Design and Construction
The Lucia 40's hull design reflects a deliberate push toward performance without sacrificing interior volume. Fine hull entries improve performance while the fixed twin keels eliminate the complexity of daggerboards — a choice that simplifies ownership and reduces maintenance exposure while keeping draft to a shallow 3.94 feet. The coachroof rakes forward and sweeps down in a way that adds a perception of movement to what could otherwise read as a boxy platform. Construction uses a PVC foam-core sandwich with vacuum-laminated outer skins, with deck and cabinhouse fabricated via resin transfer moulding with gelcoat on both sides for a finished appearance from every angle. The result is a hull that is lighter than many competitors of similar length — one tested boat weighed meaningfully less than another cruising cat of roughly the same size — a difference that translates directly into acceleration, fuel economy, and sailing range.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The stock sail plan pairs a full-batten square-top mainsail with a 110% genoa, delivering a combined sail area of roughly 624 square feet. The square-top head balances the comparatively long boom's lower aspect ratio and the rig runs swept spreaders with no backstay, relying instead on diamond stays for structural support. The mainsheet traveler spans almost the entire beam of the boat, giving the mainsail exceptional range of trim. In testing at six to twelve knots of breeze, the boat performed admirably on all points of sail including upwind, holding its way to approximately thirty degrees apparent and sailing effectively at fifty-five degrees in both puffs and lulls. Acceleration in gusts is palpable — the kind of exciting performance you wouldn't necessarily expect when browsing the builder's catalog. For downwind work, an optional bowsprit allows flying a code zero or asymmetrical spinnaker, and the catamaran platform also permits a symmetrical spinnaker with tack points on the bow of each hull, eliminating the need for a spinnaker pole.
The headsail lead position deserves attention. While it trims well for upwind work, the lead is too far back when sailing downwind with the jib — sailors committed to downwind passages without a dedicated flying sail will likely want barber haulers fitted.
Helm and Handling
Short-handed usability is woven into the Lucia 40's layout from the drawing board. All sail trim runs to three Lewmar winches, one of which is electric, positioned immediately in front of the elevated helm station. An electric winch handles the mainsail halyard, raising the sail in under a minute with no physical effort at the mast. The helm station sits above the cockpit on a raised pod, with a companion seat and room for one to steer while another manages sheets. Steps connect the helm to both the cockpit below and the coachroof above, so a short-handed captain would naturally use both sets of stairs on every sail.
Steering is cable-based rather than hydraulic — a deliberate passagemaking choice, since cable steering is easier to repair underway than hydraulic. The tradeoff is a wheel that feels slightly stiff and provides minimal tactile feedback, a common characteristic of cruising cats sailing without heel. In practice, the autopilot drives the boat as well or better than any human sailor — useful self-knowledge for any Lucia 40 owner setting up passage watches. Visibility from the helm is good to starboard and forward, though the port forward corner and both transoms are problematic unless the helmsman ducks under the bimini.
Under power, the standard twin 20 hp Volvo Penta diesels are adequate, but the optional upgrade to twin 30 hp engines is worth serious consideration, particularly in areas with frequent upwind or light-air motoring. On test, the upgraded engines reached 7.8 knots at full throttle, with a more economical passage speed of 6.7 knots at 2,400 rpm. Engine rooms sit in the aft deck of each hull with 360-degree hatch access, keeping mechanical noise out of the living quarters.
Accommodations
The Lucia 40 is offered in multiple interior configurations: a three-cabin Maestro version that dedicates the entire starboard hull to a walk-around island-berth master suite, and a four-cabin Quatuor layout for charter or larger family use. In the Maestro, the head occupies its own compartment separate from the shower and vanity, allowing both spaces to be used simultaneously — an unusual luxury at this length. The shower itself is the largest stand-alone shower seen on a boat under forty feet in at least one reviewer's experience.
The saloon is bright and spatially generous. Glass doors open the salon to the cockpit on the same level, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow that rewards Pacific Northwest sailing and Caribbean anchorages alike. The galley to port includes a three-burner Eno stove, a separate counter-height oven, and Vitrifrigo refrigerator drawers. Soft-close drawers are plentiful, though countertop space and galley storage are limited — passagemakers stocking for offshore legs may find themselves leaning on the large bow storage compartments to supplement what the galley area offers. One notable omission: there is no opening hatch above or near the stove, which affects ventilation below in warm conditions.
Known Limitations and Refit Considerations
The Lucia 40 is not without its trade-offs. The electric winch switches are awkwardly positioned near the engine throttles rather than outboard at the working position — an ergonomic complaint that owners frequently address with aftermarket switch relocation. The fixed headsail lead limits downwind trim options with the standard genoa, making barber haulers a near-standard owner addition for those not carrying a code zero. Visibility dead astern from the helm is essentially nonexistent unless the helmsman physically moves out of the pod, which matters when docking or navigating tight anchorages.
The standard engine package — twin 20 hp units — works, but owners in tidal or current-heavy cruising grounds commonly upgrade to the twin 30 hp option for more comfortable passagemaking margins. The bowsprit for flying sails is optional rather than standard, meaning buyers looking to maximize downwind performance should confirm its presence on any prospective hull.
The Verdict
The Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 is a boat that consistently exceeds expectations precisely because expectations have been set conservatively. It is marketed as a comfortable, accessible family cruiser — and it is all of that — but it is also a lighter, faster, more offshore-capable platform than its promotional positioning suggests. The Berret-Raccoupeau design team managed the difficult feat of extracting genuine sailing performance from a boat that prioritizes interior volume and ease of use. For couples or small families who want to cross oceans in comfort without managing a fifty-foot platform, it makes a compelling case.
Pros
- Lightweight construction delivers genuine sailing performance, including respectable upwind angles
- Short-handed friendly from deck layout to electric winch to autopilot integration
- Versatile interior layouts accommodate couples, families, and charter configurations
- Excellent engine room access and passagemaking-oriented cable steering
- Spacious master suite with separate head and oversized shower in Maestro layout
- Shallow 3.94-foot draft suits shoal-water cruising grounds
Cons
- No opening hatch above the galley stove limits ventilation below
- Headsail lead is too far aft for effective downwind trim with the standard genoa
- Dead-astern visibility from the helm is essentially blind without leaving the station
- Electric winch switches placed near engine throttles rather than at the working position
- Bowsprit for code zero or spinnaker is an option, not standard equipment
- Twin 20 hp standard engines are marginal for current-heavy or passagemaking use; the 30 hp upgrade is near-essential
