THE Fountaine Pajot Salina 48 is a cruising catamaran designed to combine performance, comfort and safety at sea. Launched in 2007, it embodies the evolution of the French shipyard towards ever more spacious and seaworthy models, without sacrificing ergonomics and ease of handling. With its elegant lines, low center of gravity, and optimized layout, the Salina 48 stands out as a multipurpose boatEqually suited to family cruising, chartering, or round-the-world voyages, its raised helm station, centralized controls, and light-filled saloon make it a particularly popular choice among discerning sailors.
History of the boat
THE Salina 48 was born from the desire of Fountaine Pajot to reconcile two often opposing requirements in the world of catamarans: the living space and the marine environmentAt the time, the La Rochelle shipyard was renowned for models like the Bahia 46 or the Belize 43, appreciated for their seaworthiness, but less spacious than some competitors, notably Lagoon, which focused on ever-larger interiors.
The design of the Salina 48 was entrusted to the firm Berret-Racoupeau, already responsible for many of the shipyard’s successes, such as the Marquises 56 and the Eleuthera 60. The challenge was clear: to create a boat as comfortable as a Lagoon, but with a more streamlined silhouette and performance worthy of a true sailboat, in contrast to stars like the Lagoon 410. The result lived up to expectations: a slender hull, moderate freeboard and shallow draft (1.10 m), all combined with generous interior fittings.
The Salina 48 was presented as the successor to the Bahia 46, but the two models coexisted in the catalog for a year, so different were their philosophies. The Salina 48 quickly won over customers with its raised helm station, its centralized controls and its bright, light-filled cockpit thanks to large windows. The model EvolutionLaunched in 2008, it brought notable improvements, such as a revised deck plan and even more optimized interior fittings.
The Salina 48 also made a strong impression in competition, with a victory at the 2015 ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), proving its robustness and seaworthiness, even in demanding conditions. This performance symbolized a turning point for Fountaine Pajot, which was able to assert its expertise against long-standing competitors such as Lagoon and Nautitech.
Among its main rivals at the time were the Lagoon 450, THE Nautitech 44 or even theOverseas 45, each with distinct approaches in terms of volume, performance and price.
Interior design
The Salina 48 stands out with its interior bright, airy and functionalDesigned for comfort on long cruises. The standard version offers 4 double cabins (with private bathrooms) and a spacious central area, but custom layouts (3 cabins, workshop, etc.) are possible according to the owners’ needs.
THE square The heart of the boat is the chart table, positioned at the front of the cockpit, allowing the navigator to keep an eye on the course while working. The galley, separated from the saloon by an ergonomic bar, is equipped with everything needed for self-sufficient living aboard: refrigerator, stove, double sink, and clever storage solutions. panoramic bay windows and the hull portholes flood the space with natural light, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
THE shells They feature spacious cabins with double beds (sometimes convertible), built-in storage, and compact but well-designed bathrooms. Some owners have modified the original layout to gain storage space or flexibility, for example by converting the lockers under the settees or adding hanging shelves in the saloon.
THE helm station, located on the roof, offers a exceptional visibility and direct access to all maneuvers (winches, sheets, etc.), which greatly facilitates sailing solo or with a partner. trampoline before and the aft cockpit are designed for relaxation and outdoor dining, with wide benches and modular tables.
Marine qualities of Salina 48
The Salina 48 is first and foremost a marine boatDesigned to tackle long voyages with serenity. Its slim hull and low center of gravity give it a remarkable stabilityeven in rough seas. The owners emphasize its ease of maneuver, in particular thanks to its raised helm station, which allows everything to be controlled from a single point, without having to constantly move around on the deck.
In navigation, the Salina 48 proves itself responsive and easy to handle, with a comfortable cruising speed between 8 and 10 knots. In good conditions, it can reach top speeds of 17 knots, particularly with a suitable sail plan (genoa, gennaker) and optimized trim. Its upwind behavior is adequate, even if it’s not as high-performing as some sportier catamarans. On the other hand, it excels in carrying gaits, where its stability and power allow it to surf the waves with ease.
There security is another strong point of the Salina 48. Its robust architecture, its watertight bulkheads and his dual motor system (2 x 55 hp) offer valuable redundancy in case of failure. wide access and the well-placed handrails facilitate movement on board, even in rough weather. Finally, its reduced draft (1.10 m) allows it to venture into shallow waters, an advantage for cruises in lagoons or coastal waters.
Owner feedback confirms these qualities: many highlight its comfort at sea, its reliability and his adaptation to life on boardwhether for cruises of a few weeks or world tours of several years.
Reviews from owners of Salina 48
The feedback from Salina 48 owners is generally very positive, with a few points of vigilance to note.
The most frequently cited strengths :
- Volume and comfort The Salina 48 is regularly described as a “floating caravan” Ultra-comfortable, with generous living spaces and exceptional natural light. The cabins are spacious, and the saloon is a pleasant living area, even in bad weather.
- Ergonomics The raised helm station and centralized maneuvers are unanimously praised for their practicality, especially when sailing alone or with a partner.
- Stability and security The owners appreciate its sea outfit, even in strong winds, and its ability to maintain a high cruising speed without fatigue for the crew.
- Versatility Equally suited to coastal cruising and long voyages, the Salina 48 is a boat easy to live withwhether with family, friends or on a charter flight.
Points to watch out for :
- Weight and performance Some owners note that the Salina 48, especially when well-equipped, can lose performance if it is too heavily loaded. It is therefore advisable to distribute the weights on board properly.
- Interview As with any catamaran, the chests and seals (especially around portholes and through-hull fittings) require regular attention to avoid leaks or osmosis problems, especially on early models.
- Price The Salina 48, especially in its Evolution version, remains a boat expensive both at the time of purchase and maintenance. Owners recommend allocating a significant budget for equipment (watermaker, solar panels, etc.) and any potential modifications.
Powerful testimonials :
- One owner sums up: “The Salina 48 is the best compromise between comfort and seaworthiness. You feel at home on it, and it handles the sea like a real sailboat.”
- Another emphasizes: “The helm station is a delight: everything is within easy reach, and the visibility is perfect. However, you have to watch the weight, especially if you’re going around the world with a lot of equipment.”
Salina 48 Technical Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Builder | Fountaine Pajot (France) |
| Architect | Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design |
| Model | Salina 48 / Salina 48 Evolution |
| Launch year | 2007 (Change in 2008) |
| Kind | Habitable cruising catamaran |
| Rigging | Split sloop |
| Dimensions | |
| Overall length | 14.30 m |
| Hull length | 13.98 m |
| Width | 7.70 m |
| Draft | 1.10 m |
| Air draft | 18.50 m (mast) |
| Movement (slight) | 11.6 t (Evolution version) |
| Facilities | |
| Number of cabins | 4 (standard) / 3 or 5 (options) |
| Beds | 8 to 12 people |
| Sanitary | 4 (standard) |
| Kitchen | Equipped (refrigerator, stove, double sink) |
| Square | Card table, convertible benches, bar |
| Sail | |
| Sail area | 110 to 130 m² (depending on configuration) |
| Mainsail | Full batten (batté) |
| Genoese | Winder |
| Gennaker / Spinnaker | Optional |
| Engines | |
| Kind | 2 x Diesel (Volvo D2 or Yanmar) |
| Power | 2 x 55 HP (standard) / 2 x 75 HP (option) |
| Transmission | Tree line |
| Tanks | |
| Fresh water | 700 to 750 L |
| Diesel | 480 L |
| Wastewater | 2 x 80 L (depending on version) |
| Performance | |
| Cruising speed | 8 to 10 knots |
| Maximum speed | 12 to 17 knots (depending on conditions) |
| Autonomy | ~1,000 miles (depending on fuel consumption and tank capacity) |
| Standard equipment | |
| Winches | 2 x electric (optional) |
| Autopilot | Optional |
| GPS / Tracker | Optional |
| Bimini | Standard or rigid (optional) |
| Trampoline | Standard |
| Appendix | Optional (with davits) |
| Prices (indicative) | |
| New price (2007) | Starting from €560,000 |
| Used price (2026) | €350,000 to €500,000 (depending on year and condition) |
THE Fountaine Pajot Salina 48 remains, nearly twenty years after its launch, a reference catamaran for long-distance cruising. Its balance between comfort, safety and performance In fact, it’s a wise choice for sailors looking for a versatile boat, capable of adapting to all types of sailing, from Mediterranean charters to round-the-world voyages. Owner feedback confirms its reliability and his pleasure to live, even though its maintenance and budget require special attention.