The Name behind the Brand- Fountaine Pajot

by Jeni Bone on 30 Nov 2010 Jean Francois Fountaine is the Fountaine in Fountaine Pajot – the world’s largest cruising catamaran builder and responsible for setting industry standards for technological and design excellence since its establishment in France in 1976.

Founded by Jean-Francois Fountaine and Yves Pajot, Fountaine Pajot has 27 models to its name and more than 2200 sail and power catamarans built since 1983 – an achievement unequalled by any other multihull shipyard anywhere in the world.

The Fountaine Pajot Sail range comprises the new Mahe 36 Evolution, Lipari 41, Orana 44, Salina 48 Evolution, Eleuthera 60, and the Galathea 65, while the Trawler range includes the Highland 35 Pilot, Summerland 40, Cumberland 46 and Queensland 55.

Fresh off the world launch of two new models of cruising catamarans – the Mahe 36 Evolution sailing catamaran and Summerland 40 Trawler powerboat in Sydney, Cannes, La Rochelle, Southampton and Annapolis – Jean Francois Fountaine spoke to MarineBusiness-World.com about the brand’s history, its presence in Australia and its plans for the future.

Australia is a strong and growing market for Fountaine Pajot, as is New Zealand, where Multihull Solutions recently opened its first office. According to Fountaine, 'Australia represents 15% of our market, increasing every year, and selling more than in the US'.

Exclusive distributor for the brand, Multihull Solutions was recognised in September as the brand’s coveted Worldwide Dealer of the Year 2010.

'Although we have been representing Fountaine Pajot in Australia and NZ for more than 12 years, Multihull Solutions is a relatively new name in the industry,' said Multihull Solutions’ Managing Director Mark Elkington at the time, referring to the company’s foundation in 2008.

'This award is a testament to our fantastic team and the tremendous work they have invested in promoting the advantages of multihulls to the sailing market,' he said.

Hallmarks of the brand make it ideal for Australian and NZ markets: balance between comfort and performance, manoeuvrability, safety and luxury. 'Add to that, innovation and design for long range cruising and you have an all round boat,' he said.

The main consumer markets for the brand in Australia are the retired couple, who set sail for four months to a year to explore the coast and beyond, groups of friends and their families who regularly jaunt around the waterways and islands and want space and comfort, and the charter market.

'Our boats are great for socialising and then offering privacy for those onboard. You have the best of both worlds,' explains Fountaine.

Fountaine Pajot was the first company to develop the market in cruising catamarans and its continued global success since 1983 has fuelled sales of 2200+ boats in that time.

President of the French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN) and a sailor himself, Jean Francois Fountaine has a prodigious pedigree in sailing, racing in the Montreal Olympics in 1976, the TransAtlantic Race in the 1980s, taking 23 days for the event and being among the first to achieve over 20 knots, as well as close to 40 years experience sailing around the world. He and his wife, Claire sailed very successfully together as a mixed crew in the days when 470 sailing was almost exclusively a male domain. Claire was manager of the French Olympic team for the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

'It is in our hearts and very much part of our lives in business as well as pleasure.'

The company has two state-of-the-art production sites in La Rochelle in France, considered the heart France’s boatbuilding. Fountaine Pajot employs an elite multidisciplinary team of more than 400 people and is renowned for its continued investment in technology, production industrialisation, research and design.

The GFC impacted discretionary spending the world over, but according to Fountaine, the company reported strong sales in all markets over the two years, largely due to the 'recession resistance of sailing and sailors'.
'The sailing fraternity is slightly different in its usage and attitude to boating,' he says. 'Sailboats are seen as an investment in lifestyle and leisure – to see the world, escape. Powerboats on the other hand, can be about show and owning a possession.'

The company invests heavily in R&D and applying new materials and techniques. For its major markets, environmental concerns are a priority, so Fountaine Pajot has a focus on the integration of renewable energy in the form of solar panels, as well as rainwater collection, garbage maceration and disposal of organic waste, compaction of inorganic waste.

Locally, Multihull Solutions is the major sponsor of the Multihull Brisbane to Gladstone, Whitsunday Rendezvous and sponsors a host of international events to showcase the Fountaine Pajot range.

'We exhibit all over the world, mostly the in-water shows of Europe, other than Paris and Moscow which are important markets for us. Our boats are suited to shows like Grand Pavois in La Rochelle, where we have our boatyards, Miami, Fort Lauderdale which suits power and Anapolis for sail. Sydney too is ideal to show our boats,' Fountaine said.

Fountaine is an advocate of creating global safety and manufacturing standards. 'They need to be the same around the world for exporting and importing, for the safety of the consumer. Europe, Australia and the US need to come together on this for customers, manufacturers and authorities. Certification needs to be the same, which will reduce the costs and the paperwork as well as clearing up any confusion with consumers.'

Adding his comments to the world’s media and marine proponents, Fountaine believes the fervour with which young people have embraced 'world record attempts' could well be directed to other more suitable ventures.
'It is risky for anybody, not just the young. I am not sure it’s a good thing. It does bring publicity to sailing, but perhaps turns people away from ordinary sailing for leisure.'

For more information visit www.multihullsolutions.com.au