The driving position is good at the fl ybridge helm and
the optional 22in Garmin MFDs are superb, if pricyPERFORMANCE
TEST ENGINES Volvo Penta IPS600. Twin 435hp @ 3,500rpm.
6-cylinder, 5.5-litre diesels
FIGURES ECO FAST MAX
RPM 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,200 2,600 3,000 3,200 3,600
Speed 5.6 7.8 9.4 10.1 14.5 20.0 21.5 25.1
LPH 6.0 18.2 38.8 48.0 72.1 98.8 110 167
GPH 1.32 4.00 8.53 10.6 15.9 21.7 24.2 36.7
MPG 4.25 1.95 1.10 0.96 0.91 0.92 0.89 0.68
Range 1,494 686 387 337 322 324 313 241
Helm 59 62 65 65 66 68 69 73
Saloon 62 63 67 68 68 69 73 77
Cockpit 71 75 78 80 80 80 80 81
THE COSTS & OPTIONS
Price from €693,600
Price as tested €1.07mPlatinum pack €86,400
(Flybridge furniture, deck cushions, underwater
lights, pressurised seawater system, 10kW
generator, BOSE video/audio, plus more)
Additional cabin forward €15,700
40,000BTU air-con €36,545
Garmin pack €36,545
(IPS pilot, AIS, VHF & 2 x 22in GPSMAP)
MFD electric hi-lo table in the saloon €7,920
Fresh water toilets in guest cabins €3,361AQUILA 44
Price from $599,732
Twin shafts on V-drives.
Comfortable three-cabin layout
and handsome lines but sadly,
= Options on test boat no European dealer at this point.Speed in knots. GPH & MPG figures use imperial gallons. Range in nautical miles and allowsSpeed Speed Speed in knotknotknots. GPH GPH & GPH & MPG MPG MPG figurfigurfigures use imperial imperial imperial imperial imperial gallonsallonsallons Rangange in nauticnauticnauticnautical milemiles and and alloallowws
for for or 20%20% 20 %rereserve. Calculated figures based on readings from on-board fuel gauges, yourserve CalculatCalculatCalculatCalculated ed figurfigurfigurees bbaased ed on on readingadings fradingadingfrom om on-boon-boon-boon-board fuel fuel gfuel gaugaugesyourourour our
figures may vary considerably. All prices include figures figurfigurs mamay y vary y consideronsiderablyonsideronsiderably. All ablyAll pricpriceprics include include include include 20 20%20%% VAT.VVAT.T.10% 10 10%%fuel,fuel,fuel,fuel,100% 1 00%00%water,waaterer 333 crew; crrew;
15ºC15ºC15ºC15ºC15ºC15ºC air temp, air temp air t air temp,F1F1F1 + calm for sea trials + c + calm falm falm for sor sea trialsa trialsa trials
The looks, the sheer width, and concerns
of handling them at close quarters will all
play on the mind, even if you are getting
an incredible amount of living space.
All told, the MY44 we tested is a € 1
million boat, a lot for a 44-footer but
very reasonable for a 60-footer, which
is a better comparison given the deck
and living space that is on offer.
Quality is much improved but there are
still a few areas where it feels as if corners
are being cut unnecessarily, such as the lack
of gas rams to hold open lockers and the
engineroom fi nishing. These may be small
details, but those comparing the MY44
with 50-60ft monohulls from high-end
yards will expect a certain level of fi nesse.Using IPS was a gamble but it works
brilliantly, providing ample performance
and removing some of the fear factor from
trickier slow-speed manoeuvres that can
be diffi cult on a catamaran. The owner-
focused layout may alienate buyers who
want sheer sleeping space or a boat to
charter, but the benefi ts are enormous
for the owner operator who gets to enjoy
that magnifi cent master suite.
There are a few small creases that could
do with ironing out but we still rate this as
the best powercat Fountaine-Pajot has ever
made and the best of the current sub-45ft
cruising cats we’ve tested to date.
Contact MiCats. Tel: +44 (0)1489 573059.
Web: http://www.fountaine-pajot.comTHE HELM VIEW
RIVALS
LEOPARD 43 PC
Price from €399,000 ex VAT
Cheaper than the MY44 but
performance is good.
Buy the test: mby.com/43pcUsing IPS could have been considered
a gamble but it works brilliantly
They are not a
cheap option but
the 22in Garmin MFDs
are fantastic, especially
for chart readingIt seems odd that
the sliding saloon
windows are not in line
with the helm, denying
the skipper ventilation
and communicationBOAT REPORT