Let us start with the most basic definition, via Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catamaran

Did that make sense? 

When you realize that the basic design of pacific oceanic catamarans actually predate the Pinta, the Niña, and the Santa Maria, it is a wonder that Europeans rejected the design advantages for literally hundreds of years, preferring their slow, heavy, lumbering and uncomfortable sailing ships that were far less suited to long-distance ocean journeys than the catamarans being used by the Pacific islanders to traverse, explore, and settle the far reaches of the Pacific.

Interestingly, the preferred design for each group clearly reflected their perception of and relationship with the ocean.  The islanders related to the ocean as if it was their mother, while Europeans saw the sea as dark and full of giant monsters....

So, for the sake of demonstration.... of the different perception, world view, and design priorities....

Let us suppose....

    Suppose that Cats are the standard and a young and ambitious designer comes up with a new design for a boat: the mono-hull.

    So how would he promote this design?

He would make a list of features and benefits, contrasting the new design with the standard one. It would at least have to meet the following standards:

• it would have to stay afloat when hit by waves;
• it would have to provide more deck space;
• it would have to have more space inside;
• it would have to be light;
• it would have be maneuverable in shallow water;
• it would have to be as safe;
• it would have to be unsinkable.

    To find out how the mono-hull lives up to these standards, click on the link to the right to see 'the rest of the story'.

A number of cars and tractors are involved to retrieve a run-about. It is really hilarious!

This yacht was stranded after a tsunami. As you can see it cost quite a lot of money and effort to retrieve it.