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vercoe5 · 17-02-2012, 21:17

Hello All,
I have signed up to buy an Orana 44, subject to survey etc, and am hearing/reading about a few problems FP may be having with some of the later models.
It seems one that crossed the Atlantic a year or so ago may have some serious issues as all reference to the boat is now off the web, or rather being redirected to a Norwegian site with no information available.

Can anyone clarify if there have been design and/or construction issues of late with this model ??

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Graham

Gordon · 17-02-2012, 21:53

Hi Graham,
We purchased and took delivery of our Orana DEC.07 , we have had a few small items we had fixed, nothing major, hinges, lights etc. No major structural problems at all. We use our boat most weeks and have sailed extensively up and down the East Coast of Australia. The Orana is a delight to live on and a breeze to sail.
Regards Gordon.

vercoe5 · 18-02-2012, 00:15

Thanks Gordon,
Yeah I've been on one a couple of times at the Auckland Boat Show and spoken to the owners on a couple of occasions and they also mare very happy with their boat, it's just that there seems to have been some production problems in the boats built around 2010 and I'm trying to find out what is going on with FP. Naturally they won't own up to anything so trying to get a bit of feedback from owners of some of the later models.

I do appreciate your feedback as I believe they are a very good boat.

Regards
Graham

yeloya · 18-02-2012, 05:15

Hi Graham,

We have had two Orana's, one is owner version from 2008 and I am currently sailing with her in the Caribbean. The other is from 2011 , 4 cabins and is in charter. We didn't have any problem with any of them besides small fixes that Gordon mentioned.
I passed the Med in December, crossed the Atlantic and have seen all kind of sea and weather, she sailed like a dream.
The only think to be careful about is that many recently built FP's are subject to osmosis. Check this out carefully if you are buying a used one, FP's hull guarantee is up to 5 years and it's an expensive repair.
Otherwise, easier to sail and faster than many similar type cats, construction is simple and easier to maintain and repair.
I've heard some negative comments from other owners on the way to here, but mine has been very positive so far..
Good luck
Yeloya

vercoe5 · 18-02-2012, 20:17

Thanks Yeloya,
I am hearing a bit about this Osmosis problem. Do you know of anyone who owns an Orana that has had this happen to their boat, and how helpfull FP have been in honouring their gaurantee.

Graham

yeloya · 19-02-2012, 05:35

Actually my Orana form 2008 has got osmosis and my way back from Caribbean it will be treated. We are the official service point for FP and so far almost all of the FP's sold over the last 10 years needed treatment.. (3 oranas, 4 Lavezzis, 1 Cumberland, etc) The Lipari that I've bought 3 years ago seems still to be OK.
So far FP has always paid the cost under warranty. If you buy a second hand or older than 5 years the issue maybe different. Moreover, the top management of FP has completely changed 6 months ago; for the good or worst I don't know yet..
Cheers
Yeloya

vercoe5 · 19-02-2012, 22:52

Hi Yeloya,
Sorry, just to clarify. If I am to buy a secondhand boat it may not be covered by the warranty ??.
Do I take that to mean the boat has no warranty or at least it is unlikely to be warranted by the factory, if the repairs that need to be carried out are not for the original purchaser.

Regards
Graham

yeloya · 20-02-2012, 05:20

Hi Graham,
To be honest, I am not sure, you better check it with the official FP dealer this issue. Osmose is very easy to check by an expert people and by means of a device which measures the humidity inside the GRP.
We never had with neither Orana nor any of the FP cats that we have but some people claimed structural problems. That's probably where the famous norvegian Orana has suffered. You take out the panel in the port front cabin and check the wall behind the water tank; if there is a problem it should be there. But once again, we have seen at least a dozen of Orana and none of them had this kind of problem. What hull number are you planning to buy ?
Cheers
Yeloya

vercoe5 · 21-02-2012, 09:57

Hi Yeloya,
Fred at A&C brokers in Martinique has informed me the boat is build number 64. I assume build number and hull number are the same. It is listed as a 2010 year boat so again I assume that is the 64th boat manufactured since they first started producing them.

Graham

**Cotemar** · 21-02-2012, 10:32

vercoe5,

If you get the whole hull # you will be able to understand everything.
This link will help you read it.

Owners

vercoe5 · 21-02-2012, 23:38

Hi Cotemar,
Thanks for the info and link.
Hull number is
Hullnumber: FRFPA19064E010. Now i just have to work it out off of your link.

Thanks again
Graham

**Cotemar** · 22-02-2012, 04:12

That hull number reads like this.

FR FPA 19 064 E 0 10
-------------------------------------
FR: France

FPA: Fountain Pajot

19: Orana 44

064: hull number

E=MAY: month built, “A”=Jan. “B”= Feb.“C”=Mar. “D”=Apr. “E”=May “F”=Jun. “G=Jul. “H”=Aug. “I”=Sep. etc...

0: year built

10: model year = 2010