When three models from the same manufacturer get nominated for the industry’s most rigorous awards in the same year, it’s worth paying attention.
The Fountaine Pajot FP41, FP44, and FP55 have just been nominated for Cruising World’s Boat of the Year 2026 and SAIL’s Best Boats 2026.
Here’s what makes these nominations different: The expert juries at Cruising World and SAIL Magazine test every boat. These are experienced sailors and marine journalists who spend days aboard, evaluating everything from sail handling to livability to build quality. Their selections influence buying decisions globally and serve as a genuine barometer of industry trends.
Having commissioned dozens of Fountaine Pajot yachts and worked with hundreds of owners, we see exactly why these three models caught the judges’ attention. The innovations that earned these nominations are the same features our clients tell us transform their cruising experience.
The FP41: Double Recognition for a 40-Footer That Changes the Game
The FP41 earned nominations from both Cruising World and SAIL’s Top 10, recognition that validates what we’ve been seeing since this model launched. This comes up in nearly every FP41 consultation: how does a 40-foot catamaran offer the livability you’d typically need 45+ feet to achieve?
Here are a few of the elements that combine to make it award-worthy. The flush-deck cockpit design creates one continuous living space from helm to saloon.
What does that mean when you’re living aboard? Our clients tell us it transforms entertaining, makes moving around safer in a seaway, and fundamentally changes how the yacht feels underway.
The judges also recognized the handling characteristics. Something our delivery captains consistently report: the FP41 sails like a much smaller boat while providing the interior volume of something considerably larger. That combination of performance and space in this size category is exactly why the expert juries took notice.
For owners considering our Business Yacht Ownership® approach, the FP41’s size-to-capability ratio creates an interesting opportunity. The yacht offers enough space and amenities to appeal to charter guests while remaining manageable for a wide range of sailors—potentially helping offset ownership costs while ensuring professional maintenance through our Waypoints charter program.
Read our complete analysis: The Fountaine Pajot FP41: Redefining What’s Possible in 40-Foot Catamarans
The FP44: Fountaine Pajot’s Emphasis on Space and Sharing
Cruising World nominated the FP44 for Boat of the Year 2026, recognizing a catamaran that Fountaine Pajot describes as “designed for sharing and the joy of being together.” We know exactly why this design philosophy resonates, and it’s what sets this model apart in the 44-foot category.
The lounge deck represents a genuine innovation in this size range. Our commissioning team points this out during every walkthrough: it’s not just additional space, it’s usable space that families and charter guests naturally gravitate toward. These design decisions create an onboard experience, from the way natural light flows through the yacht to how the layout creates distinct areas without feeling compartmentalized.
Here’s something we see consistently: the FP44 delivers interior volume that rivals monohulls ten feet longer. That space advantage translates to real comfort during extended cruising and makes the yacht work equally well for owner use and charter programs.
The Waypoints charter program reports strong booking performance for the FP44, largely because guests appreciate those generous volumes and well-conceived living spaces. The same qualities that earned this award nomination make the yacht excel in charter service—proper ventilation, intuitive layout, and spaces where people actually want to spend time
Read our complete analysis: The Fountaine Pajot FP44: The First 44-Footer That Gives You Monohull Space
The FP55: Fountaine Pajot’s Flybridge Innovation Earns Recognition
The FP55’s Cruising World nomination recognizes something significant: Fountaine Pajot’s first flybridge in their sailing catamaran range breaks genuine new ground. As the world’s top-selling Fountaine Pajot dealer, we’ve had the opportunity to commission and deliver these yachts since launch, and the innovation goes deeper than just adding a flybridge level.
Here’s what sets this design apart: the flybridge works as a true living space, not just a helm station with seating. Fountaine Pajot integrated this level into the yacht’s overall design in ways that enhance the sailing experience, including the sight lines, the flow between deck levels, and the way it complements rather than compromises the yacht’s performance characteristics.
Our delivery captains consistently highlight the forward cockpit accessibility. The direct access from the saloon transforms how you use that space, particularly when anchored or on a mooring. It’s a design detail that might seem small but fundamentally changes the yacht’s livability.
The FP55 represents a significant step up in capability and cruising range. Clients considering this level of yacht are typically planning extensive cruising or looking at long-term liveaboard scenarios. The build quality, systems redundancy, and attention to detail throughout reflect Fountaine Pajot’s 48+ years of catamaran-building experience and the ISO certifications that ensure consistent quality.
What This Triple Nomination Tells Us
Three yachts receiving nominations from independent expert juries reveal something about Fountaine Pajot’s current design trajectory. The shipyard is pushing into new territory while maintaining the build quality and seaworthiness that have defined the brand for nearly five decades.
These awards matter because they represent independent validation. When you’re researching a significant purchase, manufacturer claims are one thing.
Having experienced sailors and marine journalists spend days testing a yacht and then nominating it for their industry’s most prestigious awards is a confirmation from sources with no financial stake in the outcome.
We see this validation play out in real ways. Award recognition historically influences resale values. It gives buyers confidence that their due diligence aligns with expert evaluation. And it confirms that the features and innovations you’re considering are design decisions that withstand professional scrutiny.
What Matters for Your Decision
Award nominations provide valuable third-party validation, but your perfect yacht is the one that fits your specific cruising plans, experience level, and ownership goals.
Here’s how we approach yacht selection with clients:
- The FP41 appeals to sailors who want maximum capability in a manageable size, including couples or small families planning coastal cruising or island-hopping, who prioritize easy handling and efficient operation.
- The FP44 attracts those who need more space for extended cruising or larger groups, particularly buyers interested in charter opportunities through Business Yacht Ownership®, where the generous volumes and thoughtful layout maximize charter appeal.
- The FP55 suits experienced cruisers planning ambitious voyages, liveaboard situations, or those who want the ultimate in onboard comfort and capability—buyers who prioritize quality systems, redundancy, and long-term reliability.
Experience These Award Nominees Yourself
These three models represent the breadth of Fountaine Pajot’s current range, from the innovative 40-footer to their first flybridge sailing catamaran. We have these yachts available at our locations across North America and the Caribbean, and our team knows them inside and out.
Award nominations confirm what we see every day in client feedback and charter performance. But the real question is which yacht fits your cruising dreams. Call us at 844.567.3087 or send a message here to discuss how these award-nominated models might serve your specific goals, or to explore other options that might suit you even better.
