Is it better to place the engine (outboard) on a catamaran between the two hulls (center) or on each side of the hull?
Impossible question to address without knowing what size cat we re talking about. Don’t even know if we re talking power or sailing cat. Yes, with a very small cat you can mount a single outboard on the beam. Anything over 30’ would have twins on or in the hull.
The real "head scratcher" is the Aspen power-cat. The 42 has a single inboard diesel in the starboard hull. Bow and stern thrusters also only in the starboard hull. OK, lets turn starboard! No way... Love to see one dock at St Augustine municipal marina, inside