FP55 (16.98 m): the first flybridge catamaran from Fountaine Pajot

sFountaine Pajot has just unveiled FP55, a nearly 17-meter catamaran that marks a turning point in the French shipyard’s history. It is the first flybridge model ever produced by the brand, presented last September at the Cannes Yachting Festival as the answer to those seeking a new and more panoramic way of experiencing the sea. A choice that comes on the eve of the 50th anniversary of a shipyard founded in 1976 by Jean-François Fountaine and Yves Pajot, Olympic sailors who launched the legendary Louisiane 37 in 1983, practically inventing the cruising catamaran segment.

FP55: a living room on the roof of the world

Forget the usual external wheelhouse. The FP55’s flybridge is something else: a real “penthouse” with 360-degree views of the horizon. It is designed to be the beating heart of life on board , a living room suspended over the water where one not only governs, but dines, sunbathes, and enjoys aperitifs at sunset.

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It turns every moment of cruising into an experience to be shared, true to the shipyard’s “Share Your Experience” philosophy. Far from being a simple command post, this new level becomes a space where people gather to sail, share a meal, or admire a sunset, turning every moment at sea into an experience to remember.

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Two king and queen suites (on the same boat)

FP55 breaks another convention, offering a solution almost unheard of on boats of this size: two identical owner suites, one per hull. No more bickering among friends over who gets the better cabin. Here, two couples can enjoy ample space, total privacy, and absolute comfort without compromise.

The possible configurations are diverse and flexible, from the “Maestro” version with one suite and four guest cabins, to the “Double Maestro” with the two queen suites and two additional cabins, to the charter version with six identical double cabins. In each case, the crew has its own independent cabins, because a perfect cruise also depends on their well-being.

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Spaces that unite and a brilliant idea

At 16.98 meters long and 8.8 meters wide, FP55 is a triumph of volume. But the real magic lies in the way the spaces communicate with each other. The aft cockpit dialogues with the light-filled salon, while the flybridge towers above it all, offering a whole new perspective on the horizon.

The real treat, however, is another: for the first time on a cruising Fountaine Pajot, there is a direct access door to the forward cockpit. A simple but ingenious idea that creates a continuous flow from stern to bow, circulating air and people in total freedom.

Zero-impact navigation, even without wind

Consistent with a commitment to sustainability that the site has been pursuing for years, FP55 was born with clean energy in its DNA. With 6,300 watts of integrated solar panels, this catamaran can power the air conditioning without turning on the generator and sail in electric mode along the coast in total silence .

For those who want even more, there is the ODSea+ Smart Electric hybrid system, developed in-house by Fountaine Pajot, which includes 2×50 kW electric motors, 38 kW generator, 38 kWh batteries, and hydro-generator for near-zero-impact sailing.

The numbers of FP55

The 1.85-meter draft allows the vessel to approach even shallow anchorages, while the 27.7-ton displacement ensures stability and sailing comfort. Standard engines include two Yanmar 4JH80s of 80 hp each, with the possibility of upgrading to 110 hp for those seeking more thrust.

Fuel tanks of 610 liters per side and freshwater tanks of 400 liters per hull ensure adequate range for extended cruising. The sail plan includes a 110-square-meter mainsail and a 66-square-meter genoa, while the design bears the signature of Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design, a guarantee of fast and safe performance.

When it arrives and how much it costs

Prices start at 1,395,000 euros for the Double Maestro version, rise to 1,400,000 euros for the Maestro and reach 1,420,000 euros for the six-cab configuration. But beware: a fully equipped FP55 with all options can touch 2,100,000 euros.

Deliveries will begin from October 2026, and the official debut is scheduled for the Cannes Yachting Festival that same year. With this model, Fountaine Pajot, which now has more than 4,000 catamarans sailing around the world, writes a new chapter in its history, projecting nearly half a century of experience into the future.

FP55 – Data Sheet

Overall length 16,98 m
Maximum beam 8.8 m
Draft 1.85 mLight displacement 27.7 tSail area 176 sq m
Motorization 2 x Yanmar 4JH80 80 hp
Fuel tank 2 x 610 l
Water tank 2 x 400 l
Naval architecture Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design
Construction site Fountaine Pajot

• Learn more about FP55

James Barbaro