Design and Construction
The Eleuthera 60’s hulls and bridgedeck are built as a single piece using vacuum bagging and resin infusion. The builder claimed this was the largest fiberglass structure infused in a single shot. It described the layup as isophthalic and orthophthalic resins with multidirectional cloth secured before bagging.
Reviewers at Multihulls World called the hulls revolutionary and noted Berret-Racoupeau’s tighter, more modern lines. The cabin top carries the recognizable Fountaine Pajot look and was praised both for its appearance and for helping to limit solar gain below.
Oblong portholes run along the hulls instead of lateral opening hatches, while round skylights provide additional deck ventilation. With more than six feet of freeboard, the boat sits high above the water, effectively requiring a boarding ladder at the dock.
Rig, Helm, and Handling
The Eleuthera 60 is a fractional sloop with a 72-foot mast and a stated 100-percent sail area of 1,509 square feet. An available 1,300-square-foot screecher helps drive the 39,600-pound hulls, though one test sail cited a 40,000-pound figure.
A two-speed electric Harken winch on the cabintop makes sailhandling easier. The helm sits to starboard of the saloon’s aft bulkhead and offers 360-degree visibility. Its raked windshield protects the crew from wind and spray without preventing voice contact with the foredeck.
Rockered hulls and short keels promote willing, responsive steering. On the test sail, the boat reached 14.5 knots. Cruising World’s testers found that two people could sail her, although the work becomes sporty as the breeze builds.
Accommodations
Fountaine Pajot offered five layouts for the Eleuthera 60: three owner versions and two charter versions. The test boat had the Orchestra arrangement, with one owner’s stateroom and three guest cabins.
The owner’s cabin includes a queen-size island berth with a Bultex foam mattress over wooden slats. It also has a desk with 110-volt power and a foldout vanity mirror. Douka-wood surfaces from the cabin continue throughout the interior.
The U-shaped galley sits behind a bar and includes a four-burner Nardi stove and oven, a double stainless-steel sink, a bar fridge, and space for a dishwasher. A huge stainless-steel fridge/freezer and a second CLD unit by the starboard hull steps support longer stays aboard.
In the saloon, the table seats five on the settee. Outside, the teak-soled cockpit has a banquet-sized table with room for eight to ten people to dine alfresco. Multihulls World judged the boat exceptionally liveable at anchor, with intelligent living areas and no shortage of space.
Equipment, Engines, and Tankage
Standard power comes from twin 75-horsepower Yanmar diesels, with 100-horsepower units available as an option. The test boat carried the larger engines.
A forward-facing navigation station sits to port inside the saloon and can accommodate an autopilot remote. Other notable equipment includes a galley ventilation hood and an electric winch. For extended cruising, tankage comprises 227 gallons of water and 158 gallons of fuel.
The Verdict
The Eleuthera 60 is a large, thoughtfully arranged flagship catamaran. Its single-shot infused structure and Berret-Racoupeau hull lines marked a clear step in Fountaine Pajot’s design evolution. It’s genuinely manageable by a short-handed crew for its size, fast in the right breeze, and exceptionally comfortable at anchor. Its high freeboard, however, requires careful planning when boarding.
Pros
- One-piece infused hulls and bridgedeck on an unprecedented scale for the builder
- Responsive steering from rockered hulls and short keels
- Test speed of 14.5 knots
- Five available layouts
- Intelligent liveaboard spaces, a banquet-sized cockpit table, and an owner’s island berth
Cons
- More than six feet of freeboard complicates boarding without a ladder
- Sailing with two people becomes sporty as the wind increases
- Fixed oblong portholes replace lateral opening hull hatches
