Celebrate your bachelorette party aboard a catamaran in Cancun
The most exciting party of your life is coming. Are you considering choosing Cancun as your destination? Don't think twice! There is no better place...
7 min read
Giovanna Ricalde : Sep 22, 2022 3:18:33 PM
It is common to get confused when talking about nautical vocabulary. Words that, for captains and sailors, are very easy to remember; for us, they can mean something completely different. This same case applies to the types of vessels, so in this article, we will learn the main differences between vessels such as a boat, yachts, and catamarans.
All vehicles that move on the water are known as vessels. The word vessel is used in the different nautical regulations and refers to any manned craft capable of navigating on or underwater. While the word boat refers to any vessel larger than 2.5 meters, so it includes everything from dinghies to ocean liners.
Since submarines and even surfboards (in some countries) can be considered vessels, there are many categories to divide them. In this case, we will show you the division by type of vessel:
Recreational |
Transportation |
Sailboats Catamarans Boats Jet Skis |
Transport vessels: Transatlantic liner, cruise ship, ferry, and raft. Merchant ship: Oil tanker, chemical tankers, cargo, and reefer vessel. Warship: Aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers, frigates, and more. Special: Buoy tender, lifeboats, meteorological, cleaning, and tugboat. |
While transport vessels serve to move people and cargo, recreational vessels have the function of entertainment.
Many consider a yacht a kind of boat, but a yacht is any pleasure vessel. Therefore, a dinghy, a catamaran, and a sailboat are yachts. A yacht does not carry cargo or people or perform any work. It is only used for entertainment. It is impossible to point out a yacht's parts, as the type of boat may vary.
In the yacht charter world, the public identifies yachts as single-hulled boats intimately linked with luxury and lifestyle.
Motor yacht
Motor yachts move at high speeds, propelled by an engine and without sails. They focus on navigation that does not inconvenience the passengers. They usually have the capacity for smaller groups.
Large motor yachts: They are used for large groups of people and are designed for long trips. They are motor-driven and do not have sails. They are usually equipped for water sports.
Megayachts are large vessels measuring up to 180 meters from bow to stern. They are used to move large groups of people and are motor-driven. The Azzam is a megayacht with 17 suites and 500 square meters and facilities such as swimming pools, helipads, and anti-paparazzi equipment.
Sailboat: As the name implies, they use their sails to propel themselves according to the direction of the wind. Sailboats are preferred for people looking for an authentic sailing experience.
Motor sailboat: They combine sail propulsion with engines. They become as large and have the same comfort as a motor yacht but with the alternative of raising the sails and opening the windows.
Catamaran: These are two-hulled sailboats. They have greater stability and more deck space than a single-hulled boat. They usually have trampolines or nets for lying down.
Schooner sailboat: These are boats propelled by sail with two or more masts. As a reference, we can say that the schooner is a replica of an old pirate ship, long and with many sails. It gives the sensation of being in a movie of corsairs of the old world.
The world of yachts is the world of luxury and extravagance, and in this segment, we show you four famous yachts that you probably didn't know (and that are expensive).
The catamaran is a recreational boat with two hulls joined by a structure. Catamarans can be used for leisure, transport, or sport. A sail and/or motor can propel it.
As it has two hulls, it does not need ballast (or the weight that helps it to keep its balance) and has less water and wind resistance, making it a fast and suitable boat for the sport. A catamaran is extremely stable and is unlikely to capsize. It is rare to suffer from seasickness on this type of boat.
As it has two hulls, it does not need ballast (or the weight that helps it keep its balance) and has less water and wind resistance, making it a very fast and suitable boat for sports. A catamaran is extremely stable. It is very unlikely to capsize or suffer from seasickness on this type of boat.
Their design has inspired the development of models such as the Hydrofoil and the Wave-Piercing. Boats with three hulls are known as trimarans.
The word catamaran comes from the Tamil kaṭṭumaram, where kaṭṭu is bundle and maram is tree. Its meaning is trunks joined together.
A yacht is any vessel used for recreational activities regardless of its design. A catamaran is a boat with two hulls instead of one, and depending on its use, it may or may not be classified as a yacht.
Recreational catamarans are those used for sporting purposes, like beach catamarans, which are used for tours and private charter catamarans.
Non-recreational catamarans are those vessels that fulfill a function or a job, such as the Pieter Schelte, a two-hulled vessel used to dismantle oil derricks in the water.
It's time to get to know the parts of a catamaran! On this occasion, we have as a reference one of Cancun Sailing's star catamarans, the fantastic Gypse from the Fountaine Pajot series. This incredible 43-foot boat has a capacity of up to 30 guests, and the rental service includes an open bar, snorkeling equipment, three crew members, and one captain.
The fundamental parts of a recreational catamaran such as the Gypse are:
Hulls: The hull is the external structure of the boat. We can define it as the base of the boat that is in contact with the water and supports the other parts. Catamarans have two hulls joined by a crossbeam.
Crossbeam: Crossbar that serves to join the two hulls and to support the trampoline.
Trampoline: Mistakenly called a net, it is a flexible surface that forms part of the deck. On a catamaran like the Gypse, the net is used for relaxing and sunbathing. The material and type of trampoline knot vary according to the purpose of the catamaran.
Deck: All surfaces or floors of a ship are known as deck. The main deck is the largest since a ship may have several decks.
Salon: This is the cabin of the catamaran, and its function is to protect the passengers from the weather. Inside Gypse's cabin, we can find a small kitchen with a bar, a living room, a table, and stairs on each side that lead to the bathrooms and rooms. In the covered outside area, there is a lounge and seating space.
Mast: It is the main mast that holds the sails.
Boom: A horizontal pole anchored to the mast. It serves to support and guide the mainsail.
Mainsail: The main sail of the boat.
Jib: All triangular sails that improve the performance of the main sail are known as jibs.
Catamarans are very special boats. While single-hulled boats are more famous, catamarans have also left their mark on the nautical world. Read on and find out five curious facts about catamarans.
Catamarans are a very special and different type of boat, with several reasons to rent one. First, you are less likely to suffer from seasickness aboard a catamaran since its two hulls give it stability and avoid side-to-side movements. Another reason is that they have plenty of deck space, making them more comfortable.
You can rent a catamaran in Cancun at Cancun Sailing. Here, you can find various catamarans for private charter and catamaran tours from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
A private catamaran is an original option that will serve you well to spend your vacations. On board a private catamaran, you will be able to:
We invite you to visit our website, where you may filter catamarans by capacity or size in our catamaran catalog and choose the boat that suits you best.
If you prefer to enjoy a tour that includes transportation, beach club access, a buffet, and a VIP open bar aboard a luxury catamaran, check out our Privilege Experience tour.
For an all-inclusive experience, we present our Isla Mujeres Full Experience tour, a 4-hour catamaran tour that includes transportation, food on board, a visit to Isla Mujeres, and the option to choose between free time at a beach club located in Playa Norte (one of the most beautiful beaches in the world) or a tour of the island aboard a Turibus to visit the most important points of this wonderful destination.
The most exciting party of your life is coming. Are you considering choosing Cancun as your destination? Don't think twice! There is no better place...
If you are visiting Isla Mujeres for the first time, one doubt you must have is how to go to Isla Mujeres from Cancun or which restaurant you should...
A private catamaran tour that sails between the sea of Cancun and Isla Mujeres is definitely worth it. The flexibility of being able to arrange your...