All over the world, people are searching for ways they can escape the rat race. Several significant world events have undoubtedly made people think about how they want to live, and what they want out of life. For many, living on a catamaran and traveling the world represents freedom and adventure. But for others, it’s the sense of relaxation that can be found on the high seas.
If you’ve ever thought there must be more to life, perhaps it’s time to get out and explore. This article looks at 10 fantastic reasons to live on a catamaran. Are you ready to discover whether catamaran life is for you?
See the world
Arguably the most exciting part of Catamaran Life is the ability to travel anywhere you like (within reason). Of course, there is a bit to learn about traveling the world by boat. You need to monitor weather conditions carefully and arrange places to moor your boat while visiting. You must also ensure you have all the necessary travel documents to enter overseas waters.
However, the forward planning isn’t too cumbersome, and once you’ve traveled to a few different places, you’ll quickly get the hang of it. Imagine visiting picturesque bays and beaches all over the world. Or arriving at a coastal town, ready to disembark and take in the local sights.
If you’ve got a thirst for fun and adventure, or you like to take it easy and cruise the world by sea, living on a catamaran is a great way to do it.
Live with fewer possessions
It’s fair to say that minimalist lifestyles are again in the spotlight. Even the possession-focused Western world is starting to embrace a simpler way of living. With costs of living increasing and financial turmoil in various parts of the world, many people are cutting back on expenditure, which often means fewer possessions. Catamaran life will suit you perfectly if a minimalist lifestyle appeals to you.
When you live in one location, it’s natural to accumulate belongings. On a catamaran, however, space is limited. Don’t worry, you won’t be cramped with no room to move. Catamarans are actually very spacious. But you must carefully consider how many material belongings you have. When you think of safety equipment, clothing, food, and other essentials, there’s not much room for those less important possessions.
Owning a catamaran can generate income
Catamaran life is enriching, but we must be clear that costs are involved. You’ll need to budget for repairs and maintenance, new equipment, and any expenses you may encounter when traveling to different parts of the world. Then you have your ongoing living expenses and potentially mooring costs if you stay in one place for a while.
However, owning a catamaran can generate income too. Many people choose to reduce the cost of ownership by joining an ownership program or putting their vessel into charter management.
Naturally, using your boat to generate income means that you can’t use it for parts of the year.
But if you’re planning for the future, buying a catamaran and putting it into charter management for a few years before you sail is a terrific way to offset the purchase cost.
Catamaran Guru helps people realize their dreams of yacht ownership, so if you’re considering a switch to catamaran life, they’re a great resource.
Connect with the natural world
For many people, it’s essential to feel connected to the natural world around them. In fact, most people enjoy all that the outside world offers, such as sunlight and fresh air, which have numerous health benefits. But it’s the spiritual side of embracing nature that appeals to a lot of people.
You don’t need to be an environmentalist or feel a deep connection with nature to reap the rewards of catamaran life.
The fact that you’ll spend time outside in the sun and fresh air will do wonders for your health. You’ll likely feel much more relaxed, enjoy life more, and be happier, not to mention the amazing natural wonders you can see, such as snorkeling in pristine waters or heading onto land for a stroll along beautiful coastlines.
Experience more freedom
The quest for a life of freedom is something that eludes most people. However, in recent times, people en masse are prioritizing time for themselves. There has been a significant shift in workplaces, for example, where people want more work-life balance, even the opportunity to work from home.
So, it’s hardly surprising that people also consider alternative lifestyles such as sailing or traveling in caravans. This desire for more freedom is strong, and it’s something that catamaran life offers in spades.
Suppose you’re fortunate enough to have remote employment (a phenomenon that has grown considerably since Covid). In that case, you can even enjoy living on a catamaran while still working. It’s certainly no longer just a lifestyle for the wealthy and retired, with people of all ages discovering a more free way to live.
Escape the noise of city life
Plenty of research has been conducted over the years about the effect of noisy city life on our psychological well-being. The hustle and bustle of life on land can be highly stressful and, most of all, loud. While it’s not fair to say that noise causes mental health problems, some evidence suggests that exposure to excess noise can increase the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Even if your mental health remains strong while living in the city, not many people can honestly say they love the noise. The noise can be overwhelming, from the sounds of public transport and other vehicles to the increased volume when large groups of people get together.
So, if you’re not a fan of noise and want some peace and quiet, there’s no better place than out on the open water.
Everybody can learn to sail
When you think about sailing or living on a boat, you’d be excused for thinking you need vast experience with boating. Of course, some knowledge and a desire to learn more are essential, but you don’t need to be an experienced sailor to switch to catamaran life.
In addition to being yacht brokers who help people find boats, Catamaran Guru also offers sailing training. So, if you’re considering living on a catamaran and don’t know where to start, these guys are your one-stop shop.
Everybody can learn to sail, no matter your age or experience. So, don’t be put off because you haven’t spent much time on the water. There’s no better way to learn than to get right into it.
You can start planning at any time of life
As we mentioned, there are many different ways to purchase a catamaran. You can buy it outright if you have the means. You may sell your home on land and put the money into a boat. Alternatively, you can consider shared ownership, where you have access to the vessel for a set amount of time each year, and all owners share expenses for maintenance.
Alternatively, you may like to start planning well in advance. You can purchase a catamaran, put it into charter management, and it will generate income for you. You’ll also get access to your boat and others throughout the year to ensure you can still dip your feet in the water, so to speak.
So, when you’re ready to live on your catamaran, you’ll have some sailing experience, and your charter income will have partly paid for your vessel.
Read also: Adventures to take in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond
Improved personal relationships
Living on a catamaran with people you love is a great way to strengthen family bonds. Countless people have raised their children while traveling the world on yachts.
And while you might think it would be difficult living in such close quarters, most families find a way to manage. Rather than getting on each other’s nerves, personal relationships become stronger while living at sea.
Not only do you have some incredible shared experiences along the way, but you also learn so much more about each other. This increased understanding and closeness can solidify a family unit and improve personal relationships in a way that few other lifestyles can offer.
Reduced stress
Finally, we can’t forget about the stress factor of modern life. We already touched on how busy city life can get, and that’s just one of the many stressors placed on people in the contemporary world. Consider family life, relationships, employment, raising children, and coping with cost of living pressures – there’s stress everywhere. Needless to say, stress is terrible for our physical and mental well-being.
While living on a catamaran still presents challenges, the level and frequency of stressful situations are typically far lower than expected. You might deal with rough weather or irritating equipment issues. You may need to change your plans at short notice. You may have budgetary concerns and need to adjust your lifestyle for periods. But all of these things can be managed easily, and overall you should enjoy a much more stress-free life when living on a catamaran.
In conclusion, living on a catamaran offers a myriad of benefits that can enhance your life in remarkable ways. From the freedom to travel the world and connect with nature to the opportunity to live a minimalist lifestyle and generate income, the allure of catamaran life is undeniable.
Escaping the noise and stress of city life, strengthening personal relationships, and experiencing a sense of adventure and relaxation are just a few of the reasons why more people are considering this unique lifestyle.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the world while enjoying a simpler, more fulfilling way of living, perhaps it’s time to set sail and embrace the beauty and wonders of sailing and catamaran life.
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Estelle Cockcroft is one of the foremost experts on large catamaran sailing, living, buying, and selling in the world. She has traveled more than 70,000 nautical miles of remote waterways, explored 45 incredible countries, and, as Catamaran Guru Co-Founder, Co-Owner, and President, brokers dozens of catamaran transactions each year and manages the company’s $40M+ annual revenue. Estelle shares her passion for sailing through her blog on the Catamaran Guru website and as a qualified Royal Yachting Association captain and American Sailing Association instructor.
