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Split Region
16
boats available · live
500 € – 200,000 €
500 €200K €
1 – 42 guests
142
0 – 42 berths
042
14.76 – 56 m(48–184 ft)
14.76 m56 m
2000 – 2028
20002028
0 – 20 toilets
020
5 – 7,296 hp(4–5,436 kW)
5 hp7,296 hp
Power Catamaran charter Split – Split Region
Power Catamarans×
16 Power Catamarans available
Prices shown are each boat's cheapest available 7-night week. Choose your dates for exact prices.
Why charter a yacht in the Split Region?
Power catamarans represent a specialized niche within the Split region's charter fleet: multihulled vessels designed primarily for engine cruising rather than sailing, offering dual advantages of twin-hull stability and 15–20 knot cruising speeds. For charterers with limited vacation time, those sailing during variable wind seasons (April, May, October), or those who value geographic coverage over traditional sailing experience, power catamarans compress multi-day routes into single-day passages while maintaining the comfort and shallow draft that multihull design provides.
Our partners' power catamaran fleet in the Split region numbers specialized vessels—a curated collection operated by premium charter companies and suitable for discerning charterers who understand the distinction between sailing and motor cruising and make deliberate choices accordingly. These are not sailing vessels with auxiliary engines; they're purpose-built platforms for powered exploration of the Adriatic.
Why Power Catamarans Excel in the Split Region
The Split region's geographic span—major islands separated by 20–75 nautical miles—becomes manageable in power catamarans. A sailing route that demands 2–3 days of island-hopping becomes a single day under power. Korčula, typically a full-day sail from Split with good wind, becomes a 5–6 hour passage in a power catamaran. Lastovo, the Adriatic's most remote major island, becomes genuinely accessible within a 7-day charter frame.
Twin engines deliver redundancy and maneuvering confidence. Modern twin-engine power catamarans typically carry 110–150 horsepower per engine, cruising efficiently at 12–15 knots (fuel-conscious) or accelerating to 18–20 knots for longer open-water passages. Engine-only cruising eliminates the uncertainty of wind-dependent sailing, a major advantage for charterers uncomfortable with forecasting or those encountering marginal wind conditions.
The twin-hull design provides remarkable stability under power. Rolling motion in beam seas is minimal; passengers sleeping belowdecks remain untroubled by sideways motion. The shallow draft (1.0–1.5 meters) opens access to the inner archipelago's shallow anchorages—Šolta, Drvenik, and the protected bays of Brač—where depth limits become irrelevant.
Technical Characteristics and Fleet Details
Power catamarans in this region typically range from 40 to 55 feet, with 4-6 spacious cabins, modern galleys, and full air-conditioning. Dual Yanmar or Volvo engines deliver 110–150 hp each. Fuel tanks typically hold 1,000–1,500 liters, enabling 200–400 nautical miles of range depending on speed and sea state. Most include water-makers, solar panels, and modern navigation systems (GPS, chartplotter, depth sounder).
Fuel consumption varies: cruising at 12 knots (economical) consumes roughly 10–12 gallons per hour combined; at 18 knots, consumption climbs to 20–25 gallons per hour. A typical 7-day charter cruising at moderate speeds costs €400–€700 in fuel—slightly more than a sailing yacht in calm conditions, slightly less than constant motoring.
Unlike sailing catamarans, power catamarans rarely carry extensive sail plans; some carry a modest jib for stabilization in beam seas, but primary propulsion is typically engine-driven. This simplifies crew requirements—no sail-handling training needed—and enables operation by crews with strictly motor-boating backgrounds.
Ideal Routes for Power Catamaran Exploration
The Complete Southern Loop (7 Days)
Depart Split or Trogir. Day 1: cruise to Brač (Bol or Milna, 25–30 nm, 3–4 hours). Day 2: cruise to Hvar (15 nm, 2 hours); afternoon explore Pakleni islands or Hvar town. Day 3: cruise to Vis (20 nm, 2.5 hours); explore Vis town and Komiža. Day 4: day-sail to Biševo (Blue Cave) or remote coves on Vis's south coast. Day 5: cruise to Korčula (35 nm, 4 hours); spend afternoon and evening in Korčula town. Day 6: cruise to Lastovo (25 nm, 3 hours)—the Adriatic's most remote and least developed major island. Overnight in pristine anchorage. Day 7: return cruise to Split (75 nm, 8 hours at economical speed, or break into two relaxed days). This route covers roughly 200 nm and exposes crews to the region's best islands without demanding advanced sailing or heavy-weather competency.
The Island Intensive: Seven Islands (5-7 Days)
For time-limited vacation: Split → Šolta (30 nm, 3.5 hours) → Brač (25 nm, 3 hours) → Hvar (15 nm, 2 hours) → Vis (20 nm, 2.5 hours) → Drvenik Veli (18 nm, 2.5 hours) → Korčula (40 nm, 5 hours) → return Split (75 nm, 8–9 hours). Total: roughly 220 nm covered in 5 days (44 nm daily, entirely achievable). In a sailing vessel, this route demands confident navigation and good wind; in a power catamaran, it's leisurely and stress-free.
The Relaxed Northern Focus (5-7 Days)
Those prioritizing cultural exploration and anchorage leisure: Split → Trogir (15 nm, 2 hours) → explore Kaštela bays (short 5–10 nm hops between villages) → Čiovo island → Šolta → return Split. This route covers only 80–100 nm total but enables 2–3 days of true relaxation in each location, with the flexibility to extend stays based on whim rather than wind conditions.
Power Catamaran Seasonal Advantage
Power catamarans genuinely excel in marginal-wind seasons. April and May: Variable winds, occasional Bura gusts, shorter daylight. A sailing yacht might struggle with calms or face strong headwinds; a power catamaran ignores weather uncertainty and delivers predictable, comfortable cruising. October and November: Similar advantage—Maestral winds fade, Bura becomes more frequent, and the ability to motor independently of forecast becomes genuinely valuable.
Peak summer (July–August) offers little advantage to power catamarans over sailing vessels—the Maestral is strong and reliable, and most crews prefer the romance of sailing. But for April, May, October, or November charters, power catamarans significantly improve the vacation experience by eliminating wind-dependent uncertainty.
Pricing and Seasonal Costs
Power catamarans typically cost €3,500–€6,000 per week bareboat in high season (July–August), roughly equivalent to sailing multihulls. Low season (May–June, September–October): €2,500–€4,000. Off-season (April, November): €1,800–€3,000. Fuel costs (€400–€700 weekly depending on cruising speed and distances) are additional.
Skipper and crew fees are shown on each boat's page. For families or non-boating charterers, crewed power catamarans represent the ultimate in relaxation: you board, are presented with itineraries, make comfort-focused choices, and disembark without planning or navigation responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Power Catamaran Charters
Is power catamaran cruising as enjoyable as sailing?
Different, not better or worse. Power cruising eliminates the engagement and technique of sailing but enables relaxation, social interaction, and geographic coverage impossible under sail alone. If you're chartering primarily to relax and explore widely, power catamarans excel. If sailing technique and romantic wind-powered cruising matter equally, choose a sailing catamaran or monohull.
Can I anchor safely in the same locations as sailing yachts?
Absolutely. Holding, swing space, and seabed conditions are identical for power and sailing catamarans. The dual-hull design offers identical shallow-draft advantages. Anchoring technique is identical, and wind-related swing risks are the same.
What's the fuel budget for a week's charter?
Economical cruising (12–14 knots): €400–€500. Moderate cruising (15–16 knots): €500–€650. Fast passages (18–20 knots): €800–€1,200. A realistic 7-day charter mixing speeds averages €600–€800 in fuel. Fuel costs are higher than pure sailing but typically lower than continuous motoring in monohull motor yachts because multihull efficiency is superior.
Can a power catamaran captain less experienced crews?
Absolutely. No sailing knowledge is required. Boating competency (basic maneuvering, anchoring, radio communication) is enough for the handling, but bareboat still requires a boating licence recognised in Croatia and a VHF (SRC) certificate on board. Many crews hire professional skippers for confidence and provisioning management, but power catamarans rarely demand the navigational expertise pure sailing requires.
Do power catamarans offer the same comfort as sailing multihulls?
Yes. Internal cabin layouts, beamwidth, and accommodation are identical or near-identical between power and sailing multihulls of similar length. The difference is propulsion philosophy, not comfort. Some power catamarans actually offer slight advantages (more engine room-freed spaces, reduced rigging complications).
Are there disadvantages to power-catamaran cruising?
Fuel dependency is the primary drawback. Strong headwinds don't slow a power catamaran, but fuel consumption increases at higher speeds. Anchoring for days without moving to avoid weather or boredom depletes fuel reserves. Romantic sailing heritage purists sometimes view motor-only cruising as less authentic, though this is subjective. Noise is marginally higher than sailing (engine rumble displaces wind sounds), though modern engines are quieter than previous generations.
Crewed Power Catamaran Experiences
Professional crew transforms power catamaran charters into fully managed vacations. A captain handles navigation and heavy maneuvering; a hostess manages provisioning, prepares meals, and organizes shore activities. Itineraries are often flexible—crews consult guest preferences daily and adjust accordingly. Some charter companies include water toys (kayaks, snorkeling gear, inflatable mats), spa services, and diving options. For upscale vacations where the vessel is transportation to curated experiences rather than the experience itself, crewed power catamarans are unmatched.
Start Your Power Catamaran Charter
Power catamarans in the Split region suit a specific charter philosophy: geographic ambition, time constraints, or wind-season flexibility valued over traditional sailing. If you're exploring the Adriatic in April, October, or November—or if you're chartering with a week to maximize island coverage—a power catamaran is worth serious consideration. The combination of speed, stability, comfort, and minimal weather dependence delivers genuine value for the right charterer profile.
Explore our partners' curated power catamaran fleet. Search power catamarans in Split now, compare crewed and bareboat options, or browse all Croatian motor-catamaran options. Questions about boat type selection? Check how we help sailors choose the right vessel.
Can I add a skipper or hostess after booking the bareboat?
Yes. Boat4You arranges professional skippers and hostesses on short notice, subject to availability.
What happens if weather cancels a planned leg?
Your skipper recommends shelter or an alternative route. Flexibility is part of the experience; we do not force risky passages. Boat4You support is a phone call away for reroute advice.
Plan your charter
Start by browsing available boats on the search page, or check the FAQ for common questions. New to chartering? See how the booking works.