Cifraline 1/4 Ton Information, Review, Specs

Built by the then-emerging French shipyard Fountaine Pajot, the Cifraline 1/4 Ton reflects the company's early commitment to racing excellence, a legacy initiated by its founder, Jean-François Fountaine, a well-known regatta competitor himself.

History and Design

The genesis of the Cifraline 1/4 Ton in 1981 perfectly aligns with a dynamic phase in Fountaine Pajot's evolution. After building successful racing dinghies, the boatyard pivoted around 1980 to focus on constructing prototype IOR monohull racers. This strategic shift saw Fountaine Pajot's designs achieve world champion status and secure victories in the renowned Figaro solo race, cementing their burgeoning reputation in ocean racing. The Cifraline 1/4 Ton emerged from this era of intense design and competition.

The IOR Quarter Ton class itself was at the forefront of competitive keelboat racing during the 1970s and early 1980s, encouraging open designs focused on all-around performance. Designers for this class aimed for vessels that would perform "substantially better" across various conditions compared to earlier generations, excelling particularly in light and moderate winds. The Cifraline 1/4 Ton, with its fin keel and spade rudder, embodies the design principles of these high-performance, responsive racing machines.

Sailing Performance and Handling

At just over 24 feet in length overall, the Fountaine Pajot Cifraline 1/4 Ton was purpose-built for the challenging and competitive IOR Quarter Ton circuit. As a pure racing prototype, its design prioritized speed, maneuverability, and responsiveness over cruising comforts. Its fin keel and spade rudder configuration are characteristic of highly efficient racing yachts, providing precise control and agility on the racecourse.

While specific anecdotal accounts of the Cifraline's handling are scarce, its heritage as an IOR 1/4 Ton design suggests it would have been a nimble performer. The class encouraged designs that excelled in light to moderate conditions, implying that the Cifraline would likely have been quick to accelerate and responsive to helm input in such breezes. Its performance in the 1981 1/4 Ton Cup further attests to its competitive sailing capabilities.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its identity as a small IOR racing prototype, the Fountaine Pajot Cifraline 1/4 Ton would have featured a highly spartan and functional interior, designed to minimize weight and facilitate crew movement during races rather than to provide extensive cruising comforts. Details on its specific interior layout are not widely available. However, typical quarter-ton racers of this era provided only basic accommodations, often consisting of a V-berth or simple pipe berths for crew rest, minimal galley facilities, and a rudimentary head. Storage would have been limited, and the overall finish would have emphasized durability and simplicity over luxurious materials, with a focus on ease of cleaning and maintenance for a racing environment.