The harbour of Monaco - Port Hercule - is one thing above all: a meeting place for superyachts. Especially during the annual Monaco Yacht Show, the density of large formats in the Principality and in the neighbouring bay of Roquebrune is greater than anywhere else in the world. Visitors to the show last year were also able to discover an unusual premiere: the 24 metre long flagship of the serial cat shipyard Fountaine Pajot, which presented its new Thíra 80 model to a yacht-loving clientele. "Matthias Ebert, who acts as the German dealer for Fountaine Pajot with his company ME Yachting and gave us a tour of the exhibited construction number three "Serenissima III" in Monaco, was also delighted: "The interest in our new product is enormous.
18 units sold, starting price EUR 5.9 million
The impressive sales figures prove just how high the demand is for the expansive travel platform: Since the project was first unveiled in 2022, the French have sold 18 units of the high-volume Cat, which, with a starting price of 5.9 million euros, also fits well in terms of price in the dwarf state on the Côte d'Azur. Length times width runs, in the truest sense of the word.
In order to clarify the question of how a 66-tonne displacement flybridge giant sails on two hulls, we gladly accept the invitation from Cypriot "Serenissima III" owner Sotos Stephanou: "The morning after the Monaco show, we have to leave Port Hercule early, like all exhibition yachts, and want to sail to Antibes. If you want to come with us, be at the quay at eight in the morning." And so, early on Sunday morning, Thíra 80 captain Jorgos Mourouris invites us over the gangway into the large cockpit of the three-decker.
Impressive amount of space
The space on offer is even greater than the dimensions suggest. A floor space of around 265 square metres resulting from a length of 24 metres and a width of 11 metres must first be accommodated in a harbour, but it is worth the effort, also financially. It is no coincidence that the market for XL multihulls has been booming for many years, and shipyards such as Sunreef and Lagoon are investing heavily in their super cat lines. "We have some customers who are switching from motorised monohulls to sailing twin hulls," reveals Benjamin Lachaise, the project manager responsible for the flagship at Fountaine Pajot. "The amount of space is really impressive, the quality of our fittings is of the highest standard and the stability - as is typical of a cat - trumps any normal yacht."
Sotos Stephanou also followed this path. He was a motor yacht owner for many years before discovering the advantages of a catamaran for himself. He bought a 67-foot French model, christened it "Serenissima" and has never regretted it. "When I saw the plans for the new Thíra 80, I was immediately impressed and ordered it two and a half years ago," says the fun-loving Cypriot. In particular, he was immediately impressed by the almost abundant space on board his new catamaran. "I use my boat as my home and spend at least 100 days a year on the water - probably much to the chagrin of my crew of five, who have to put up with my friends, family and me for so long," he adds with a laugh.
When Sotos Stephanou is not on board, his catamaran goes on charter trips through the diverse Greek islands and around Cyprus for a weekly rate of 90,000 euros per week (high season). The two 317-kilowatt Cummins engines operate at 2,000 revolutions per minute in order to leave the Monegasque harbour walls behind as quickly as possible with a SOG of ten knots. The Garmin displays on the flybridge reveal that 50 litres of fuel per hour are flowing through the pipes at this comfortable cruising speed and where we are off the southern French coast as the water ripples promisingly.
340 square metres of laminate sails provide propulsion
The late summer morning thermals have built up and the anemometer is transmitting a true wind of ten knots to the MFDs. Time to set the 200-square-metre mainsail on the Sparcraft aluminium mast and unfurl the 140-square-metre genoa. Two of the five electric Antal winches positioned around the flybridge helm help with the manoeuvre, so that after two minutes the engines stop and the cruising laminates from the Incidence loft provide propulsion. The south-easterly breeze comes in with an AWA of 60 degrees and "Serenissima III" moves towards Antibes at seven knots.
Fantastic conditions that suit the hull lines designed by Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design. Even a chaotic cross sea off Cap d'Ail does not upset the XL cat. As the wind drops and continues to come from astern, the decision is made to set the brand-new 300 square metre gennaker on the Facnor Furler. A fast and furious ride looks different, but at least the log doesn't drop below six knots. Thanks to the large skylights in the solar-panelled bimini, you have a good view of the mainsail and the foresail battery consisting of jib, genoa and gennaker from the elevated helm position.
Solar panels feed the battery banks
The photovoltaic system produces a maximum of nine kilowatt peak, which is used to feed the on-board battery. This means that generator hours can be reduced at anchor and nothing stands in the way of emission-free bathing fun. The large tender platform is lowered into the water at the touch of a button and controlled by oil pressure, the four-metre tender is launched and the bathing island is ready - making it easy for swimmers and divers to get into the water and back on board. Guests who prefer a pool for refreshment will find what they are looking for on the foredeck. This is where the advantages of the wide cat layout really come into their own.
Instead of a trampoline, a fixed deck connects the two hulls and thus offers a lavishly large outdoor lounge with a sunken jacuzzi on the starboard side and sun loungers on the other side of the three furlers. Behind this is a seating area that offers ample space and comfort for eight guests. A door in the deckhouse leads to the saloon, which runs almost the entire width of the cat and which Sotos Stephanou ordered in the standard layout including galley. "For owners who want to utilise the entire living space on the main deck, we also offer a layout with a galley-down floor plan. In this case, the chef cooks in the port hull, directly between two crew compartments," explains Benjamin Lachaise. On "Serenissima III", however, this hull belongs to the guests, who are divided into three cabins with double beds and en-suite bathrooms.
The huge owner's suite surprises with a bathtub
The owner's area is located in the opposite hull and extends from the office with chaise longue, sleeping area and spacious bathroom including bathtub (!) over a length of almost 15 metres into the bow. Aft, particularly important guests live in an equally spacious VIP suite. As with all current Fountaine Pajot models, the modern interior, which is based on warm natural tones, was designed by Studio Racoupeau Design under the direction of Isabel Racoupeau. As with the layout, customers have a wide range of options in terms of colours, materials and patterns.
It takes us a leisurely four hours to cover the 25 nautical miles to Cap d'Antibes on a late summer sailing day that couldn't be more beautiful. While we have to disembark in the harbour of Camille Rayon in Golfe-Juan, Soto's Stephanou continues on two hulls to the America's Cup in Barcelona. He has not yet reached the 100 days on his floating home this year. The lucky one!
Technical data
Length over everything: 23,98 m
Width: 11,09 m
Depth:2,10 m
Displacement (empty): 66 t
Material: GRP sandwich on balsa core
Motors: 2 x Cummins
Engine power: 2 x 317 kW
Generators: 2 x Onan, 19 kW
Mast: Sparcraft
Sail: Incidence Sails
sail area (genoa + main): 340 m2
Fuel: 2.400 l
Water: 1.600 l
Guests: 8
Crew: 4-6
Construction: Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design
Interior design: Racoupeau Design
Shipyard: Fountaine Pajot
Price: from 5.9 million euros
Dealer: ME Yachting, First Class Yachting
Charter: 90,000 Euro/week, FX Yachting
