Buying a Catamaran/Multihull in Greece: A Guide for International Buyers

What Experienced Buyers Should Assess Before Purchase

A sailing catamaran should not be evaluated by builder, model, year and cabin count alone.

Structural condition, cruising load, rigging, twin machinery, layout, operational history and berthing requirements all influence whether a catamaran suits the buyer’s intended use.

The relevant question is not simply whether the asking price appears attractive. It is whether the yacht’s condition, configuration and systems justify the complete acquisition and ownership commitment.

This guide focuses on sailing catamarans. Power catamarans require a different assessment of propulsion, performance and machinery.

Define the Intended Cruising Programme

Before comparing catamarans, buyers should establish:

• Private, family, liveaboard or commercial use
• Coastal cruising or longer passages
• Typical number of guests
• Owner operation or professional crew
• Performance versus living space
• Preferred layout and storage
• Home berth and seasonal location
• Tender and cruising-load requirements

A catamaran intended for private family cruising in the Greek islands has different priorities from one selected for commercial operation, offshore passages or extended living aboard.

The correct choice should reflect how the yacht will actually be used—not only her accommodation volume, deck space or published performance.

Assess Structure, Displacement and Cruising Load

A catamaran’s two hulls and connecting structure should be considered as one system.

An independent surveyor with relevant multihull experience should assess the accessible hull and bridge structure, bulkheads and principal connections, together with any evidence of grounding, impact or previous repair.

Rudders, propulsion installations, underwater fittings and escape hatches where fitted should also form part of the appropriate inspection.

Buyers should consider tankage, tender and equipment weight, battery and energy installations, storage distribution and the yacht’s likely displacement in normal cruising condition.

Bridge structure, clearance and behaviour should be considered in relation to the anticipated cruising load and intended use.

A heavily equipped catamaran may provide greater comfort while differing materially from the standard specification used for published performance information. Equipment quantity should therefore be balanced against performance, range, comfort and technical simplicity.

Evaluate Rigging, Sails and Handling Systems

The rig should be assessed within the complete multihull structure, including mast support, standing rigging, chainplates and the forward crossbeam.

Age alone does not establish condition. Installation, loading, maintenance and repair history also matter. Specialist rigging inspection may be appropriate where records are incomplete or further investigation is justified.

The sail inventory and handling systems should be reviewed according to condition, suitability and replacement cost. A long inventory does not automatically create greater value.

Helm visibility, reefing controls, winch positioning, anchoring arrangements, side-deck access and tender handling should also be evaluated against the experience and number of people who will normally operate the catamaran.

Assess Twin Machinery and Onboard Systems

Cruising sailing catamarans commonly have twin auxiliary engines with separate propulsion installations.

Twin machinery can improve manoeuvring and operational flexibility, but both sides require inspection, servicing and budget consideration.

Buyers should review:

• Engine hours and operating profile
• Service records and invoices
• Cooling and fuel-system maintenance
• Saildrive or shaft history
• Differences in hours or condition between sides
• Major repairs or replacement
• Availability of qualified service support

Low hours are not automatically evidence of better condition. Machinery should be assessed through maintenance history, operating profile and independent inspection.

Generators, air conditioning, watermakers, solar arrays, inverters, battery banks, electric winches and integrated electronics may improve comfort and cruising independence.

They also increase technical complexity and potential first-year expenditure. Equipment should be valued according to condition, documentation, serviceability and relevance—not simply because it appears on the specification list.

Compare Layout, Berthing and Haul-Out Requirements

Owner versions typically prioritise private accommodation and storage, while charter layouts favour cabin capacity and commercial flexibility.

Neither is inherently preferable. The correct choice depends on intended use, guest numbers, condition and future resale audience.

The stated layout should be confirmed against the yacht herself. Model designations do not always reflect later modifications or the equipment included in the sale.

A catamaran’s beam also affects ownership logistics. Before purchase, buyers should investigate:

• Availability and cost of a suitable home berth
• Seasonal mooring arrangements
• Access to appropriately sized travelifts
• Yard and hard-standing availability
• Survey and haul-out location
• Delivery requirements

A catamaran may have moderate length but require substantially more berth width than a monohull of similar length. These arrangements should be considered before completion.

Complete an Independent Survey and Sea Trial

The buyer should appoint an independent marine surveyor with relevant multihull experience.

A comprehensive assessment will commonly include the catamaran afloat, haul-out and sea trial. Separate rigging, engine, saildrive or electrical-system specialists may also be appropriate.

Depending on the yacht and conditions, the appointed professionals may evaluate accessible structural areas, steering, rig and sail-handling systems, both propulsion installations and any material difference in machinery behaviour between sides.

A sea trial under sail depends on available wind and sea conditions and may not demonstrate every aspect of performance during one inspection.

The findings should be considered together with structural, rigging, sail and machinery history, anticipated expenditure and the agreed price.

For further guidance, read Yacht Surveys in Greece: A Guide for International Buyers.

Consider Charter History, VAT and Total Acquisition Cost

Many sailing catamarans offered in Greece have operated commercially.

Charter history is not automatically negative. Its relevance depends on utilisation, management, maintenance, documentation and the quality of previous repairs.

A professionally maintained charter catamaran may represent a strong acquisition when her condition, records and price are assessed correctly.

VAT status is separate from condition and operating history. The yacht may be offered with EU VAT paid, VAT not paid or VAT status requiring confirmation.

The asking price is only one component of the decision. A realistic comparison should include:

Purchase price plus transaction expenses plus the expenditure required to bring the catamaran to the buyer’s intended standard.

First-year expenditure may involve survey-related remedial work, rigging, sails, machinery, electrical systems, safety equipment, delivery, berthing and haul-out arrangements.

A lower-priced catamaran may remain attractive after planned work. A higher-priced yacht may represent better value when her condition, documentation and equipment reduce immediate expenditure.

For further information, read:

• Buying a Private Yacht vs a Former Charter Yacht in Greece
• EU VAT Status When Buying a Yacht in Greece
• The Costs of Buying and Owning a Yacht in Greece

How Alvea Yachts Assists Catamaran Buyers

For sailing catamarans centrally listed with Alvea Yachts, we provide the available specification, maintenance, operating and VAT information, present offers to the seller and coordinate access for independent surveys, sea trials and specialist inspections.

Where Alvea Yachts is separately appointed as the buyer’s representative, we may also assist with defining requirements, preparing a focused shortlist and evaluating suitable sailing catamarans offered through other brokers.

Alvea Yachts coordinates the commercial and practical stages of the transaction. Surveyors, riggers, engine specialists, lawyers, tax advisers, insurers and registration specialists remain responsible for their respective advice and findings.

This guide provides general brokerage information and does not constitute legal, tax, customs, technical, insurance or financial advice. Buyers should obtain independent professional advice appropriate to the catamaran and proposed transaction.