Fountaine Pajot Boats For Sale

 Founded by Jean-François Fountaine and Yves Pajot in 1976, Fountaine Pajot started building cruising catamarans in 1983.

The company now offers a complete, modern range of sailing (Mahé 36, Orana 44, Salina 48, Eleuthéra 60) and power (Highland 35 PILOT and Cumberland 46) catamarans using advanced technology, generating sustained profits through its international activities.

With two innovative production sites in La Rochelle, at the heart of one of the world’s most important shipbuilding areas, Fontaine Pajot has, since 2005, been investing considerable amounts to update its fleet, industrialise production and expand its luxury range.

Fountaine Pajot has now entered a new era, opening up to outside investment and floating on the Alternext stock exchange. This will enable the company to continue developing luxury catamarans and generate additional growth.

Shipyard’s History

The world’s leading builder of cruising catamarans, the Fountaine Pajot boatyard was set up in 1976 near La Rochelle.

The original team consisted of four people and built the 505 under the leadership of Jean-François FOUNTAINE, a well known regatta competitor recently returned from the Montreal Olympics. Innovative and well built, these craft immediately attracted the best French competitors. The enterprise then developed further, with other models of dinghies, the 420 and 470, built at the new Aigrefeuille yard, opened in 1978.

As early as 1980, Fountaine Pajot altered course and started to build Prototypes IOR, monohull racer. These half-tonners from the Fountaine stable were to become world champions and win the prestigious Figaro solo race. The reputation of the yard in the world of ocean racing was thus established.

In 1981, the first multi-hulled vessel, left the Fountaine Pajot yard. In the form of the 18 m deep-sea racing trimaran, the Royale, built entirely in foam-core sandwich for Loïc Caradec et Philippe Facque. The Fountaine Pajot team committed itself to open class racing, involving itself deeply in the adventure of Charente Maritime sailing vessels.

1983, the launch of the yard’s first series production catamaran, the Louisiane 37. This 11 meter craft was designed with the collaboration of Michel Joubert et Bernard Nivelt. Built of PVC foam-core sandwich, with all the experience of this technology that Fountaine Pajot had gained by now, the Louisiane met with immediate commercial success.

1985 reassured in the soundness of its decision, the company extended its production area with the aim of quickly developing its product range. It launched the Casamance 43: this highly innovative craft was the first of a new generation incorporating the skills learned from the Louisiane. The pivoting centerboards were abandoned in favour of fixed fins better suited to a cruising program. The hull and nacelle gained in volume and allowed more space for the interior.

1986, Eric Bruneel joined the company, bringing with him the idea for the Corneel 26, a day boat catamaran nominated "Boat of the Year" by Bateaux magazine.

1988, Maldives 32 and Fidji 39 were launched.

1990, the designer Olivier Flahault became involved for the first time on the Fidji 39. Today, almost all our models bear his signature. The next few years saw the arrival of the Maldives 32 and the Antigua 37. Unsinkability is ensured by volumes of foam placed in the forward and rear extremities of the hulls. Even after an impact causing a leak, the boat can continue to sail.

1991, the Marquises 56 from the drawing board of designers Jean Berret et Olivier Racoupeau added a new dimension to the product range.

1992, now undisputed leader on the international cruising catamaran market, Fountaine Pajot continued to strengthen its position with further innovations. The appearance of the cap on the new Venezia 42 caused a sensation. By bringing the roof forward over the panoramic windows, the saloon was brightly lit though protected from the sun: a perfect solution and an immediate commercial success.

Today, this innovative cap solution, introduced by the yard to avoid the greenhouse effect, has become the signature of Fountaine and is recognized all over the world.

1993, the Tobago 35 was launched, also sporting a cap and bringing unbeatable comfort and performance.

In 1994, the Athena 38 successfully combined beauty of form with intelligence of design, making manoeuvring, mooring, anchoring and stowage exceptionally easy, with the promise of happy days of cruising.

1996, saw the arrival of the Bahia 46, a catamaran wearing the famous cap and combining efficiency with beauty for pleasant family cruising. Just like the Marquises 56 a new version of the 53 foot craft. Fountaine was also the first yard to produce Day Charter Catamarans with the "Taiti Day Charter" range. Today, over 45 Taitis are operational around the world.

1998, not nesting on their laurels, the enterprise once again made headlines with the launch of a series of power cruising catamarans, Trawlers Catamarans, incorporating the whole philosophy of Fountaine Pajot sailing craft. In two years, the Maryland 37 and the Greenland 34 had made the name of the brand in the power boat world.

1999, ISO 9002 version 1994 certification is an international standard aimed at improving customer satisfaction and thus compelling the company to make constant improvements in its products and management procedures.

In 2000, the new millennium starts with the Belize 43 : christened by Bernard Giraudeau. As successor to the Venezia 42, she was the precursor of a new generation of Fountaine Pajot craft making a reality of the company’s plan to offer an owner’s version of every one of its boats. The Bahia 46 Maestro is the best-known example.

2002, l’infusion construction made its appearance with the Lavezzi 40. This technique makes it possible to construct a composite sandwich in a single operation and eliminating harmful fumes, while at the same time limiting losses of raw material to the greatest possible degree.

2003, the Lavezzi 40 marks another great step forward by the yard incorporating innovative ways of facilitating movement on board due to the new cockpit configuration. Over 28 years of bold pioneering have made Fountaine Pajot the world’s leading builder of cruising catamarans! 28 years of innovations have made these boats an international standard of reference. The Lavezzi 40 is christened by actress Ludivine Sagnier.

2004, Eleuthéra 60, the new flagship of the Fountaine Pajot fleet, is the issue of a new collaboration with the designer consultants Berret/Racoupeau. Christened in 2003 by the celebrated jazz violinist Didier Lockwood sisterships one, already sailing in the Mediterranean, the West Indies and Australia.

Trawler Catamaran have extended their product range with the introduction of a new 13.4 metre model, the Cumberland 44. Spacious and seaworthy, with high performance and benefiting from all the boat-building experience of the Fountaine Pajot yard, she meets a real demand among enthusiasts for ocean cruising.

2005, the latest launched in the motorboat range is the Highland 35. Named in Cannes by the comedian Sophie Duez at the boat show, it attracts buyers who like considerable volume, its flying bridge and large sun bed.

2006, Le Mahé 36 marks the endeavour of the boatyard to offer a catamaran benefitting from all its know-how, within a reasonable budget.

2007. on 13 June the company floated on the Alternex market (Euronex NYSE). This move formed part of a broader plan to expand the group, with substantial investment in two production sites at La Rochelle and Aigrefeuille, a completely industrialised manufacturing process, the introduction of RTM Eco procedures and the update of two sail and power catamaran ranges. The capital raised from this IPO will be used to develop the luxury fleet and double the number of flagship class vessels.

As of the 30th June 2008, more than 1,844 cruising catamarans were sailing the world seas – a figure unmatched anywhere else.

2008, Fountaine-Pajot prepares for a fine year with four new models: Orana 44, Salina 48, Highland 35 Pilot and Cumberland 46.

2009, two new models planned for the Flagship Class: Galathéa 65 and Queensland 55.