Why are Fountaine Pajot cats so much cheaper than Lagoon or Leopard?

[donjobs]

I have been browsing YachtWorld for catamarans for sale in Europe, and have noticed that Fountaine Pajot boats are generally listed MUCH lower than both Lagoon and Leopard boats in Europe.

Why is this?

[NotJustDreaming]

I've wondered about this as well. I've got a bit of an idea why by putting info from tons of threads together. But I'd just be speculating without authority. I'm surprised there were no replies. Anybody?

[djtopper]

Originally Posted by NotJustDreaming

I've wondered about this as well. I've got a bit of an idea why by putting info from tons of threads together. But I'd just be speculating without authority. I'm surprised there were no replies. Anybody?

That might be because they really aren't that much cheaper. A quick search on YW shows:

Orana 44: $628k-$275k
Lagoon 440: $758-$264

There is a TON of overlap there. In fact, you can get an L440 for less than an Orana if you buy the cheapest one.

If you do a more exhaustive search, comparing many more models of similar class I suspect you'll find the same. The flybridge and front seating area / bench on the 440 and 450 might be considered an added value, justifying a slight premium. But that comes down to personal preference.

[yeloya]

I have no idea at all about Leopard prices but I can tell you that Lagoon 450 is currently cheaper than Helia.

Cheers

Yeloya

[Cheechako]

When I was looking for a cat in the late 90's, I looked at Catana, Lagoon, Privledge and FP. My concensus from digging and observing was the FP was not the quality of the other three. The Catana is a bit of a conundrum though, seems very light built, but they convince you it's strong and light. Personally for early 90's built boats I wold rate them Priveldge, Lagoon (TPI) Catana, FP. This is purely subjective based on buying perusal. Maybe the prices reflect what people see with their eyes/inspections.... or maybe none of that observation that long ago holds any merit.
I was lucky to be in the Caribe at the time I first started looking, so got to observe a few boats in their element. Some of the early Catanas I saw in the French islands were not holding up well at all, ditto for the FP's.

[DtM]

I think the difference is more imagined than real.

[Jim Woodall]

I've been seriously shopping for a catamaran for about 2 years. Prior to that I have chartered and sailed on more than a dozen cats. I have been onboard many catamarans in the 5 - 7 year age range, between 40 -45 feet. My budget generally restricts me to the production boats. I have found that the FPs simply do not age as well as most other cats. Lagoons may have their faults but they don't show their age as quickly as the FPs. Leopards seem to age the best of the big three production catamarans. Most of the boats I've looked at were at the end of a 5 year charter cycle.

There are always exceptions but in general FPs show much more wear and tear. I note not only age but engine hours, location and whether primarily bareboat or captained charter. I've found that when comparing boats in the same general location of similar age and usage that Leopards hold up very well, Lagoons hold up reasonably well and FPs do not hold up well.

[cruisingkrol]

Could it be the horrendously bad publicity about the "blister problem"? There was a lot of hysteria generated by the publicty around that court case.

Jim Woodall, what do you mean by "do not hold up well?" What's showing more wear?

Based on what I've seen of used boats at shows around Annapolis the few FP's certainly look less shop-worn than the Lagoons of same age. But then, owning a beautiful-sailing, in-great-condition ten year old Lavezzi makes me biased. I'll hate to part with her when she sells.

[monte]

what cat are you buying when she sells ck?

[Kookaburra]

Alpha 42 #2. Husband wants something new to sail home (his) to Australia.

[Kookaburra]

Sorry. That reply was from CruisingKrol. I'm on the Skipper's computer. Bad girl!

[Cool Freedom]

I just bought a PF Lipari 41 and sailed it across from France to Boston. Any questions, fire away. Kewl Change

[salticrak]

I have heard of production cats that have sailed from Cape Town to Walvis bay, a short distance in cruiser language. on inspection all had cracks where the hull meets the deck on the inside?

[Southern Star]

I am also unsure if there is a significant price differential between comparable Lagoons and FP's if one compares apples and apples based upon age, equipment, condition and model. In that regard, one must be careful to take into consideration actual dimensions rather than advertised model length ( many of the FP's are shorter than their model designation implies). We must acknowledge, however, that FP's reputation has been hurt by having more than their fair share of reported cases of osmotic blistering.

Cheechako, Catana were lighter at one time (albeit, not so much now) as a result of somewhat less accomodation for length and more extensive use of high-tech materials. I have never heard criticism of their strength or build quality, but have heard many who have extolled their performance advantages over Lagoons and FP's of the same size (and the boards are only one of the reasons).

Brad

[smj]

Haven't seen you around for awhile Brad. Good to see you're back.