Fountaine Pajot

From website: www.fountaine-pajot.com

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 Prototype IOR, monohull racers. These half-tonners from the Fountaine stable 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. This was 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, involving itself deeply 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 favor 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, Maldives 32 and Fidji 39 were launched.

1990, The designer Olivier Flahault became involved for the first time on the Fidji 39.

In 1991 Berret-Racoupeau designed their first catamaran for Fountaine Pajot with the Marquise 56.

With over 3,000 vessels afloat, Fountaine Pajot is the world's leading constructor of cruising catamarans.