Buying a Used Catamaran: The Complete Checklist

A used catamaran is a big purchase with two of everything: two hulls, two engines, often two of every system. This checklist walks you through the steps from first search to signed contract, and the points that matter most on a multihull.

1. Be clear about how you will use the boat

Coastal holidays, a season in the Mediterranean, an Atlantic crossing or living aboard all lead to different boats. Write down your must-haves before you look at listings:

• Crew and cabins: three-cabin owner’s versions give the owner a full hull; four-cabin layouts suit families and guests.
• Cruising area: shallow lagoons favour a cat with low draft; offshore passages call for good bridgedeck clearance and solid tankage.
• Budget: plan roughly 10 to 20 % on top of the purchase price for survey, transfer, insurance, refit and the first season.

2. Shortlist models, not just boats

Each model has a reputation: build quality, typical weak spots, resale value. Use our catamaran database to compare length, beam and draft, then read owner forums for known issues of the model and year you are considering.

3. Check the hulls and structure

• Bridgedeck and crossbeam: look for cracks or movement where the bridgedeck meets the hulls and around the forward crossbeam and mast compression post.
• Hull bottoms and keels: grounding damage on fixed keels and on the leading edges, osmosis blisters, repairs.
• Rudders and bearings: play in the rudder stocks, condition of bearings and steering cables or hydraulics.
• Deck and trampoline: soft spots in the deck core, trampoline condition and attachment points.

4. Two engines, two drive trains

Ask for engine hours and service records for both engines. Check saildrive seals and diaphragms, the age of the seals, propellers and anodes, and whether the engines start cleanly from cold. Uneven hours between port and starboard are normal, big differences deserve a question.

5. Rig, sails and systems

• Age of standing rigging – many insurers ask about rigging older than about ten years.
• Sail age and condition, furlers and the mainsail track or lazy-bag system.
• Electrics: battery bank, charging, solar, generator, shore power and the age of the electronics.
• Water and comfort: watermaker, water heater, heads and holding tanks, air conditioning.

6. Paperwork for a used catamaran

Ask for proof of ownership, registration, VAT status (important inside the EU), CE documentation, the bill of sale history and any outstanding loans or liens. For ex-charter boats, request the charter maintenance log.

7. Survey and sea trial

Always commission an independent marine surveyor who knows multihulls, ideally with a haul-out. The sea trial should include both engines under load, sailing on different points of sail and a check of all systems. Make your offer subject to a satisfactory survey and sea trial.

8. Contract and handover

Use a written purchase agreement that names the inventory, the deposit, the deadlines and what happens if the survey finds defects. Pay through a traceable route, and only hand over the balance against signed transfer documents.

This checklist is general guidance and does not replace a professional survey or legal advice for your specific purchase.