Test drive Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67

Test drive Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67

Naturally, the generous spaces and luxurious amenities of cruising catamarans come at a price for the given comfort, but the pleasure of living on such a boat justifies everything, and Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67 also opened on the other side.

Cruising catamarans, especially of this size, are heavy, whatever one may say, and this affects the performance characteristics, but Alegria unexpectedly surprised in terms of driving performance and the ability to walk on sharp courses.

Test drive Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67

Test drive Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67

The day chosen for the test drive is perfect. The sun is shining high in the sky, the sea is slightly rippling, the wind is 10 knots. These conditions are ideal for testing sailing catamarans, since it is in this wind range that we can evaluate its qualities.

When boarding a 67-foot catamaran, everyone expects to see large, spacious and functional spaces, but here on board Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67, reality really trumps imagination. Moving up to the bow, there is an amazing view of the bow cockpit with a Jacuzzi, and this is something that no sailboat of this size, even on a catamaran, can see.

Bow cockpit Alegria 67 with Jacuzzi

Bow cockpit Alegria 67 with Jacuzzi

It certainly does not leave the thought whether all the amenities and gadgets that can be found literally in every corner of the deck, designed to make the stay on board more enjoyable, can negatively affect the performance with their weight. But, as we said, Alegria 67 I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent balance between impeccable comfort and performance under sail, regardless of the weight of her amenities. The main fuel of the catamaran is wind, and the test boat is indeed fully loaded as the yacht owner embarks on a long cruise immediately after the test.

Flybridge makes it easy to steer the boat, since all the rigging runs between the two helms and is easily accessible both on the port side and on the starboard side. The rigging is also supported by four electric winches, grouped and located close to the helm station.

Helm station Alegria 67

Flybridge Alegria 67

When sailing, where the wind seems more stable, before raising the sails, we check the characteristics under the engine. The economical cruising speed is 7.6 knots at 1800 rpm and the fast one is 9.5 knots at 2400 rpm. These numbers are really interesting, especially considering how loaded the boat under test is.

Performance under engine (2 x 160 HP Yanmar) - 10-knots crosswind

Now is the time to open the lazy bag attached to the V-boom - a simple operation that you can do from a hardtop - and lift the mainsail with the winch. The genoa is installed by pressing the electric twist button on the control console. It was easy to hoist the sails, which is another indisputable sign of how Alegria 67 provides very comfortable steering based on the simple sailing principle. Now it is time to stop the engine and test the sail performance at different course relative to the wind.

Performance Alegria 67

Let's start with the most suitable course for a multihull yacht: full hauled. Holding a 50 degree angle to the apparent wind, in an instant Alegria 67 accelerated and reached a speed of 8.7 knots. Excellent performance with true wind around 10 knots! The steering wheel was very responsive, which is rare on boats of this size. The boat was very fun and easy to operate on this course.

Bringing to the wind, we begin to raise the sails at the stern. This operation can be easily done alone, thanks to the special configuration of the equipment and the assistance of electrical devices. The mainsheet is powered by an electric winch, and the boom-sheet carriage is adjusted using an electric sliding system supplied by Antal.

From steep side haul we change course to less favorable for multihull boats. At 45 degrees, we lose only half a knot of speed, and at this moment you begin to understand that Alegria 67 Is not just a luxury boat, it is a quality seaworthy sailing yacht. Going outside, at 40 degrees, the catamaran again surprises us with a speed of 7.3 knots. Going out at 35 degrees Alegria hits more and more as it travels at over 6 knots with a true wind of just 10 knots!

Performance Alegria 67

To change the tack, twist the jib. An additional head sail stay was already equipped to prepare the boat for any contingencies on the next cruise. When the jib roll button is pressed, the sheet is released and after a few seconds the jib disappears. Change the tack, and finally open the staysail again.

Hold the angle between 50 and 45 degrees for a few seconds, just time to create more apparent wind, and the boat goes fast, which is another unusual characteristic of a catamaran of this size. Satisfied with the performance, on a course of 80 degrees, turn on the autopilot and enjoy the navigation. Leaving the wheel with a smile, you realize that Alegria 67 completely won my heart. It is fast, easy to operate and dynamic, a true "cruising machine" that is as beautiful as it can sail really well.

Performance under sail: Wind 10-13 knots - 10 people on board - full tanks

Interior FountainePajotAlegria 67

Studio Berret Racoupeau Yachts Design has developed more than just a fast, spacious yacht. Alegria 67 Is a boat in which the excellent sailing performance is matched by the exquisite interior architecture, with every square centimeter of immense interior space carefully thought out. The result is a project that, through intriguing innovations, perfectly matches the large space on board with the privacy needs of the owner and his guests.

Bow cockpit Is a vivid example of a successful concept. Here, the jacuzzi and cozy dining area are located below deck level. It is a space that, while not sacrificing panoramic views while cruising, provides moments of precious privacy both at the marina and at anchor.

Aft cockpit and the dining area, separated only by a long glass sliding door, form a unique huge loft overlooking the sea. The rectangular table to the left of the cockpit can accommodate 12-14 people and is directly connected to the galley on the same side. This central position allows both outdoor and indoor areas to be served and is aesthetically pleasing and functionally ideal because it is at the very center of social life on board.

Cockpit Alegria 67

Salon Alegria 67

Those who love outdoor grilling can enjoy the large grill Plancha with barbecue, sink and fridge located aft and ideal for cooking at anchorages.

Galley Alegria 67

In the tested version of the boat master cabin and her huge bathroom occupy the center of the starboard hull. Just for comparison, suffice it to say that the second float contains two oversized double cabins with their own bathrooms. Moreover, the master cabin has two entrances. The first is from the saloon and the second gives instant access to the bow cockpit and Jacuzzi. This configuration once again confirms the exceptional nature of the work carried out by the architects. Berret racoupeau.

The master suite has a comfortable sofa on the port side and a large double bed diagonally to the right. Moving back, we find ourselves in a bathroom, the first part of which is equipped with a washbasin with a double washbasin. This area is amazing in size and is equipped with a walk-in closet and two compartments that, closed and separated from each other, act as a shower and toilet, respectively.

Master cabin Alegria 67

In the aft part of the two hulls, instead, there are two VIP cabinswhich, equipped with a queen-size bed and an en suite bathroom, enjoy exceptional privacy as each has independent access from the outside.

Particularly noteworthy is the bathing platform, which is cleverly located on the transom and can be raised or submerged in the water thanks to a special hydraulic mechanism. Convenient for launching the dinghy, this solution also provides more functionality and enjoyment to the sunbathing platform, which becomes a real beach area when opened above the water.

Bathing platform Alegria 67

The Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67 is a truly unusual catamaran. Fast sailing and meticulously engineered inside to fully enjoy the sea. This yacht can be considered ideal without a doubt!

Specifications

Interparus Yachting is the official representative of the Fountaine Pajot shipyard. To order a test and visit the shipyard, call +33644142168 (WhatsApp) Sasha Goron, or leave a request on the website. When buying a yacht, training is a gift from our team. See you in La Rochelle!

10.04.2019