Fountaine Pajot Aura 51: Catamaran with smart-electric propulsion - the video
Michael Good
· 30.04.2023
With the ambitious innovation platform "ODSeaLab", the French Fountaine Pajot Group wants to further promote sustainability in yacht building. What's more, with their new programme, they see themselves as pioneers of ecological change within the maritime industry. By 2030, according to the committed plan, all boats of the Fountaine Pajot and Dufour Yachts brands should not only be produced in a climate-neutral way, but also be able to be operated in a climate-neutral way.
As an initial component of "ODSeaLab", Fountaine Pajot has now developed an alternative electric drive system with intelligent energy management. Called Smart Electric, the system will initially be offered for all small and medium-sized Fountaine Pajot catamarans.
Smart Electric represents a new level of technology
Of course, electric drives are no longer a unique selling point, even for twin-hull boats. However, the Smart Electric system takes the topic to a new technical level. Energy consumption and generation are constantly monitored and always optimised to requirements and conditions via a complex control unit. A large generator, solar panels on the cabin roof and recuperation by the propellers travelling under sail provide additional power generation on board.
Smart Electric works very well overall. However, small defects still need to be eliminated
The energy is stored in two lithium battery blocks, each with a capacity of 27 kWh, installed in the aft engine compartments. They provide up to four hours of autonomy with reduced power (60 per cent of maximum power). If more autonomy is required on long trips, the generator supplies the power. Depending on the charge status, the genset can also supply the drives directly via bypass if required. This means that if the batteries are completely empty, the boat can still be powered at any time, and at a speed of at least four knots, even in wind and waves. This ensures a high level of safety and almost unlimited autonomy, limited by the fill level of the fuel tanks for the generator. Fountaine Pajot calls this safety feature "Safety Speed" and has trademarked it.
The new Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 is a test vehicle
The first test vehicle for Smart Electric is the latest model from Fountaine Pajot, the Aura 51. In the test, the catamaran, which weighs no less than 18 tonnes, managed an impressive 8.2 knots under full load on both engines with little wind and hardly any waves. It's amazing how much power the two electric pods, each with 25 kW of power, bring to the water when accelerating and manoeuvring. The large twin-hulled boat reacts very quickly to the thrust forces, felt and without comparison even more directly than with corresponding combustion engines.
When testing the prototype, however, the unmistakable driving noises, which are due to inconsistencies in the gearboxes, are disturbing. Even in recuperation mode, i.e. when the propellers are running under sail, the journey is accompanied by an extremely annoying whine. The shipyard wants to work on this for the series.
The Aura 51 is a new development that replaces the Saba 50, one of Fountaine Pajot's bestsellers that has been built and sold over 200 times since 2014. The design comes from Berret-Racoupeau and also integrates visually into the current Fountaine Pajot product family up to 50 feet in length with few surprises.
The Aura 51 offers plenty of space for sailing and living
As is usual with the manufacturer's catamarans, the helm position is slightly set back, while the halyards, sheets and trim lines are operated on three winches on the cabin superstructure in front. This layout has the advantage that two sailors can work in the cockpit at the same time without getting in each other's way. And: access to the lounge area on the flybridge remains free.
The mast of the Aura 51 is also positioned relatively far forward on the coachroof. This means that the genoa, which overlaps quite a lot, is the standard, with the centreboard points on the coachroof; a self-tacking jib is also not available as an option. Unfortunately, the YACHT test in the bay of La Rochelle only takes place in very light winds. At a maximum of ten knots, the voluminous catamaran cannot fully utilise its qualities in windy conditions, and the performance values remain rather modest. The fact that Berret-Racoupeau designs can sail well with high performance potential has already been proven on several other occasions in tests.
Hardly any feedback from the rudder
Due to the long distances from the steering position to the rudders, the steering on the Aura 51 is fully hydraulic. Although the complex system works very reliably, it gives the helmsman hardly any feedback and only a spongy steering feel.
The spacious saloon is dominated by the generously sized eat-in kitchen with a central, free-standing piece of furniture as a bar or additional work surface. An L-shaped sofa around a small coffee table and a chaise longue for relaxing and reading complete the generous comfort on offer in the saloon. On the other hand, Fountaine Pajot has dispensed with a designated navigation area in the new boat. There are several layout variants to choose from for the interior of the Aura 51, with four, five or even six cabins, each with its own wet room and separate shower area.
The standard version of the Aura 51 costs €1,245,930, making it slightly more expensive than its main competitor Lagoon 51 which is available for 1,158,500 euros.
Measured values Fountaine Pajot Aura 51
Sailing performance
without drift/current; wind speed: 8 to 10 kn (3 Bft), smooth water
Potential STZ* = 4.7
The Aura 51 is no lightweight. However, the large genoa and the widely flared mainsail take this into account
*Dimensionless number. Calculation: 2√S/3√V. The higher the value, the more sail area (S) the ship has in relation to the displacement (V)
YACHT review Fountaine Pajot Aura 51
Voluminous cruising catamaran with plenty of living comfort and an unusually versatile interior. The size and usability of the outdoor areas are also impressive
Design and concept
- + Cockpit and saloon as one unit
- + Aft cabins with separate entrances
- + Smart Electric as an option
Sailing performance and trim
- + Coherent sail plan with genoa
- + Good handling, even single-handed
- - Hardly any steering feel
Living and finishing quality
- + Open and bright lounge
- + Large eat-in kitchen, lots of storage space
- - No navigation in the salon
Equipment and technology
- + Lowerable bathing platform (optional)
- + Cleanly installed on-board technology
- - Escape hatches only available as an option
Technical data Fountaine Pajot Aura 51
- Design: Berret-Racoupeau
- CE design category: A
- Torso length:15,54 m
- Total length:15,54 m
- Waterline length: 15,50 m
- Width: 8,08 m
- Depth:1,58 m
- Mast height above waterline: 23,30 m
- Theoretical torso speed: 9.5 kn
- Weight: 18,1 t
- Mainsail: 95,0 m2
- Furling genoa (106 %): 59,0 m²
- machine (Volvo Penta): 36 kW/49 hp
- Fuel tanks: 2x 450 litres
- Fresh water tanks: 2x 450 litres
- Faeces tank (1 per wet room): 50 l
- Batteries:5x 150 Ah (service)/1x 50 Ah (starter)
Hull and deck construction
GRP sandwich constructions, laminate structure over balsa or foam core with osmosis-resistant polyester resin
Technical data Smart Electric
- Drive power (Electropods): 2x 25 kW
- Power generator:32 kW
- Battery capacity: 2x 27 kWh (lithium)
- Solar panel output (max.):2 kWp
- Area of solar panels: approx. 10 m²
- Autonomy Battery operation (full throttle): approx. 2 hrs.
- Autonomy Battery operation (cruise): approx. 4 hrs.
- Surcharge (for Aura 51):186,800 euros gross
Smart Electric is available for the Aura 51 model as well as for the Elba 45 (gross surcharge of 174,930 euros) and Astrea 42 (gross surcharge of 163,030 euros). The system can also be retrofitted to an existing boat
Equipment and prices
- Base price ex shipyard: 1.245.930 €
- Price ready to sail*: 1.276.315 €
- Comfort price*: 1.341.695 €
- Guarantee/against osmosis: 2/2 years
* how the prices shown are defined can be found here !
- Shipyard: Fountaine Pajot Catamarans, 17290 Aigrefeuille, France; www.fountaine-pajot.com
- Distribution: International dealer network
