Fountaine Pajot has built and sold over 200 units of the Saba 50 model (test in YACHT 24/2014) in just over six years on the market. For the catamaran builders in Aigrefeuille near La Rochelle, this was a real sales hit. Now the shipyard has once again taken on the successful and popular 15 metre hull length format and completely rebuilt it together with the designers from Berret/Racoupeau. And once again, the completely new ship will initially only be presented with a working title: Fountaine Pajot New 51. The big secret of the final model name will probably not be revealed until the world premiere.
The new ship adopts the design language of the latest model generation from Fountaine Pajot and thus closes the last remaining gap to complete the current programme. In this respect, no trend-setting surprises are to be expected visually from the new model. However, the concept does feature some remarkable innovations. For example, the cabins in the aft section can now be accessed directly from the cockpit via separate companionways, which simplifies procedures and provides more privacy for the owners.
A total of four different layout variants are available for the interior design of the New 51, with four, five or six cabins, each with its own bathroom with shower facilities. As a novelty on the 50-footer market, Fountaine Pajot is also offering an exciting layout version with two spacious owner's cabins aft and two smaller guest cabins installed transversely at the front. All possible layout options for owners or for the charter market can be seen in the following picture gallery.
The spacious saloon is dominated by the generously sized eat-in kitchen with a central freestanding unit as an additional work surface and storage space. An L-shaped sofa around a small coffee table and a chaise longue for relaxing and reading complete the comfort on offer in the saloon. On the other hand, Fountaine Pajot has dispensed with a designated navigation area in the new boat.
As an optional extra, owners can have the roof of the deckhouse covered with large solar panels. The collectors have a combined surface area of around ten square metres and deliver an output of around 2000 watts in optimum conditions. This is enough power to simultaneously operate all the fridges on board, the ice box and electronic devices such as TV, radio or laptop and to recharge external devices such as mobile phones or tablets.
The New 51 will weigh a good 18 tonnes from the shipyard. Compared to possible competitors (Lagoon 50, Leopard 50, Excess 15), the ship from Fountaine Pajot is therefore relatively light. The hull and deck are built as GRP sandwich constructions using a vacuum infusion process with a balsa wood and foam core. With a standard sail area of 154 square metres, the boat is also quite well loaded on the wind. The sail load factor is a comparatively high 4.7, which promises a lot of performance potential under sail.
There are plenty of large areas on deck to relax, enjoy and sunbathe, for example in the spacious front cockpit or on the second floor of the flybridge. The helm cockpit is raised to the side and can be accessed from the running deck or directly from the cockpit. Unlike many competitor boats, the helm position on the Fountaine Pajot is separate from the sheets, halyards and winches on the cabin superstructure in front. Although this makes the concept less suitable for single-handed sailing, it offers active sailors more space for setting and trimming the sails.
Fountaine Pajot has also already named a price: the boat will cost 750,000 euros ex shipyard, with sails and extensive basic equipment. Including 19 per cent VAT, the base price is 892,500 euros. The first New 51 boat is due to be completed in February 2022 and will then also be given a proper name. The premiere will then take place in spring 2022 at the multihull trade fair in La Grande Motte in the south of France.
New catamaran in popular size
