Gulet vs Catamaran: Which Charter Boat Is Right for You?

The gulet and cat both offer excellent ways to take a sailing holiday, delivering quite different styles of vacation. The right choice depends less on the boat itself, and more on what you want your time on the water to feel like.

Drawing on our experience arranging charters across the Mediterranean, here’s how the two compare in practical terms.

The Character of a Gulet

The gulet is a traditional wooden vessel, most at home in Turkish waters but now increasingly found across the wider Mediterranean. Originally working boats, they’ve evolved into spacious, fully crewed charter yachts that suit larger groups particularly well.

What stands out immediately is the sense of space. The hull design allows for generous accommodation, while the expansive decks—especially the shaded aft dining area—become the social heart of the boat. Days tend to unfold at an easy pace: long lunches on board, relaxed cruising and plenty of time spent at anchor.

Service is a defining feature. With a typical crew of four — captain, chef, hostess and deckhand — gulets are set up to cater for every aspect of the holiday. Meals are prepared and served on board, often to a standard that exceeds what many would expect ashore.

This level of service, combined with the physical space available, is why gulets continue to dominate the market in Turkey for larger groups, and why we’re now seeing them quoted more often in places like Croatia.

The Appeal of a Crewed Catamaran

Crewed catamarans by contrast are modern production yachts designed around comfort, balance and sailing performance.

Their layouts are clean and consistent with typically four to six double cabins of similar size, each with ensuite facilities. The open-plan saloon and cockpit create a sociable living area, and the overall feel is contemporary and efficient.

For many, the real appeal lies in the sailing itself. When conditions allow, engines can be switched off and the catamaran sailed properly. This is something that remains an important part of the holiday experience for those who enjoy being under sail.

That said, crewed catamarans usually operate with a smaller crew, most commonly a skipper and hostess. While this works well for smaller groups, it does place some natural limits on onboard service, particularly when guest numbers increase.

Gulet 'Sirena' afterdeck social space

Lagoon 560 aft

Gulet 'Sirena' lounge

Bali 5.4 main saloon

Where the Differences Matter Most

While both options can deliver an excellent charter, the differences become more apparent once you look at how the holiday actually unfolds.

Group Size and Onboard Living

Gulets are designed with the larger charter groups in mind. Their volume allows for more flexible cabin arrangements, which is particularly useful for mixed family groups or varied sleeping preferences.

Catamarans offer a more uniform layout, which works well for couples but can feel less adaptable as group size increases, especially once additional crew space is factored in.

Service and Dining Experience

This is one of the clearest distinctions. On a gulet, the onboard chef and full crew mean that meals are a central part of the experience, enjoyed together on deck without the need to plan evenings ashore.

On a catamaran, the reality for larger groups is often different. A hostess can prepare breakfasts and light meals, but with a full complement of guests, dining ashore becomes a regular part of the itinerary.

Itinerary Flexibility

One of the lesser-known advantages of gulets is their operational flexibility. With larger crews and a different charter model, gulets are often more open to:

• Relocation between cruising areas
• One-way charters
• Custom itineraries that fall outside standard base-to-base routes

Catamarans, on the other hand, generally work from a fixed base and follow more established charter patterns.

Sailing vs Cruising Style

This is often the deciding factor. Catamarans offer a more authentic sailing experience. When the wind is favourable, you can switch off the engines and enjoy the sensation of being carried quietly under sail.

Gulets are better described as motor-sailers. They will sail when conditions allow, but their primary mode of travel is under engine, maintaining steady progress and a reliable itinerary. The sails may be use to compliment rather than replace the engine power.

Comfort and Reliability at Sea

In less favourable conditions, the differences become more noticeable. A gulet’s size, weight, and single-hull design give it a more solid feel underway. It is well suited to maintaining course and comfort even on the rare occasion that conditions may not be not ideal.

Catamarans prioritise stability at anchor and in calm conditions, but their performance is more dependent on weather and sea state. Skippers will naturally adjust plans to keep guests comfortable.

Age, Design and Longevity

There is also a philosophical difference in how these boats are built and maintained.

Gulets are crafted vessels, often refitted to maintain a near-new standard even after many years. Timber finishes and traditional design elements give them a warm, classic feel.

Catamarans are modern production boats. They are well maintained, but over time design trends and wear become more apparent, and fleets are gradually renewed with newer models.

Gulet 'Sirena' guest cabin

Bali 5.4 double cabin

Gulet 'Sirena' forward

Bali 5.4 Flybridge

A Note on Value

In practical terms, pricing between the two can be surprisingly comparable. At a similar budget level, you may be choosing between:

• A fully crewed gulet with four crew
• A crewed catamaran with two crew

Once factors like onboard dining, marina use, and service levels are considered, the overall value equation can shift, especially for larger groups.

Final Thoughts

There’s no universal answer to which is better, it comes down to what suits your group.

A gulet offers a more serviced, spacious and relaxed experience, where the boat itself becomes the destination. A catamaran leans more towards the sailing journey, with a modern layout and a closer connection to the wind and sea.

In many cases, we recommend looking at both options side by side. The differences are not always obvious at first glance, but they can have a significant impact on how your holiday unfolds.

Planning Your Charter

If you’re weighing up gulets and catamarans for a Mediterranean charter, we’re happy to talk through the options based on your group, budget and preferred style of travel.

Click this link for a real comparison between a Croatia-based gulet and a selection of crewed catamarans with similar guest capacity. Prices and options are current for bookings in March 2026 and subject to change.