This cruising catamaran, just under 15 metres long, bridges the gap to the larger FP 51 whilst also embodying the French shipyard’s current design language. As usual, the design is by Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design. With a beam of 7.90 metres, the FP 48 is consistently designed to maximise usable space.
More space to relax on deck
The numerous, clearly separated lounge areas on deck are particularly striking. The fully covered aft cockpit offers several seating and lounging areas and opens onto the saloon almost seamlessly via a three-metre-wide sliding door. The centrally located galley acts as a social hub between the interior and exterior spaces. In front of the deckhouse, a forward cockpit serves as an additional lounge area. A third outdoor area is formed by the raised lounge deck on the flybridge.
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The helm station is positioned higher up on one side. All sheets, halyards and trim lines converge here, making handling easy and straightforward even for a small crew. Fountaine Pajot separates the actual helm from the working cockpit so that two people can work during manoeuvres without getting in each other’s way. At the same time, the two working areas remain functionally linked, meaning the catamaran can be sailed well and safely even by a single person.
At the stern, an electrically lowerable platform can be used as a swimming area and to accommodate the dinghy. However, this feature remains an optional extra.
Three to five cabins, each with its own bathroom
There are a wide range of options available for the layout below deck. However, the differences are limited to the layouts in the port side of the hull. On the starboard side, there are always two double cabins with transverse beds and two bathrooms with separate showers. The transverse double berths are designed to make access easier and make better use of the hull’s width.
In the particularly spacious Full Maestro version, the entire port side of the hull is reserved for the owner’s suite. It comprises a large aft cabin with separate access from the cockpit, ample cupboard space, a work area and a spacious bathroom with a shower. Alternatively, family- and charter-friendly layouts with up to five cabins are available. The various layouts can be viewed in the image gallery above.
The standard propulsion system comprises two Yanmar diesel engines, each with an output of 45 PS. More powerful engines are available as an option. The shipyard also offers the sophisticated ODSea+ hybrid-electric system as an alternative. The test vessel is also fitted with this system. It combines two electric motors, a generator, a large battery bank, solar power and energy recovery whilst under sail.
The comprehensive test report will follow
The YACHT editorial team has already had the opportunity to sail the new FP 48 extensively off the coast of La Rochelle. The full test report in YACHT magazine will reveal how the new model performs under sail, as well as in terms of comfort, handling and build quality. It will appear in one of the forthcoming issues.
Technical Specifications FP 48
- Designer: Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design
- Interior design: Isabelle Racoupeau
- CE design category: A (12) / B (14) / C (18)
- Hull length: 14.43 m
- Width: 7.90 m
- Draught: 1.64 m
- Weight: 18.4 t
- Mainsail: 85.0 m²
- Genoa: 49.0 m²
- Engine: 2 x 45 PS / optional electric hybrid (Odsea)
- Fuel capacity: 2 x 350 litres (Yanmar) / Saildrive
- Fresh water capacity: 700 litres
- Price: 671,967 euros, net / 799,640 euros
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology