Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46

[farkaz]

We think we have found our boat after much searching. 2002 Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46. Can anyone tell me anything to discourage us from this vessel or have any history with this type of craft. Thankyou in advance.
Paul and Karen

[Wellington]

I've heard very good things about this boat. In particular, it seems to be one of the most comfortable around, and it's quite fast. If we were on the market to buy right now, it would be at the top of our list.

[josef]

Had one for 3 years .Excellent liveaboard.Recommend strongly.

[Kiwikat]

We spent 4 days on one a couple of months ago and were thoroughly impressed with her performance. The Bahia is up there in our top 2 preferred cats when we eventually make the plunge. We would love to hear your comments, should you go ahead and purchase this boat.

Cheers
Clyde and Lisa

[The Director]

[quote=Kiwikat;210802] The Bahia is up there in our top 2 preferred cats...

What is your other preferred cat?

[Kiwikat]

What is your other preferred cat?[/quote]


The Dolphin 460. It sort of comes down to the daggerboards vs minikeel thing (and price) but we'd really be happy with either and don't have to make the decision for another year or two yet

Cheers

[rigamarole]

The Bahia is my prefered boat now also. There are nicer boats, but not may you can get for the price, including the Dolphin. I'm thinking about quite a few modifications for one. Anyone interested in comparing notes?

[Wellington]

Originally Posted by rigamarole

The Bahia is my prefered boat now also. [...] I'm thinking about quite a few modifications for one. Anyone interested in comparing notes?

Yes please, I'm very interested in your notes. Thanks

[Abaco]

Paul and Karen,

If food is a priority for you, take a close look at the galley. All of the work space is on top of the ice box. If you are prepping a meal and someone needs a cold drink or you have to move everything out of the way to get into the fridge or freezer. For me the galley is very poorly laid out.

[Kiwikat]

Originally Posted by Abaco

Paul and Karen,

If food is a priority for you, take a close look at the galley. All of the work space is on top of the ice box. If you are prepping a meal and someone needs a cold drink or you have to move everything out of the way to get into the fridge or freezer. For me the galley is very poorly laid out.

Yes, we are well aware of this but some have been fitted with an additional front opening option. As we intend to be full time liveaboard that would be a priority modification.

Cheers

[Kiwikat]

Something like this one here.

[Therapy]

The only thing I have noticed on FPs is the little itty-bitty sinks.
Is it just me that thinks doing dishes would be a hassle?

[mikereed100]

Originally Posted by Therapy

The only thing I have noticed on FPs is the little itty-bitty sinks.
Is it just me that thinks doing dishes would be a hassle?

I agree. I think that's one of the prices you pay with a boat designed for the charter industry. I wonder if there is room to retrofit a life-sized sink?

[rigamarole]

Wow, Wellington, glad you asked. I did a pretty through checkout of a Bahia at the Miami Boat show last month and have one chartered for a week next month.
In order of priority:
My modifications start with the stern. I want to put a fixed platform between the hulls which extends 2.5' past the centerbridge. It would be at the level of the hull joint. I would remove one of the life raft storage areas and glass over it. The other I want to insert a custom made gas tank which would store unleaded for the dingy. The clear span between the two hulls is 12.5' and I want to put a dingy of the same length with a 25 to 30 hp outboard on cradles which are mounted on the platform. I'm either going to rig up a boom crane as described in this tread http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f48/boom-crane-and-aft-platform-19076.html or an actual crane such as this : http://www.nautical-structures.com/elecminicrn800.htm . I was quoted $3,700 for the Nautical-Structures crane which isn’t bad for how easy it would make raising and lowering the dingy. If I can design it, a portion of this platform would be removable and used as a passerelle.

If the boat comes with the factory installed bimini which has the hard center, I’d just replace the canvas so side curtains could be zipped in. If the bimini is an aftermarket which is all canvas, I’ll remove and replace with a custom built hard top which will allow solar panels to be attached. The helm chair is a single seat, I’d replace with a bench seat.

As pointed out earlier, the galley is a poor setup. I’d pull out the whole wooden module that has the oven in it and also the range area. The reason they didn’t put in a stove/oven setup originally is that below this spot is one of the mid-ship berths. I’d get rid of the starboard mid-ship berth, install a range/oven and then rebuild a full size frontloading double door refrigerator. I’d convert the existing frig/freezer to just a freezer. In the extra space where the mid-ship berth was, I’d add storage for food and pots/pans as currently it’s insufficient.

Depending on how used and abused the electrical panel and nav station is, I may rework this area also. I haven’t actually sailed a Bahia yet but the nav area doesn’t seem very functional. There isn’t a lot of storage in this area.

A further out, wilder idea is to take the starboard aft berth and convert it to a work room. I’d install a 2’x4’ deck hatch into it so I could store wind surfer, kayak, or possibility both my dirt bikes. The deck crane would be used to lift the bikes out and place them in the dingy or wherever. If I did this, the attached head would be converted to a shower room only.

A nice 5kw generator, high output water maker, and new battery bank are on the list also.

Well, this is a far as my imagination has gone. I’m sure when I get back from the charter some ideas will change.

[Wellington]

Thanks Rigamarole. I'm with you for the helm bench and the bimini. For the stern platform, did you consider a Salina-style raised one ? It looks like the best of both worlds to me.
Would you have year by year specs lists for the Bahia ? (from what year-model was what improvement added ? ex central hard bimini from ... 2004 ? Helm bench from ... ?) I've also tried to find a user's manual of the Bahia, in digital form. Did you find one on the net by chance ?