The orgies of new models in previous years are obviously a thing of the past, due to the economic situation and demand. The major shipyards Beneteau, Hanse and Bavaria, which used to launch a whole handful of new models each year, will be bringing few if any new models onto the market in 2025 according to current information. This makes it all the more surprising that the number two shipyard in terms of sales, the alliance between catamaran builder Fountaine Pajot and long-established manufacturer Dufour, is entering the cooled market with a total of four new yachts. Dufour is launching a Dufour 48 and a 54, Kats come in the size 41 ( please click for more information) and surprisingly also as a 44 on the market.
The Fountaine Pajot supplies up to 2400 watts of solar power
The new large Berret-Racoupeau design is characterised by striking lines with high freeboards, a positive deck step, a slightly aft-sloping stem and an angular deck saloon with a continuous strip of windows. In addition to the bimini covered main cockpit, there is an almost eleven square metre lounge on the flybridge and a nine square metre sunbathing area in front of the cabin superstructure. The remaining areas on the roof are used for photovoltaics, and the trampoline areas can also be optionally used to generate electricity. Solar power can contribute up to 2400 watts to the energy budget and ensure a high degree of autonomy.
A whole hull for the owners
The helmsman works halfway between the deck and the flybridge, from where he has direct contact with the crew both below on the main deck and above on the sunbeds. The main living area will be the aft cockpit, where there will be space for eight to ten people at the table. The connecting door to the deck saloon can be pushed open as far as possible so that the two living areas merge together in an ideal way. There is no interrupting bar, but a kitchen island with passageways on both sides and a galley alongside on the port side.
The 44 is available with three or four cabins. The owner's version is particularly spacious on the port side with a large bathroom at the front, a writing/dressing table in the centre and a large diagonal berth aft. There are two cabins and two bathrooms to starboard, which is mirrored in the port hull of the four-cabin version. The forward cabins are comfortably wide thanks to voluminous bow sections with pronounced chines.
The boat is optionally powered by a hybrid system. The batteries of the electric motors are then charged by hydrogeneration, solar energy, wind power or a generator when not connected to shore power. The Fountaine-Pajot 44 is making its debut in Cannes (19.-14.9.).
Technical data Fountaine Pajot 44
- Hull length 13.26 m
- Width 7.44 m
- Draught 1.38 m
- Weight: 15.2 tonnes
- Mainsail 78.00 square metres
- Genoa 45.00 square metres
- Engine 2 x 22 kW/30 hp
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
