While multihulls have hardly taken lift off over the last decade, with catamarans and trimarans remain around 2% of the global fleet (according to SYT iQ), in recent years we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of catamaran concepts, designs and launches. Many of the companies that have backed the multihull often cite efficiency, “eco-friendliness” and “sustainability” as key motivators for the adoption of the hull form. But what is the science behind these claims; and has there been enough of a significant  change in the mentality of the yacht owner, to justify the number of designs which are flooding the market? We spoke to some of those companies to get an inside look at the multihull movement and how it might shape the future of the global fleet.Photo: RossinaviMonohull or multihull?

In an article published in 2010, naval architects James Roy and Alex Meredith Hardy of Lateral Naval Architects weighed up the pros and cons facing the multihull conversation. Having created innumerable designs for fast ferries, and commercial catamarans over the years, both engineers were surprised that the yachting industry had been slow to uptake the hull form. With efficiency and high speeds (+40 knots) on offer, as well as the beamy main deck platform, some might consider catamarans an ideal…