With a stated displacement of just six tons for a 39-footer, she reflects a period when multihull designers pursued easily driven hulls that didn’t demand a heavy sail inventory.
Design and Construction
The Fidji 39 has reduced freeboard and rounded hull sections beneath a saucer-shaped coachroof. Her profile appears relatively short for her length, giving the boat a low, compact silhouette rather than the tall, boxy presence of later cruising catamarans.
These were period solutions for reducing windage and visual mass while preserving interior volume across the boat’s 23.33-foot beam. The rounded sections also reflect an emphasis on motion and seakeeping rather than the maximum flat-floor living space found aboard later cats.
Rig and Handling
The Fidji 39’s pronounced mast rake contributes to her fast-catamaran appearance. She represents an era when designers wanted quick hulls that didn’t need too much canvas to perform.
Her fractional sloop rig carries 870 square feet of sail, with a 55-foot mast measured from the waterline. The sail plan was sized to drive a light displacement of 11,500 pounds without overpowering the crew.
A 38-foot waterline and 23.33-foot beam support a hull-speed figure near 8.26 knots. The centerboard keel gives the boat a maximum draft of 3.5 feet, trading depth for shoal-water access. The stated capsize ratio is 4.14, and the comfort ratio is 7.0.
Accommodations and Cruising Systems
The catamaran layout and broad 23.33-foot platform provide the Fidji 39’s living space. Her 210-gallon water capacity and 66-gallon diesel capacity suit extended independent use rather than coastal day sailing.
Power comes from twin 36-horsepower Volvo Penta MD2002 diesels. Together with the boat’s substantial tankage, this twin-engine arrangement frames the Fidji 39 as a long-distance cruiser and supports passagemaking.
The Verdict
The Fidji 39 is a light, low-profile cruising catamaran from Fountaine Pajot’s Maldives-generation expansion. Joubert/Nivelt designed her around the idea that a fast hull shouldn’t require a large sail wardrobe.
Reduced freeboard, rounded sections, and a saucer-shaped coachroof give her a distinct visual and physical character compared with later, taller multihulls. Her twin diesels and serious tankage add the cruising capacity needed for extended independent use and passagemaking.
Pros
- Light six-ton displacement for a 39-foot catamaran, promoting speed under modest canvas
- Reduced freeboard and rounded hull sections for a low, seakindly profile
- Twin 36-horsepower Volvo Penta diesels, with 210 gallons of water and 66 gallons of fuel for autonomous cruising
- Centerboard configuration with a 3.5-foot maximum draft for shoal-water flexibility
Cons
- Period design priorities favored low windage over the larger interior volumes of later catamarans
