Yacht Class n°44 (march-april-may 2026)

Fountaine Pajot

A sleek silhouette, exceptional volumes, and an optimised hull define Fountaine Pajot’s latest creation, designed to cover miles in absolute comfort. Tested in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, this is an outstanding power catamaran.

Written by : Nicolas Massines – Photos : Nicolas Massines et DR

Twenty-four metres long, eleven metres wide, with four hundred square metres of living space – the figures are head-turning. And while the dimensions are dizzying, the hull design itself is relatively slender. Unsurprisingly, the silhouette of the Thíra 80 is instantly recognisable beneath this power catamaran, as the FP Power 80 is essentially a de-masted, de-rigged version of Fountaine Pajot’s sailing flagship. This sense of power is unmistakable when approaching the yacht by tender as she lies at anchor off the port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Reverse sheer, plumb bows, a restrained overall height, slim and flowing side panels… there is no doubt this is a yacht with real presence. Designed for both the charter market and private ownership, her specifications clearly point to a transatlantic vocation, reflected in a layout optimised for life on board. That promise is immediately felt the moment one steps onto the vast aft platform, capable of launching a tender up to 5.5 metres in length. The feeling of space becomes even more striking after climbing the steps to the aft cockpit: seating is abundant, whether sheltered from the sun beneath the flybridge overhang or positioned close to the bathing areas; the two generous tables and carefully managed shade – thanks to transparent openings in the solar panels – complete an impressively refined outdoor living area.

Quality are everywhere the eye falls

One immediately appreciates the meticulous attention paid to the visual and functional ergonomics of the relaxation areas. The fold-down bulwarks further enhance – if that were still necessary – the overwhelming sense of space. The deck layout links the various areas with great fluidity, leading naturally towards the interior. The design, penned by Isabelle Racoupeau, is nothing short of convincing: a perfectly mastered exercise in style, which offers owners an exceptionally wide range of customisation options – three flooring colours, the same number of wood finishes, four choices of leather, and up to twenty-two upholstery options. Not to mention the choice of layouts, with up to six cabins available. In the saloon, the dining area is located to starboard, a lounge occupies the forward port side, and a helm station allows navigation to be managed in absolute comfort. Panoramic visibility, natural light filtered through perforated panels, Alpi wood finishes, laminated flooring, and vegan leather (an alternative to animal leather) for furniture and door coverings all stand out as major assets. The level of detailing and finish is particularly impressive. A door leads to the fully decked foredeck, where large sun pads, a Jacuzzi, and expansive synthetic teak surfaces transport guests into an atmosphere that is both intimate and luxurious. In this three-cabin version, the starboard companionway leads to the owner’s suite, which features a desk, a large bathroom with Jacuzzi, a walk-in wardrobe, and a bed positioned perpendicular to the hull to offer a direct view of the sea. A VIP cabin with an en-suite bathroom equipped with a rainfall shower is located aft to port, while the forward section houses two guest cabins of similar volume. The aft part of this hull accommodates the crew quarters and the galley. Back on the main deck, the transparent openings integrated into the bulwarks along the side decks are particularly appreciated. Details truly are everywhere the eye falls. A substantial, secure staircase leads up to the flybridge, where up to twelve guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of the surroundings, a fully equipped outdoor galley, and the ability to follow the navigation from a helm station that is as technical as it is comfortable. Besenzoni upholstered seating, 24-inch Garmin displays, bow thrusters, Volvo running gear, monitoring cameras – everything is there.

Advanced Bluewater seakeeping

Far from being hampered by her outsized dimensions, this 80-foot catamaran slips easily away from her anchorage and heads offshore at 5.5 knots, with a theoretical range of 2,780 miles. Her transatlantic capability (Canary Islands–Caribbean) is confirmed thanks to a restrained fuel consumption of 5.5 l/h. With this strong emphasis on offshore seakeeping, the FP Power 80 offers, as an option, Volvo D13 engines delivering up to 2 × 900 hp on straight shafts, compared with the standard 2 × 480 hp configuration. The maximum power setup – fitted on the test boat – is clearly favoured by owners, as the hull has been specifically engineered for this propulsion package: in the immersed sections, water flow is directed downward in a flap-like manner to help the yacht hold her lines. This design choice proves her worth during acceleration. At 12 knots, the yacht’s stability remains impeccable despite choppy seas and a residual cross swell. Comfort is absolute, both on deck and inside, where the living spaces benefit from first-rate sound insulation. Helming a multihull of this size from the upper deck is an experience in its own right, with the console’s ergonomics delivering genuine pleasure right up to the maximum speed recorded during this test – just over 21 knots. To conclude this convincing sea trial, it is clear that while the transatlantic vocation of the FP Power 80 is strongly emphasised by the La Rochelle-based shipyard, its ability to deliver an exceptional yacht through design and engineering is fully demonstrated – regardless of the distance to be covered.