CATAMARANS & TRIMARANS
Multihull sails
Coastal cruise or competitive racing, the right sails for your catamaran or trimaran start with understanding how multihull sails differ from monohull sails — unique dynamics that let you optimize your sail plan for performance, safety, and enjoyment.
Photo © UK Sailmakers
WHY MULTIHULL SAILS ARE DIFFERENT
Two hulls heel less. Your sails carry the difference.
When a monohull gets hit by a puff, the boat heels — which relieves the lateral loads on the sail and rig. With two or three hulls beneath you, the same puff is felt in full: the load relief of heeling is minimal on such a stable platform. Multihull sails must be built relatively much stronger than monohull sails.
CRUISING & BLUEWATER
Built for the long passage
Heavier materials and reinforced seams stand up to extended offshore sailing, with construction focused on longevity and reducing chafe and wear. Bluewater multihull sails also accommodate wider sheeting angles and higher loads.
RACING
Denser fibers, flatter shapes
Titanium and X-Drive® multihull sails get a denser fiber layout than their monohull cousins — additional passes with more yarns per pass. Designs are generally flatter with less stretch, holding optimal shape under higher loads.
Your multihull sail plan.
Square Top mainsails
The powerhouse of the plan. Square Tops add sail area and improve performance, especially in lighter winds — particularly effective and popular on multihulls, where the extra area balances the boat and optimizes speed.
Headsails
Designed around the wider beam and different sheeting angles. Genoa or jib depends on your boat's configuration, sailing style, and typical conditions — with robust furling systems and hardware selected for higher loads.
Code Zeros
Excellent on multihulls: versatile in light-to-moderate wind, bridging the gap between upwind and downwind sails with the extra power to keep the boat moving when the breeze is light.
Downwind sails
Asymmetricals deliver power and control at speed; the self-stabilizing spinnaker is a popular option among cruisers. Your sailmaker will match the sail to your boat's configuration.
Sailing on two hulls? Start the conversation.
Tell us your boat, your waters, and your plans — your local loft will build the sail plan around them.