Fountaine Pajot - Shipyard’s History

Shipyard’s History

The world’s leading builder of cruising catamarans,
the Fountaine Pajot boatyard was set up in 1976 near La Rochelle.

The original team consisted of four people and built the 505 under the leadership of Jean-François FOUNTAINE, a well known regatta competitor recently returned from the Montreal Olympics. Innovative and well built, these craft immediately attracted the best French competitors. The enterprise then developed further, with other models of dinghies, the 420 and 470, built at the new Aigrefeuille yard, opened in 1978.


	As early as 1980, Fountaine Pajot altered course and started to build Prototypes IOR, monohull racer. These half-tonners from the boatyard were to become world champions and win the prestigious Figaro solo race. The reputation of the yard in the world of ocean racing was thus established.

	In 1981, the first multi-hulled vessel, left the Fountaine Pajot yard. In the form of the 18 m deep-sea racing trimaran, the Royale, built entirely in foam-core sandwich for Loïc Caradec et Philippe Facque. The Fountaine Pajot team committed itself to open class racing, getting deeplu involved in the adventure of Charente Maritime sailing vessels

	1983, Launch of the yard’s first series production catamaran, the Louisiane 37. This 11 meter craft was designed with the collaboration of Michel Joubert et Bernard Nivelt. Built of PVC foam-core sandwich, with all the experience of this technology that Fountaine Pajot had gained by now, the Louisiane met with immediate commercial success.

	1985, reassured in the soundness of its decision, the company extended its production area with the aim of quickly developing its product range. It launched the Casamance 43 : this highly innovative craft was the first of a new generation incorporating the skills learned from the Louisiane. The pivoting centerboards were abandoned in favour of fixed fins better suited to a cruising program. The hull and nacelle gained in volume and allowed more space for the interior.

	1986, Eric Bruneel joined the company, bringing with him the idea for the Corneel 26, a day boat catamaran nominated "Boat of the Year" by Bateaux magazine.

	1988, the Maldives 32 and the Fidji 39 were launched.

	1990, the designer Olivier Flahault became involved for the first time on the Fidji 39. Today, almost all our models bear his signature. The next few years saw the arrival of the Maldives 32 and the Antigua 37. Unsinkability is ensured by volumes of foam placed in the forward and rear extremities of the hulls. Even after an impact causing a leak, the boat can continue to sail.

	1991, the Marquises 56 from the drawing board of designers Jean Berret et Olivier Racoupeau added a new dimension to the product range.

	1992, now undisputed leader on the international cruising catamaran market, Fountaine Pajot continued to strengthen its position with further innovations. The appearance of the cap on the new Venezia 42 caused a sensation. By bringing the roof forward over the panoramic windows, the saloon was brightly lit though protected from the sun: a perfect solution and an immediate commercial success.

	1993, the Tobago 35 was launched, also sporting a cap and bringing unbeatable comfort and performance

	In 1994, the Athena 38 successfully combined beauty of form with intelligence of design, making manoeuvring, mooring, anchoring. And stowage exceptionally easy, with the promise of happy days of cruising.

	1996, saw the arrival of the Bahia 46, a catamaran parading the famous cap and combining efficiency with beauty for pleasant family cruising. Just like the Marquises 56 a new version of the 53 foot craft. Fountaine was also the first yard to produce Day Charter Catamarans with the "Taiti Day Charter" range. Today, over 45 Taitis are operational around the world.

	1998, not resting on their laurels, the enterprise once again made headlines with the launch of a series of power cruising catamarans, Trawlers Catamarans, incorporating the whole philosophy of Fountaine Pajot sailing craft. Within two years, the Maryland 37 and the Greenland 34 had made the name of the brand in the power boat world.

	1999, ISO 9002 version 1994 certification is an international standard aimed at improving customer satisfaction and thus compelling the company to make constant improvements in its products and management procedures.

	2000 The new millennium starts with the Belize 43 : christened by Bernard Giraudeau. As successor to the Venezia 42, she was the precursor of a new generation of Fountaine Pajot craft making a reality of the company’s plan to offer an owner’s version of every one of its boats. The Bahia 46 Maestro is the best-known example.

	2002 The Infusion construction made its appearance with the Lavezzi 40. This technique makes it possible to construct a composite sandwich in a single operation and eliminating harmful fumes, while at the same time limiting losses of raw material to the greatest possible degree.

	2003, the Lavezzi 40 marks another great step forward by the yard incorporating innovative ways of facilitating movement on board due to the new cockpit configuration. Over 28 years of bold pioneering have made Fountaine Pajot the world’s leading builder of cruising catamarans! 28 years of innovations have made these boats an international standard of reference. The Lavezzi 40 christened by actress Ludivine Sagnier is a fine example.

	2004, the Eleuthéra 60, the new flagship of the Fountaine Pajot fleet, is the issue of a new collaboration with the designer consultants Berret/Racoupeau. Christened in 2003 by the celebrated jazz violinist Didier Lockwood sisterships one, already sailing in the Mediterranean, the West Indies and Australia. Trawler catamarans have extended their product range with the introduction of a new 13.4 metre model, the Cumberland 44. Spacious and seaworthy, with high performance and benefiting from all the boat-building experience of the Fountaine Pajot yard, she meets a real demand among enthusiasts for ocean cruising.

	2005, the latest launched in the motorboat range is the Highland 35. Named in Cannes by the comedian Sophie Duez at the boat show, it attracts buyers who like considerable volume, its flying bridge and large sun bed.

	2006, The Mahé 36 marks the endeavour of the boatyard to offer a catamaran benefitting from all its know-how, within a reasonable budget.

	2007 on 13 June the company was floated on the Alternex market (Euronex NYSE). This move formed part of a broader plan to expand the group, with substantial investment in two production sites at La Rochelle and Aigrefeuille, a completely industrialised manufacturing process, the introduction of RTM Eco procedures and the update of two sail and power catamaran ranges. The capital raised from this IPO will be used to develop the luxury fleet and double the number of flagship class vessels.

	2008, Fountaine-Pajot prepares for a fine year with four new models: Orana 44, Salina 48, Highland 35 Pilot and Cumberland 46.

	On 31st August 2009 1,981 Fountaine Pajot Cruising Catamarans navigate all over the world. A figure unequalled until now.

	2009/ 2010 A year for 6 new models : - The Orana 44 and the Salina 48 benefit from a Maestro version with a new Owner hull. - Fountaine Pajot makes headline news by unveiling a new model, the Lipari 41. A well-guarded project right up until the sea trial in rigorous seas. A unanimous success on arrival. - A further new model equally in 2009, the Summerland 40. She has just extended the Trawler Catamaran range with a size in keeping with a specific. - The majestuous Flagship Galathéa 65 is shown at the Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show. - The Taïti 80, a new Day Charter able to accommodate 100 clients on board, confirms the leadership which belongs to Fountaine Pajot in this market. - In Mai 2010, the Queensland 55 is expected, a new Flagship in the Trawler Catamaran Range.