Fountaine Pajot MY 37 Yacht Review

There is lots and lots of on-board space; from an enormous saloon with a galley at the rear to port, and a U-shaped dining settee to starboard, to an optional indoor helm, although most would rather prefer the helm on the flying bridge with an optional hardtop, popular in Florida, or Bimini. Guests have enough space to bake on the sunpad forward and yet more seating space for relaxation.

Performance

Spaciousness and stability which is so popular with cat boats is inherent with the Fountaine Pajot 37. When cruising through the Port Everglades Inlet the 37 admirably sliced through all the wakes and swells without rolling or shaking. In the open water, she cruised easily at 18.5 knots, consuming fuel economically at 16.4gph. At full speed, the Fontaine 37 got up to 21 knots thanks to the twin 200-horsepower Volvo Penta D3s. Although this speed is not suitable for racing, it is fast enough to get you home quickly in case of bad weather. Her 2 feet 6 inches makes her small in terms of LOA, yet also makes her an ideal Bahamas boat. The space on-board is twice the normal size, as is common with cat designs. She is very stable and can safely cruise through harsh and nasty conditions.

Accommodations

One common feature in cats is their small staterooms; the Fountaine 37, however, does not follow this trend. It has two guest staterooms and a head located in the starboard hull – this is far more than enough space. The master located in the portside hull is quite larger than those found on most 37-foor hulls. With 6 feet, 6 inches headroom, it covers most of the hull. This abundance of space is really making the Fountaine Pajot gain ground in the Cat markets.

Construction

In addition to beauty and space, the 37 is very sturdy; built with infused Vinylester resin and balsa above the water line. No creaking sound or groaning was heard when taken out for a sea trial. Lots of work was put into this boat, including seventeen nautical designers which contributes to its sound structure and sturdiness. The layout and finishing were done remarkably well. Last year Fountaine Pajot launched 150 catamarans showing that they have loads of experience and longevity in boat building.

LOA: 36’1″
BEAM: 16’8″
DRAFT: 2’6″
DISPL.: 17,800 lb.
FUEL: 317 gal.
WATER: 186 gal.
TEST POWER: 2/150-hp Volvo Penta d3s