NEW FOUNTAINE PAJOT AGENTS FOR AFRICA!

Great news for the sailing fraternity! Boating World has been appointed as Fountaine Pajot distributors for Africa! The world’s No 1 cruising catamaran builder, has a stunning range of sailing boats and motor yachts across the globe and now they’re within easy reach right here Southern Africa.

Importer Derrick Levy is excited about having added a range of this calibre to Boating World’s already comprehensive selection of luxurious water craft.

Jean Francois Fountaine and three partners founded the famous yacht building company over 30 years ago in a boatyard near La Rochelle. And who better to turn his hand to building than this well-known regatta competitor who had just taken part in the Montreal Olympic Games. The very first models produced were the 505s, then the 420s and 470s. After moving location and launching IOR prototypes these popular half-tonners went on to become world champions and win the Figaro solo. And so the reputation of the yard in the world of ocean racing was established.

A real feather in the Fontaine Pajot’s cap was the introduction of an atypical boat, the Corneel 26, which went on to be nominated as Bateaux magazine’s “Boat of the Year” in 1986.

The 1990’s were characterized by innovations galore with huge improvements to aesthetics and ergonomics. The Marquises 53 became the range’s flagship sailing boat and the Vénézia took the market by storm.

A new design, with the roof forward over its panoramic windows brightening the cabin area and yet keeping it cool, soon became the hallmark of all Fountaine Pajot’s catamarans. New additions included popular names such as the Athéna 38, Bahia 46, Marquises 56, Belize 43 and Venezia 42.  The millennium brought major technological changes and Fontaine Pajot adopted the vacuum resin infusion moulding technique with the introduction of the new Lavezzi 40. Being fume-free, working conditions improved in the yards with limited wastage of raw material.

Each year has seen even more new additions including the popular Highland 35 with its fabulous flybridge, vast sun lounge area and comfortable living space. The Mahé 36 and many others followed and of course the introduction of the first Motor Yachts drew much attention in 2013. The most recent sailing cat added to the fleet is the Impanema 58. She has a 25 m² cockpit to live ‘inside and out’, a forward deck with a modular area for sunbathing, and a Flybridge with two entrances (port and starboard) including sunbaths and a protected helm station, making her very convivial.

Drawing on their many years of boat building expertise, these beautiful cruisers have it all.  Careful attention-to-detail has resulted in exceptional models which are taking their place in markets around the world. Outstanding qualities include enviable seaworthiness, premium performance and energy savings. Carefully designed hulls, light drenched interiors with different configurations and loads of space offer safe comfortable cruising whatever the weather.

There is something for everyone from Fontaine Pajot and Boating World’s team is eager to explore the options available with aspiring clients.