Builder · Mid · La Rochelle, France
French cruising catamaran builder, 1976-founded. Public-traded. Cruising cats 40 to 67 feet, plus the My-Power line of motor catamarans.
Fountaine-Pajot is the French cruising-catamaran builder, founded in 1976 in La Rochelle. The company is publicly traded (Euronext Paris: ALFPC). The lineup runs cruising cats from the 40 Saba through the Alegria 67 flagship, plus the My-Power motor-catamaran line.
The brand argument is upper-mid build tier cruising catamarans. Fountaine-Pajot sits between Lagoon (volume) and the premium-tier builders like Outremer and Catana on hardware grade and fit-and-finish.
Our reviews
Fountaine-Pajot
The French-built cruising cat that took over from the Helia 44. The Elba 45 sails better than most cats in the segment and carries the cabin volume that defines the class.
Fountaine-Pajot
The French-built cruising cat that replaced the Helia 44. The Elba 45 sails better than most cats in the segment and carries the cabin volume that defines the class.
Lineup
Saba / Lipari / Astrea / Tanna / Aura / Samana / Alegria
Cruising catamarans 40 to 67 feet
My-Power line (My 4.S / 5.S / 6.S)
Power catamarans 40 to 60 feet
Model breakdown
The volume cruising-cat range. Twin Yanmar or Volvo saildrive, full master suite plus 3 to 4 guest cabins.
Things we like
Things we don't
My-Power is the motor-cat line. Twin Volvo IPS or Yanmar diesel inboard, semi-displacement hull, master suite plus guest cabins.
Things we like
Things we don't
Buyer's guide
Fountaine-Pajot was founded in 1976 by Jean-François Fountaine and Yves Pajot in La Rochelle, France. The brand grew through the 1980s and 1990s as the cruising-catamaran segment expanded.
The company has been publicly traded (Euronext Paris: ALFPC) since 1989. Production has stayed in La Rochelle.
Fountaine-Pajot catamarans use moderate-displacement asymmetric demi-hull forms. The brand differentiates on hardware grade and fit-and-finish at the upper-mid tier.
Yanmar and Volvo diesel saildrive (or inboard for power line) are the standard rigging options.
Yanmar / Volvo saildrive seal pattern on 2017 to 2020 hulls warrants inspection.
Hardware grade slightly above Lagoon at equivalent LOA.
Bridge-deck slamming on pre-2017 Lipari hulls in following seas was a documented complaint, post-2017 redesign tightened.
Dealer network concentrated in Europe and the Mediterranean; US coverage is mid-density.
Fountaine-Pajot holds resale slightly above Lagoon in the cruising-cat segment. Three-year depreciation runs 16 to 22 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 26 to 32 percent.
Buyers cross-shop Fountaine-Pajot against Lagoon, Bali, and Leopard on the cruising-cat segment. The argument is upper-mid hardware grade and the public-company production stability.
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