Cannes, France – On Monday, Fontaine Pajot, one of the world leading catamaran builders, made several announcements about the company at the Cannnes Boat Show with the highlight being that the builder was launching an all-new 41. What’s interesting about the new 41, in particular, is that the new cruising cat in the fruit of a three-year program called Odysea, that is transforming the company’s corporate and build philosophy.
FP is a pioneer in the cruising cat market and they now have more than 4,000 boats sailing all over the world. The company employs 1,300 craftsmen and has an annual turnover of 300 million Euros. They are a player and they are a close competitor to their compatriot cat builders Lagoon & Excess, brands of Groupe Beneteau.
FP is also a pioneer in developing sustainable technologies and has more than 30 cats out cruising with either hybrid electric, all-electric or hydrogen propulsions system. The company’s intention is to build boats that put cruisers into a close relationship with the ocean and coastal areas they love and to do so in boats that are as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. The corporate goal, they report, is to reduce the carbon footprint of new boats by 47% by 2030. Odysea is the program to get them there.
Key elements in the new 41’s cruising and sailing experience are:
Beamier, more spacious hulls and saloon for a more comfortable living experience.
Large cockpit with ample lounges and a lower aft platform for swimming and dinghy storage
A forward lounging area with an optional awning for quiet time
A larger sail plan and deeper fixed keels to enhance sailing performance
Large windows and hull glazing for great views, natural light and an intimacy with nature
Key elements in the 41’s sustainability experience are:
Huge solar arrays on the cabin top and in the bows where trampolines are normal
The solar panels feed a huge battery bank that will run all onboard functions, including air conditions for more than 12 hours
Optional hybrid diesel electric propulsion
Optional all-electric or all hydrogen propulsion
The new FP 41 is scheduled for launch in April 2025 and has a base price of 400,000 Euros, which is a significant sum but a very good value in the 40-foot segment of the cruising cat market.
