Louisiane 37 Information, Review, Specs

Conceived as a capable coastal cruiser and potentially a longer-distance adventurer, the Louisiane 37 embodies the early vision of Fountaine Pajot to create spacious and efficient multihulls. Its debut laid the groundwork for the company's future as a global leader in catamaran production.

History and Design

The genesis of the Louisiane 37 spans from its production start in 1983 to its conclusion in 1988, with approximately 80 units built. Fountaine Pajot, founded by regatta competitor Jean-François Fountaine, began by building racing dinghies before venturing into prototype IOR monohulls and large racing trimarans. This accumulated expertise in high-performance composite construction, particularly foam-core sandwich techniques, was directly applied to the Louisiane 37.

The design philosophy behind the Louisiane 37 by Joubert and Nivelt aimed for a lightweight yet robust cruising catamaran. This was a bold move into a relatively uncompetitive segment of the pleasure craft market at the time, and its commercial success affirmed Fountaine Pajot's strategic shift. An interesting design evolution during its production run saw later models adopting fixed keels in place of the original centerboards. This change reflected a broader trend in cruising catamaran design towards simpler, lower-maintenance appendages more suited for comfortable cruising, a philosophy further refined in subsequent Fountaine Pajot models like the Casamance 43.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Louisiane 37, with its fractional sloop rig and twin hull design, was engineered for impressive sailing characteristics. With a reported sail area of 596 square feet and a displacement of 8,818 pounds, its Sail Area to Displacement ratio of 22.42 suggests a boat that is relatively powerful for its size, indicating good performance in light to moderate winds. Similarly, a very low Displacement to Length ratio of 84.38 highlights its lightweight construction relative to its length, further contributing to its agile performance.

Anecdotal reports often describe the Louisiane 37 as a light and performance-oriented catamaran for its era. Its shallow minimum draft of 1.33 feet (which could be even shallower with kicked-up rudders and centerboards, if equipped) allows access to shallow anchorages and marinas, a significant advantage for cruising. While specific handling characteristics in various sea states are not extensively documented in broad public reviews, the design's emphasis on lightness and performance suggests a lively and responsive boat, typical of earlier generation cruising catamarans that often prioritized speed.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its twin-hull configuration and generous beam of 19.68 feet, the Louisiane 37 inherently offers a significant amount of interior volume and deck space compared to monohulls of similar length. While specific interior layouts can vary between individual boats due to customization or later modifications, the design generally provides "not bad accommodations" for a catamaran of its size.

Typical of Fountaine Pajot's design philosophy, even in its early models, efforts would have been made to maximize interior volume and light, creating comfortable living spaces. A common catamaran layout would include multiple private cabins, usually located in the hulls, offering privacy and separation. A spacious salon and galley area would likely be found in the bridgedeck structure, benefiting from panoramic views and ample ventilation through deck hatches and ports. Storage would be distributed throughout the hulls and under settees, vital for extended cruising. The use of fiberglass for the deck and hull, combined with interior joinery, would have provided a durable and practical finish for the time.

Owner's Perspectives

While extensive aggregated owner reviews for the Louisiane 37 are not readily available, the very fact of its continued presence in the used boat market and mentions in online forums suggests a loyal, if niche, following. Owners of older vessels like the Louisiane 37 often value solid construction and the enduring practicality of their design. Common considerations for boats of this vintage often revolve around the condition of original systems (engine, electrical, plumbing) and potential for osmotic blistering given the age of the fiberglass hulls. However, the foundational design by Joubert-Nivelt and the construction pedigree of Fountaine Pajot would generally point towards a well-built vessel for its time.