45' sailboat

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2023 Boat of the Year Best Crossover: J/45

• By Dave Reed
• December 16, 2022

Sailing World Magazine’s  annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our  2023 Boat of the Year nominees »

The Family Flagship

• Stated purpose: Offshore performance, cruising yacht, club racer
• Crew: Two to eight
• Praise for: Powerful hull shape, high-quality build, versatility
• Est. price as sailed: approx. $900,000 to 1 million

The Johnstone family and their builders take their time to get it right. It’s what makes J Boats synonymous with proper and purposeful sailing boats, which now includes the J/45. For the many legacy J Boat owners, this sailboat is for you.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve come out with a boat this size,” says designer Alan Johnstone. “A lot of different trends have come along, and we’ve been paying attention and applying them in the sportboat range and in some of our smaller racer-cruisers.”

A good current-model comparison, says Jeff Johnstone, would be the company’s J/121e, which has been very successful on the offshore racing scene. “The J/45 has over a 40 percent ballast ratio, so that’s pretty substantial,” he says. “That means we can get away with a pretty sizable rig. Our markets are San Diego, Chicago and New England, where it doesn’t blow so hard, so we wanted to be able to actually sail in 5 knots of wind. With sails that work across the wind range, we have a more powerful hull that allows you to carry more sail area.”

The J/45 is a nod to J Boats’ raison d’être, Jeff explains. It’s a boat that is offshore-capable, and easy to campaign with friends and family in the club beer-can series and overnight races. “Look at the events that are prospering,” he says, “pursuit races and cruises—events you don’t need to have a pro crew on board.”

The boat is intended for shorthanded sailing, so there’s a traditional and simple approach to the deck layout, with everything leading to the pit, through-jammers to Harken cabin-top winches (one electrified), one set of coaming primaries, and a pair of winches for the split mainsheet that runs below deck and exits from a nicely sculpted deck fitting. With twin pedestals, the carbon wheels are high and angled outboard for excellent visibility.

“When I first saw it at the dock, I thought, This is a pretty cool race boat,” Powlison says. “When you step back and look at it, it has great-looking lines. When we got on, I immediately noted the sightline from the wheel. I could see across the entire boat all the way to the bow. It’s all really clean and has the attributes you’d expect to see on a proper race boat. When we went below, I was like, wow, it really is a boat I could live on for a while.”

The owner of the boat that was test-sailed has a young family of teens and uses the boat extensively for club racing and cruising in New England. So, the boat was laden with cruising extras, plus a retractable bow thruster, a hydraulic mast jack and an upgraded Hall carbon rig. A custom addition by the owner was the carbon furling boom, which was a project collaboration between North Sails and Hall. The owner is extremely happy with the furler, especially not having to make the family flake and stack 1,152 square feet of race-worthy sails on the family cruise.

“It’s great to see the owner already racing it and doing what it’s meant for,” Allen says. “I know J Boats has wanted to do this model for a long time, and this is now its flagship. All the mechanicals are accessible, all nicely done and perfectly clean. This is a big deal for them, and it being just north of a million, I think this boat will appeal to a new level of client.” [Eds. note: After publication Jeff Johnstone clarified the judge’s quoted price “as sailed”: “Base price is $695k with carbon rig, and a sail-away budget with extensive systems would be somewhere in the $900,000 to $1 million range.”

“I had full control through the jibes and tacks. My sense was that it just kept trucking through all the changes in the conditions.” —Dave Powlison

Stewart has a keen eye for a fast hull and says the J/45 gets its appeal from its subtle curved sheer line and the long, low cabin top. “It’s got a nice hull form too; it’s wide aft, but not unnecessarily wide. Still, there’s good volume for the length.”

Enough of the looks. How does it sail in 10 to 15 knots and moderate chop?

“It was definitely fingertip steering,” Powlison says. “It was really easy to turn—I had full control through the jibes and tacks, and my sense was that it just kept trucking through all the changes in the conditions. I could easily follow the breeze, and for a boat this big, I felt it was very responsive on the helm.”

Allen did his fair share of upwind driving with an experienced crew for the rail weight and sail trim. The midrange breeze for the test sail, Allen says, was the boat’s sweet spot. “When we lock into a puff, the boat leans over just a bit, the helm loads up a touch, and then the boat takes off. At times it did feel a little underpowered in the lulls, but in the 12 to 14, getting to 8.5 was easy and it would just stay there. And even with all the cruising stuff on the boat, downwind was awesome. With the A2, the boat can happily get to 155 to 147 with a little rocked-over weather heel. It was fun.”

“It was good on the fingertip control as promised,” was Stewart’s assessment. “It’s light and responsive, and the wheels had zero play. The rudder had a lot of bite, and the boat was—as described by the designer—a stable and powerful boat.

“On top of that, it had great sails, was well-prepared, had good sailors on board, and showed perfectly to its potential.”

• More: 2023 Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year , Print Winter 2023 , Sailboats
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J/45 tested: Fast cruiser with timeless appeal

• Rupert Holmes
• April 20, 2022

The J/45 is a fast, but civilised, cruiser with a timeless appeal that will resonate with J/Boats’ many long standing devotees

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

We’re close-hauled, sailing the new J/45 at 7.5 knots and catching up with a modern 55-footer, but slowly falling into her lee. Winding on a little mainsheet tightens the leech, putting us in a high mode almost 5° closer to the wind, and we climb above and ahead of the bigger boat. It’s classic J/Boat sailing that’s familiar to thousands of sailors, yet this is a comfortable 45ft cruiser with a host of luxuries including air conditioning.

The J/45 has heaps of appeal to anyone who’s sailed a J in the past. Yet, although the company is responsible for numerous cutting edge designs that changed the way we sail, this boat is more conservative in its nature – it’s an evolution rather than a revolution.

Low freeboard, moderate beam and fine ends by today’s standards, plus a single rudder, put it in classic J/Boat territory. The J/45’s development was also strongly influenced by a desire to produce a boat that’s a joy to sail in light airs, as well as being able to take heavy weather in its stride when necessary.

The J/45 is just as responsive to sail trim as the smaller and racier models in the range and is well powered up in only 8 knots of true wind, when we made 7.5 knots upwind.

Classic J/Boat hull shape gives good performance and handling. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

As the wind progressively built above 10 knots we gradually depowered by pumping on more backstay tension as the boat accelerated further. In 13 knots of true wind we were making 8.4 knots of boat speed, at a true wind angle of only 42°. In stronger breezes the polars show optimal tacking angles of little more than 70°.

A German mainsheet system, led to winches just ahead of the helm stations, plus a 6:1 traveller, makes for easy trimming upwind. The rig is also easy to depower as the breeze builds – increased backstay tension is effective in changing the mainsail to a completely different shape, markedly reducing its drive.

Collaboration

The initial concept for this new flagship was developed and refined over three years of conversation between the American J/Boats team and J/Composites, based in Les Sables d’Olonne, with further input from Berret-Racoupeau for interior design, layout and ergonomics.

From the outset the key vision for the J/45 was for a comfortable cruiser that’s lots of fun to sail, even in light airs. It’s primarily intended for a family or two couples to spend up to 10 days or so on board, though of course the boat is capable of far more than this.

J/Boats has long favoured wheels over tillers, even on boats as small as the J/105 where tiller steering would create a more open cockpit and facilitate sail trimming when helming and alone in the cockpit. This philosophy is carried over to the J/45, where the narrow transom means the two wheels are of a small diameter.

The instrument pods at the helm stations are small, but both have enough space for a steering compass, pilot controls and a small MFD. Our test boat also has B&G Nemesis displays above the companionway hatch garage, but these were partially obscured by the coachroof winches, so I’d be likely to also opt for 20/20 or larger displays at the mast.

J/45 provides performance and pleasure

Throughout the test the helm was super light but responsive, with good feel that built reassuringly as the rudder loaded up when the J/45 was powered up and well heeled. My notes sum it up as: “a brilliant blend of performance and pleasure, with a lovely feel in the helm at all times.”

Tacking into an uncomfortable swell using the optional heavy weather staysail. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

On the downside, it’s impossible to adjust the vang and backstay from the port helm station, although the mainsheet winches and traveller are within reach when sitting on the side deck astride the wheel.

Bearing away to a true wind angle of 135° and unfurling the Code 0 in 12 knots of true wind gave 8 knots of boat speed and beautifully easy, yet fast, sailing. Our highest speeds of the test were also achieved under Code 0, with 16 knots of true wind just abaft the beam. The boat powered up well, still feeling relaxed with speeds nudging into double figures, although weight built noticeably in the helm in the strongest gusts.

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Running at a true wind angle of 150° – marginally deeper than the polars show as the optimal angle for downwind VMG – with the 180m2 A2 spinnaker in 9 knots of breeze we made a respectable 6.1 knots. Luffing up 25° resulted in a jump to 8.5 knots.

Heading up further to 110° true and the apparent well forward of the beam, we were fully powered up and well heeled, although with only a small increase in speed. However, this gave the opportunity for an interesting test of the grip provided by the single rudder. When I first sailed twin rudder boats in the late 1990s I was absolutely hooked on the concept – the extra control they offered was a big revelation at the time. However, single rudder designs have been continuously developed and refined since then and the best have improved enormously.

The J/70 sportsboat, for instance, is an example of a modern design that offers precise handling and control through a single rudder, even though it’s transom hung and therefore operates in an area with a lot of turbulence.

As with TP52 s, the J/45’s rudder is well forward under the hull, clear of such turbulence, which helps maintain laminar water flow across the blade even at high angles of incidence and heel.

It’s just possible to reach the mainsheet winch from the helm. Photo: Rupert Holmes

When fully powered up close reaching with the big kite I tried bearing away sharply without easing the sheets. The J/45 answered the helm instantly with a dramatic course change and no hint of the rudder being anywhere close to stalling.

On the other hand, one downside of the moderate beam and finer ends is that the J/45 tends to sail at greater angles of heel than wide bodied twin-rudder yachts, where the angle rarely exceeds 20°.

Two choices are offered for handling the luff of the mainsail when reefing: either a strop with a dogbone that’s made fast near the gooseneck, or a downhaul led aft to the coachroof winches. The headsail of our test boat sets from an optional low-profile Facnor FD furler, while for stronger winds there’s a furling staysail that’s set on a halyard lock. This can be configured for use with the optional self-tacking jib sheet track and offers an excellent set up for winds over 20 knots.

The keel-stepped mast is unusual among performance cruisers today, but makes sense in this case as the extra support at the partners means the section is one size smaller than would be needed for a deck-stepped spar. This reduces weight aloft and makes the rig more responsive to backstay tension when depowering the mainsail.

Glorious sailing with the big A2 spinnaker. Photo: Rupert Holmes

Effort has been made to keep displacement low, although it’s still significantly heavier than some performance cruisers of this size. But at the same time performance is optimised for the fully loaded displacement, which minimises the effect loading the boat has on both speed and handling.

Construction is of infused vinylester resin and hull laminates are over-specified to give excellent stiffness and improved impact resistance.

Well specified

Nothing is skimped on in the deck layout and equipment on the J/45, while the standard specification is generally of a very high level. It includes many items that other yards list as expensive options, such as Nitronic 50 rod rigging, hydraulic backstay and vang, white painted aluminium spars, and a 60hp engine with three-blade folding prop.

Systems work flawlessly and the six winches are generously sized. At the same time, the deck has a very uncluttered appearance, with lines including halyards and the mainsheet system led aft beneath conduits. The hydraulic backstay and vang markedly reduce the amount of string in the cockpit, as do the standard headsail sheet cars that run on a track with pins, although towed cars are offered as an option.

Our test boat has the electric option for the port coachroof winch, which makes for easy spinnaker hoists and trimming. The pit area is also provided with self-stowing washboards and a commendably large rope bin. Other neat touches include the lazybag arrangement, which makes it easy to roll away excess fabric while sailing.

Slimline helm station pods have enough space for a plotter display. Photo: Rupert Holmes

The J/45 cockpit layout will be immediately familiar to any keen sailor, although unlike many yachts of this size, there’s no separate guest cockpit for those who want to stay well clear of the action. The cockpit is narrow by today’s standards, especially towards the transom, but the lack of wide open spaces here is not detrimental for a serious sailing yacht. Deep moulded bulwarks, plus stainless steel coachroof grab rails, give security when going forward, while the non-slip deck surface of our test boat proved effective, as did the Flexiteek fitted to the cockpit benches and sole.

Cruising stores on the J/45

Two-cabin versions of the J/45 have a large cockpit locker under the starboard bench, which is open to the lazarette and can also be accessed from the interior. There’s a lot of stowage space here, with the main area easily able to swallow a dinghy, several sails, paddleboards and more, although the access from deck is relatively narrow.

It also gives safe access to the quadrant and the pilot ram. In addition, there’s a dedicated liferaft locker, access to the lazarette from the cockpit sole and a large sail locker forward.

Given that most cruising stores and equipment tend to be stowed in the back half of a yacht, the 350lt water tank is under the double berth in the forward cabin, while the chain locker is right forward. This is deliberate to balance the weight of movable equipment and stores, but means weight is not concentrated centrally and it feels wrong to place so much in the ends of the boat. It’s a testament to the boat’s underlying design that this weight in the bow didn’t appear to mar handling, or detract from the lovely feel under sail during our test.

Access to quadrant and pilot in the lazarette. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

No one buys a J/Boat solely on the basis of the interior and it’s no surprise the combination of low freeboard and moderate beam limit volume below deck. However, headroom is generous in the saloon and this a sufficiently large yacht to offer a considerable level of comfort.

While the overall style is instantly recognisable as that of a J/Boat, it’s at least a couple of notches above previous models in terms of quality and feel. J Composites has worked hard to achieve this and there’s a wide range of upholstery options.

Two-cabin versions have excellent stowage aft of the heads compartment, which is also accessible from on deck

The main living, galley and navigation station areas on the J/45 occupy a good length of the boat near the point of maximum beam and are therefore relatively spacious. There are good handholds both at the easy companionway steps and as you move forward into the saloon.

This is wide, with a settee/sea berth to starboard and generous U-shaped seating around the table opposite. On our test boat the aft transverse saloon seat houses an air-conditioning unit with outlets to the saloon and cabins.

At the foot of the companionway the semi U-shape galley has a large single sink and lots of worktop space, along with generally good stowage. Our test boat has a big top loading fridge, plus a second refrigeration unit with drawers, and a three-burner hob with oven. There’s no provision for a dishwasher or a washer-dryer.

The forward owner’s cabin. The fresh water tank is under the berth.

Opposite the galley, the chart table has a conventional forward-facing seat. It’s a good size, with reasonable stowage but no dedicated bookshelves, although some of the six large eye-level lockers lining each side of the saloon could be used for this purpose.

The owner’s cabin is forward, with a peninsula bed, plus a useful separate seat, good floor space and a decent size heads. However, the freshwater tank under the bed limits stowage volumes. This is mostly in one locker to starboard, with hanging space, plus three shelves and two smaller lockers underneath. While there’s ample space for shorter trips, those who envisage spending extended periods on board in cooler climes may need to also use some of the generous saloon stowage.

Aft cabins are smaller than average for a new 45-footer

The port aft cabin is a decent size, with reasonable stowage, although it lacks the palatial proportions of those on boats this of length with more freeboard and where maximum beam is carried right aft. On three-cabin boats the starboard cabin is almost a mirror image of this, but has a little less floor area and stowage.

The second heads compartment, to starboard at the base of the companionway steps, is well appointed and benefits from a big shower area in two-cabin boats. Three-cabin versions, however, lose the shower stall.

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J/Boats has never been afraid to carve its own path. That’s also true for this boat, even though the concept doesn’t obviously push new boundaries. It will certainly appeal to J aficionados. They will appreciate the responsive, precise handling and performance across a wide range of wind speeds and angles. Equally, anyone who’s endured long periods under power while cruising will appreciate the boat’s ability in light airs. It’s really positive to see J/Boats building at this size again. Overall the execution is good and the standard specification impressive, as is attention to detail. For example, this is the only boat of the 10 I tested last winter with cabin sole boards fastened down as per World Sailing’s Offshore Special Regulations, which apply to offshore races and cruising rallies such as the ARC. Add in good resale value and a worldwide dealer/support network and it’s not surprising that this model is already proving popular.

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Sailboat Review: Race-ready and Cruising-compatible J/45

• By Mark Pillsbury
• November 29, 2022

Sailing performance was definitely a factor for Erik Asgeirsson when he began his search for a new sailboat. Currently the fleet captain at the American Yacht Club in Rye, New York, he’s a racing sailor and has been part of a crew who campaigned his uncle’s J/35 around the buoys for many seasons. But after years of owning a Pearson 10M, and with four daughters between the ages of 8 and 14—not to mention a fondness for the rocky coast of Maine—he also wanted a family-friendly cruising boat, which will be shared with a co-owner and his family at the club. 

By luck, Al Johnstone and the team at J/Boats had just such a dual-purpose vessel in mind when they sketched out their newest model, the J/45. They envisioned a performance-­oriented, offshore-capable sailboat that would be equally at home both on the Newport Bermuda Race starting line and on an extended cruise to anywhere.

Having launched several smaller (and a few more racing-oriented) boats in the past decade, J/Boats president Jeff Johnstone saw the J/45 as an intentional return to bigger, multipurpose boats. Speaking just ahead of the start of this year’s Newport Bermuda Race, Johnstone noted that out of the nearly 200 boats entered, more than 50 were ­ J/Boats .

But back to the new 45-footer. Asgeirsson and his partner went over the plans, liked what they saw, and ultimately took possession of Hull No. 2 this past spring at the J Composites yard in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France. (J Composites is the longtime builder of J/Boats in Europe and the co-developer of the J/45 and several other models.)

Asgeirsson was aboard Acadia for a 400-mile shakedown cruise to the United Kingdom, where the boat was loaded onto a ship and delivered to Narragansett Bay in early June. 

To say he was satisfied with the boat would be an understatement. “It’s been a great project,” he told me when I arrived for a sea trial at Safe Harbor New England Boatworks in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. 

On the dock, I found a lively scene as sailmakers and techs swarmed over the boat, tweaking this and adjusting that in preparation for Acadia ’s impending delivery home to Rye.

With a dark-blue hull, slightly reversed bow, open transom, teak decks and white cabin top, Acadia makes a stunning first impression. I couldn’t help but pause to take in the carbon-fiber spar and in-boom roller furler, the no-nonsense nearly straight sheer of the deck, and the carbon-fiber bowsprit that sits atop a stainless-steel anchor roller. There was a lot there to please the eye.

Asgeirsson and his partner have added several options to the standard J/45 to enhance the dual-purpose nature of the boat, bringing the cost of  Acadia  to right around $950,000, delivered to the US. These include Harken Performa winches, one of which is electric to handle the main halyard (electric all around is also an option); a dual function hydraulic panel for the backstay and boom vang; a carbon Furler Boom from Denmark; a full quiver of top-of-the-line North Sails; and composite standing rigging from Future Fibres, another company under the North umbrella. Other add-ons include air conditioning, generator, teak in the cockpit and on the side decks (Flexiteek is standard), a suite of B&G electronics, a retractable bow thruster, and a removable inner forestay that adds numerous options when setting headsails.

On deck, I thought gear was well laid out. It’s easily accessible for a shorthanded skipper, but at the same time, there’s plenty of room in the cockpit, forward of the twin wheels and traveler, for friends and family to relax or for a racing crew to go to work. The side decks ­adjacent to the helms are at just the right height to provide the skipper with a comfortable place to sit and steer. Visibility forward is excellent. Underway, I liked the location of the drop-leaf cockpit table, which provides a rock-solid handhold when moving about, and the beveled footrest below it for bracing when heeled.

The mainsail is controlled by a double-ended German-style mainsheet, with tails reachable from either wheel. Primary winches are also nearby. Fairleads for the jib sheets are adjustable from the cockpit. A cruising sailor might set them and forget them; racers might tweak their location and further adjust sheeting angles using the friction-ring inhaulers, also led back aft.

The J/45’s side decks are wide, with raised toe rails that should ensure good footing when things get wet and ­slippery. Forward, there’s a deep sail locker that also provides access to the chain locker in the forepeak, sealed off by a watertight door.

Stepping below, I found the cruising virtues of the J/45 to be immediately ­apparent. Rather than offering the bare-bones interior of a racing machine, J/Boats turned things over to French designer Isabelle Racoupeau, who has worked with a number of European luxury yachtbuilders. 

Acadia ’s interior trim and furniture are white oak (walnut is standard), set off with plain white panels and cushions. Furniture corners are rounded to prevent boat bites, and counters have proper fiddles so that things stay put. The look is simple but elegant. 

The saloon has a dining table with U-shaped seating outboard to port and a settee opposite. The galley is just aft, to port, at the foot of the companionway; a full nav station is to starboard. Even on the cloudy day that I visited, light poured in through overhead hatches, as well as through ports in the cabin top and hull.

The J/45 can be configured in a couple of ways. The owners of Acadia opted for the three-stateroom, two-head layout (two staterooms and two heads are also available), to better accommodate family and friends. Pipe berths were included above the double berths in the after staterooms so that the kids could bring more friends (those pipe berths are a handy place to stash gear too). The owner’s en suite stateroom is forward, with stowage for owners who intend to spend a fair bit of time aboard.

The 45’s hull and deck are cored with Corecell and infused using vinylester resin. An interior grid is bonded to the hull and carries mast, rig, and engine loads. Hull No. 2 carries the standard 7-foot-6-inch lead keel (deep and shoal keel options are available).

Fittingly, Acadia ’s most stunning impression was made when we left the dock and set sail. In 13 knots of breeze and sailing closehauled, the 105 percent genoa and main quickly got us to the mid-7-knot range, and the ride was smooth. The boat responded immediately to any move of the deep, single rudder, and truly, the boat trucked along as though on rails. 

My all-too-brief trick on the wheel came early on, as we beat down the bay. I got to work through a few tacks, giving me a good sense for how easy this boat would be to handle, even without a gaggle of talented sailors aboard to tweak the control lines. Being on a tight schedule, all too soon, someone else was in the driver’s seat as we bore away and set an asymmetrical kite for the ride back up the bay—short but sweet, as they say.

So, racer? Cruiser? In which camp does the J/45 belong? Well, I’ll have to give the ­owner the last word here. “The J team’s done a fantastic job designing this dual-­purpose boat,” Asgeirsson told me at the outset. And you know, he was right.

J/45 Specifications

Mark Pillsbury is a CW editor-at-large.

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Whatever angle you take, the Oceanis 45 is a balanced sailing yacht. A very well-proportioned cruiser, she leaves in her wake some very fine performances.

Naval designer :  Finot - Conq et associés

Interior designer :  Nauta Design

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Exterior design

On a very stable seaworthy hull, the Oceanis 45’s deck plan clears space and simplifies manoeuvring. She has made very good progress in her ability to combine sailing speed and the pleasure of living on board. Long cruises are now much safer.

Interior design

Ranging from two to four cabins, the Oceanis 45 offers several layout versions, clearly differentiating it in its category. The three cabin and three bathroom layout is a perfect example. The interior ambiance has great scope for personalization in the choice of contemporary light oak or a more traditional Mahogany.

Confidently answering the call of the ocean

The Oceanis 45’s many innovations simplify life on board as much as they do sailing. The ocean beckons.

Safe and very convivial, the enormous cockpit is equipped with a table that can contain a refrigerated icebox. It also features a tactile multi-function screen and outdoor lighting.

45° companionway

The mainsail arch, characteristic of all the large Oceanis yachts is an important innovation that has led to many architectural developments, among which is a very gently sloping 45° companionway. 

Pack Performance

The performance of the Oceanis 45 is greatly boosted by the Performance Pack option. This includes a set of Elvström ‘carbon’ sails combined with the German System, used to trim all the sails from the helm station. 

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Characteristics.

Length Overall

Beam overall

Lightship Displacement

Air Draught Max

Draught Min

Fuel Capacity

Water Capacity

Max. engine power

CE Certification

A10/B11/C12

• CE certification A10/B11/C12.
• B&G Electronics Pack.
• Twin steering station.
• Sail drive engine compatible with Dock&Go technology.
• Large amount of glazing: 9 flush deck hatches, 2 long plexiglass on roof and 2 companionway plexiglass (more light and less heat), 6 hull very large portholes (sea view), door and companionway hatch glazed.
• Drop-down transom, opening completely, converting into a swim platform (2,85 m x 0,77 m / 9'4" x 2'6"). Electrically-controlled opening. Natural solid wood decking on swim platform. A stainless steel swim ladder doubling up as an entry ladder - solid wood steps - removable.

• Spacious master cabin with ensuite bathroom, separate shower. Aft cabin with double bed (2.05 m 0 1.5 m x 1.15 m / 6'9" x 4'11" x 3'9") and storage on either side of the bed.
• L-shaped galley: compact laminated worktop, double stainless steel sink, dish washer on option.
• Two bathrooms with toilet and separate shower.
• Comfortable gently sloping 45° companionway.
• Sliding chart table (against forward bulkhead or between the 2 seats or against galley) and mobile seats (on one side or on either side of the chart table).

• Spacious master cabin with ensuite bathroom, separate shower. Aft cabins with double beds (2.05 m 0 1.5 m x 1.15 m / 6'9" x 4'11" x 3'9") and storage on either side of the bed.
• Large lengthwise fitted galley: compact laminated worktop, double stainless steel sink.

• Spacious master cabin with ensuite bathroom, with separate shower. Aft cabins with double beds (2.05 m 0 1.5 m x 1.15 m / 6'9" x 4'11" x 3'9") and storage on either side of the bed.
• L-shaped galley: compact laminated worktop, double stainless steel sink.
• Three bathrooms with toilet, one with separate shower (master cabin ensuite bathroom).

BENETEAU Yachts Rendez-vous 2019 – Sets Sail to Malta

Three Oceanis sailing yachts at the start of the Rallye des Iles du Soleil!

The 3rd rally of its kind started on Sunday 3 November

Beneteau services

With teams for sea trials, financing, customization, events, an after-sales service, and a network of dealers worldwide, BENETEAU delivers the help and expertise every boat owner needs throughout his boating life maintaining an enduring customer relationship.

Other boats from the range

9.66 m / 31’8’’

3.39 m / 11’1’’

10.34 m / 33’11’’

3.65 m / 12’

Oceanis 38.1

11.8 m / 38’9’’

3.99 m / 13’1’’

12.43 m / 40’9’’

4.2 m / 13’9’’

Oceanis 35.1

11.48 m / 37’8’’

3.92 m / 12’10’’

13.1 m / 42’12’’

4.12 m / 13’6’’

14.4 m / 47’3’’

4.25 m / 13’11’’

11.15 m / 36’7’’

14.6 m / 47’11’’

4.74 m / 15’7’’

16.78 m / 55’1’’

4.96 m / 16’3’’

OCEANIS 50 NEW

16.7 m / 54’9"

4.9 m / 16’1’’

18.24 m / 62’3’’

4.99 m / 16’4’’

Select your area and your language

• American english
• Chinese, Simplified

Our Catamarans

Explore our models in a different way thanks to the virtual marina

Efficiency through design

A feel for the sea: sailboats first and foremost

When volume transforms to real space

Innovation as a foundation

• Smart Electric
• Virtual marina

• Sailing catamarans range

Catamaran Elba 45

The open sea has never been so tempting

Length overall

Beam overall

Standard Power

Electric version

Elba 45 - Smart Elec 65

Smart elec pack

Battery Park

Hydrogeneration

Upgraded battery

Upgraded charger

Additionnal AC Inverter

1x6 kW (Total 12 kW)

The largest lounge deck in its category, capable of accommodating the entire crew, represents a new, additional living space where you can make even more unforgettable memories together.

Uncompromising focus on comfort

The Elba 45 catamaran changes the way you experience life on board, both at sea and at anchor.

Waterline length is often associated with a yacht’s performance . At 13.45m, the Elba 45 promises great average speeds, so you can sail even further. And width has a direct relationship with comfort. With a platform like this, our design team has imagined a multitude of dedicated spaces, each with its own purpose. Enjoy seamless freedom of movement between these spaces : wander between a chaise longue and a sun lounger for some solitutude or to share time with others. You choose where, when and with whom.

Catamaran Elba 45 in video

Elba 45 : a cruising catamaran that exceeds your expectations

Where onboard socialising comes into its own

With its own space purely for sailing and managing life on board, the saloon has a chaise lounge, ideal for keeping watch or simply relaxing . The galley extends to the front, accentuating the views and sense of volume.

Features Catamaran Elba 45

Version Maestro

1 owner’s suite + 1 bathroom / 2 double cabins + 2 bathrooms

Mainsail area

Displacement unloaded

Option Power

Fresh water tank

2 x 92 Gallons

Diesel tank

124 Gallons

Berret-Racoupeau Design

Never before has the skipper been able to share their experience so closely with their guests. A generous U-shaped benchseat on the rooftop allows crew to join them while underway or stretch out on the sundeck at the foot of the mast. It’s a great opportunity to mix up the seating and find your favourite spot!

Indoor & outdoor areas

Unique design and incomparable spaces.

From the Owner’s version, where an expansive master suite fills the port hull, to the Quartet version with its convenient four cabins and bathrooms, the Elba 45 catamaran cruiser caters for every need. The forepeaks can also accommodate a berth on one side and a bathroom for a skipper.

Vintage 2024-25

The ambiance and materials of the Fountaine Pajot catamaran range evolve over time to infuse our boats with more light, harmony, and modernity, adapting to the trends of today and tomorrow. To give you a glimpse of the current Millésime featured in our range , explore the mini configurator below. It allows you to visualize the standard and optional materials available across our entire lineup. The featured catamaran showcasing the current Millésime is the Aura 51. Every Fountaine Pajot model delivered will include the Millésime presented below.

Rescue, Mocca 05

Cotting Esprit, Muscade

Cotting Esprit, Nature

Rescue, Argile Rose18

Rescue, Aqua Blue07

Rescue, Blue Jeans11

Rescue, Cloud White02

Valencia, Toffee

Valencia Charcoal

Batyline Elios Vichy

Batyline Elios Caramel

Sunt Flanelle

Bedside table

Virtual visit

As if you were there….

Welcome aboard this exceptional yacht for a 100% immersive visit. Explore her interior and exterior living spaces in minute detail!

• Construction & Design
• Smart Electric technology

Waiting times for a Fountaine Pajot catamaran may vary according to the stage of your project, the model you want or your sailing area. Some Fountaine Pajot dealers have new catamarans ready to sail! Contact your nearest dealer HERE to ask about the availability of the catamaran of your dreams!

Visit your nearest Fountaine Pajot boat dealer to buy a new catamaran from our range. You will benefit from personalised advice through the Fountaine Pajot dealer network. Discover our network HERE

The price of a Fountaine Pajot sailing catamaran varies according to the size of the model chosen and your sailing project. Our dealers are at your disposal to guide you in your choice of fittings, packages and options to best suit your boat purchase project . You can find out the starting price of the catamaran of your choice on this page HERE .

Innovative, high-tech composite materials constitute most of the structure of our sailing catamarans: hulls, flybridge, decks, bulkheads and more. Fountaine Pajot has perfected a resin injection and infusion technique, an advanced technology that gives our boats all their robustness. Thanks to this expertise, we can make our catamarans considerably lighter while maintaining consistent quality . Injection also makes it possible to meet the most stringent environmental requirements, in line with the commitments of the Fountaine Pajot Group.

Sailing catamarans from 40 to 50 feet are built at the Aigrefeuille headquarters, a few kilometres from La Rochelle. Catamaran yachts from 51 to 80 feet are built in La Rochelle, France, where they benefit from a slipway.

It is essential to define your sailing program: define the size of the crew on board, the level of sailing knowledge, the sailing project and the target sailing area. Every project is different. Whether you want to enjoy a large Owner’s suite, invite many friends and family on board, or telecommute during your voyage, the Fountaine Pajot cruising catamarans can be adapted to suit your needs. Benefit from reliable, seaworthy and spacious catamarans! Find out more about our Owners’ testimonials here

The ergonomics of Fountaine Pajot catamarans have been designed to facilitate manoeuvring at the helm, enabling a small crew (2 persons) to manoeuvre the boat easily, both in port and at sea. The unique design of the helm station allows good communication between the aft cockpit and the Fly relaxation areas. Of course, your level of navigation will determine your ability to sail with two or more persons!

Our electric catamarans now feature a large surface area of solar panels, up to 2000 WC, perfectly integrated into the design of the coachroof. Combined with equipment such as wind turbines or hydro-generators, they compensate for the energy consumption generated by on-board use during cruising. Discover the benefits of the Smart Electric solution with 4 real-life cruise scenarios

The Fountaine Pajot range of electric catamarans is expanding, and now includes 3 Smart Electric models. The Astréa 42, Elba 45 and Aura 51 are now available in this version.

With the help of over 70 engineers, Fountaine Pajot has developed an in-house solution, 100% adapted to the use of its catamarans equipped with hybrid electric motors . All on-board production and energy expenditure flows are managed from a single console designed by our teams to offer a simple, designer user experience. The system we have developed enables us to give priority to the use of renewable energies at all times. Find out more here

13-meter sailboat

Interested in this model?

Your local dealer will be happy to advise you and give you more details about this model!

Experiences

A life of dreams, adventures and emotions....

Immerse yourself in the Fountaine Pajot experience through stories of adventure, news, webcasts, podcasts, press reviews, photo and video reports... Discover a little more about the pleasures of cruising and sailing catamarans!

10 Sep 2024

LAUNCHING a new generation of catamarans

Welcome aboard our latest newsletter, So Catamaran!

06 Sep 2024

 A real showroom afloat signed FOUNTAINE PAJOT

How does Smart Electric technology work? Answer on video…

Smart Electric: a complete overview of this technology, its origins, how it works and its everyday benefits... #Broadcast

02 Sep 2024

A step ahead for Fountaine Pajot

4 days of catamaran cruising with Fountaine Pajot in the British Virgin Islands

17 Jul 2024

Fountaine Pajot team wishes you a great summer!

Photo Challenge 2023

10 Jul 2024

New 2024 edition of the MyBoatAndI photo contest

2023 magazine

02 Jul 2024

3 exceptional days to discover the Fountaine Pajot Sailing Catamarans range

Multihulls World Magazine – Astréa 42

Subscribe to the newsletter

Follow the adventures of Fountaine Pajot Owners, discover the latest news and upcoming events, and take part in the development of the Boat of tomorrow!

Compare models

Catamaran New 41

Hosting capacity

Motorisation

Technical information

User-friendly areas

Sunbathing Oui

Kitchen Non

Discover the prices

Double rooms

Your contact details

One last step before reaching the next page & discovering the prices proposed & main options for this version! You'll then be able, to schedule a live chat with your local dealer to discuss all the options and configurations available for this model!

Your home port

Any questions?

No pack information currently available online for this Flagship model. We will get back to you directly. Thank you

Would you like to configure this model’s options or set up another model?

Make an appointment with your nearest dealer and choose the boat of your dreams.

Immigration

U.s. takes custody of 43 cuban migrants who arrived in florida keys on small wooden boat named 'havana'.

So far this year, 142 migrants of different nationalities have died or disappeared while making the dangerous journey to reach the United States. Dozens of them were Cuban rafters.

September 17, 2024 12:02pm

Updated: September 18, 2024 8:40am

A reported 43 Cuban migrants were taken into custody early this Tuesday after arriving in the Florida Keys on a precarious wooden boat, in an attempt to seek a better life in the United States, according to a report published by the U.S. Border Patrol and Telemundo 51 .

The migrants made landfall in Marathon Key’s Sombrero Beach , after traveling in a small boat that had a blue and white sign painted that read the word “Havana.”

“Earlier today, 43 Cuban migrants were taken into custody of the United States Border Patrol after making landfall in the Florida Keys,” Acting Chief Andrew Scharnweber reported on his X account from the U.S. Miami Sector. “The group of migrants arrived on a wooden fishing vessel at Sombrero Beach in Marathon. We appreciate the support from responding agencies.”

After the arrest, the group of Cubans was in the custody of the Border Patrol to be processed.

Earlier today, 43 Cuban migrants were taken into U.S. Border Patrol custody after making landfall in the Florida Keys. The group of migrants arrived on a wooden fishing vessel at Sombrero Beach in Marathon. We appreciate the support from responding agencies. #cuba #floridakeys pic.twitter.com/jW5JdZTRQM — Andrew Scharnweber (@USBPChiefMIP) September 17, 2024

U.S. authorities have warned on multiple occasions about the dangers of jumping into the sea and crossing the Straits of Florida   aboard vessels that do not have the appropriate conditions for these trips.

So far in fiscal year 2024, which ends on Sept. 30, the number of Cubans who have entered the U.S. totals 208,308 , according to statistics released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office .

Fast-File Reporter

Marielbis rojas.

Marielbis Rojas is a Venezuelan journalist and communications professional with a degree in Social Communication from UCAB. She is a news reporter for ADN America.

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