Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67
With the Sanya 57 and the Helia 44, the Charente-based builder opened
a new chapter in its industrial history, asserting an aggressive
technical and design move that visitors to these models had detected
since 2011. It is not strictly speaking a break with the adventure which
has continued since the advent of the Louisiane in 1983, but rather a
leap forward in quality, supported by reading about the expectations of
the international clientele which represents nearly 80% of their sales!
This
little internal revolution is also supported by a company strategy,
introduced several years ago, as much from the technical point of view
(innovations in infusion and injection) as the organizational, with a
view to producing bigger boats. The Aigrefeuilles site is a superb
installation, but its geographic position implies road transport to the
sea, and limits the size to 45’. At the end of the 90s, the group
therefore set itself up in La Rochelle, in the former whose size and
elegant silhouette mark the La Rochelle-based company’s entry into the
world of multi-yachts.
A FLYDECK 67’ WITH A BOOSTED SILHOUETTE
The
Galathea 65’s underwater lines are well-proven and only needed slight
restyling, but all the rest is different. The mast has been moved back
and is now stepped on the coachroof; this arrangement favours a direct
kinematic from the mastfoot to the deck plan, a secondary advantage of
the flydeck, avoiding all the turning blocks! This upper level is both a
fully— equipped terrace with an uninterrupted view, and a comprehensive
nav station.
The architect, Olivier Racoupeau, has used his
talent to draw flowing lines, and the result is indisputable! For a
test, it is a masterstroke, as although the relevance of the new living
area can’t be ignored on this kind of boat, the aesthetic impact still
produces resistance amongst traditionalists. Here the balance of the
proportions, the clever positioning of the boom and the integration into
the overall silhouette preserve this sensitivity. The meticulous
styling work on the ridges, the volumes, the flydeck extension, and the
sugar scoops make up refined, sober, but determined lines. I can imagine
an example with coloured decoration, and am certain of the appeal this
beautiful multihull would have on any stretch of water.
THE SEGMENT WITH ALL THE CHALLENGES
Spurred
on in part by the extraordinary energy and the rapid success of
Sunreef, the leaders accelerated their reflections, by taking decisions
concerning what Fountaine Pajot calls the Flagships: the bigger,
up-market catamarans. With calculated caution, the established builders
all seem to be turning towards a middle ground positioning, allowing
them to be players in the 65 to 75-foot semi-custom multi-yacht market,
whilst for the moment leaving the giants to predisposed infrastructures,
such as Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth (44- metre VPLP-designed
Hemisphere!), the Poles in Gdansk (Sunreef) or other occasional
participants in Asia, Turkey or New Zealand. The fast, ‘grand tourisme’
prototypes (Sig, MC2 60′, Gunboat, Tag…) remain protected from the
ambitions of the leaders by their low marketing area.
Multiplast,
the legendary world leader in high speed sailing, doesn’t want to take
any more orders for yachts; however they started the hostilities in 1996
with the Magic Cat. Catana is preparing a 70’, Lagoon is positioning
itself in this market with its twin, CNB, specialist in one-off monohull
yachts, Privilège is repositioning its range on the 50 – 62’ segment,
Robertson and Caine doesn’t seem to be displaying any aim in the field.
Certain experts operate on a piecemeal basis, such as JFA in France
(with an 85-foot Lombard design currently under construction) or Salt
House Boatbuilders (Ciliam 92′) in New Zealand, but the list of regular
players in this exclusive market remains short.
ALEGRIA, A PATRONYMIC WITH STRONG AMBITIONS
This
20.5-metre catamaran is Fountaine-Pajot’s flagship; it is also the
beginning of a family handover, as its project manager is Mathieu
Fountaine. Jean-François, former Olympic medalist in the 470 (with Yves
Pajot) was also a respected ocean racer aboard the visionary Charente
Maritime I and II, whose resounding victories in La Baule – Dakar and La
Rochelle – New Orleans contributed to the success of the French
multihull school in the 80s. He has always kept total control over the
philosophy of the models created by his company.
His reticence
concerning flybridges was well known, this is why he insisted that the
designers replace them with steering positions at mid-height,
characteristic of the company, and picked up by other builders. The boss
could only see the flydeck organization on cats of over 65 feet; this
has now been done, with the Alegria 67 catamaran for charter in Greece’, whose size and elegant silhouette mark the La Rochelle-based company’s entry into the world of multi-yachts.
A FLYDECK 67’ WITH A BOOSTED SILHOUETTE
The
Galathea 65’s underwater lines are well-proven and only needed slight
restyling, but all the rest is different. The mast has been moved back
and is now stepped on the coachroof; this arrangement favours a direct
kinematic from the mastfoot to the deck plan, a secondary advantage of
the flydeck, avoiding all the turning blocks! This upper level is both a
fully—equipped terrace with an uninterrupted view, and a comprehensive
nav station. The architect, Olivier Racoupeau, has used his talent to
draw flowing lines, and the result is indisputable!
For a test, it
is a masterstroke, as although the relevance of the new living area
can’t be ignored on this kind of boat, the aesthetic impact still
produces resistance amongst traditionalists. Here the balance of the
proportions, the clever positioning of the boom and the integration into
the overall silhouette preserve this sensitivity. The meticulous
styling work on the ridges, the volumes, the flydeck extension, and the
sugar scoops make up refined, sober, but determined lines. I can imagine
an example with coloured decoration, and am certain of the appeal this
beautiful multihull would have on any stretch of water.
LIFE ABOARD: ‘URBAN CHIC’ AND NAUTICAL ERGONOMICS
On
visiting the Alegria at the opening of La Rochelle’s 2013 Grand Pavois,
I was struck by the extraordinary area of the flydeck, which I hadn’t
suspected from the pontoon. Such a machine is not made for staying in
marinas, of course, but if necessary (in summer), life aboard will find
an unassailable welcoming area ‘upstairs’, with a very nice view point
and privacy, for resting, lazing around or having a meal away from the
view of passers-by.
The safety of this aerial area has been
particularly reinforced; a tubular stainless steel rail extending the
settees’ backrests effectively takes care of the risks of falling. This
solution was only made possible by automating the movement of the main
traveller, to avoid the traveller lines passing through the flybridge.
The
two nice little coffee tables are very practical; a set of mobile
‘pouffe’ seats is available, and a fullyequipped island galley occupies
the place of honour in the centre of this nautical hanging garden,
allowing you to set out, prepare and serve. Forward of the leisure area
there is the navigation station, organized around a sturdy, comfortable
navigation seat, a steering wheel and its instrument console, and all
the control lines grouped around 6 enormous Antal electric winches.
The
safety of the helmsman and crew has been taken into consideration
perfectly; handrails abound. For protection against the sun, an optional
tubular frame tops the nav. station; the awnings for use at anchor are
stowed in the canoe-type boom. The main access to the flydeck is the
perfectly safe half-spiral staircase to starboard, but a second access
to port is planned, to make movement more fluid.
On the lower
level, the cockpit reveals other resources: 3 huge sunbathing areas are
fitted on the gunwales, one of which overhangs the wake, above the
dinghy stowage. The settees, which face each other, are welcoming,
comfortable and reassuring in all weathers (excellent soft furnishings).
The exterior dining room for 8– 10 guests is organized around a central
teak module and two hinged leaves, all secured to a double base in
large sized stainless steel tubing.
The automatic lifelines giving
access to the sugar scoops retract into the bulwarks, a very good idea,
instead of seeing the cables on the ground or damaging the gel coat!
There is a technical locker in the aft crossbeam, which houses the
remote controls for lifting the dinghy, and the 220V supply line, which
you never know where to stow. Clever and practical! Aft winches, well
positioned and sized, allow the mooring lines to be handled under
tension, also a nice feature. The efforts by the interior designer,
Isabelle Racoupeau (a defector from motor yachts) have paid off
particularly well in this boat.
Of course, the size of the Charter catamaran Alegria 67’
gives potentially creative volumes, but the ease with which it brings
to life the lines and the furnishing elements via an ergonomic style
known as ‘urban chic’ is brilliant. The galley takes pride of place
again, and reasserts its primordial social role; the chef, the hostess
or the lady of the ‘house’ will here find a rewarding, very pleasant
‘piano’.
A large central island houses the sinks and the worktops;
it also functions as a bar. All the stowage and the domestic appliances
are housed discreetly in the wonderful U-shaped unit completely covered
in thick glass. The fitted American refrigerator completes this superb
installation with an inspired design. The navigator is accommodated
forward and to port, a genuine reclining chair will make long stays
easier in this strategic Lshaped office, opposite the instrument
console.
The designer’s agile pencil has expressed itself fully in
the fitting out of the 4 cabins of the Maestro version tested (an
owner’s suite and a twin berth cabin to port, 2 double guest cabins to
starboard). The mastery of the use of the materials, the composition of
the geometric lines, the light oak Alpi covering bathing in a studied
light, provide a sparkling atmosphere in very good taste. The Alegria’s
overall style is a success, and the build quality is excellent.
A FLAGSHIP FOR OCEAN CRUISING…OR COASTAL NAVIGATION
On
arriving aboard for the first day of our test, I took advantage of the
time spent leaving the channel to get to know the engine room.
Congratulations are due for the acoustic discretion which reigns in this
style of vessel. The two 110 hp, 6-cylinder Volvos are positioned
directly below the aft crossbeam; access (vertical) is via a large
assisted opening hatch. Down below, the area is divided into two parts.
Aft, the rudder post tube is laminated to the bottom of the hull, and
the rudder post passes through a large transverse corner plate, to which
the bearing and the autopilot are fixed.
All this is very
healthy, but a doubling plate would in the long term spread the
significant shearing forces of the very powerful hydraulic ram’s fixing
points. This area offers an interesting viewpoint for the realization of
the lamination (chassis infused, and parts attached); the fillet joints
are reassuring, as are the size and quality of the balsa core. The
quality of the impregnation of the cloth is obvious; the composite phase
appears very healthy (a shame to leave an electric wire visible in the
middle!). The engine installation itself is covered by a thick
soundproofing mattress, which has to be unhooked to see the engine.
The
technical installation is clean, and the floor made safe with a
metallic grill floor. The machine and its peripherals are accessible and
readable. During our first day’s sail, there was very little wind; it
was the opportunity to confirm that this big catamaran moves once a
breath of air can be felt, and that it responds well to the helm, sails
to windward whilst remaining well-balanced and gybes easily, all in 6 –
10 knots! The 22.5-metre, white-lacquered Marechal tube offers the usual
qualities of this top of the range aluminium product.
The
stand-up articulated halyard return blocks (Antal), just like the rest
of the deck plan, inspire confidence; the readability of the paths is
perfect, which will avoid many problems in use, with these overpowered
winches. The electric sheet winches are an option, however their
assistance is obviously essential! Stowage of the lines (large diameter,
very long) in deep open cavities is judicious. In the framework of our
two-day test, I was very pleased with this simple, intelligent,
efficient deck plan, which allowed us to handle easily such a large sail
area, and the forces it induced.
Adjustment of the traveller is
delegated to a captive windlass, the push-button control of the
traveller adjustment is fast and powerful – what a good arrangement! The
reliability will have to be checked on the first examples, but the
feedback from the 2 Alegrias which have crossed the Atlantic doesn’t
mention any problems from this point of view. Our test boat wasn’t
equipped with the roller staysail which seems to be essential. The
Alegria 67’ sailed well in the light weather, but it has above all been
intelligently designed to remain easy to use in moderate conditions and
strong breezes. On the second day, we sailed in a good force 5 with full
sail, without feeling the slightest anxiety. This aspect of the
Alegria’s personality will contribute much to its appeal to crews, as it
will be capable of covering long distances, without requiring many
manoeuvres.
Above 25 knots of true wind, the genoa would be rolled
up and the staysail would be the all-weather working sail. The
composite compression strut is perfectly suited to this model. The
realization of the forward crossbeam, with its mechanically welded
metalwork is up to the constraints and inspires confidence. Despite
hydraulic steering transmission with very little feel, the 67’ is
pleasant to sail; it is quite lively and manoeuvrable, reacts to the
trimming, and quickly reaches a good speed on all points of sailing.
Acceleration out of a tack is not sluggish and the fin keels work well.
The return, downwind, with around twenty knots of wind, had the boat
slipping along steadily at 10 to 12 knots, which revealed the potential
of this cat, one of the most agile in its segment.
CONCLUSION
Bringing
out the Alegria is a successful strategic step to be credited to the
fruitful collaboration between Olivier and Isabelle Racoupeau and
Fountaine Pajot. The launch of an exceptional, small production run
multihull is an ambitious challenge; the 67’s elegant silhouette, its
modern interior design, its good build quality and real nautical
qualities, associated with the power of a world distribution network,
should favour the success of a model with a promising patronymic.
Europe Yachts Charter Group is so proud to offer you our new catamaran for charter in Greece Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67 named NUMBER ONE that is already available for charter in Greece from our bases in the Cyclades area.
Technical Specifications :
Year : 2019
Builder : Fountaine Pajot
Length : 20.46 m / 67.13 ft
Beam : 9.84 m / 32.28 ft
Draft : 1.70 m / 5.58 ft
Crew : 3
Cabins : 4
Berths: 8
Guests sleeping : 8
Displacement : 35000 kg
Engine : 2x110hp
Cruising speed : 10 kts
Fuel tank : 1200 l / 317 US gal
Water tank : 1050 l / 277 US gal
Amenities :
GENERAL
Coffee machine -Deck shower-Fishing gear – light-Ice maker-Special diets-Swim platform-Water maker
Coffee machine -Deck shower-Fishing gear – light-Ice maker-Special diets-Swim platform-Water maker
ELECTRICAL
DVD library-DVD player- saloonI ndoor audio -system iPod -dock Media movie server MP3 -music server-Printer-TV saloon-Wi-Fi
TOYS
Assorted water toys-Banana boat – towable-Board games-Kayaks
multiple-Paddle boards -multipleSwimming noodles-Wakeboard-Water skis –
adultWater skis – child
TENDER
Williams tender 0ft / 0.00m – 98hp engine
DIVING
Seabobs multiple-Snorkelling gear
Charter price per week – HIGH | Charter price per week – LOW | VAT |
---|---|---|
€ 34.800 | € 28.000 | INCLUDED |
Captain : Giorgos Mourmouris
Giorgos
passion is the sea! He has been sailing since the age of twelve and has
reached almost every corner of the planet. A true seaman at heart there
is no place that he rather be than on the deep blue sea. He is RYA
Ocean Master licensed for both power and sailing yachts, and dive
master. A wealth of knowledge and experience in both the Mediterranean
and Caribbean along with a professional attitude and meticulous eye for
detail. His relaxed leadership style and over 20 years professional
yachting experience Giorgos will help to get the best out of any
situation and ensure a wonderful experience for you and your guests. He
likes to maintain a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on board with the
emphasis on sailing as much as possible. He is extremely professional
and relaxed and makes his client feel right at home. In his spare time
Giorgos likes yoga, photography, music, and travel.
Languages: English (fluent), French (basic), Spanish (basic), Greek (Fluent)