Multihull
![The Salem Ferry Catamaran approaching its dock off Blaney Street in Salem, Massachusetts, USA.](/Images/godic/202501/28/Salem_Ferry2817.JPG")
![Fig.1: Some examples of hull arrangements for multihull ships
1) catamaran: two identical hulls
2) catamaran with non-symmetric hulls
3) trimaran: three symmetric hulls
4) trimaran with flat outer boards of side hulls
5) catamaran with shifted hulls
6) proa or conventional outrigger
7) triple-hull ship with smaller side hulls](/Images/godic/202501/28/Hull_arrangements_for_multihull_ships2817.png")
![Multihull and monohull ship layouts](/Images/godic/202501/28/Multihull.svg2817.png")
![Hull Arrangements for Small-Waterline-Area Multihull Ships1) SWATH ; each hull consists of the under-water volume (gondola or under-water volume or pontoon) and one long strut; the type is named after the first built ship: duplus2) SWATH trisec two short struts on each hull;3) tricore: triple-hull SWA ship with identical hulls
4) SWA with two outriggers
5) conventional central hull and SWA outriggers
6) a SWA monohull with foils](/Images/godic/202501/28/Hull_arrangements_for_small-waterplane-area_multihull_ships2817.png")
A multihull is a ship, vessel, craft or boat with more than one hull. Multihull ships (vessels, craft, boats) include multiple types, sizes and applications. Hulls range from two to five, of uniform or diverse types and arrangements
Catamarans are the most common type, with two symmetric hulls. They are used as racing, sailing, tourist and fishing boats. About 70% of fast passenger and car-passenger ferries are catamarans. About 300 semi-submersible drilling and auxiliary platforms operate at sea.