Fountaine Pajot has a long history of building cruising catamarans that feel solid, safe and comfortable at sea. In Croatia their boats are popular with crews who want a good balance between sailing performance and relaxed liveaboard comfort. If you like the idea of covering a few more miles each day while still having plenty of space at anchor, a Fountaine Pajot can be an excellent choice.
On this page I will share how Fountaine Pajot catamarans behave in real Adriatic conditions, which models you will most likely see in Croatian fleets, and how to choose the right boat for your route and crew. From here you can open every Fountaine Pajot lying in a Croatian marina via Search by Brand – add your dates to see which are free – or compare Fountaine Pajot with other catamaran brands on the main Catamarans page.
Why Sail a Fountaine Pajot Catamaran in Croatia
Fountaine Pajot designs boats for long-distance cruising, and that philosophy translates nicely to one- or two-week charters in Croatia. Their catamarans are efficient under sail, reasonably light and usually equipped with good-sized tanks and storage. That means fewer fuel stops and more flexibility when you want to stay on anchor for a couple of nights.
For guests the first impression is often about balance: enough space in the cockpit and saloon, but still elegant hull lines and a pleasant motion underway. You can sail comfortably in typical Croatian afternoon breezes without needing to push the boat hard. Most models also offer good visibility from the helm, which is important in busy summer traffic and when docking in narrow marinas.
Fountaine Pajot Design – Comfortable, Efficient and Easy to Handle
Fountaine Pajot catamarans are known for their efficient hull shapes, practical deck layout and well-protected helm positions. Compared with some more boxy designs, they often feel a bit more “sailor’s boat” – still comfortable, but with a focus on weight distribution and sail plan.
From a skipper’s perspective, the winch and line arrangement makes reefing and tacking straightforward, and the steering remains predictable even when the wind picks up in the channels between islands. When planning your week we still follow the same weather logic described in Adriatic Sea and Weather and Weather by Month, but having an efficient catamaran gives you more options on stronger wind days.
Popular Fountaine Pajot Models in Croatian Fleets
Every year the mix changes a little, but you will usually find several Fountaine Pajot sailing catamarans in the Croatian charter fleet:
- Lucia 40 / Isla 40 – compact cruising cats, ideal for smaller families or two couples who value sailing performance.
- Astrea 42 – very popular size for 3–4 couples, with a comfortable cockpit and bright saloon.
- Elba 45 – modern, spacious model with good performance; often chosen by friends travelling together or families with teenagers.
- Saona 47 and above – larger platforms, mostly bareboat or with our skipper; a few come fully crewed.
In some bases you will also find Fountaine Pajot MY power catamarans, such as the MY 37. These are perfect if you prefer higher cruising speeds but still want the stability and space of a catamaran. You can explore similar concepts on our Power Catamarans page.
Where You Can Charter a Fountaine Pajot Catamaran
Fountaine Pajot catamarans are present in all main Croatian regions. The highest concentration is around Split and Trogir, but you will also find attractive options in Zadar and Sibenik, and some in Istria and Kvarner.
If your plan is to explore Kornati and the northern islands, start from Zadar or Sibenik. For the classic central Dalmatian loop around Hvar, Brac, Solta and Vis, Split and Trogir are ideal. To discover Mljet and Korcula, starting from Dubrovnik makes the most sense, though Fountaine Pajot boats based there are rare.
Fountaine Pajot for Different Crew Types
The Fountaine Pajot range offers good solutions for many types of crew:
- Families with children – safe side decks, protected cockpit and good storage make life on board easier with kids.
- Friends who enjoy sailing – efficient hulls and balanced sail plans give you satisfying speeds on longer legs between islands.
- Couples travelling together – cabins are usually similar in size, reducing tension about who gets which cabin.
- Hosted or corporate trips – bigger Fountaine Pajot models have room for our skipper and cook in proper cabins without squeezing the guests.
If you tell us your crew structure in the enquiry form on Get a Quote, each boat in the email shows its cabins and links to its page with the layout, so you can check bathrooms and privacy for couples.
Bareboat, Skippered or Crewed Fountaine Pajot Charter
In Croatia you can charter Fountaine Pajot catamarans in all standard formats:
- Bareboat – suitable for skippers with the necessary certificates and solid catamaran experience. Our guide Skippers Licenses and Certificates explains what is required.
- Skippered – a good choice if you want to relax. A professional skipper handles manoeuvres and safety, while you decide how involved you want to be with sailing.
- Crewed / luxury – selected larger Fountaine Pajot models operate as luxury crewed yachts with hostess and sometimes chef.
On a bareboat, our own skipper costs from 2.100 € a week, plus food, and always gets a real cabin, never the saloon – so keep one cabin free for the skipper, or pick a bigger boat.
How Much Does a Fountaine Pajot Catamaran Cost?
Prices for Fountaine Pajot catamarans depend on size, year of build, equipment, season and base marina. Smaller and slightly older models can be surprisingly accessible in spring and autumn, while brand-new 45+ foot cats in July and August sit at the premium end of the price range.
To understand the full budget, combine the info on this page with our cost guides Charter Prices, Yacht Charter Cost Croatia and Full Cost Guide. They explain what is included in the base price, what to expect for skipper, fuel, marinas and how extras like APA work on luxury crewed catamarans.
Sample Itineraries That Work Well with Fountaine Pajot
Thanks to their efficiency under sail, Fountaine Pajot catamarans are comfortable on both shorter family routes and slightly longer crossings between island groups. Typical one-week itineraries include:
- Split – Hvar – Vis – Brac – Solta – a balanced loop combining islands, bays and lively towns.
- Zadar – Kornati National Park – more sailing and nature, perfect if you like longer legs and quiet anchorages.
- Dubrovnik – Mljet – Korcula – southern route with historic ports and green national parks.
You can find more inspiration in our Itinerary Library, Itineraries section and the guide Best Sailing Routes in Croatia.
How to Book Your Fountaine Pajot with SkipperCity
When you know your approximate dates, crew size and preferred starting region, you are ready for real offers. There are two simple next steps:
- Use Search by Brand and filter to Fountaine Pajot. Book online from the boat page or send an enquiry.
- Or describe what you want in plain language in the form on Get a Quote – for example “Fountaine Pajot catamaran for 8 people from Split in June”. Within minutes we email you up to 40 live-checked boats that fit, nearest your budget first.
Reply to the offers and a person from our team answers your questions about specific models, base marinas and season. The goal is simple: a Fountaine Pajot catamaran that matches your crew, your planned route and your budget, so you can arrive at the dock relaxed and ready to enjoy Croatia.
If you are still comparing brands, start from the overview at Yacht Brands and return here once Fountaine Pajot feels like the right direction.
