Practical seamanship tips for cruising catamarans and shorthanded crews

Cruising catamarans demand a different set of practical skills than monohulls. Sailplan balance, conservative canvas choices and repeated drills make the difference between a comfortable cruise and an avoidable emergency, especially for small or shorthanded crews.

Start with helm feel. Cats are sensitive to sailplan balance; excess weather helm is less common than on monohulls, but lee helm or consistently poor trim can sap control. Trim sails to keep the helm light and predictable. Upwind that means flattening the main, trimming the headsail tighter and using the traveler to control twist. Expect to carry a slightly higher apparent-wind angle than you would on a monohull and trim accordingly.

Reef early and reef smart. Low heeling gives a false sense of safety and makes it easy to over-canvass. Reefing early reduces loads on rigging and cuts the risk of structural stress. Learn single-reef and double-reef procedures on your specific rig and practice them in controlled conditions so reefing becomes second nature when wind builds.

Sail trim shifts with point of sail. Downwind, ease the mainsheet and aim for a full, powerful asymmetric or genoa shape; carry a screecher or gennaker in light airs to keep boat speed without flogging the rig. During tacks, keep boat speed through the turn by coordinating headsail trim with mainsheet release and re-trim. For gybes use a controlled mainsheet release plus a vang or boom preventer to avoid accidental jibes; for larger cruising cats, plan deliberate, slow maneuvers using preventers and clear crew choreography.

Motoring and tight-quarters handling reward repetition. If your cat has differential engine control, use small bursts on one engine to pivot the boat rather than large, abrupt inputs. Bow thrusters are a useful assist but are not a substitute for smooth rudder and engine technique, so practice slow-speed handling in a quiet marina.

Anchoring and heavy-weather prep should err on the side of conservative. Use longer anchor scopes, consider bow-to-stern or two-anchor setups in exposed anchorages, and secure deck gear well. Prepare storm sails and have a clear plan for getting underway if conditions deteriorate.

Make drills routine. Regularly practice man-overboard recovery, sail changes and reefing with your whole crew. Repetition builds muscle memory and shortens response time when something goes wrong.

The takeaway? Prioritize balance and conservative sail choices, rehearse maneuvers until they become reflex, and carry options for anchoring and heavy weather. Our two cents? Sail like you mean to stop and practice like you mean to win—calm, steady preparation keeps cruising cats safe and fun.