[SOLD] 1991 Fountaine Pajot Fidji 39FT. Catamaran, Project Boat Condition $35,000.00 Florida

[TaylorT]

1991 Fountaine Pajot Fidji 39FT Catamaran. In "project boat" condition, in need of restoration. The Cat has been kept up on a lift at a private residence located on Marco Island Florida. (current location)

It belonged to my father and he recently passed away at 78 yrs. old.
The last 10yrs.of his life his energy and health declined. The Cat ended up abandoned, up on a lift baking in the Florida sun and elements. But, he was a sailing enthusiast, loved it and held onto it.

He was an automotive\mechanic guy. And, except for the past 2-3 years when his health got worst he at least kept its engines maintained.

We recently had it surveyed. The surveyor believes the engines are salvageable but recommended having them further inspected by a yanmar mechanic. The sails and mattresses have been in dry storage and are also probably salvageable.

I found various listings on Fidjis for the past 6-12 months. Ranging from $100,000.00 to $150,000.00. I found sold listings ranging from $90,000.00 to $130,000.00? I've priced this at 35,000.00 BECAUSE it needs restoration.

In its day this was a very desirable Cat. It's a shame that its condition is what it is. But for someone with the wherewithal, willing to restore it, without a doubt it could be turned back into a Cat worth owning.

Anyone interested, please contact me. Thanks!

[LaT]

Hello again.
I know you did not know if she has daggerboards.
That could be because you do not know what it is.
Daggerboards are boards that sticks out under each hull and can be pulled into the hull or extended out below the hull (3 -4 feet). All photos are cutting out just as I try to determine.
I am interested if she has daggerboards.
I am of course skeptic to the conditions of the motors. It makes a big difference in the value of the boat.
I think the photos show she has a furling genoa. (The sail in the fore triangle is rolled up on the forstay). In that case I assume a new for sail is required.
It is my intention to visit Florida in early April.

[smj]

Originally Posted by LaT

Hello again.
I know you did not know if she has daggerboards.
That could be because you do not know what it is.
Daggerboards are boards that sticks out under each hull and can be pulled into the hull or extended out below the hull (3 -4 feet). All photos are cutting out just as I try to determine.
I am interested if she has daggerboards.
I am of course skeptic to the conditions of the motors. It makes a big difference in the value of the boat.
I think the photos show she has a furling genoa. (The sail in the fore triangle is rolled up on the forstay). In that case I assume a new for sail is required.
It is my intention to visit Florida in early April.

A simple search on Google will tell you she is built with mini keels not daggerboards.

[TaylorT]

Thanks smj! I did try to google this info and I was left to believe that it did not have the daggerboards. This Cat belonged to my dad and he recently passed away. My dad was an energetic guy who ALWAYS had a lot of irons in the fire. Basically he got old and his health declined. And so did his energy.

I can't really speak for him and say what was in his mind and why he hung onto this Cat. I don't think he planned on ever leaving. I know at one time this Cat meant a lot to him and I think he thought one day he'd get around to doing something
with it. It ended up in the air abandoned on a lift.

My dad was an automotive\mechanic guy. One thing he did do was keep up the engines. He has a marine battery in the garage hooked up to a trickle charger? He put the cabin mattresses and sails in an air conditioned dry storage.

Trying to determine any unknown issues and learn more about the Cat we had it surveyed by an experienced professional marine surveyor. Based on what we know, what he saw knows and said, there's good reason to believe the engines are salvageable. He recommended having them inspected by a yanmar mechanic.

Price was set based all factors, including his report. This boat won't be for everyone. But, for someone who has the wherewithal and LOVES restoration (they exist)
it could be great. The hull\foundation is solid. And, it could be turned back into a Cat worth owning.

[svGenesis]

Taylor, I sent you a PM.

[smj]

Taylor if I was in the market I would be all over this boat, I really appreciate this era of FP's. I get the feeling she's a diamond in the rough. Good luck with the sale and I hope the new owner would have made your father proud with the refit.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[TaylorT]

Thanks smj, appreciate it! You hit the nail on the head... diamond in the rough.

[LaT]

smj
My info says that some were built with daggerboards. So I really do not think that answers the Q.
I think there is a daggerboard on one of the photos and the way she sits on the lift also indicate she has no minikeel.

[smj]

Originally Posted by LaT

smj
My info says that some were built with daggerboards. So I really do not think that answers the Q.
I think there is a daggerboard on one of the photos and the way she sits on the lift also indicate she has no minikeel.

I e never seen or heard of a FP with daggerboards but I could be wrong. Their first design, the Louisianne had centerboards. It would be a game changer if she had daggerboards, desirability and price should be much higher. I'm pretty sure I see a mini keel in the first pic?


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[TaylorT]

@ LaT @ smj

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can get to the bottom of it tomorrow.

[smj]

Here's a pic of the Fidji out of the water.



Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[LaT]

SMJ is right she has minikeels.
Thank you.

[TaylorT]

I found this info:

The Fountaine-Pajot yard made a deliberate decision in opting for fin keels in preference to daggerboards. They have many advantages :
•they are fixed, and therefore require no manipulation,
•easy beaching
•they give perfect protection to drive shafts, propellers, rudder blades and hull bottoms in the event of grounding,
•the absence of a daggerboard case means saving of space in the interior of the vessel,
•thanks to their wind-tunnel designed profiles, the fins give excellent performance and generate no turbulence or vibration.

[Scout 30]

Looks like this could be a real deal for the right person. Just remember, everything takes a lot longer & costs a lot more than you think it will.

[valhalla360]

If we didn't already have two cats, I might be interested.


I'm not sure if you are local and have the time but a quick wash down would probably make her drastically more sellable. I'm guessing a lot of the crud is just that crud that will wash away.


Determining if the engines are operational would make a big difference. If your Dad laid them up properly and they start right up, you are probably underpricing the boat.


What is the interior look like? If it stayed dry and hasn't become overgrown with mold, restoration may be as simple as replacing the front trampoline, belts and hoses on the engine and making sure the seacocks turn.