit with the available space, especially if it’s well laid out.  

You’ll find that most 30-footer (9.14 m) or more miniature cruising cats comprise a galley, head, bunks, navigation and entertainment electronics, and refrigeration.

Sailors usually talk about these benefits of smaller cats:

  • They’re less expensive. Large boats are costly to buy. They also cost more to hire, maintain, and dock. You can buy a small-sized boat at a much lower price, and parts tend to cost less too. Besides, you get to use smaller sails, winches, and lighter lines than those applicable on a larger boat. And since marine services such as moorings and haul-outs get billed via boat length, a smaller cat makes sailing more affordable.
  • They boast superior builds. Most cruising boats under 30 feet (9.14 m) feature designs that are 30+ years old. In those days, weather forecasts were hard to come by and not as accurate, so boat builders used hulls with thicker fiberglass than the type found in today’s builds. Furthermore, everything in the boat, including rigs, rudders, hulls, keels and decks, was designed to withstand strong winds and high waves. 
  • They have simpler systems. This means less time spent fixing and maintaining your boat. For instance, most small cruising cats often lack water-makers, hot water systems, or electric anchor windlasses. 
  • They’re easier to handle. Smaller cats are simpler to sail than larger cats. It’s also easier to sail one single-handed or with a small crew.

What is the largest cat on person can sail?

The Disadvantages of Smaller Cruising Cats

Below are some of the most discussed downsides of small cats:

  • They have limited living space, storage, and amenities.
  • Though they don’t heel much, they are less comfortable than larger boats since they get tossed around much more easily in big ocean swells.
  • It’s not easy to accommodate crew for extended periods; hence there are fewer hands to share work.
  • They are slower and take longer to get to their destination.

Though fewer are on the cruising trails than their larger counterparts, small catamarans make ideal cruisers because they are simple, seaworthy, and pocket-friendly.

When choosing the best cat for your needs, focus on quality rather than size. A well-planned 30-footer (9.14 m) is reliable and provides ample space for your accommodation, dining, and relaxation, plus a storage room for provisions and any spare parts you might need. 

And if you want even more info than I have presented to you in this article I would recommend a book from Serj, he makes it easy to understand why size matters and how to find a cat suited for your needs (amazon link )

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

Must-Have Boat Gear for Catamaran Sailors!

Sailing is probably the most gear-intensive activity I've ever done; there are so many decisions to be made about what gear to buy now, for tomorrow, and what to definitely never buy. The gear on...

6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing

Having a boat costs a lot of money, even when you are not using it, marina fees, etc. And once it is in the water most sailors never go very far from their "home marina" and sailing will be somewhat...

20' catamaran

20' catamaran

ArrowCat Power Catamarans Unmatched Craftsmanship Meets Unyielding Spirit

Experience the thrill of the open water with unparalleled comfort and tailored craftsmanship. Whether you are cruising the coastlines or anchored in serene bays, your ArrowCat power catamaran is your gateway to a life of adventure and tranquility.

Introducing Our Newest Addition, The 20' Power Cat Center Console Model

We intentionally designed this model to be simple and plain – simple to take the boat out, simple to use and to maintain, plain by allowing you the flexibility to customize it according to your preferences.

ArrowCat 20cc

This 20-foot center console is built with strength and purpose, designed for ease and simplicity. Effortlessly take it out on the water, and enjoy straightforward maintenance and operation. Its clean, adaptable design allows for extensive customization, whether on your own or through a dealer.

Fully Planing Hull Design LOA: 19′ 4″ / 5.89 meters Beam: 8′ 4″ / 2.54 meters Draft: 10″ / 0.254 meters

20' catamaran

Explore Our 32' and 42' Signature Cabin Models

Perfect for inshore and offshore cruising, long distance and overnight trips, cold off seasons and hot boating seasons, and much more. The ArrowCat 32-foot and 42-foot models provide an exciting and versatile experience on the water. Explore to see which one could best suit your boating lifestyle.

arrowcat boat on water

ArrowCat 320

Merging express cruiser elegance with catamaran stability, the ArrowCat 320 Coupe features a planing hull design for smooth, swift rides. Powered by twin outboard motors, it promises dynamic performance and exhilarating adventures on every voyage.

Standard Layout: 2 Cabins/ 1 Wet Head Optional Tower Option LOA: 31′ 2″ / 9.5 meters Beam: 10’ / 3.05 meters Draft: 20″ / 0.508 meters

ArrowCat 420 Coupe

The ArrowCat 420 Coupe combines the luxury of an express cruiser yacht with the stability of a catamaran hull. Designed with a planing hull for agile, efficient navigation and powered by twin outboard motors, it delivers unmatched performance for your ocean adventures.

Standard Layout: 2 Cabins/ 1 Full Head LOA: 41′ 9″ / 12.73 meters Beam: 14′ 9″ / 4.50 meters Draft: 18″ / 0.46 meters

42 ft flybridge cruising catamaran

ArrowCat 420 Flybridge

 This luxury express cruiser yacht boasts a catamaran hull for superior stability and a planing hull design that ensures efficient, agile handling. Powered by twin outboard motors, it offers robust performance. The addition of a flybridge enhances your view and enjoyment, making every journey unforgettable.

Standard Layout: 2 Cabins/ 1 Full Head LOA: 41′ 9″ / 12.73 meters Beam: 14′ 9″ / 4.50 meters Draft: 20″ / 0.51 meters

Our Unique Design

Enjoy your boat year-round and stay warm and dry during cooler weather or overnight trips, while also having a comfortable and private space to retreat for whenever you need a break. Here are a few reasons why an ArrowCat power cat is an excellent boat to consider.

Catamarans have two hulls, which provide more stability in the water. They are less likely to roll or pitch, which means they offer a more comfortable ride, especially in rough conditions and for people who are prone to seasickness.

Power catamarans are typically more fuel-efficient than monohull boats of the same size. It requires less energy and yields more performance per HP. The two hulls create little to no drag or resistance to get on plane, resulting in greater fuel economy. Allowing for longer journeys with fewer refueling stops. 

Power catamarans have a shallow draft which means they can navigate diverse cruising grounds – beaches, islands, rivers, channels, and coastal areas with limited water depth. 

Express Cruiser

Cabin boats are designed with comfortable sleeping quarters and living spaces. They feature a sleeping space with a bed, a galley with a stove, sink, and refrigerator, and a head with a shower and toilet.

Cabin boats provide protection from the elements, such as wind, sun, and rain. This allows for comfortable cruising in a variety of weather conditions, as well as providing a haven during storms

Express cruisers are designed for efficient and fast navigation, offering higher speeds compared to traditional cruising boats. They usually have powerful engines that enable them to cover long distances quickly, making them ideal for day trips or weekend getaways.

Powered By Outboard Motors

Outboard motors can provide excellent performance and speed. They can often reach higher speeds than inboard motors of the same horsepower.

Outboard motors have a simple and standard design and are relatively easy to install, they do not require additional components such as a transmission, propeller shaft, couplings, and struts, that inboard engines do. They are easily assessable and cost less to maintain than inboard motors because they are mounted outside at the rear of the boat.

Outboard motors are often designed with features that make them easy to maneuver. For example, they can be tilted or rotated to provide precise control and handling in tight spaces and shallower waters.

About ArrowCat

Crafting Versatility and Adventure on the Water Since 2008

At ArrowCat, we believe in creating boats that are ready for anything. Our American-owned company builds versatile, multi-functional catamarans designed not just for a specific activity, but for a lifestyle that demands freedom and reliability. Whether you’re cruising, fishing, or exploring, our boats deliver superior performance in all conditions.

Trusted by seasoned mariners across coastal and saltwater environments, ArrowCat power catamarans embody the spirit of adventure and the promise of quality.

Learn More About Us

Experience A Smooth, Fast, And Stable Ride

Discover the unparalleled stability and speed of an ArrowCat power catamaran. Connect with our experts to schedule your sea trial today and experience the thrill firsthand.

Privacy Policy



Boston Whaler Catamaran Sailboat Supercat 20 Tall Rig



The URL for this page is

Supercat 20 Tall Rig Added 30-Jan-2021




20' catamaran

© 2001-2024 ./)   . . ./)   . .

20' catamaran

  • Nacra F20 Carbon

Nacra F20C Logo H

The ultimate sailing experience

The pinnacle of technical sailing. Unmatched speed on the water. Controlled freestyle fun.

Taking the best from the sailing world, the Nacra F20 Carbon is born out of the capabilities of the hydrofoiling AC50 America’s Cup yachts, designed by Morelli & Melvin, and all the best features and functions of the F18 Infusion.  

This incredible boat is suited for a double crew and is designed for both technical course and inshore/coastal racing. Available with a  Foiling Package , the F20 Carbon is transformed into a true speed demon. You have to see for yourself what it’s capable of.

Usage Technical racing Competitive racing Foiling

Crew 2  Sailors

20' catamaran

THE NACRA FAMILY FLAGSHIP

The largest, fastest, most technical and arguably most exciting catamaran in the Nacra family, the Nacra F20 Carbon is hailed as the company’s flagship. Because the construction method’s significant use of strong carbon, it’s lighter than the smaller F18 Infusion despite being larger. Every technical detail is optimized for super fast sailing, both with the standard daggerboards, as well as full hydrofoiling with the Foiling Package.  Made for the

more heavier crews, this boat can take a punch or two. With the choice of multiple light and ultra-strong sailcloth options, the sails will power the F20 Carbon through anything Mother Nature throws at it. And even in low wind conditions you can still get it to foil quite easily. The Nacra F20 Carbon is a recognized World Sailing international competition Class.

F20C-2

Very stiff and very powerful, the Nacra F20 Carbon features carbon fibre epoxy hulls, a fractional sloop rig with a rotating carbon mast, vertical transom, transom-hung rudders controlled by a tiller and come standard with retractable daggerboards, with the option of full carbon fiber L-shaped hydrofoil daggerboards and T-shaped kick-up rudders, unique to the F20 . All in all, this is a beautiful boat capable of blistering speed and a truly thrilling ride in a wide range of conditions.

20' catamaran

NEW MATERIALS Unimaginable power – you just need a breeze.  The sail plan for the Nacra F20 Carbon consist of a variety in high aspect carbon infused mainsail and jib configurations – from material to cut to use. A flying crosscut carbon aramid Decksweeper set or a super light Endumax® Foiling set, the choice is yours. Regardless, all our sails are ultimately optimized for incredible speeds and the power needed to fly.

Stronger than steel, its unique physical and chemical structure give Endumax® incredible performance, a very high resistance against tearing and other damages, and against UV-rays. Your Endumax® sails will take your F20 Carbon to the next level, no matter the circumstances.

20' catamaran

  • Nacra Users & Owners Manual
  • Nacra F20 Carbon FCS Owners Manual
  • Assembly Manual Nacra 15 / F16 / 17 / F18 / F20
  • Nacra F20 Carbon test – Yachts&Yachting Mag

Customize away

You can customize your Nacra F20 Carbon with multiple upgrades and additions to make your catamaran truly yours.

Ready to start flying?

ON SELECTED MODELS

All models outfitted with an Foiling Package ( FCS or   Flight Control System for short ) are ready for full foiling – during your sail, specialized hydrodynamic daggerboards combined with upwards pressure make you get a controlled ‘flight’, meaning your whole boat will be above the water, rather than in it. Make alterations on the water during your flight to find the groove you are looking for and fly over water to leave others behind.

These so-called  Foil sets are designed to fly in a wide range of weather conditions, to make competitive catamaran sailing accessible to even more sailors, and are built to meet the highest safety standards. A real treat for the more, or a little less, experienced sailors.

Using the best possible manufacturing techniques available, we’ve obtained maximum strength with minimum weight using autoclave technology, curing the pre-impregnated carbon/epoxy at 120 degrees Celsius at an atmospheric pressure of 6 bar. It will put you miles ahead of any fleet in terms of performance and joy.

See all Nacra models

Shop all your spare parts and accessories directly from our online store.

20' catamaran

Shopping for your business?

Do you order for a sailing school or club, a resort, or do you want to become a Nacra Certified Dealer? Contact Nacra Sailing to apply.

© Nacra Sailing INT. 2024

  • 2024 BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
  • SWS ADVENTURES
  • Email Newsletters
  • Fishing Boat Reviews
  • Fly Fishing
  • Marine Electronics
  • Fishing Tackle
  • Fishing Destinations
  • The Bahamas Fishing Guide
  • Boating Safety

Salt Water Sportsman

2023 Boat Buyers Guide: Catamarans

  • By Karl Anderson
  • December 27, 2022

Catamaran spinning circles

The popularity of the multihull (aka catamaran or cat) fishing boats has never been greater, as more and more boatbuilders enter this growing segment of the market. The inherent stability of the catamaran design rolls less with the seas, making fishing offshore less tiresome and more comfortable. Available from 20 to 48 feet, catamarans typically offer a large fishing platform with generous storage and fishing amenities. They are available in a wide variety of deck layouts, including center-consoles, dual-consoles, and even pilothouse and express variants.

Catamaran foredeck

Big Picture

The large deck area of a catamaran enables many large underdeck storage lockers and insulated fish boxes in the sponsons. This gives anglers ample room for gear and the day’s catch. The catamaran’s stability, fishability, and smooth ride in rough seas make it attractive to anglers as well as day-cruisers. A center-console version adds 360 degrees of angler access to the rail. With the dual-console design, generous seating behind a beam-to-beam windshield makes for a great family fishing-friendly setup.

Live bait is one of the most popular types of fishing in virtually every coastal zone. To do it successfully requires optimal water capacity and proper flow. The minimum size of the outflow water plumbing should be twice the size of the inflow. The plumbing should have a drain at the bottom to shed scales at the end of the day, as well as a drain at the top of the well to adjust capacity and allow overflow. Above-deck transom-mounted wells should fully flood to the lids when running to keep baits from getting beat up. 

Tip: A sump box with multiple pumps in case a pump fails is the best setup for first-rate livewells. Conveniently located inflow and outflow valves make it easy to optimize the flow without tiring your bait from swimming too much in the well. 

Catamaran helm

Rod Storage

Having enough rod holders is essential to be successful for opportunity fishing. Look for vertical rod storage along the console and across the back of the T-top. Many models also have rod holders along the outboard transom wall. Having plenty of gunwale rod holders for drift- and kite-fishing is helpful. 

Tip: Placing adjustable swivel rod holders by Gemlux makes deep-dropping, lure-fishing and drifting even easier because they allow your rods to face the direction the baits are fishing, yet they can be swiveled back to keep rods from sticking out of the boat while running and docking. 

Manufacturers often offer multiple choices for horsepower, but whatever the choice, the engines must come in pairs. For example, you might order twin outboards (one for each sponson) or four outboards (two for each sponson), but single- or triple-outboard configurations are not common on a cat. Optimal selection should be made based on user load, weight of the boat, ride comfort , performance desires, and best case for resale. It’s a rare day when you can run wide open, but having more horsepower gives better torque at slower speeds and thus better control. Running larger engines slower gives better fuel efficiency too.

Tip: When possible, choose the highest horsepower offered because it typically leads to a better resale value with a shorter sales cycle. 

Power steering from engine manufacturer Optimus or SeaStar is essential with the higher horsepower required for larger boats, and it makes installing and operating the upper station in a tower far more practical and comfortable.

With the power demands of electronics, livewell pumps, stereo amps and more, it is wise to have at least two house batteries, and for larger boats, a third or fourth with a multibank charger for dockside. Each engine should have its own dedicated battery as well. 

Electronics

Typically choosing the largest screen or multiple screens that will fit on the console is best-case scenario for ease of use, ergonomics, and visibility. VHF radios, stereo controller, and equipment switches for lighting, pumps, and accessories should all be integrated with greatest visibility and ease of operator reach. 

Catamaran illustration

A Tale of Two Hulls 

A catamaran rides on pair of hulls, or sponsons, each thinner and sharper than  that of a similarly sized monohull boat. The narrow sponsons of the cat tend to slice easily through water to deliver a smooth ride, even in rough seas. At the same time, with the sponsons positioned out to the sides of the boat, cats tend to roll less, thus providing great stability to enhance crew comfort, security and safety. However, cats tend to corner more flatly than a monohull, and some hulls (but not all) tend to lean outward versus inward during a turn.

Catamaran running

Experts Say

Newer designs such as Invincible’s Morelli and Melvin-designed semi-asymmetrical sponsons eliminate some of the negatives of the cat design, such as “sneezing,” where water sprays out the front of the boat when hitting a wave. They’ve also controlled the uncomfortable “outboard lean” ­sensation common in older designs when in a turn. Once transitioned to a ­catamaran, many become true believers and preach the benefits of the design.

Editor Says: Saltwater fishing cats not only offer superb stability and smooth ride, but some also display exceptional speed and range. I recall one trip out of Key West, Florida, aboard an Invincible 40 Cat with four 350 hp outboards to the Dry Tortugas. It was a 60-mile run, and we made it there in 70 minutes. We caught more fish than our arms could bear, and then dashed back to Key West, arriving in time for cocktail hour on the same day. -Jim Hendricks, Staff Editor, Boating and Fishing Group

  • More: 2023 Boat Buyers Guide: More Resources , Boats

using dredges for fishing

Best Dredge Fishing Tips for Center Consoles

EdgeWater 208CC Watchman at the jetty

EdgeWater 208CC Watchman

Seakeeper on a boat

Seven Creature Comforts That Help Catch Fish

Grady-White Canyon 386 out on the ocean

Grady-White Canyon 386

Boater using a buffer

Seven No-Nos of Boat Cleaning

using dredges for fishing

How to Prepare for Long-Range Fishing Expeditions

California lingcod

A Bass Angler Takes On Salt Water

Salt Water Sportsman

  • Digital Edition
  • Customer Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cruising World
  • Sailing World
  • Salt Water Sportsman
  • Sport Fishing
  • Wakeboarding
Standard ● Optional ○
DesignNacra / Morelli&Melvin
Hull6.2m (20'3")Full carbon foam sandwich FRP epoxy resin
Beam3.2m (10'5")
Mast length10.51m (34'5")Full carbon prepreg epoxy
Boat weight182kg (401Lb)Ready to sail
Boat weight (FCS config)202kg (445Lb)Ready to sail
Trapeze system2 person
Mainsail21.07m² (227ft²)Endumax GP
Mainsail DS21.07m² (227ft²)Endumax GP
Jib4.99m² (54ft²)Endumax GP
Spinnaker27.66m² (297ft²)Nylon
Spinnaker (FCS config)27.66m² (297ft²)Polyester
Spinnaker retriever system
Mainsheet system1 to 10
Mainsail cunningham system1 to 16
Daggerboard bearing kit
Daggerboard setFull carbon FRP epoxy resin
Curved daggerboard setFull carbon FRP epoxy resin
RudderFull carbon FRP epoxy resin
Rudder systemKick-up aluminium / Cassette aluminium
Conversion C Foil kitFull carbon
FCS T rudder setFull carbon FRP epoxy resin
FCS L foil setFull carbon FRP epoxy resin

Please Support TheBeachcats.com

Users 37,675
Active Ads 498
Comments 1,144
Views 892,549
Items Sold 4,091
Value of items sold $14,917,758.00
» »


















Seller Details
Quantity Views Date Posted
Asking Price Shipping to USA (48 States)
"None" means shipping included or
see Description For Shipping Info.
Distance from you

Description: Super Cat 20 . 1980 Built by Boston Whaler. Nice shape, 12’ beam. Older boat but still one of the faster cats out there. In the day the super Cat 20 was the fastest on the market. Solid hulls, they were faired , reinforced and painted years back ( paint is now fading) square top main and Olympic class tornado jibs still crispy, 10 to 1 main sheet. Good sails and tramp. Telescoping trailer. Solid front cross arm. Modified dagger boards 6’ long . Points to weather great. Big fast fun Cat .
Brand: Super Cat 20
Model: 20
HIN#: 1234
City: Rochester
State: New York
Phone Number: 5853143724

Subscribe to the Magazine

2024 Kayak Fishing Fun - On Sale Now!

Gear up to catch fish on all kinds of waters aboard today's high-tech fishing kayaks. From simple "throw-and-go" paddle kayaks to advanced, electric-motor powered mini-battlewagons, there's a kayak for every angler and every budget.

Subscribe to the Magazine

Get The Magazine

Subscribe & Save.

Digital Now Included!

























Video That May Interest You

Get the newsletter join the list and never miss a thing., recommended articles.

Hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight Packed with Features

Hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight Packed with Features

Florida Sportsman

fish-without-boat-hero

10 Best Tips for How to Fish Without a Boat

Aaron Benzreihem

Hobie Mirage Lynx to the Next Level

Hobie Mirage Lynx to the Next Level

water splashes onto huk rogue wave waterproof fishing boots

Do You Actually Need Fishing Boots? How to Shop for the Best Waterproof Boots

Shelby Busenbark & Jack Scott

angler holds up large flounder caught off south jetty in Jacksonville Florida

10 Best Places in Jacksonville for Flounder Fishing

Dreambuild: Old Town ePDL Gets Rigged to the Hilt

Dreambuild: Old Town ePDL Gets Rigged to the Hilt

hooked bonefish in hand halfway submerged in beautiful clear water

Top 9 Types Of Fishing Hooks & How To Use Them

Brenton Roberts holding an overslot snook caught on Yo-Zuri Hydro Pencil in Bone

10 Best Snook Lures Right Now: Catch More Snook with These Artificial Baits

Brenton Roberts

adam fish with a 156 pound halibut on his kayak

Top 5 Biggest Fish Species Ever Caught on a Kayak

Doug Olander

orca whale rises to the surface of the water in florida

Incredibly Rare Encounter with Orca Whales Shocks Florida Keys Locals

Shelby Busenbark

diver measures lobster underwater in crystal blue water

What You Need to Know for Florida Keys Lobster Season: Rules, Regulations & Mini Season

Jeff Weakley & Shelby Busenbark

Recent Videos

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

How to Buy and Rig a River Fishing Kayak

We explore the design and features of the Bonafide RVR119 with Bonafide Head of Design Hans Nutz. This kayak is built to maneuver safely into untapped fishing waters on swift rivers. Includes footage of Bonafide pro-staffer Rus Snyders putting the RVR119 and other kayaks “through the paces” on a scenic Georgia river.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

Power or Paddle? Bonafide PWR129

Check out this rigged-to-the gills example of Bonafide's popular PWR129 kayak. Designer Hans Nutz and Kayak Fishing Fun Editor Jeff Weakley discuss the many power and accessory options available to modern kayak anglers. Learn why the PWR129 might be the ideal next boat for you.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

It's a Skiff, It's a Kayak: Bonafide SKF117

Trim out the new Bonafide SKF117 with the latest propulsion and tech features, or go minimalist. Either way, you'll benefit from stability, simplicity and portability. Learn about this unique kayak from Bonafide designer Hans Nutz, and see it in operation on the Florida flats.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

Discover simple, fisherman-friendly upgrades to Hobie's awesome, lightweight Mirage Lynx. It's a 47-pound, pedal-drive kayak anyone can enjoy, and with a few mods, it becomes a serious multi-species fishing machine. From deck mats to accessory mounts, hull protectors to powered anchors, Mike Carney takes the popular Lynx to the next level.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

Everything you need to know about the versatile, lightweight, go-anywhere inflatable kayak powered by Hobie's Mirage Drive GT pedal system. Veteran kayak fisherman Mike Carney demonstrates the iTrek 9 features and operation. Plus, he offers exclusive hints on customizing this unique craft, then takes us for a spin on a crisp autumn day.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

Extend Your Range in the Salt Marsh

Florida Sportsman Editor Jeff Weakley shares expert tips on setting up kayaks, tackle and safety equipment for inshore saltwater success. Special focus on the benefits of the new e-bike capabilities of the Old Town Sportsman BigWater 132 ePDL+

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

Florida's Capital Fishing

A stunning, cypress-fringed reservoir in Florida's capital city of Tallahassee is the setting for a fun day of bass fishing with friends. Plus, it's a great place to become acquainted with the ePDL drive introduced by the innovative Old Town Sportsman division.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 FULLY RIGGED Fishing Machine

This Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 was built to offer every single possible amenity that any dedicated bass angler would appreciate. Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen built this kayak to exact spec to catch bass on big reservoirs or small, nearly inaccessible lakes—and fish professional-level kayak tournaments. This video is the front-to-back walk-through about how everything was installed and why—hopefully to inspire you to build your dream kayak.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

Mounting Forward-Facing Sonar on A Kayak: Mounts, Scanning Applications and More!

Thomas Allen shares some insight to mounting and applying forward-facing sonar to kayak fishing. He talks about a couple of cool and innovative mounting devices that make scanning simple, cable management and fishing application. This video offers solutions and concepts to take a sweet fishing rig to the limits with modern technology. Forward-facing sonar certainly belongs on a cutting-edge fishing kayak.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

On The Water with Old Town: Bass Fishing at PRIVATE GEORGIA LAKE

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen spent the day fishing with the KFF crew and other friends at Southwind Plantation in Southwest Georgia—on a lake known for producing some real big bass. The lake is full of fish, and fun was had by the entire crew. In this video, Allen catches a few fish and shares some kayak fishing tips along the way that are worth considering the next time you intend to launch the kayak to go fishing.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

DECKED-OUT Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 Complete WALK-THROUGH

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen walks through his fully rigged-and-ready Old Town ePDL. This boat features Old Town's e-bike technology that offers the user pedal-assist and cruise control at five different speeds—calibrated for normal trolling applications. But that's not enough, Allen added a list of power and cool accessories to push this kayak to the limit. Here are all the details.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in building out Allen's Old Town ePDL. The duo spent a winter weekend together scheming up a plan to rig an already cutting-edge Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 by installing the kind of accessories a kayak bass tournament junky would truly appreciate.

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift    |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue. Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Other magazines.

Guns & Ammo

Guns & Ammo

Hunting

North American Whitetail

Bowhunting

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Hound

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

See All Special Interest Magazines

More You May Be Interested In

In-Fisherman

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year of Guns & Ammo & Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use

life-of-sailing-logo

10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet)

Best Small Sailboats Under 20 Feet | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 28, 2023

Compact, easy to trailer, simple to rig, easy to maintain and manage, and affordable, the best small boats all have one thing in common: they offer loads of fun while out there on the water.

So whether you're on a budget or just looking for something that can offer ultimate daytime rides without compromising on safety, aesthetic sensibilities, alternate propulsion, and speed, the best small sailboats under 20 feet should be the only way to go.

Let's be brutally honest here; not everyone needs a 30-foot sailboat to go sailing. They come with lots of features such as electronics, entertainment, refrigeration, bunks, a galley, and even a head. But do you really need all these features to go sailing? We don't think so.

All you need to go sailing is a hull, a mast, rudder, and, of course, a sail. And whether you refer to them as daysailers, trailerable sailboats , a weekender sailboat, or pocket cruisers, there's no better way to enjoy the thrills of coastal sailing than on small sailboats.

There are a wide range of small boats measuring less than 20 feet available in the market. These are hot products in the market given that they offer immense thrills out on the sea without the commitment required to cruise on a 30-footer. A small sailboat will not only give you the feel of every breeze but will also give you the chance to instantly sense every change in trim.

In this article, we'll highlight 10 best small sailboats under 20 feet . Most models in this list are time-tested, easy to rig, simple to sail, extremely fun, and perfect either for solo sailing or for sailing with friends and family. So if you've been looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats , you've come to the right place.

So without further ado, let's roll on.

Table of contents

{{boat-info="/boats/hunter-15"}}

The Marlow-Hunter 15 is not only easy to own since it's one of the most affordable small sailboats but also lots of fun to sail. This is a safe and versatile sailboat for everyone. Whether you're sailing with your family or as a greenhorn, you'll love the Hunter 15 thanks to its raised boom, high freeboard, and sturdy FRP construction.

With high sides, a comfortable wide beam, a contoured self-bailing cockpit, and fiberglass construction, the Hunter 15 is certainly designed with the novice sailor in mind. This is why you can do a lot with this boat without falling out, breaking it, or capsizing. Its contoured self-baiting cockpit will enable you to find a fast exit while its wide beam will keep it steady and stable no matter what jibes or weight shifts happen along the way.

This is a small sailboat that can hold up to four people. It's designed to give you a confident feeling and peace of mind even when sailing with kids. It's easy to trailer, easy to rig, and easy to launch. With a price tag of about $10k, the Hunter 15 is a fun, affordable, and versatile boat that is perfect for both seasoned sailors and novices. It's a low-maintenance sailboat that can be great for teaching kids a thing or two about sailing.

Catalina 16.5

{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-16-5"}}

Catalina Yachts are synonymous with bigger boats but they have some great and smaller boats too such as Catalina 16.5. This is one of the best small sailboats that are ideal for family outings given that it has a big and roomy cockpit, as well as a large storage locker. Designed with a hand-laminated fiberglass sloop, the Catalina 16.5 is versatile and is available in two designs: the centerboard model and the keel model.

The centerboard model is designed with a powerful sailplane that remains balanced as a result of the fiberglass centerboard, the stable hull form, and the rudder. It also comes with a tiller extension, adjustable hiking straps, and adjustable overhaul. It's important to note that these are standard equipment in the two models.

As far as the keel model is concerned, this is designed with a high aspect keel as the cast lead and is attached with stainless steel keel bolts, which makes this model perfect for mooring or docking whenever it's not in use. In essence, the centerboard model is perfect if you'll store it in a trailer while the keel model can remain at the dock.

All in all, the Catalina 16.5 is one of the best small sailboats that you can get your hands on for as low as $10,000. This is certainly a great example of exactly what a daysailer should be.

{{boat-info="/boats/hobie-16"}}

There's no list of small, trailerable, and fun sailboats that can be complete without the inclusion of the classic Hobie 16. This is a durable design that has been around and diligently graced various waters across the globe since its debut way back in 1969 in Southern California. In addition to being durable, the Hobie 16 is trailerable, great for speed, weighs only 320 pounds, great for four people, and more importantly, offers absolute fun.

With a remarkable figure of over 100,000 launched since its debut, it's easy to see that the Hobie 16 is highly popular. Part of this popularity comes from its asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam sandwiched hulls that include kick-up rudders. This is a great feature that allows it to sail up to the beach.

For about $12,000, the Hobie 16 will provide you with endless fun throughout the summer. It's equipped with a spinnaker, trailer, and douse kit. This is a high-speed sailboat that has a large trampoline to offer lots of space not just for your feet but also to hand off the double trapezes.

Montgomery 17

{{boat-info="/boats/montgomery-17"}}

Popularly known as the M-17, The Montgomery 17 was designed by Lyle C. Hess in conjunction with Jerry Montgomery in Ontario, California for Montgomery Boats. Designed either with keel or centerboard models, the M-17 is more stable than most boats of her size. This boat is small enough to be trailered but also capable of doing moderate offshore passages.

This small sailboat is designed with a masthead and toe rail that can fit most foresails. It also has enough space for two thanks to its cuddly cabin, which offers a sitting headroom, a portable toilet, a pair of bunks, a DC power, and optional shore, and a proper amount of storage. That's not all; you can easily raise the deck-stepped mast using a four-part tackle.

In terms of performance, the M-17 is one of the giant-killers out there. This is a small sailboat that will excel in the extremes and make its way past larger boats such as the Catalina 22. It glides along beautifully and is a dog in light air, though it won't sail against a 25-knot wind, which can be frustrating. Other than that, the Montgomery 17 is a great small sailboat that can be yours for about $14,000.

Norseboat 17.5

{{boat-info="/boats/norseboat-17-5"}}

As a versatile daysailer, Norseboat 17.5 follows a simple concept of seaworthiness and high-performance. This small sailboat perfectly combines both contemporary construction and traditional aesthetics. Imagine a sailboat that calls itself the "Swiss Army Knife of Boats!" Well, this is a boat that can sail and row equally well.

Whether you're stepping down from a larger cruiser or stepping up from a sea kayak, the unique Norseboat 17.5 is balanced, attractive, and salty. It has curvaceous wishbone gaff, it is saucy, and has a stubby bow-sprit that makes it attractive to the eyes. In addition to her beauty, the Norseboat 17.5 offers an energy-pinching challenge, is self-sufficient, and offers more than what you're used to.

This is a small, lightweight, low-maintenance sailboat that offers a ticket to both sailing and rowing adventures all at the same time. At about 400 pounds, it's very portable and highly convenient. Its mainsails may look small but you'll be surprised at how the boat is responsive to it. With a $12,500 price tag, this is a good small sailboat that offers you the versatility to either row or sail.

{{boat-info="/boats/sage-marine-sage-17"}}

If you've been looking for a pocket cruiser that inspires confidence, especially in shoal water, look no further than the Sage 17. Designed by Jerry Montgomery in 2009, the Sage 17 is stable and should heel to 10 degrees while stiffening up. And because you want to feel secure while sailing, stability is an integral feature of the Sage 17.

This is a sailboat that will remain solid and stable no matter which part of the boat you stand on. Its cabin roof and the balsa-cored carbon-fiber deck are so strong that the mast doesn't require any form of compression post. The self-draining cockpit is long enough and capable of sleeping at 6 feet 6 inches.

The Sage 17 may be expensive at $25k but is a true sea warrior that's worth look at. This is a boat that will not only serve you right but will also turn heads at the marina.    

{{boat-info="/boats/laserperformance-laser-sb3"}}

Having been chosen as the overall boat of the year for 2008 by the Sailing World Magazine, the Laser SB3 is one of the coolest boats you'll ever encounter. When sailing upwind, this boat will lock into the groove while its absolute simplicity is legendary. In terms of downwind sailing, having this boat will be a dream come true while it remains incredibly stable even at extraordinary speed.

Since its debut in 2004, the Laser SB3 has surged in terms of popularity thanks to the fact that it's designed to put all the controls at your fingertips. In addition to a lightweight mast, its T- bulb keel can be hauled and launched painlessly. For about $18,000, the Laser SB3 ushers you into the world of sports sailing and what it feels to own and use a sports boat.

{{boat-info="/boats/fareast-18"}}

As a manufacturer, Fareast is a Chinese boat manufacturer that has been around for less than two decades. But even with that, the Fareast 18 remains a very capable cruiser-racer that will take your sailing to the next level. In addition to its good looks, this boat comes with a retractable keel with ballast bulb, a powerful rig, and an enclosed cabin.

Its narrow design with a closed stern may be rare in sailboats of this size, but that's not a problem for the Fareast 18. This design not only emphasizes speed but also makes it a lot easier to maintain this boat. Perfect for about 6 people, this boat punches above its weight. It's, however, designed to be rigged and launched by one person.

This is a relatively affordable boat. It's agile, safe, well-thought-out, well built, and very sporty.

{{boat-info="/boats/chuck-paine-paine-14"}}

If you're in the market looking for a small sailboat that offers contemporary performance with classic beauty, the Paine 14 should be your ideal option. Named after its famous designer, Chuck Paine, this boat is intentionally designed after the classic Herreshoff 12.5 both in terms of dimensions and features.

This is a lightweight design that brings forth modern fin keel and spade rudder, which makes it agile, stable, and faster. The Paine 14 is built using cold-molded wood or west epoxy. It has varnished gunnels and transoms to give it an old-time charm. To make it somehow modern, this boat is designed with a carbon mast and a modern way to attach sails so that it's ready to sail in minutes.

You can rest easy knowing that the Paine 14 will not only serve you well but will turn heads while out there.

{{boat-info="/boats/wd-schock-lido-14"}}

Many sailors will attest that their first sailing outing was in a Lido 14. This is a classic sailboat that has been around for over four decades and still proves to be a perfect match to modern small boats, especially for those still learning the ropes of sailing.

With seating for six people, the Lido 14 can be perfect for solo sailing , single-handed sailing, or if you're planning for shorthanded sailing. While new Lido 14 boats are no longer available, go for a functional used Lido 14 and you'll never regret this decision. It will serve you well and your kids will probably fall in love with sailing if Lido 14 becomes their main vessel during weekends or long summer holidays.

Bottom Line

There you have it; these are some of the best small sailboats you can go for. While there are endless small sailboats in the market, the above-described sailboat will serve you right and make you enjoy the wind.

Choose the perfect sailboat, invest in it, and go out there and have some good fun!

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.

by this author

Best Sailboats

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean? | Life of Sailing

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings | Life of Sailing

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home | Life of Sailing

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

September 13, 2023

Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom | Life of Sailing

Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom

Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K | Life of Sailing

Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K

Popular posts.

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats | Life of Sailing

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

Can a Novice Sail Around the World? | Life of Sailing

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

June 15, 2022

Best Electric Outboard Motors | Life of Sailing

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England? | Life of Sailing

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands | Life of Sailing

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat | Life of Sailing

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (866) 342-SAIL

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy

  • Skip to main content
  • Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Weekend Edition Sunday

  • Latest Show

Sunday Puzzle

  • Corrections

Listen to the lead story from this episode.

Trump addresses his first rally since the assassination attempt

by  Franco Ordoñez ,  Ayesha Rascoe

Politics chat: RNC takeaways, the road ahead for Trump and Biden

by  Ayesha Rascoe ,  Tamara Keith

Middle East

In a lebanese village, muslims and christians honor a hamas fighter.

by  Jane Arraf

At the funeral of a senior Hamas leader, pride and hope for the future

The crowdstrike outage disrupted many industries. hospitals were especially vulnerable.

by  Selena Simmons-Duffin

NPR recommends underrated movies for the summer

by  Ayesha Rascoe ,  Danny Hensel

Sunday Puzzle

Sunday Puzzle NPR hide caption

Sunday Puzzle: Can you guess these stars?

by  Ayesha Rascoe ,  Will Shortz

Women in Ukraine are taking over traditionally male-dominated work as the war goes on

by  Ashley Westerman

Southwest Airlines is facing a unique climate change problem: exploding soda cans

by  Ayesha Rascoe

Ottawa is trying to make a reputation for its nightlife, and one man is in charge

There's a lot of political news to catch up on. hear it from the newsmakers themselves, a political analyst explains what's next for the presidential race, vietnam's most senior political leader has died, leaving behind a vacuum in the party.

by  Michael Sullivan

J.D. Vance pledged to address addiction. Patients at a nearby clinic hope he's serious

by  Chuck Quirmbach

Author Interviews

A new book charts the complicated history of food policy in the u.s., how to keep cool while saving energy (and money), movie interviews, director levan akin on his new movie 'crossing', music interviews, normani reflects on her album 'dopamine', and what it took to get it out.

Searching for a song you heard between stories? We've retired music buttons on these pages. Learn more here.

IMAGES

  1. S Seagull Nautico 20 ' Catamaran 2000 for sale for $5,000

    20' catamaran

  2. 2022 Shoalwater 20 CATAMARAN, Corpus Christi Stati Uniti

    20' catamaran

  3. 2023 Shoalwater

    20' catamaran

  4. 2023 Shoalwater 20 CATAMARAN Corpus Christi, Texas

    20' catamaran

  5. Windcat 20

    20' catamaran

  6. Image gallery for Yvonne 20 Catamaran

    20' catamaran

VIDEO

  1. catamaran foil racing, nacra 20 pied

  2. hobie 20 miracle

  3. Corinth Canal Transit May 11th 2012

  4. Katamaran Raptor 20

  5. เรือ Catamaran 4 เครื่อง ยาว 20 เมตร บุกทับละมุ พังงา EP.112 [คบเด็กสร้างเรือ]

  6. Performance Catamaran Course, 20+ knots

COMMENTS

  1. The 2024 20' Center Console Power Catamaran Is Here

    ArrowCat brings back the 20' center console. The 20CC is a significant addition, and there's none on the market like it. Built strong, we intentionally designed this model to be simple and plain - simple to take the boat out, simple to use and to maintain, plain by allowing you the flexibility to customize it according to your preferences, either by yourself or through a dealer.

  2. 8 Best Catamarans That Are 30 Feet or Less

    The best catamarans under 30 feet (9.14 m) include the TomCat 6.2, Cadillac 27and 30, Gemini 30, Endeavour 30, and Maine Cat. These time-tested cruising cats are easy to handle, premium built, and are great for daytime sailing, overnight trips, and some even suitable for long-range sea passages. In this article, you'll find a list of the best ...

  3. ArrowCat Power Catamarans

    ArrowCat 420 Coupe. The ArrowCat 420 Coupe combines the luxury of an express cruiser yacht with the stability of a catamaran hull. Designed with a planing hull for agile, efficient navigation and powered by twin outboard motors, it delivers unmatched performance for your ocean adventures. Standard Layout: 2 Cabins/ 1 Full Head.

  4. The Best Power Catamaran Boat Brands

    Photo via World Cat Boats. World Cat is one of the most recognizable brands in the world of power catamarans — in fact, according to the company they're the largest producer of power catamarans in the world. Their line is a mix of center console and dual console fishing and family boats ranging from 23' to 40'.

  5. 20' Boston Whaler Catamaran Sailboat Supercat 20 Tall Rig

    The Supercat 20 catamaran set the world talking in 1979 and continues to be very competitive. The stability, exceptional performance, balanced helm from the 12ft beam, and computer hull design makes the 20 Supercat very desirable. The optional tall rig single or three spreaders increases the mast height to 38ft 6in and 344 sq. ft sail area.

  6. 2024 Nacra F20 Carbon Catamaran for sale

    Description. 2024 Nacra F20 Carbon. The Nacra F20 Carbon is a fast and stable platform that took all the best features of the F16 and F18 infusion and applied it into this new boat. The Nacra F20 Carbon has the same rudder system, beams and other small bits and pieces. The difference can be found in the hull shape, carbon mast and is larger size.

  7. Nacra F20 Carbon

    The largest, fastest, most technical and arguably most exciting catamaran in the Nacra family, the Nacra F20 Carbon is hailed as the company's flagship. Because the construction method's significant use of strong carbon, it's lighter than the smaller F18 Infusion despite being larger. ... (20'3") Full carbon foam sandwich FRP epoxy resin ...

  8. Power Catamaran boats for sale

    Power Catamaran boats listed for sale on YachtWorld offers a diverse price range, from $44,144 on the relatively lower-priced, classic models to an astonishing $9,059,866 for the more sophisticated yachts available. When evaluating your budget and the listed price of a yacht for sale, it is crucial to factor in the cost of ownership.

  9. 2023 Boat Buyers Guide: Catamarans

    Available from 20 to 48 feet, catamarans typically offer a large fishing platform with generous storage and fishing amenities. They are available in a wide variety of deck layouts, including center-consoles, dual-consoles, and even pilothouse and express variants. Cats offer abundant deck space. Courtesy Invincible.

  10. Nacra 20

    Nacra 20. The Nacra 20 is a catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin as a one-design racer and first built in 1998. [1] [2] The design is a development of the Nacra F18 Infusion, using the same rudders, mast, inter-hull beams and other small parts and fittings, but with new, longer hulls. [3]

  11. Power Catamarans boats for sale

    Medium-sized, trailerable vessels called power catamaran boats are frequently utilized for boating pursuits like overnight cruising and day cruising. Vessels of this kind can differ in size, with the smallest current boat listed at 20 feet in length, to the longest vessel measuring 75 feet, and an average length of 32 feet.

  12. Catamaran boats for sale

    There are presently 37 yachts for sale on YachtWorld for Catamaran. This assortment encompasses 14 brand-new vessels and 23 pre-owned yachts, all of which are listed by knowledgeable yacht brokers predominantly in United States, Spain, French Polynesia, South Africa and France. Models currently listed on YachtWorld vary in size and length from ...

  13. Catamaran Sailboats for sale

    These sailboats have a minimum total sail area of 180 square feet, a maximum total sail area of 3,630 square feet and an average of 940 square feet. Boat Trader currently has 238 catamaran sailboats for sale, including 113 new vessels and 125 used and custom yachts listed by both private sellers and professional yacht brokers and boat ...

  14. Inter 20: A Lot of Cat for the Money

    The genesis of the Inter 20 (and the Formula 20 rule that it's drawn to) seems to stem from the pathological desire of the hard-core catamaran sailor for more speed. And longer means faster - first there were Formula 18s, now there are Formula 20s; first there were Inter 18s, now there are Inter 20s.

  15. Power catamaran boats for sale

    These powerboats use the following propulsion options: outboard engine. There are a wide range of Power Catamaran boats for sale from popular brands like World Cat, Aquila and Invincible with 595 new and 637 used and an average price of $479,338 with boats ranging from as little as $18,663 and $8,624,784.

  16. Super Cat 20

    Description: Super Cat 20 . 1980 Built by Boston Whaler. Nice shape, 12’ beam. Older boat but still one of the faster cats out there. In the day the super Cat 20 was the fastest on the market. Solid hulls, they were faired , reinforced and painted years back ( paint is now fading) square top main and Olympic class tornado jibs still ...

  17. Tibona 20

    Measuring 20 feet and weighing less than 3,500 pounds rigged, the Tibona 20 isn't your average catamaran. Gunwale height reaches 28 inches and deck space totals 100 square feet.

  18. 10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet)

    Catalina 16.5. jlodrummer. Catalina Yachts are synonymous with bigger boats but they have some great and smaller boats too such as Catalina 16.5. This is one of the best small sailboats that are ideal for family outings given that it has a big and roomy cockpit, as well as a large storage locker.

  19. Sail Catamaran boats for sale

    Catamaran sailing vessels for sale on YachtWorld are listed for a range of prices from $42,174 on the relatively moderate end all the way up to $6,526,704 for the most unique, one-of-a-kind yachts.

  20. Hobie Miracle 20

    And racers around the world would agree that the Hobie Miracle 20 is a step above all other production catamarans. This high performance racing cat is designed for advanced sailors who plan on leaving the competition behind. The Miracle 20 is fully loaded, with efficient, hydrodynamic hulls, a powerful, high-aspect ratio sail plan and elongated ...

  21. 20 Catamaran St APT 104, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

    Check with the applicable school district prior to making a decision based on these boundaries. Linea, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 747 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024. 20 Catamaran St APT 104, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 is a listed for rent at $4,500 /mo. The 808 Square Feet is a 1 bed, 1 bath .

  22. Seagull / Nautico 20 boats for sale

    Find 15 Seagull / Nautico 20 boats for sale near you, including boat prices, photos, and more. Locate Seagull / Nautico boat dealers and find your boat at Boat Trader! ... 2000 Leader 180 Catamaran. $18,995. Marrero, LA 70072 | The Boat Yard Inc. Request Info; 1999 Angler 190C Catamaran. $22,500. Venice, FL 34285 | Anglers Edge Marine. 2008 ...

  23. POLESON 20 CATAMARAN test

    patreon.com/polesonmarineI designed and built this catamaran for a customer in Devon UK as the lockdown hit the uk. Over 2 years later I finally got to see ...

  24. Weekend Edition Sunday for July, 21 2024 : NPR

    Hear the Weekend Edition Sunday program for Jul 21, 2024