ACY Yachts has widened its wake on the West Coast, adding the full line of Dufour Sailboats to its growing portfolio. Through its subsidiary, ACY California, the company is now the exclusive West Coast representative for the French builder’s performance cruising monohulls, succeeding Denison Yachting in the role.

As part of the expansion, ACY California is taking over Denison Yachting’s Marina del Rey operation, including its slips, service facilities, and experienced sales staff. With its San Diego headquarters, a strategic new presence in Marina del Rey, and an established location in Kamuela, Hawaii, the dealership now offers extensive coverage for yacht buyers and owners from Southern California to the Hawaiian Islands.

“This is a natural fit for our growth strategy,” said Rick Day, President of ACY California. “By combining our expertise with the legacy of Dufour and the innovation of Fountaine Pajot, we’re delivering West Coast sailors an unparalleled range of premium yachts and services.”

Dufour’s European-crafted sailboats are known for their blend of comfort, performance, and contemporary styling. The addition complements ACY’s existing lineup of Fountaine Pajot’s bluewater cruising catamarans, creating a comprehensive sailing portfolio for clients.

In addition to sales and service, ACY California offers ownership programs through its sister company, Waypoints Yacht Charters. The Business Yacht Ownership® program provides yacht owners with professional management and the potential to offset expenses while enjoying private use of their vessel.

ACY Yachts and Waypoints Yacht Charters are part of the Fountaine Pajot Groupe, a French luxury yacht builder with a global presence.

Editors’ Take: It’s always good news when sailors get more choices closer to home, and Dufour’s mix of French flair and offshore capability fits the US West Coast region’s style. Pair that with a charter management option, and these boats could start showing up in marinas from Vancouver to Cabo before long.

The post ACY Yachts Brings Dufour Sailboats to the West Coast appeared first on Cruising World.

It began the way these things often do—not with a plan, but with an invitation. A friend had chartered a boat in the British Virgin Islands and asked Mike and Cyndi Crosby to come along. It was meant to be a vacation, just a relaxing getaway. But as soon as Mike stepped aboard, something clicked.

“The second we got down and got on the boat, my brain was already spinning,” he recalled. “As soon as we left the dock and started sailing, I looked at my wife and said, ‘All right, we’ve got to figure out how to do this on our own. I don’t want to have to wait to be invited back.’”

That spark ignited a journey that would unfold over the course of nearly two decades. From YouTube tutorials and beginner books to ASA navigation courses and charter captain checkouts, the Crosbys’ transition from wide-eyed guests to confident owners wasn’t sudden—it was a steady climb. What started with wonder became a calling. And eventually, it became a way of life.

From Student to Skipper: Earning the Helm

In the early days, Mike set out to educate himself however he could. He devoured the growing catalog of YouTube sailing channels like SV Delos, not just for the aspirational stories but to learn—watching closely how skippers trimmed sails, navigated anchorages, handled systems. He read Sailing for Dummies, and on subsequent charters with his friend, he eagerly took the helm at every opportunity.

But there was a limit to what he could learn aboard big boats. Most of the vessels they chartered were large catamarans—44 feet and up—built for stability, not feel. “The helm can be fairly dead on big cats,” Mike explained. “You really don’t know how the weather’s affecting it. You can’t tell if your sails are properly trimmed and the boat is balanced.”

That lesson came into focus when he bought a 28-foot monohull to sail on a local lake. It was the smallest boat he’d ever sailed—and by far the most instructive. “When I first got out there with full sail up, anytime a puff came across the lake, I’d get that weather helm and broach right into the wind,” he said. “I didn’t understand the dynamics—I thought I had a bad boat.”

But what he had, in fact, was a teacher. The lake and the boat taught him to listen. A sudden heel meant the sail plan was wrong. A broach was a message, not a malfunction. He learned to reef early, to trim with precision, to feel the subtle shifts in balance through the tiller. It was a kind of learning no catamaran could offer.

As the idea of captaining their own charter began to take shape, Mike faced his next hurdle. A trusted base manager in the BVI—a man they’d chartered with for years—told him he’d need more than a good recommendation. A high credit card limit helped, but so did an ASA 105 certification in Coastal Navigation. Mike took the course and found it helpful, especially in understanding tides, currents, and chart plotters. But in the end, he remained convinced: nothing beats time on the water. “If I had to have a choice between someone who’s never taken the courses but has sailed for five years, or someone who’s taken every class and never sailed—I know which boat I’m getting on.”

His moment of truth came soon after, during their first bareboat charter as captain and crew. The base manager motored out of the harbor with them, watching closely as Mike raised the main and put the boat through a few maneuvers. Then, without fanfare, he peeled off in his dinghy.

“He was like, ‘All right, looking good. Have a great trip,’” Mike recalled. “I looked at Cyndi and my parents, who were my crew, and I said, ‘Oh, we’re doing this. He left.’ Evidently, he liked what he saw. And now it was on us to bring the boat back.”

They did. And they kept coming back.

Falling for the BVI—And Returning Home

What began as a one-time invitation gradually turned into ritual. Over the years, the British Virgin Islands became more than just a favorite cruising ground for Mike and Cyndi Crosby—they became their second home. Not just for the postcard-perfect beauty or the predictability of the trade winds, but for something more enduring: connection.

“The cool thing about the BVI,” Mike said, “is it’s not just one island. Each one has its own personality, its own vibe. It’s like sailing through a chain of neighborhoods.” That mix of variety and familiarity is what keeps them coming back. Some anchorages offer peace and solitude—places to drop the hook and not see another boat for hours. Others are social hubs, alive with music, cold drinks, and warm conversation. “You can choose your own adventure,” he added. “That’s what makes it so special.”

But what truly anchors them is the people. After so many seasons afloat, the Crosbys have cultivated a network of friends on nearly every island—local restaurant owners, charter base staff, fellow cruisers.

“We call them family,” Cyndi said. “We check in with them every time we return. It’s not just a vacation anymore—it’s personal.”

Cyndi finds tranquility in the quiet corners of the BVI: the soft sands and still water of Pomato Point on Anegada, often empty except for their boat; or Benures Bay on Norman Island, where the sunsets glow over Saint John and the world feels far away. Mike gravitates toward the energy of North Sound, Virgin Gorda, where anchoring off Prickly Pear puts you within dinghy distance of Saba Rock, Bitter End, and Leverick Bay. On land, their favorite haunts include CocoMaya for dinner on the beach, and Hog Heaven, perched high above the hills, serving barbecue with arguably the best view in the Caribbean.

Even after so many visits, the BVI continues to feel new—alive with both memories and possibility. “It’s like having a vacation home,” Mike said, “but we get to move it from island to island.”

And for now, it’s a base that fits. With kids still in college and life back home tugging at their calendar, the BVI offers the perfect mix of accessibility, variety, and ease. “We’re still in a phase where we can’t go off grid for months at a time,” he admitted. “But in the meantime, this is where we want to be.”

For the Crosbys, it’s not just about where they sail—it’s about how it makes them feel. The islands may be small, but they contain a world of meaning.

Making the Leap to Ownership

The idea of owning a boat—of not just borrowing the lifestyle, but building it—remained in the background for years. Then, at the Annapolis Boat Show in 2021, Cyndi nudged the dream into motion. After walking through a few boats, she turned to Mike and asked, “What are you waiting on?”

That day, they signed a contract for a Fountaine Pajot Isla 40.

For Mike, the timing was never going to be perfect. “It’s like having kids—you’re never really ready. You just do it,” he said. But the decision wasn’t just about owning a boat—it was about building a platform for the life they wanted.

Rather than keep the Isla for private use, they placed it in the Waypoints charter fleet in the BVI, largely because of their long-standing relationship with Anthony, the base manager. Trust, Mike emphasized, was everything. “I just know it’s going to be taken care of better than I could take care of it from 2,000 miles away,” he said.

They knew going in that charter ownership wasn’t a passive investment. Revenue ebbs and flows with the seasons, and during hurricane haul-outs, the expenses don’t stop just because the bookings do. “You’ve got to plan for the downtime just like you plan for the income,” Mike said. “Some months are great, some not so much.”

What’s made the difference, they believe, is their mindset. Rather than relying solely on the management company, they’ve taken an active role—marketing the boat, helping guests book trips, even stepping into new professional territory. Cyndi, who’s long helped friends plan vacations, is now earning her travel agent certification to formalize the work she’s already been doing behind the scenes.

“We treat it like a business because, well, it is one,” Mike said. “I love boats. I love the maritime industry. I want to be around people who feel the same. And I think that energy shows.”

For owners looking for less involvement, he acknowledges that guaranteed income programs offer predictability—but often at the expense of flexibility and oversight. “Whatever path you take,” he advised, “just take some ownership. Know what you’re signing up for.”

Lessons Learned, Upgrades Earned

Now, after two and a half years with the Isla, they’re preparing to step into the next phase: a new Fountaine Pajot 44. The decision to upgrade didn’t come out of restlessness but from experience—two and a half years of living with their Isla 40, learning what worked, what didn’t, and what they wanted more of.

“We always figured if it all worked out, we’d eventually move into that mid-40s range,” Mike said. When Fountaine Pajot announced their new 44—featuring design upgrades trickling down from their larger models—it felt like the right boat at the right time.

The changes may seem incremental on paper, but for the Crosbys, they’re meaningful. The new 44 adds an island in the galley for more prep space, a better seating layout, and most notably, an upper flybridge lounge—a significant improvement over the twin sunpads on their current boat. Storage is smarter. Ventilation is better. And for Cyndi, who handles the anchoring duties, there’s a game-changer: a redesigned anchor locker that’s no longer buried under cushions on the foredeck. “Now I just pop open a table lid and it’s right there,” she said, laughing. “I won’t be half-inside the locker anymore trying to get the bridle on.”

Other upgrades speak to the lessons learned only after spending real time aboard. The forward cabins now feature full-size beds, not just tapered doubles that give guests the short end of the stick. There’s more room for water toys, more thoughtful airflow throughout, and just enough extra storage to avoid the constant shuffle of gear. “We realized over time how much those small details matter,” Mike said. “And this new boat just checks the boxes we didn’t even know we had until we started using the first one.”

Cruising on Their Terms

Looking back, Mike doesn’t believe they’d do much differently—though Cyndi jokes he might’ve dragged his feet a little early on. They nearly bought a used Voyage 440 just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The closing was scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2020—the same week the world seemed to tilt. As a restaurant owner facing the prospect of lockdowns, Mike backed out. “It just didn’t feel like the right time to take on a boat,” he said. That decision delayed their dream another three years.

But in hindsight, it may have been exactly the timing they needed. “Those were the years our kids were in high school and headed off to college,” he reflected. “We were in the thick of it—driving them around, being present. I don’t know that we could’ve really used the boat the way we intended back then.”

Now, as near-empty nesters, they have the flexibility to take two- or three-week trips without the stress of juggling school schedules or the sense of missing out. Their plan has never been to live aboard full-time—but to build a lifestyle that lets them step away and truly be away.

That’s what the new boat represents—not just more comfort and capability, but a deeper embrace of the life they’ve spent nearly twenty years building. From the spark of a charter trip to the helm of a purpose-built catamaran, every step has been intentional. And for the Crosbys, the journey is still just getting underway.

The post From Charter Dreamers to Catamaran Owners: A Life Built Under Sail appeared first on Cruising World.

The Fountaine Pajot Thíra 80 is a luxurious 24-meter catamaran that represents the pinnacle of maritime elegance and innovative design, offering unprecedented comfort and personalization through features like retractable side deck balconies and customizable interior spaces. Beyond its impressive physical dimensions, the yacht provides an immersive experience that transforms passengers from mere observers to active participants in the maritime landscape, allowing them to move in harmony with the natural world. With thoughtful details like transparent solar panels, Pierre Frey upholstery options, and a philosophy of exceeding owners’ expectations, the Thíra 80 is not just a sailing vessel, but a floating sanctuary that promises to create unforgettable emotional experiences for those fortunate enough to step aboard.

Key Features:

• Retractable side deck balconies
• Customizable interior design options
• 24-meter luxury catamaran length
• Transparent solar panel shelters
• Immersive maritime living experience
• Pierre Frey upholstery selections

Specs at a Glance:

• Length overall
  23.99 m
• Beam overall
  11.09 m
• Draft
  2.00 m
• Mainsail area
  200 m2
• Genoa area
  140 m2
• Displacement unloaded
  66 T
• Standard Power
  2 x 270 cv
• Option Power
  2 x 425 cv
• Fresh water tank
  1600 L
• Diesel tank
  2400 + 1000 option L
• Architect
  Berret-Racoupeau Design

The post Cruising World On Board: Fountaine Pajot Thira 80 appeared first on Cruising World.

A funny thing has happened in the evolution of cruising catamarans. The category, at the outset, was defined by straightforward simplicity. This was true going back to the double-hulled Polynesian voyaging canoes, through the iconic designs of the visionary James Wharram, on to the custom cats built on Caribbean beaches by Peter Spronk, and including the early production cats of the modern era from Fountaine Pajot and Lagoon. Cruising catamarans were basically a pair of narrow hulls with a rather minimalistic living and working space sandwiched between them. 

It wasn’t too long before builders and designers realized that if they added a bit of volume to those hulls and stretched them, they could fill them with comfortable double-berth staterooms, en suite heads and other amenities. And, thanks largely to the ­catamaran’s emergence as an excellent platform for bareboat charter, designers could also make them taller (the “wedding-cake effect”). That brought us not only upper-deck lounges with day beds, grills and refrigerators, but also dedicated flybridges with steering stations that were once the exclusive domain of trawlers and sport-fishing craft.

Everything’s gotten bigger these days. Certainly, here in my hometown of Newport, Rhode Island, and in nearby destinations including Long Island, Cape Cod and Nantucket, modest seaside homes have been razed to make room for garish mansions with gyms, pools and astronomical square footage. In contemporary cruising cats, I’m feeling comparable vibes. 

As a judge for the 2024 Boat of the Year awards, I was struck by the technology, sophistication and similarities of the contestants vying for Best Cruising Catamaran Over 50 Feet. Both were from French builders, both were 51 feet, and both had seven-figure price tags. The Lagoon 51 was a very different beast than the first Lagoon I ever stepped aboard, the compact Lagoon 37. And the winning boat, the Fountaine Pajot Aura 51, was a far cry from the basic Louisiane 37 that launched the company’s foray into cruising cats back in 1983. 

Fountaine Pajot has certainly placed a big bet on the Aura 51, as it’s replacing the Saba 50, of which some 300 hulls were sold. Describing the overall aesthetic by Berret-Racoupeau Design is no simple task. The lines are actually pretty sweet for a gargantuan 51-footer with a beam of more than 25 feet. As with all contemporary cats, the waterline is maxed out, with a plumb bow and an extended boarding step in the squarish transom. The hull windows and the wraparound window treatment in the coachroof complement each other well.

Clearly, the goal was to optimize comfort at anchor. There are cushioned seats in the forward deck, just abaft the trampolines. What the company calls the “sky lounge” is topside on the roof of the Bimini hardtop over the cockpit, with a 2,000-watt array of solar panels sharing this space.

The steering wheel is to starboard, a few steps up from the cockpit, putting the skipper in a strategic location to communicate with mates on the lower or upper level, which is another four steps up from the wheel. Everything’s a compromise when it comes to boats, and the drawback here is that there are blind spots to port, particularly if coming along a portside berth. You’re going to want a mate calling out the distance. (There is no flybridge wheel.)

That said, I’m actually a big fan of the split steering station, with the wheel, engine controls and Garmin instruments on a pedestal under a canvas Bimini top, and a trio of Lewmar self-tailing electric winches, a pair of Spinlock rope clutches, and all the running rigging led to a dedicated pod just forward of the helmsman. This is a signature Fountaine Pajot feature on several models. Frankly, with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, I’m surprised more builders have not adopted this layout. It really does allow for solo sailing; the driver can put the boat on autopilot, slip a couple of steps forward, and trim and reef to the heart’s delight. 

Unfortunately, for our sea trial on Chesapeake Bay, we didn’t have the double-digit windspeeds needed to put the Aura 51 through its proper paces, but the boat moved well in the 5- to 8-knot northerly, making over 4 knots closehauled, and an even 4 when cracked off on a beam reach. A company rep suggested that in better breeze, the boat would generally make speeds about half that of the true-wind pressure. There’s an optional bowsprit arrangement with all the associated hardware to set a code-zero-style headsail.

There certainly is no lack of sail area, particularly the square-topped full-battened mainsail that’s set off a whopping 76-foot spar. We see quite a few sails from French sailmaker Incidence on French-built boats, like the ones on our test ride, and they are always top-notch. The boat we tested also had optional twin 75 hp Volvo Pentas with saildrives (60 hp engines are standard). The boat galloped along at over 8 knots at 2,400 rpm. Decibel-wise, it was one of the quietest in the entire 2024 Boat of the Year fleet. The composite construction is a rather straightforward combination of resin injection and infusion with balsa core in the hulls and Divinycell foam in the deck.

All of which brings us to the vessel’s true raison d’être: the open floor plan with condolike cabins and accommodations, which are impressive. 

The sliding doors separating the main cabin and cockpit can be fully opened. The main dining table is in the cockpit and can be fully enclosed with canopies. The straight-line galley is inside and to port, bordered by an island that doubles as counters and a workspace for the cook. There’s plenty of seating, and the views through the coachroof windows are terrific. Surprisingly, there is no dedicated navigation station, which to me seems like an oversight on a boat of this size.

Several layouts are available. Our test model had the “double maestro”: a master stateroom aft in each hull, accessed from the interior or through a pair of gullwing doors in the cockpit. Guest staterooms are forward. Boat of the Year judge Mark Pillsbury noted that this could be a nice setup for two owners to share, whether sailing separately or together. Regarding our choice of the Aura 51 over the Lagoon for Boat of the Year, our panel collectively felt that both boats would do well in charter, but that the Aura was better suited to real cruising as opposed to being aimed more toward vacation sailing. 

No pun intended, but there’s a definite aura to this rangy cat that separates it from the other models that Fountaine Pajot produces. This is a boat meant to be lived on and in, for extended periods, in high comfort bordering on true luxury. Bring friends and family. On the Aura 51, there is definitely room for the whole gang. 

Herb McCormick is a CW editor at large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.

Did You Know?

■ Fountaine Pajot is pioneering a “zero-emission energy system” in the Aura 51. The Smart Electric version of the boat incorporates electric motors, folding props, solar panels, a generator, and a pair of lithium-ion battery banks capable of storing 54 kilowatt hours. Under sail via hydrogeneration, the system can recharge the batteries in 48 hours. 

■ Founded in 1976 by a quartet that included Olympic sailor Jean-François Fountaine and offshore racer Yves Pajot, Fountaine Pajot specialized at the start in racing dinghies and IOR-rule monohulls. The company later delved into large, record-setting transoceanic catamarans and trimarans. It wasn’t until 1983 that the yard pivoted to cruising cats, beginning with the Louisiana 37. 

■ During the past four decades, Fountaine Pajot has produced more than three dozen models, many named after the destinations or islands that inspired them: Tobago 35, Saba 50, Eleuthera 60 and so on. Today, the company also includes Dufour Yachts, a range of power cats, and eight cruising/sailing cat models from 40 to 80 feet.

The post Sailboat Review: Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 appeared first on Cruising World.

Atlantic Cruising Yachts has been named the official Fountaine Pajot sailing and power catamarans dealer for California, with three sales locations in San Diego, Dana Point, and Newport Beach. The territory expansion follows the recent announcement of two new offices in the Great Lakes region. 

Atlantic Cruising Yachts has also recently rebranded under the name ACY Yachts. Its exclusive distribution of the popular catamaran brand Fountaine Pajot now stretches across North America with 8 offices and 18 regional yacht consultants.

In production since 1976, Fountaine Pajot catamarans have become highly regarded for their innovative design, spacious interiors, onboard comfort and noteworthy performance. With models that cater to various needs and preferences including eight models of sailing catamarans and five models of power catamarans ranging from 40 to 80 feet, Fountaine Pajot is a longtime pillar of the production catamaran scene. 

“We’re thrilled about the ACY Yachts expansion in California through our partnership with Luke Brown Yachts West,” said Christian Bent, president of ACY Yachts. “Not only do we have the opportunity to introduce Fountaine Pajot catamarans to new customers on the West Coast, but we can also present yacht buyers with more options on their ownership journey, including the Business Yacht Ownership approach,” Bent added.

Thanks to ACY Yachts’ partnership with its affiliate company Waypoints Yacht Charters and other premiere charter operators, there is a smarter way to own and manage yachts. One that meets the needs of the most discerning customers: a better yachting experience, less hassle, and robust support with maintenance and charter management. To learn more about ACY Yachts’ Business Yacht Ownership, visit: https://atlantic-cruising.com/business-yacht-ownership/.

ACY Yachts will represent Fountaine Pajot catamarans during the San Diego boat show, June 20-23, with the Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 on display, as well as during its ACY Yachts California Launch Event & Open House on July 9 at its new San Diego office.

About ACY Yachts 

ACY Yachts, originally known as Atlantic Cruising Yachts, is one of the largest sailing yacht dealerships in North America with exclusive distribution of new Fountaine Pajot Sailing and Power Catamarans, as well as Dufour Yachts. The dealership counts 8 offices in North America, in Annapolis (MD), St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale (FL), Kemah (TX), Toronto (ON), Sandusky (OH), San Diego (CA) and St Thomas (USVI). ACY Yachts also founded Waypoints Yacht Charters, a network of boutique charter operators. Waypoints offers professional management and maintenance to yacht owners who wish to offset their cost of ownership by placing their boat in a charter fleet. Waypoints locations span from the East Coast of the US to Caribbean locations, including Annapolis (MD), St Petersburg (FL) the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.

The post ACY Yachts Expands to the West Coast appeared first on Cruising World.

It was perhaps fitting that Fountaine-Pajot and Lagoon Catamarans—two longtime pillars in the production catamaran community—came head-to-head for the title of best cruising cat over 50 feet for 2024. Talk about symmetry: Both boats measure in at about 51 feet. A nearly exact price point of just around $1.6 million. Each is produced by one of the pioneering French multihull builders that’s been at the game for decades. In some ways, this matchup was not unlike a heavyweight boxing bout between Ali and Frazier, or a good old-fashioned feud like the Hatfields and McCoys. It was a duel that the judges relished and dreaded because the competition would undoubtedly be close—but there could be only one champ. 

Winner: Fountaine-Pajot Aura 51

During deliberations, judge Mark Pillsbury summarized the overall layout of the Aura 51, a viewpoint shared by his fellow panelists: “A length overall of 51 feet is enough space to give designers options when it comes to how a cruising cat is laid out, and Fountaine-Pajot takes advantage of this by offering a variety of layouts, with up to six cabins in charter mode. The boat we sailed in Annapolis had what they term a ‘double Maestro layout,’ i.e., a master cabin aft in each hull, with guest quarters forward. It would be a boat that two owners might share, sailing separately or together occasionally. I really liked their decision to locate the helm station on the Aura partway between the cockpit and the flybridge, which they called the sky lounge. That way, the skipper stays in contact with guests below and above, and has good visibility astern when docking. I also like the separation between the steering seat and the three winches on the cabin top. Shorthanded, the autopilot can be engaged when the skipper steps forward to trim sails, and with crew, the trimmer has room to work and the skipper room to steer. We had light wind the day we sailed, only about 5 to 8 knots, and the Aura made 4 knots closehauled—a good run for a big, well-stocked cruising cat.

Judge Herb McCormick weighed in: “I really thought that this category was a toss-up. Both boats will be sold to private owners and will also be set up for the charter trade. At the end of the day, what leaned me toward the Aura was that helmsman’s arrangement, centered between the cockpit and the top deck. I loved that big flybridge on the Lagoon, which will be a great space especially on charter, but this is the best ‘cruising’ cat, not best ‘charter’ cat, and that one feature I believe is better-suited to real cruising.”

Runner-up: Lagoon Catamarans 51

The French boatbuilding industry is to be applauded for its forward-thinking approach to sustainable building practices and exploring next-generation powering and propulsion systems. Judge Tim Murphy focused in on Lagoon’s approach: “This is largest Lagoon fully intended for owner-operators. Beginning with 55, the next size up in the range, a professional captain is expected to be involved. Lagoon produces 275 boats per year. From this year’s Boat of the Year fleet, Lagoon is at the forefront of carbon-positive materials: 35 percent biomaterial in the polyester resin (compared with 14 percent last year), with hemp fibers employed instead of glass in some of the smaller molded parts. The production plant is certified ISO 9001, 40001, 50001, which is notable for the commitment to sustainable manufacturing.” 

Unlike McCormick, judge Mark Pillsbury liked the Lagoon’s helm station just fine. He said: “The 51 is a big boat, but the layout of the helm station on the flybridge makes the boat simple to operate with a shorthanded crew. All sail controls are led to three winches on the cabin top, and there is a Harken electric sidewinder winch adjacent to the wheel to control the traveler. And for a large cruising cat, I thought that the 51 sailed well. The steering was very smooth. In 8 to 12 knots of breeze, we saw boatspeeds in the high 6s and 7s depending on our point of sail. The view from the helm was tremendous.”

The post 2024 Boat of the Year: Best Cruising Catamaran Over 50 Feet appeared first on Cruising World.

The Tanna 47 offers a heightened feeling of space, letting in light and focusing on elegance, highlighting the boat’s interior design. Her flybridge features an expanded lounge area that creates a friendly atmosphere and an incomparable benefit – ergonomics while sailing.

For more info about the Tanna 47, visit Tanna 47 Fountaine Pajot.

For a sea trial of the Tanna 47, visit Boarding Pass Fountaine Pajot.

About Fountaine Pajot

Legitimacy and values

The story of Fountaine-Pajot began in 1976, and the story of its creators long before that. Boldness has propelled us forward from the start. We have acquired experience and expertise over the years, but also the wisdom that has guided us. The open sea teaches humility. Yes, wisdom is one of the core values of Fountaine-Pajot and it comes into play when making new choices.

Identity and transmission

Today, Fountaine-Pajot is an ambitious structure, proud of its local roots and its history, capable of adjusting its course to adapt to the challenges of the world to come. New generations have joined us and are breathing new life into the company. The stakes are high. Transmission plays a part. With us, the generations flow together.

To learn more about Fountaine Pajot, visit Fountaine Pajot Luxury Catamarans.

The post Cruising World Onboard: Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 appeared first on Cruising World.

With a length overall of 61 feet, 7 inches and a beam of just over 31 feet, Fountaine Pajot’s Samana 59 is a big boat. As I wandered fore and aft, upstairs and down, while sailing on a sun-splashed morning on Chesapeake Bay with Cruising World’s Boat of the Year judges, I found multiple places to stop and take in the surroundings. 

The view from the flybridge was expansive; in the cockpit, the gurgle of the wake passing by was hypnotic. It was a little early in the day to kick back on the foredeck sun cushions, and besides, my feet kept taking me back to the owner’s stateroom in the starboard hull, where an athwartships queen berth sat amidships. Leaning on its edge, I could look directly out the long, rectangular port in the hull and see waves dancing by. 

Yep, I thought. That would be the place to be.

Fountaine Pajot is a longtime player in the French catamaran industry. Its more-recent models have tacked in the direction of luxury accommodations, but it hasn’t forgotten its performance roots. Besides looking good, most of the FPs I’ve encountered have sailed well too, the Samana included.

Designed by Berret-Racoupeau—FP’s collaborator for nearly a decade—the Samana has stylish good looks. Its sheer rises from slightly raked-back bows and then tapers downward from the mast aft to the transoms. The lines of the cabin top are repeated in miniature on the Bimini over the ­flybridge, giving the boat a somewhat space-age look, while displaying the same visual DNA that Olivier Racoupeau employed in the rest of the FP range. The boat we visited in Annapolis, Maryland, all tricked out with gear for the show, carried a price tag of $2.8 million.

On deck, the Samana has a versatile cutter rig with a slightly overlapping jib and large genoa, both set on electric furlers. Upwind, roll out the jib, and coming about is a fairly straightforward chore (with a little help from electric Antal winches). Off the wind, furl the small sail, and deploy the big genoa for more power when reaching. During our test sail, in 9 to 10 knots of breeze, the speedo hovered in the 6-knot range on a reach. Our speed was slightly less than that closehauled—not a big cat’s favorite point of sail. I’d guess that in the Caribbean trade winds, where a boat like the Samana is likely to be found, the ride would be a bit more spirited.

The Samana’s fiberglass hull is resin-infused and balsa-cored for strength and stiffness; the deck and several smaller parts are injection-molded, which gives them a finished look top and bottom. Bulkheads are all cored composite structures and are tabbed to the hulls using fiberglass cloth and resin. Aluminum plates are placed in the laminate wherever hardware is to be installed, and they get drilled and tapped for
assembly.

Living space aboard the Samana is well-thought-out and can accommodate a crowd. The cockpit has a dining table to port and a settee opposite. A ­second couch spans the transom, with a fridge, grill and sink adjacent to it, to starboard. At anchor, a hydraulic swim platform can be raised for sunbathing or lowered to the water. On the foredeck, there’s more space to kick back on a pair of U-shaped seating areas that can be reached by walking up the wide side decks, or from the saloon, which has a beefy, ­watertight door front and center.

The boat in Annapolis had what FP calls the ­Maestro layout, with the galley up in the saloon. Counter space takes up nearly the entire port side of the main cabin, with all the appliances you’d ­expect to find in a long-legged cruiser. There are ­multiple fridges and a freezer, and a five-burner stove and ­oven. The cooking area is open but separated from the rest of the living space by an island with ­additional counter and stowage. 

Opposite is a U-shaped couch surrounding a table that can be raised for dining indoors or lowered for cocktails and coffee. In the forward starboard corner of the saloon, there’s a forward-facing nav station and seat that would be a nifty spot to stand watch when it’s snarly outside.

The Maestro configuration puts the owner’s ­stateroom in the starboard hull, where it takes up about two-thirds of the space, with sleeping accommodations forward and a head and shower aft. A ­five-step companionway and hatch provide a private entrance from the deck; a second ­companionway from the saloon separates the owner’s stateroom from the en suite guest stateroom forward.

A galley-down Maestro version is also available, with the galley replacing the center of three staterooms in the port hull. Access to the aft stateroom is from the cockpit. 

There is also a six-stateroom charter version ­available, giving an owner lots of options for how the boat can be used. 

No matter the layout, given the Samana’s size and systems, it is likely that most owners will have a ­full-time captain and crew, whose quarters are in the ­forepeaks of both hulls.

For an owner who plans to live aboard and sail, friends and family will find all the comforts of home aboard the Samana. And if chartering is in the plans, pick the layout that will prove the most alluring, and the new FP is bound to be a breadwinner.

Mark Pillsbury is a CW editor-at-large.

The post Fountaine Pajot’s Samana 59: Sailing the Sweet Spot appeared first on Cruising World.

Oyster Yachts collaborated with Humphreys Yacht Design on this elegant 50-footer, which focuses on couples and other shorthanded crews who are headed for bluewater adventures. An in-mast furling main and electric winches are standard, as are twin wheels in the cockpit, located a bit forward on the clutter-free deck. The 495 has three staterooms below. oysteryachts.com

With more than 15,000 J’s built since 1977, the team at J/Boats is now adding this 45-footer, which has a carbon, double-spreader fractional rig. The boat is built tough with SCRIMP resin-infused molding for the foam-cored hull and deck. Below, French interior designer Isabelle Racoupeau added an elegant touch to the decor. jboats.com

Bridging the gap between high-tech racing and performance cruising, the First 36 is designed to fully plane in a moderate breeze. Or, owners can ditch the racing gear altogether and take the family out cruising aboard the three-stateroom model, which has a galley and a central fridge. Part of the same model line is the First 44, which is available in a performance version with a different deck plan, and options for keels and masts. beneteau.com

Excess Catamarans in France, following up on the launch of the 37-foot Excess 11, has added the 52-foot Excess 14 to its model line. The boat has a low boom, reduced windage thanks to lower freeboard, redesigned hull windows, an aft-set coachroof, a forward stepped mast, a composite bowsprit and an exposed forefoot. Three- and four-stateroom versions are available with an option for a sky lounge. excess-catamarans.com 

With piercing bows and exterior lines drawn by designer Xavier Fäy, the Bali 4.4 has a forward cockpit with dedicated lounging and sunbathing areas, as well as separate interior access. There are living areas amidships and aft, and a helm station with panoramic views on the coachroof, accessible from both sides. bali-catamarans.com

Limited wetted surface and a generous sail area help the Italia 11.98 perform well, even in light air. This boat is designed for shorthanded ease of use. There are three staterooms below (one forward, two aft) and two heads. Owners also can outfit the boat with a full race package. italiayachts.com

New from this French builder of sailing cats is the Aura 51, which has an open living arrangement that connects the salon, galley and cockpit. The flybridge is big enough to accommodate 2,000 watts’ worth of flush-deck solar panels for sustainable ­cruising. The boat is available in four layouts, including a “full maestro” version that dedicates the port hull to an owner’s ­stateroom. fountaine-pajot.com 

The Dutch builder’s first aft cockpit model in the 50-foot range includes options for all-electric propulsion and sustainability. Living areas forward of and abaft the inboard twin helm stations create space for guests to spread out. The three-stateroom accommodations plan leaves space for a tender garage and a submersible swim platform. An integral carbon-fiber A-frame mast configuration has an incorporated hydraulic furler for easier off-wind sailing. contestyachts.com

The Dehler 46SQ strikes a balance between performance racing and relaxation. The ­redesigned cockpit is uncluttered, with fewer plastic parts and more elements stowed out of sight. An integrated footrest allows for extra comfort at the helm, and folds flush to the deck when not in use. There’s a remote-control-­operated swim platform for water access. For race days, owners have membrane sails and carbon rigging. dehler.com

The Dufour 37 is built to handle easy coastal cruising, ocean itineraries and performance sailing. The 37 is available in two- or three-stateroom versions, and the design emphasizes outdoor living, with extra space in the cockpit. The 37’s new hull form is built to deliver a greater power-to-weight ratio, and the mast has been ­elongated for increased sail area. dufour-yachts.com

Elan Yachts worked with Humphreys Yacht Design and the technical team at Gurit to create the 50-foot E6. The team used 3D Vail technology to enhance lightness and stiffness, and to optimize the hull with a T-shaped keel. Performance characteristics are the result of scale-model in-house testing with an Olympic sailing team. This boat is designed to be sailed by an experienced couple, with twin rudders and helms, and with Harken winches positioned for precision trimming and fast, unobstructed movements. elan-yachts.com

The GS40 from Grand Soleil Yachts is designed for speed and responsiveness without sacrificing volume and comfort. Multiple versions are available: performance, which includes four winches and a self-tacking jib; standard, with three staterooms, one head and a technical compartment for added stowage; and a three-stateroom, two-head layout. A 72-footer is also on the way. The builder says it will have an Italian aesthetic. grandsoleil.net

Swedish builder Hallberg-Rassy is premiering a sporty-looking 40-footer designed by Germán Frers. The HR400 has a sizable cockpit, and twin wheels and rudders. Owners can choose a slightly overlapping genoa or self-tacking jib, one or two heads, and a two- or three-stateroom layout below. hallberg-rassy.com 

The first of a new generation of B-Yachts, the Brenta 34 is billed as a luxury racer that can sail fast in all wind conditions, yet remain easy to handle with a crew or singlehanded. Performance comes from the boat’s light weight, minimalistic interior and sleek waterlines. Owners who want to use the B34 for cruising can opt for a removable cockpit table, spray hood, hot shower in the cockpit, and removable swim ladder. b-yachts.com

The Hanse 460 is the first Hanse yacht designed by French design team Berret-Racoupeau. Innovations include a hydrodynamic hull shape, a tall rig for a maximized sail plan, and a standard bowsprit with an integrated anchor arm. Accommodations can include six to 10 berths, with a roomy owner’s stateroom and an upsize galley. hanseyachts.com

Few builders are creating wood performance cruisers these days,  but Maine’s Lyman-Morse yard is. The cold-molded 46-footer is designed by Kiwi Kevin Dibley, and is fashioned from Douglas fir and western red cedar. Double headsails and twin wheels help make the boat easily capable of 10-plus-knot speeds, while the onboard ambience comes in part from Herreshoff-style white ­bulkheads and varnished trim below. lymanmorse.com

Following recent launches of the 60 and 65, Jeanneau now offers the Jeanneau 55, which is a collaboration between Phillipe Briand and Winch Design. Its dual-cockpit deck plan leaves the aft cockpit dedicated to relaxation, with the forward cockpit set up for handling. Below, the owner’s stateroom is forward and occupies about two-thirds of the interior. jeanneauamerica.com

The flybridge on the Lagoon 51 spans 80 percent of the coachroof, helping to create enough space on board for separate sunbathing and dining areas, roomy stern platforms, and more than 3,000 watts of integrated solar panels for greener cruising. The boat is available with three to six staterooms for private cruising or charter. To help with flow when more people are aboard, the salon has improved circulation with the mast set forward, which also increases the volume in the owner’s stateroom. cata-lagoon.com

The DS41 is a sporty design with a slender bow, steeply pitched stem, and convex sheerline. The hull windows and a sweeping roofline blend the deckhouse into the overall aesthetic for a one-level living concept. A high-performance sail plan helps with speed, while the minimalist interior belowdecks is warm and inviting. moodyyachts.com

The 44 Open is the first new Nautitech model in three years, and it focuses on the needs of private owners such as couples, families and other shorthanded crews. Naval architect Marc Lombard drew the slippery hull. The boat has a reversed bow, a boom mounted low above the coachroof, and a sweeping curve to the deck line. nautitechcatamarans.com

The Neel 43 is the smallest yacht in the builder’s lineup, but it’s built to be big on performance. Designed by Marc Lombard, the 43 is intended to be easily operable by a shorthanded crew. The helm station is to starboard with a triple seat for comfort and commanding views. neel-trimarans.com

The X4.3 underwent a serious makeover for 2023, essentially becoming a smaller version of the X5.6. The modifications are ­aplenty, including are designed hull shape with the max beam brought further aft and with soft chines, allowing improved downwind performance and a wider cockpit; a redesigned deck and deck liner; a new sprayhood layout for added protection from weather at sea and improved sightlines at the helm; and larger berths aft, thanks to a slight ­raising of the cockpit floor. x-yachts.com

Designed by Franck Darnet and Marc Lombard, the Privilege 650 is an evolution of the builder’s 640. New features include an adjustable interior layout, more windows and headroom, a redesigned foredeck and sun lounge, and an aft-facing cockpit lounge. The optional carbon rig adds 19.7 inches to the mast and 11.8 inches to the boom, adding 32 square feet to the genoa and 64.5 square feet to the mainsail. privilegecatamaransamerica.com

attention to making the onboard experience feel even roomier. For starters, the Oceanis 34.1 has more volume forward in the owner’s stateroom than the 35.1 it replaces in the builder’s model line. That volume is thanks in part to a flared bow and hard chines that run from stem to stern. On a larger scale, Beneteau’s new flagship, the Oceanis Yacht 60, has the same volume as the brand’s 62-foot predecessor. beneteau.com

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Monohull sailors can sometimes become bemused when thinking about catamarans. ­Attributes such as size, performance and cost are all ­relative. Consider, for instance, the ­Isla 40, the newest model from French builder Fountaine Pajot.

At a little more than 39 feet length overall and with just ­under 22 feet of beam, the Isla takes up a fair share of watery real estate—about 850 square feet. That’s roughly the size of many urban apartments, and considerably more than the footprint of a similar-length monohull. Still, the ­builder calls this model a “gateway” boat, and it’s the smallest in the Fountaine Pajot sail range. With cruising cats, trying to go much smaller would mean that the hulls, to perform adequately, would not be beamy enough to fit a double berth. Besides that, they’d struggle to float all the hardware, gear and toys most cruisers want to bring to sea.

As for the ride, a 40-foot monohull beating upwind in 15 knots of breeze might seem sporty as it heels over and the spray flies. A 40-foot cat? Not so much. Oh, the boat might squirm around a little in the chop, but drinks won’t be ­tipping over—one of the ­reasons catamarans are so ­popular these days.

And then there’s price. The catamaran is going to cost more just about every time, thanks to two engines, additional air-conditioning units, and more fiberglass, resin, furniture and so forth. Then again, you get that aforementioned living space. And the Isla, at $411,000, was the least expensive cat that CW Boat of the Year judges took for a sail this past fall in Annapolis.

Me? I thought the Isla had a Goldilocks charm that would appeal to all sailors: big enough to sail just about anywhere, yet small enough to be handled by a couple or ­family, and just about right for an owner relying on charter ­income to help pay the bills.

Designed by Berret-­Racoupeau Yacht Design in collaboration with the yard’s in-house team, the Isla shares the look and feel of its larger siblings. And, like them, it sails well. Closehauled in about 12 knots of breeze—not a cat’s favorite point of sail—the GPS showed us going 6.5 to 7 knots. Cracked off to a reach, I saw a few 8s on the screen in puffs. That’s not bad for a well-­appointed cruising cat, and it shows the benefits of rigging the boat with a flat-top mainsail and overlapping genoa.

The boat was easy to ­handle too. The helm station is to starboard and raised so that the helmsman can see over the cabin top and Bimini. Three winches and several line clutches are within easy reach of the wheel, making all sail-control lines readably accessible, including those for the traveler, which spans the rear of the Bimini. There’s access to the helm from the cockpit and side deck, and a set of steps leads from there up to the Bimini, where the boom is mounted low enough to provide good access to the sail pouch when the time comes to zip up things. 

Fountaine Pajot offers the Isla with a few ­different living arrangements. The boat we visited was a Maestro, with the owner’s quarters taking up the starboard hull. There was a berth aft, a desk and head compartment amidships, and a shower forward with a washer/dryer in the forepeak. In the port hull, double-berth cabins filled either end, with separate head/shower compartments between them. There is also a four-stateroom layout, popular with charterers, called the Quatuor. A skipper’s cabin in the forepeak is also offered.

On deck, the cockpit has a table adjacent to the galley, located just inside the saloon door to port, and multiple lounge areas to kick back and enjoy the ride. Inside and opposite the galley is a digital nav station with a multifunction display mounted at eye level, with a dedicated space for a laptop below. Forward to port, a table can be raised for dining or lowered for cocktails. 

Put it all together, and you have a cat that’s fun to sail and comfortable to live aboard. Sounds just right, no?

Specifications

Mark Pillsbury is a CW editor-at-large.

The post Sailboat Review: Fountaine Pajot’s Goldilocks Cat Isla 40 appeared first on Cruising World.