Test drive of the motor catamaran Fountaine Pajot MY 44

Power catamarans and multihull yachts in general are on the rise now, and the Fountaine Pajot MY 44 has every advantage of being the market leader.

Test drive of the motor catamaran Fountaine Pajot MY 44

The surge in the popularity of catamarans is due to a change in the priorities of yacht owners. In the powerboat arena, large interior space, smooth speed, stability, efficiency and comfort at sea are starting to top the wish list of many customers.

Fountaine pajot has been building sailing catamarans at its shipyard in La Rochelle since 1976, so they are perfectly oriented on the crest of this particular wave. However, the move towards the construction of power catamarans was a sharp turn in the development of the shipyard, as they quickly discovered that the tastes and needs of customers and powerboat buyers were open to a huge number of variations.

Simply removing the mast from a sailing catamaran and calling it a motor catamaran is an option for many, but not for Fountaine pajot... So when MY 44 was launched last year, the shipyard made sure that the boat was designed from the start as a power catamaran.

Test drive of the motor catamaran Fountaine Pajot MY 44

Little of, the only engine options available use IPSwhich requires a completely new hull and underwater profile. The use of IPS was possibly a risky undertaking, but it works brilliantly, providing sufficient performance and partially eliminating the fear factor in difficult maneuvers at low speeds, which can be very difficult to handle a catamaran.

Direct drive catamaran Generally very easy to maneuver at low speed, the control stick makes it easier to work in difficult situations, but with IPS, you simply push the joystick the way you want and the boat obeys. On the tested catamaran, the largest IPS600 blocks were installed, and the turns seemed to take a little time, the effect is impressive.

There are two installation options IPS engines the smaller IPS350 / 400, but the 600s provide an excellent balance of performance and distance, with top speed in the mid 20s, and around 1500nm at 6 knots.

Even at a maximum speed of 25 knots, Fountaine Pajot MY 44 behaves elegantly and confidently, settles well, and responds neatly to a weighted steering wheel. On calm water, the turns are as smooth and unperturbed as you would expect, but the catamaran moves as if it were on the tracks and not on the water, which is a delight. The natural stationary stability of the MY 44 is much higher than that of other catamarans, not to mention monohull yachts, even when using stabilizers.

Test drive of the motor catamaran Fountaine Pajot MY 44

The interiors and décor are clean, modern and more importantly practical.and the deck is made of teak wood inside the saloon, where the galley is located. This means guests can have a drink from the fridge or use the sink after bathing without worrying about getting wet.

Overall the galley is very practical - ample space, plenty of storage throughout, full size fridge and freezer, and lockers at eye level. The same goes for the deck, it is completely free, thanks to two huge engine rooms, a locker, and a large front compartment in the foredeck where the water tank and anchor are located - and that's not all.

Entering the salon, you immediately feel the advantage of the catamaran - width, which is 6.61 meters. There is a lot of space for absolutely free movement. The salon is equipped with sofas, which are located opposite each other, and a comfortable chair, facing the stern, next to the inner helmsman's post. Tinted windows, including a windscreen, for greater privacy and to prevent harmful UV rays from entering the passenger compartment.

Cockpit width allows the installation of a wide and safe spiral staircase to the flybridge. Railings and deep steps make it much easier for the crew to move between the two decks. The helmsman on the flybridge is very comfortable with an optional 22-inch Garmin MFD, plus plenty of resting space on the flybridge. And the bow deck with a large seating area is another place where you can take advantage of the MY 44's width. In addition, the flybridge can actually be used on this catamaran more often than on a planing monohull. Due to the stability, it pumps much less here.

Among the many advantages of the MY 44 power catamaranThe very spacious cabins also stand out for the 13.4m yacht and the privacy it provides for both owners and guests.

Cabins and separate bathrooms for guests located in the right-hand building, there is also a dedicated space for a washing machine and five hanging cabinets. The forward guest stateroom is typical of a catamaran, designed for two guests, with the option of splitting into two separate cabins, towards the bow. A separate bathroom is located next to the bow cabin, and guests do not have to share it, as the aft cabin is equipped with its own luxury bathroom. In addition, the aft cabin is a mini version of the master cabin.

Ahead, between the two hulls, it is possible to choose the option with an additional cabin, very cozy and best suited for children. Although in size, it will be able to accommodate a fairly large berth, and may well be designed to accommodate the crew. Or you can leave this area as a locker.

Owner's cabin to be located separately, in a different hull, and of course its luxurious space is not even worth comparing with any single hull boat of this length. And the closer you get to the bow, the more and more impressive the cabin becomes.

Generous space and natural light from the window opposite, it is evenly distributed around the bed. Walking forward, there is a wardrobe area surrounded by hanging cabinets, and directly ahead is a spacious bathroom with a separate shower room. Master cabin really impressive, and fully justifies the decision to choose a three-cabin layout.

Test drive of the motor catamaran Fountaine Pajot MY 44

MY 44 rated as the best power catamaran that Fountaine pajot ever built and the best of all current cruising catamarans in its category.

Note that this model is 44 feet long, excluding the stern platform and anchor roller. While some motor brands are trying their best depends on the length.

“We build motor yachts for personal use,” says Romain motteau, managing director Fountaine pajot"This boat is not for the charter fleet, therefore there is a three-cabin option that focuses on the most comfortable cabins, rather than accommodating as many guests as possible."

In general, at the moment, this is the only motor yacht, the hull of which is designed exclusively to use the IPS system. And the boat realizes all the effect of its use in full: easy maneuverability, amazing efficiency, stability on the move along the wave, and the cruising range of 2,500 miles is simply amazing.