Salina 48 Information, Review, Specs

The Fountaine Pajot Salina 48 began its production run in 2007, marking a significant step in the builder's continuous renewal of its catamaran range. Designed by the French firm Berret/Racoupeau, the underlying philosophy was to create an offshore-capable cruising catamaran that emphasized stability, comfort, safety, and generous interior volume. Fountaine Pajot, having pivoted from racing dinghies and monohulls to series production catamarans in the early 1980s, brought decades of expertise in foam-core sandwich construction to the Salina 48, ensuring a balance of light weight and structural integrity.

A notable evolution occurred with the introduction of the Salina 48 Evolution. This updated version, designed to replace the original model, featured a "stunning new interior design, improved helm station, upgraded galley and roomier hulls," reflecting Fountaine Pajot's ongoing commitment to enhancing their designs based on market feedback and evolving yachting needs.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Fountaine Pajot Salina 48 is recognized as an extremely capable offshore catamaran, balancing ease of handling with impressive performance characteristics. Her design incorporates slim hulls and a relatively low center of gravity, contributing to a comfortable motion in various sea states.

With a substantial reported sail area of 1410 square feet and a displacement of 23,900 pounds, the Salina 48 boasts a high sail area to displacement ratio. This translates qualitatively to excellent performance in lighter winds, allowing the boat to maintain good speeds when many monohulls might struggle. As a catamaran, her inherent form stability from a wide beam of 25.6 feet negates the need for a traditional ballast-to-displacement ratio, providing a stable platform capable of standing up to more wind without excessive heel. The well-thought-out deck plan, including a raised helm station with all sail controls within easy reach, further facilitates single-handed or couple-handed sailing, making her manageable for a diverse range of sailors.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Fountaine Pajot Salina 48 is designed to maximize space and storage, providing impressive living areas that are bright and airy. Owners often praise the generous volume available within the hulls and saloon. The Salina 48 was offered with flexible accommodation options, typically configured in either a four-cabin or a three-cabin "Maestro" layout.

In the four-cabin version, each cabin generally features its own private bathroom, offering considerable privacy and comfort for multiple families or charter operations. The popular Maestro Evolution variant dedicates the entire starboard hull to a luxurious master suite, including a private bathroom that has been noted for its spaciousness. The saloon is often described as being thoughtfully laid out, sometimes turned through 90 degrees to optimize the utilization of space. Modern amenities such as full-boat air conditioning and a genset are common features, enhancing comfort for extended cruising. The Evolution model further refined these spaces, with upgrades to the galley and overall roomier hulls, enhancing the general finish quality and material use for a luxurious cruising experience.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners frequently commend the Fountaine Pajot Salina 48 for its robust construction and its suitability as a blue-water cruising vessel. Boats on the pre-owned market are often described as being very well-maintained, with owners taking pride in their vessels and frequently undertaking upgrades. The general consensus points to the Salina 48 as an extremely capable and comfortable platform for extended voyages, providing ample space and stability, which are highly valued by those embarking on long-term cruising adventures. Owners consistently highlight the boat's design for ease of handling, even for a couple, which contributes to its appeal for both private ownership and charter use.