In 1976, Jean François Fountaine set up his own company together with three partners, in a workshop near La Rochelle. A reputed sailor, returning from the Olympic Games in Montréal, he made his debut as a builder, initially making 505 and then the 420 and 470.
In 1978, Fountaine-Pajot invests all its resources in the expansion of the company, moving to the new premises of Aigrefeuille.
In 1980, the shipyard changed its size and dedicated itself to the production of IOR prototypes, "Half-Tonner" which will decree the fame of the shipyard in the world of the ocean race, triumphing at the World Championship of the category and the regatta Solitaire du Figaro.
In 1981, the Fountaine-Pajot team took part in the Open regatta and built its first two multihulls: the Royale trimaran (18 meters) and the Charente Maritime catamaran (21 meters), entirely made of polyester sandwich, a technology that opens up new prospects for the company.
In 1983, Fountaine-Pajot invests in a relatively uncompetitive segment of the pleasure craft market, proposing its first sailing catamaran, the Louisiane 37.
Designed in collaboration with the architects Michel Joubert and Bernard Nivelt, the boat is made of polyester sandwich and boasts all the experience acquired by the shipyard in this technology. Commercial success is immediate.
In 1985 Fountaine-Pajot expands the surface of its production plant and launches a new model, the Casamance 43.
This extremely innovative catamaran has features that will characterize all Fountaine-Pajot sailing boats: fixed fins instead of pivoting drifts to facilitate cruising maneuvers and a wide and luminous cabin directly communicating with the hulls, able to offer a living space from the new dimensions for the time.
In 1986, Eric Bruneel joined the company with a project on a day-boat catamaran, the Corneel 26: this boat, atypical for our range, will be awarded the title of "Boat of the Year" by Bateaux magazine.
In 1988 two new models were introduced, the Maldives 32 and the Fidji 39, taking up the philosophy of Casamance 43.
In 1991, the company asked architect designer Olivier Flahault to intervene on models to improve their aesthetics and ergonomics, essential comfort elements.
In the same year, Fountaine Pajot addressed for the first time the associated architects Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau to design the Marquises 53, flagship sailboat of the range.
In 1992, the Vénézia created by the studio Joubert Nivelt received a formidable success thanks to the extension of the deckhouse that extends over the panoramic portholes protecting them from the sun so that the interior of the cabin remains bright without absorbing excessive heat. This simple expedient will become the distinctive element that will mark all Fountaine Pajot catamarans.
In 1993 the Tobago 35, in 1994 the Athéna 38 and in 1996, the Bahia 46 and the new Marquises 56, the range of the catamarans is enriched from year to year and conquers a clientele fascinated by the qualities of these boats that propose an innovative approach on the cruise or on the journey. Thanks to a successful design, the Fountaine Pajot catamarans offer their crews comfort, performance and ease of maneuvering.
The year 1996 also sees the debut of the first day-charter Fountaine Pajot catamaran: mass-produced, currently more than 80 examples of these boats for professional use sail the seas around the world. The end of the eighties is also the period of the success of the Bahia 46, which conquered 180 owners, becoming the symbol of excellence Fountaine Pajot.
In 1998 Fountaine Pajot ventured once again and launched a range of motorized catamarans, the Trawler Catamarans. These boats take up all the characteristics and qualities that have made the success of the sailing catamarans range: comfort at sea and in port, marine quality and performance. Designed by the Joubert Nivelt studio, the Maryland 37 and the Greenland 34 immediately establish themselves on the international motor boat market.
In 1999 the company obtains the ISO 9002 version 1994 certification, an international standard that induces the company to constantly work on its own procedures in terms of management, design and production, in order to perfect the products and ensure an ever greater appreciation by of customers.
The 2000s begin with the debut of Belize 43. Baptized by Bernard Giraudeau, it will successfully replace the appreciated Venice 42. First of a new generation Fountaine Pajot, offers an optional version as an option: available on all models in the range, this Maestro version will be particularly welcome on Bahia 46.
In 2002 Fountaine Pajot brought a remarkable technological change, adopting the infusion for the molding of the hull-cab group of the new Lavezzi 40. This vacuum stratification technique, without solvent emission, improves the working conditions in the workshops, limits the waste of raw materials and ensures a very homogeneous production between one vessel and another.
Presented in 2003, the Lavezzi 40 surprises with the new configuration of the cockpit that ensures an even easier passage between the various living spaces of this catamaran: once again Fountaine Pajot stands out for its audacity.
In 2004, the Fountaine Pajot Catamarans range equipped itself with a new flagship, the Eleuthéra 60 sailing boat, the result of a new collaboration with the Berret-Racoupeau naval architecture firm.
Trawler Catamarans is also enriched by a new unit with the Cumberland 44: spacious, seafaring, economical and particularly comfortable at sea, this great traveler, with a considerable autonomy, will enchant all the fans of the long cruise.
In 2005, the new Highland 35 was christened by Sophie Duez during the Cannes show: impressive spaces for its size, a welcoming flybridge, a large solarium, comfortable spaces, seduces for a convivial appearance.
In 2006 the Mahé 36 renews the standard range of Fountaine Pajot sailing catamarans. This is the first boat of the company made entirely by vacuum molding, infusion for the hulls and resin transfer (RTM Eco) for the bridge: the latter process consists in shaping the component by injecting the resin between two molds
On June 28, 2007, the Fountaine Pajot company entered the Alternex market, a decisive development that will allow financing an ambitious project of the company. Important investments are implemented on the two production sites, aimed at integrating the RTM Eco technology and fully industrializing the manufacturing process of the catamarans. Subsequently, a complete renewal of the sail and engine ranges was carried out to consolidate the Fountaine Pajot market shares and acquire other ones.
As for the sailing catamarans, two new cruise boats are launched, the Lipari 41 and the Salina 48. For the Trawler Catamarans, the novelty comes with the Summerland 40.
In 2008 the company proposes a surprise proposing a Flagship range for its larger sailing and motor units: these customizable catamarans are real small yachts that open the company to a new and very demanding international clientele.
Launched in 2008, the Galathéa 65 is the first Flagship sailing catamaran and the first to propose the lounge deck concept, a particularly popular relaxation area on the roof.
In 2010, the Queensland 55 motor yacht, designed in collaboration with architect Daniel Andrieu, bestows the right recognition to the Flagship concept in the Trawler Catamarans range.
These last few years see Fountaine Pajot complete its catamaran ranges and continue its expansion abroad.
In 2012, the Sanya 57 anticipates the future Fountaine Pajot models: amazing interior-exterior roominess and completely redesigned with extremely fluid communication between the cockpit, the square and the bridge.
Always innovative and very environmentally friendly, it is at this moment that we fine-tune our «concept» ECO CRUISING: the possibility of using renewable energy sources, photovoltaic panels, wind turbines or hydrogenerators on each of our models to reduce consumption.
In 2012, Hélia 44 took up the "concept" and perfected it in a masterly manner and will be imposed on the international market in just a few months.
In 2013 Fountaine Pajot launches Fountaine Pajot MOTOR YACHTS and the CUMBERLAND 47 Long Cruise, a power catamaran with exceptional autonomy, a real motor yacht and in September 2013 the new Flagship VICTORIA 67 sailing boat, the first catamaran in the avail of a real, ample Flybridge.