7 Useful tips for renting a catamaran

In this post we offer you 7 useful tips for renting a catamaran for your sailing holidays in Ibiza and Formentera. The best way to know the wonderful coves of the Pitiusas is on board a catamaran.

If you’ve come this far, it’s because you’re thinking of renting a catamaran for your next holidays in Ibiza and Formentera. If you are looking for a different and unique experience, this year leave behind the traditional week in a hotel room and enjoy day and night the exciting life at sea. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your catamaran experience.

1. Plan your holidays

It is always advisable to plan our trips with time to have a wider range of possibilities and especially to get better prices. This also applies to your holidays on board a catamaran. If you rent with time you will probably get a better price and you can also choose the boat that best suits your needs and you do not have to settle for the ones that are available.

If you are thinking of renting a catamaran in the summer months, it is advisable to make your reservation in spring at the latest.

2. Rent with pattern or without skipper?

Normally, catamarans can be hired with or without a skipper. Depending on the length of the boat, sailboat, yacht or catamaran, you will find different options in the market. Some boats can only be rented with a skipper, however others can be rented with or without a skipper.

If you decide to rent it without skipper it is necessary that you know how to sail and that you have the corresponding title for the length of the catamaran that you rent.

If you do not have experience even if you have the degree we discourage renting without a skipper. Although you could legally do so, you must be aware of your limitations and bear in mind that carrying a boat is a great responsibility. At sea we can always be surprised by weather changes that put into play the safety of all passengers.

So if you’re not 100% sure, hire a skipper, soak up how he runs the catamaran and maybe next time you’ll be ready to rent a boat without a skipper.

3. Characteristics of the catamaran

Before renting a catamaran it is important that you are well informed about the characteristics of the catamaran in order to choose the one that best suits your needs. Depending on how many of you there are and the type of stay you want to have, one catamaran or another will suit you better. It is important to know the number of cabins you have and whether they are double or single. In addition, some catamarans have a lounge armchair convertible into a bed to accommodate one more passenger.

Other important aspects to take into account are: whether or not it has air conditioning, if it has a salt water treatment plant, something very useful because it allows us not to have to go to port to refuel; if it has auxiliary zodiac, if it has recreational elements such as snorkel kits, paddle surf board.

4. Which length to choose

The length is the length of a boat from the bow to the stern. The speed of the catamaran will depend to a great extent on its length. The larger the length, the faster the boat and the larger the boat, generally.

5. What should I bring for my holidays aboard a catamaran?

You should carry your luggage in backpacks, sports bags or cloth and not in wheeled suitcases, as they are much more manageable to fold and store in the spaces provided for luggage.

When we travel by boat we must make a purchase before boarding bearing in mind that we are going to spend a lot of time on board. If everything is planned in advance, we will avoid having to return to port to buy more food.

Take into account the small size of the pantries and refrigerators in catamarans. Small containers are recommended and they do not break easily, preferably of plastic or cardboard.

Think of foods that are easy to prepare and that get little dirty when it comes to shopping: pasta, salads, cold cuts, snacks… Avoid perishable products such as meats and fruits, especially in summer, and bulky products such as melons and watermelons. Do not buy drinks in a glass container or in a size of 2 liters. Mineral water in 1.5 litre bottles (calculate 2 litres of water per person per day) and the rest of drinks in aluminium cans.

Don’t forget:

• Sun protection
• Cap
• Mosquito repellent
• Information about areas to visit
• Small first-aid kit for daily use with aspirins, plasters, jellyfish balsams, etc.
• Nautical footwear (white sole)
• Documentation of all passengers
• Title of employer (in case of rental without employer)
• Some warm clothes or rain
• Flashlights
• Music
• Towells

6. Life on board a catamaran

There are many different aspects of boat accommodation compared to normal hotel accommodation. Although the interior can be even better than a five-star hotel, there are a few points to keep in mind.

We must control water consumption. In a boat the freshwater is not infinite!. It will also depend on whether or not the boat has a water treatment plant, but we must still consume responsibly. To drink and cook we will use mineral water and the water of the deposits we will leave it only for the personal cleanliness and to scrub.

We must also control electricity consumption if we do not want to find ourselves anchoring without being able to start the engines. It is important that at least three times a day the motors are started to recharge the batteries.

It is necessary to be very respectful with the use of the wc and not to throw absolutely nothing in it so that it does not get stuck.

In the kitchen we will never cook in a bathing suit because we can easily burn with the movement of the boat.

On the deck of the boat we cannot wear shoes with black rubber soles and we will avoid climbing with street shoes. It is advisable not to go barefoot and wear t-shirts or similar footwear on deck to avoid hitting the toes, especially when performing maneuvers.

When we use protective cream we will always do it on top of a towel, otherwise we will turn the deck into a skating rink. we must always keep the catamaran as tidy as possible both inside and outside. And of course, always pay attention to what the skipper tells us.

7. Where do I rent a catamaran?

It is preferable to contract directly with a company that, in addition to being an agency, is also the owner of the boats, since in this way, intermediaries are avoided and more advantageous conditions can be obtained. In addition, you receive first hand information on the details and particularities of each of the boats and the hiring is done with the maximum guarantees an optimal condition of the boat.

If you have any questions or want more information about what should I prepare before to rent a catamaran with Goa Catamaran, do not hesitate to call us, speaking with  Isabel Fiesta or send us an e-mail to info@goacatamaran.com

Our back office team will be happy to answer all your questions!