At the beginning of July, the Caribbean Multihulls team was in La Rochelle for the Fountaine Pajot Open Days, where the new FP 48 was presented ahead of its official public debut. This onboard visit gave our team the chance to discover the boat in detail, looking closely at its layout and key features to build a clear first impression before its world premiere this autumn.
To help share this discovery, we are featuring a video produced by Multihulls World. In this video, Emmanuel van Deth visits the FP 48 together with Erwan Vuillefroy, Product and Operational Marketing Manager at Fountaine Pajot Catamarans, who walks through the main areas and explains the design thinking behind the new model.
Watch the Multihulls World video here:
Following this walkthrough, here is a written overview of the main points presented on board and the features that caught our attention.
A helm station designed for ease of use
One of the first areas shown in the video is the helm station, which has been arranged to make sailing controls easy to manage. The space is divided into two clear functions.
- Around the wheel, the navigation instruments are grouped on new supports, creating a clean and practical steering area. On the boat shown in La Rochelle, there was also a dedicated screen for monitoring the ODSea+ onboard systems.
- Just ahead of the helm, the sail controls have been centralised. The mainsheet, traveller, genoa sheets, furling controls and halyards are all led back to this position. The idea is straightforward: to keep manoeuvres simple and to make the helm efficient for day-to-day use, whether under sail or when preparing for harbour manoeuvres.
The side decks also appear broad and secure, with handrails that help movement around the boat feel safe and comfortable.
Solar integration for onboard autonomy
The video also highlights one of the practical features of the FP 48: its integrated solar panels. The boat presented in La Rochelle was equipped with 2,800 watts of solar power built directly into the design rather than added as an afterthought.
That level of solar production is intended to support daily life by powering refrigeration and electronics during the day, while reducing the need to draw from the batteries. It reflects a wider move towards greater onboard autonomy, something many owners now consider an important part of modern cruising comfort.
A forward cockpit with several functions
Moving forward, the video shows a generous foredeck living area. There is a large sunbed which can also serve as seating, creating a flexible space for relaxing at anchor or underway in calm conditions. Below, substantial lockers provide room for fenders, sails and general gear, with additional storage spaces for ropes and other deck equipment.
The anchor handling arrangement has also been updated. As seen on other recent models in the range, the windlass has been positioned further forward, making it easier to operate and better suited to remote control use when handling the chain and anchor.
The FP 48 is also equipped with gennaker gear and a carbon bowsprit.
The FLYBRIDGE / lounge deck as a key part of the concept
A major point in the video is the lounge deck, which gives the FP 48 a distinctive character. It offers much of the appeal of an upper relaxation deck, while remaining different from a traditional flybridge.
Because the helm is located elsewhere, this entire area can be devoted to comfort and social use. The result is a space with seating for around eight people around a table, plus two sunbeds forward.
Overhead hatches also help improve ventilation into the cockpit below. This approach allows the boat to gain another outdoor living space without taking volume away from the main social areas.
A cockpit shaped for time on board
The aft cockpit continues the same theme, with several different zones for sitting, reclining and gathering together.
One lower area close to the stern stands out as an especially appealing place to relax, with direct views of the sea and a good position for keeping an eye on anyone swimming nearby.
The main cockpit table is particularly large. In its standard form it seats eight, and when extended it can welcome up to ten people.
An asymmetric bench adds flexibility and also allows for extra storage below. More generally, the cockpit offers ample storage, including deep lockers for snorkelling gear, as well as a dedicated liferaft access point.
An interior centred on connection
Inside, the galley has been designed as a true link between the different parts of the boat. Its island layout improves circulation, increases storage and work surface, and also gives useful support when moving around in rougher conditions.
The broader idea, as explained in the video, is that the person preparing food remains connected with everyone else on board, whether they are in the saloon, in the cockpit or at the helm.
A pass-through opening towards the forward cockpit strengthens this connection and also helps create a natural flow of air through the interior. During the onboard visit, this was presented as a real advantage in warm weather, even without relying immediately on air conditioning.
A full Maestro version for the owner
The boat shown in the video features the full Maestro layout. In this configuration, the entire port hull is given over to the owner’s suite. One practical detail is that this private space can be reached both from inside the saloon and directly from the aft cockpit.
The owner’s hull includes an office area, generous storage, laundry space, a walk-in shower and a separate toilet compartment.
The overall impression is of a layout designed for comfortable life on board over longer periods. On the starboard side, the arrangement includes guest accommodation, an aft cabin with strong storage volume, and a proper skipper cabin forward with its own bed, shower, toilet and storage.
Looking ahead to Cannes
For Caribbean Multihulls, the visit confirmed that this new model has been designed around easy circulation and well-defined social spaces, while continuing Fountaine Pajot’s focus on comfort and onboard autonomy.
The FP 48 will soon be presented to the wider public at its world premiere during the Cannes Yachting Festival. For visitors planning to attend the show in September, our team will be well placed to guide you through the boat and discuss its features in detail. Get in touch and book your private visit.