The French builder of cruising cats celebrates its 40th Anniversary by introducing the elegant and innovative Lucia 40

Strictly Sail Miami has become one of America’s largest displays of multilhulls and larger cruising cats in particular. For several years, the size of the new cats and trimarans has been increasing to the point where 50 feet seems modest. But last year, Leopard and Nautitech both brought new 40 foot cats to the market and found a very receptive audience for three and four cabin boats of this size and this price range. Not to be outdone, Fountaine Pajot brought their all new Lucia 40 to the Miami show in February 2016 and the reception was immediate and enthusiastic. The company held a reception for the press the first day of the show and jaded boating writers and sales folk were suitably impressed. There were plenty of honest oohs and ahhs as the gang explored the new boat.
The new Lucia 40 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau at the design firm Berret Racoupeau and is a fine take on where modern cat design is going. The hulls are fairly narrow but wide enough fore and aft to accommodate double berths in both cabins. The topsides are quite high and have large rectangular windows that provide a lot of natural light inside the hulls and great views from the cabins. The boat has a lot of acreage for a 40 footer which has been put to use to provide plenty of options for easy onboard living, indoor or outdoor meals and
entertaining. With almost 22 feet of beam, the Lucia has realy stretched the accommodation factor.