It does work on catamarans although I've not been able to get it to drift foreward much - mostly sideways. It does put considerable pressure on the jib and it stays plastered on the mast and diamonds...I wouldn't do it unless I had to. However, the alternative "parking" requires attention to the tiller when in rough seas and heavy wind. Heaving to, does not require your attention on the tiller and could be useful if you have a more serious problem to attend to.