Design and Construction
The Maldives 32 is a 32-foot catamaran with almost vertical bows, intended to maximize waterline length on a small hull. Its very curvy superstructure anticipated the styling of later catamarans, giving the boat a modern appearance even decades later.
Fountaine Pajot built the hull and deck in foam-cored fiberglass. According to period observation, the gelcoat lasts rather well—an advantage for boats now well into their service lives.
The Maldives 32’s compact footprint and avant-garde shape also marked an early expression of Fountaine Pajot’s catamaran direction under Joubert/Nivelt. That partnership began with the builder’s first production cat in 1983.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Maldives 32 is a fractional-sloop catamaran with a modest sail area. It carries 592 square feet of sail above a 31-foot waterline, displaces near 6,600 pounds, and has a hull speed of around 7.5 knots.
Its most consequential handling feature is the propulsion system. Rather than diesel inboards, the builder fitted a simple outboard motor on a bracket. A block-and-tackle system—and sometimes a second one—tilts the engine shaft. With no diesels, there are no diesel ignition or engine controls.
The practical limitation is that you obviously can’t reverse both engines. That constraint is inherent in the outboard arrangement rather than a defect in its execution.
Accommodations
Inside, the Maldives 32 is fairly Spartan, and Multihulls World cautioned that owners must adapt to that character. The compact catamaran gives up creature comforts in exchange for the open, light-filled volume that only a multihull beam of over 17 feet can provide.
This is best understood as a minimalist cruiser. Its appeal lies in its platform and trajectory, not in furnished luxury.
Ownership Considerations
The outboard is the boat’s single recurring ownership burden. Regular maintenance—or even replacement—doesn’t amount to much compared with caring for two diesels, but it remains a cyclical expense and labor item specific to this propulsion choice.
The inability to reverse both engines is a handling constraint rather than a failure. Even so, it matters when assessing the boat’s close-quarters manners.
The Verdict
The Maldives 32 is a small, forward-looking catamaran whose outward sophistication masks a deliberately basic interior and propulsion package. Its gelcoat and avant-garde lines have aged well, but the boat asks its owner to accept Spartan living and outboard-dependent motoring.
Pros
- Avant-garde vertical bows and a curvy superstructure that still look modern
- Durable gelcoat over foam-core construction
- An outboard installation that reduces maintenance demands compared with twin diesels
Cons
- Spartan interior atmosphere requires owners to adapt
- A single outboard means you can’t reverse both engines
- The outboard requires regular upkeep or replacement
