A big appearance for Fountaine Pajot at the Yachting Festival in Cannes: the French catamaran manufacturer presented all seven of its current models from 42 to 80 feet at the trade fair on the Côte d’Azur. The Isla 40 (test YACHT 9/2021) was no longer there. The previously smallest model with a hull length of 11.93 meters will be replaced by the new 41 as an entry-level model. This was announced by the shipyard as an important innovation. However, the only slightly larger Astréa 42 (YACHT 12/2018 test) will remain in the Fountaine Pajot range for the time being.

The design of the New 41 was once again created by Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design. Compared to the Isla and Astréa, the hulls of the new catamaran are more compact, more voluminous and higher. On the new model, the rudder blades are now positioned directly under the sterns behind the saildrives. On other Fountaine Pajot boats in the small to medium segment, this is the other way around. The deeper keels are also striking. While the Isla 40 and Astréa 42 have a draft of around 1.20 meters, the new boat has a draft of 1.53 meters.

The designers of the new boat have given it a high rig with plenty of sail area. This allows the shipyard to compensate for the apparently high weight. The technical data show a displacement of 12.7 tons. The predecessor model, the Isla 40, was significantly lighter at just 9.5 tons. The mast is positioned relatively far forward in the boat. For this reason, only a large, overlapping genoa with hollow points on the cabin superstructure can be used for the sails. The boat is also equipped with a powerful mainsail with a square head as standard. However, a self-tacking jib is no longer common on newer Fountaine Pajot models.

On deck, the New 41 has more in common conceptually with the Astréa 42 than with its predecessor, the Isla 40. The layouts of the two models are very similar. There are spacious lounge areas with cushions for sunbathing both on the foredeck and up on the flybridge. As is usual with Fountaine Pajot, the helm station is divided into two sections. Steering is from a slightly recessed helm position, while the halyards, sheets and trim lines are operated at the front of the cabin superstructure, where three winches are available. This layout has the advantage that two sailors can work in the cockpit at the same time during maneuvers without getting in each other’s way.

Another new feature is a kitchen island in the passageway between the saloon and cockpit. It connects the interior and exterior areas. Thanks to clever sliding doors, both areas are more functionally linked. The layout in the hulls of the New 41 remains traditional: there are variants as an owner’s boat (three cabins, three bathrooms) or as a charter version with four cabins and two, three or four bathrooms. Owners can choose whether they want two toilet rooms in the hull with two cabins or a large wet room with a separate shower area. This flexibility offers many expansion options. The diagonally installed double berths aft are interesting and are designed to offer better access and more comfortable dimensions.

The new 41 from Fountaine Pajot comes as standard with two built-in engines with either 20 or 30 hp. Alternatively, the New 41 can also be equipped with the innovative electric hybrid system “Smart Electric”. This system is part of the “ODSea Lab” innovation platform and was developed by Fountaine Pajot to optimally control energy consumption and energy generation. The Smart Electric system continuously monitors the energy demand and adapts it to the current conditions with the help of a complex control unit. Additional power sources on board include a large generator, solar panels on the cabin roof, wind generators and recuperation through propellers that turn as the boat sails.

Fountaine Pajot has not yet published a detailed price list and standard specifications for the New 41. Nevertheless, shipyard boss Romain Motteau gave an initial price estimate at the presentation of the New 41: the new entry-level boat from the French company is expected to cost around 400,000 euros (net, excluding VAT). The boat would therefore be around 15 percent cheaper than its predecessor, the Isla 40. The exact prices for the sustainable “Smart Electric” drive system are also not yet known.

• Designer: Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design
• Interior design: Racoupeau Design
• Hull length: 12.10 m
• Width: 6.92 m
• Weight: 12.7 tons
• Draught: 1.53 m
• Mainsail: 65.0 m2
• Genoa: 35,0 m2
• Motorization: 2 x 20 hp (std.) / 2 x 30 hp (opt.)
• Motorization alternative: Electric hybrid system 2 x 21 kW / 2 x 27 kW (opt.)
• Fuel capacity: 350 lt
• Fresh water capacity: 2 x 300 lt