More habitable and more ecological: Fountaine-Pajot announces its “New 44”
Fountaine-Pajot Unveils New 44 Catamaran: Innovation and Sustainability
New Developments, Same DNA
The shipyard had announced a new sailing catamaran, known as “New 41,” at the Cannes Yachting Festival. This first innovation will be unveiled in July 2025 during the shipyard’s “Open Days.” At the Düsseldorf boat show (January 18-26, 2025), Fountaine-Pajot surprised everyone by announcing a second innovation, the New 44.
New 44: Freedom of Choice?
For many years, the shipyard has announced a new boat under the name “New” before revealing its actual name at its first public presentation. For the New 44, we will have to wait until the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2025 to discover both the name and this brand-new catamaran. In the meantime, here is the information we have been able to obtain about this new model, which should logically replace the Elba 45 in the builder’s sailing range.
Upon discovering the first images of the New 44, one is struck by the volume and spaces offered by this catamaran, which is only 13 meters long. These significant volumes have been added above the waterline to maintain fine bows and taut lines, ensuring the catamaran’s seaworthiness is not compromised (remember, this is a cruising catamaran, not a racing boat). To gain volume, the architects (Berret-Racoupeau Design) opted for a pronounced hull chine. The result? Impressive spaces for a boat of this size.
Solar panels (perfectly integrated into the roof) can produce up to 2300 W!
XXL Volumes
The “New 44” offers a living area of nearly 90 m2 (exactly 88 m2), thanks in particular to an increased width of 24 cm compared to its predecessor in the range. This allows for hull layouts with a choice of a 4-cabin, 4-bathroom version and an original owner’s version with 3 cabins, 3 bathrooms, plus an additional cabin for children. In the owner’s hull, there is a classic suite (15m2) with an ocean view, dressing room, office, and bathroom with separate toilet, as well as a cabin with two bunk beds. This space will reassure children, who will be in the same hull as their parents, while ensuring real privacy for the whole family. This cabin can then be transformed into a workshop… Clever!
The owner and their crew will also appreciate the mid-height helm station, which allows for easy maneuvering with a small crew, good protection, and a maximized view of the water. This key area on the boat is directly linked to the lounge deck, which has been significantly resized on the “New 44” with its two giant sunbeds, and the aft cockpit, the center of life on a catamaran. The shipyard has chosen to fully open the saloon-cockpit area with a door that disappears completely into the uprights when open. 10 people will feel really comfortable around the table in this 35 m2 space!
At the front, there is the traditional cockpit (9m2) equipped with a sunbed: certainly a place that will be popular for aperitifs at anchor. Especially since Fountaine-Pajot has intelligently adopted a “pass-through” opening between this front cockpit and the interior of the boat. A window that also allows excellent ventilation inside the catamaran…
The door between the saloon and the cockpit disappears completely in the open position, offering a gigantic space of 35m2.
A Version Reducing Emissions by 46%: A Big Step Towards Eco-Navigation?
For several years, Fountaine-Pajot has been seeking solutions to limit the CO2 equivalent emissions of its boats. With the “New 44,” a further step has been taken: 2000 W of solar panels are perfectly integrated on the roof and at the rear of the bimini. The power even increases to 2300 W by choosing to integrate other panels on the front trampolines! The integrated hydrogenerators generate 1 kW per propeller at 8 knots of speed, and if you add one (or two) wind turbine(s), you can add another 600 W to your battery bank. With optimized equipment and the hybrid engine (2 x 25 kW), the “New 44” offers 3 to 4 days of complete autonomy and up to 12 hours with the air conditioning running (and we know how much energy air conditioning consumes…). Almost total autonomy with a reduction (calculated by the shipyard) of 46% in carbon emissions (CO2 equivalent) during the entire phase of boat use. A choice by the shipyard that opens the way to true eco-navigation in line with the growing concerns of owners to try to safeguard our favorite playground.
Fountaine-Pajot New 44 Technical Specifications:
- Overall length: 13.26m
- Overall width: 7.44m
- Draft: 1.38m
- Mainsail area: 78m2
- Genoa area: 45m2
- Light displacement: 15.2 t
- Engine: 2×30/57 hp or 2×25 kW
- Fresh water: 2 x 300 l – Diesel: 2 x 350 l
- Solar panels: 2000/2300 W
- Architect: Berret-Racoupeau Design.
- First presentation: Cannes Yachting Festival: September 9-14, 2025
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