Saba 50 Information, Review, Specs

Crafted for blue-water adventures and extended liveaboard cruising, the Saba 50 boasts a generous beam of over 26 feet, providing exceptional stability and expansive deck space. Its reputation is built on its thoughtful design, which prioritizes seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living areas, making it an ideal platform for social gatherings and family enjoyment.

History and Design Evolution

The Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 was introduced in 2015, marking a significant evolution in the builder's large catamaran range, following models like the Helia 44. Production of the Saba 50 continued until 2019, cementing its place as a popular model within its segment. The design, penned by Berret-Racoupeau, reflects Fountaine Pajot's long-standing manufacturing ethos, which since its inception in 1976, has emphasized pioneering foam-core sandwich construction for robust yet lightweight vessels. The builder, founded by regatta competitor Jean-François Fountaine, transitioned from racing dinghies to cruising catamarans in the early 1980s, consistently aiming to balance performance, comfort, and spaciousness.

For the Saba 50, Berret-Racoupeau focused on specific design goals, incorporating "finer entry bows and sacrificial fixed keels" to enhance performance, particularly in upwind sailing. The design aimed to create a vessel that felt substantially larger than its nearly 50-foot length overall, prioritizing a social layout with a seamless transition between various living zones. During its production run, the Saba 50 offered versatile interior configurations to cater to diverse owner needs, including the popular Maestro arrangement with an owner's suite and three double cabins, as well as configurations with up to six cabins for increased capacity, such as for charter operations.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 is engineered to provide a comfortable yet capable sailing experience. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 19.65, she demonstrates good potential for performance in lighter air conditions, indicating a relatively efficient sail plan for her size and displacement. While catamarans rely on form stability rather than ballast for their uprightness, the Saba 50's broad beam and twin hull design contribute to exceptional initial stability, resulting in a remarkably level ride, even in choppy seas.

Owners and reviewers consistently praise the Saba 50 for its "easy to handle sails" and overall balanced feel under various conditions. The fine entry bows are particularly noted for their contribution to improved upwind performance, allowing the boat to point well for a cruising catamaran. Despite its substantial size, the Saba 50 is designed for ease of handling, with features like electric winches often making short-handed sailing a manageable task. While not a performance-oriented racer like some lighter catamarans, its sailing characteristics are described as "impressive" for a vessel prioritizing comfort and volume, providing a confident and stable platform for long-distance cruising.

Accommodations and Layout

Stepping aboard the Saba 50, one is immediately struck by its expansive and thoughtfully designed living spaces. The emphasis on "social design" is evident throughout, particularly in the seamless flow between the cockpit and the saloon, creating a "superb single level" living area. The cockpit is notably "massive," providing ample space for dining, lounging, and entertaining, while a dedicated "bow conversation nook" offers an additional private relaxation zone forward.

Below deck, the Saba 50 offers various interior layouts to suit different cruising styles. The popular Maestro version features a dedicated owner's suite in the port hull, typically encompassing a large double cabin, extensive storage, and a private bathroom, often with a separate shower stall. The starboard hull, and sometimes the port hull in other configurations, houses additional double cabins, each typically with its own en-suite bathroom. Other arrangements include options for five or six double cabins, often incorporating a skipper's cabin, catering particularly to the charter market.

Throughout the interior, Fountaine Pajot maintains a high standard of finish, utilizing quality materials to create a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. Large windows and overhead hatches maximize natural light and ventilation, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. Storage is plentiful, crucial for extended cruising, and the design ensures comfortable living for multiple guests or a large family.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 frequently commend its robust construction and the comfortable motion it exhibits even in a seaway, attributes synonymous with Fountaine Pajot's reputation for building durable cruising vessels. The sheer volume and clever utilization of space are consistently highlighted as major strengths, providing a true home-away-from-home experience that makes extended cruising highly enjoyable. Many owners appreciate the balance struck between the boat's luxurious accommodations and its respectable sailing performance, finding it capable of covering distances efficiently while maintaining a high level of comfort.

The ease of handling, particularly with the aid of electric winches, is another common point of praise, allowing couples or smaller crews to manage the vessel effectively. While specific recurring problems are not widely reported in public forums, owners frequently discuss topics related to systems maintenance and upgrades, common to any large cruising yacht. The Saba 50's popularity in the charter fleet also speaks to its durability and practical design for various sailing contexts, from family cruising to more adventurous itineraries.