Fountaine Pajot New 44: Key Distinctions of the New Product

The upcoming Cannes Boat Show 2025 promises to be rich in new products. This exhibition will be especially important for our main partners: the Fountaine Pajot and Dufour Yachts shipyards. Among other new products, Fountaine Pajot will also host the premiere of the New 44, a catamaran that marks a new stage in the development of the shipyard and the company.

The New 44 will replace the already legendary Elba 45 model in the future. Let's take a closer look at how these two catamarans differ and what trends in the development of the yachting industry can be discerned in these differences.

A renewed approach to architecture and design

Although the silhouette Fountaine Pajot New 44 looks recognizable, the Berret-Racoupeau studio made targeted but well-thought-out changes. The draft remained at 1.38 m, but the hull received an extended side above the waterline. This solution, combined with an inverted bow, is aimed at improving the dynamic balance and reducing hydrodynamic resistance.

New 44 and Elba 45

For comparison, Elba 45 was designed in a more traditional style, with a less hidden superstructure silhouette and a more horizontal deck layout. The New 44's exterior became smoother and more modern, in line with current aesthetic standards, but at the same time functionality was not compromised.

Overall, the New 44 looks fresh and brings common stylistic and design elements to all subsequent models in the line. Fountaine Pajot aims to unify the entire exterior design and create a recognizable style for its catamarans.

Redesigned spaces and improved comfort

With a length of 13.26 m and a width of 7.44 m, the New 44 demonstrates a more successful ratio of length and useful volume compared to its predecessor. The interior space has become noticeably larger. The growth of the bow area almost twofold is especially noticeable upon live inspection.

The only place that "didn't get enough" square meters is the flybridge. It was slightly reduced, but the scale of the changes is not critical, due to the changed layout the flybridge does not feel cut down.

One of the innovations of Fountaine Pajot, starting with the New 41 model, was the very same passage between the cockpit and the saloon. Although it would be more correct to call it not a passage, but a full-fledged portal - the cockpit is literally connected to the interior by a huge glass door. This solution initially looked unusual, but now we can definitely say that it was correct. 

View of the aft cockpit on the New 44 and Elba 45

Thanks to it, the layout has become much more “airy” and open, due to which the external and internal spaces of the catamaran finally begin to “play” with each other. The Elba 45 had a more closed layout, which reduced the feeling of spaciousness.

Performance and engines of catamarans

In terms of sail area (mainsail + genoa), both models are almost identical: 123 m² for the New 44 and 124 m² for the Elba 45. The gennaker or spinnaker remained at 130 m². At the same time, the New 44 is 1.2 tons heavier when empty (15.2 tons versus 14.021 tons).

The engine equipment has undergone significant changes: the New 44 now comes standard with two 30 hp engines, while the Elba 45 had 50 hp on each side. At first glance, this is a step backwards, but it is dictated by the desire for efficiency. This concept is reinforced by the option Smart Electric ODSea+ with two 25 kW electric motors and solar panels with a total capacity of 2000 W.

Control post and orderly deck plan

The New 44 retains the helm position that helped make the Elba 45 a success. The midship position on the starboard side provides better visibility, situational awareness and at the same time allows for communication with crew members in different areas of the catamaran.

Helm's station and flybridge on New 44 and Elba 45

In front of the helmsman's post there is a maneuvering post, which allows precise work with the sails. As before, the New 44 can be controlled by one person due to the sail control elements brought to the helmsman's post.

Simplifying the deck layout and passageways, and including the flybridge as a full-fledged recreation area, shows a move towards a more family-friendly format. This catamaran is easier to use on a daily basis, and movement around the hull and between levels becomes more intuitive.

Industrialization and line logic

The transition from 45 to 44 is also explained by the production strategy. Fountaine Pajot aligns the model ranges, while the New 44 relies on feedback from previous boats while introducing the shipyard’s signature standards. These include an electric propulsion option, redesigned portholes, space optimization and increased modularity of the layouts.

The decision to replace the Elba 45 reflects a desire to rationalise production costs and respond to the growing demand for larger vessels. The New 44 is designed for semi-offshore tasks and is compatible with new environmental requirements, making the model more relevant in the long term. 

New videos on the channel Interparus

🥰Our star-studded review stream continues: this time Sasha Goron will tell you everything you need to know about the brand new Dufour 41! We shot it from all angles and are in a hurry to share the most interesting ones. Enjoy watching!

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19.08.2025