Hull, Deck Architecture, and Visual Identity
The Thira 80's profile is undeniably a new-generation Fountaine Pajot, its grey hulls offering a purposeful contrast to the white fleets that fill most charter anchorages. At the bow, the builder has eliminated trampolines in favor of a solid foredeck — a meaningful structural choice that creates what Fountaine Pajot brands the "Beach Club," an expansive forward platform fitted with sunlounges and an optional jacuzzi. A watertight door leads directly from the foredeck into the interior salon, a detail borrowed from smaller production catamarans but executed here at a scale that makes the transit genuinely seamless in all conditions. The stern's large hydraulic platform is designed as a beach club comparable to a superyacht, while the dinghy platform itself operates on hydraulics to double as a swim terrace capable of accepting up to a 4.3-meter tender. On either side of the cockpit, fold-down wing terraces expand the usable deck area while offering unobstructed sea views to outward-facing seating — a detail that distinguishes the Thira's cockpit from more conventional arrangements. Wide side decks with tall bulwarks make foredeck access safe, and glass panels set into the gunwales preserve sightlines from the salon without compromising the security of the high freeboard.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Handling
Despite her scale — the Thira 80 displaces approximately 66 tons — the boat is equipped to sail meaningfully. Total upwind sail area exceeds 3,500 square feet, carried by a proven fractional rig that Fountaine Pajot describes as as simple as it gets. The sail wardrobe uses Incidence Hydranet ZZ cloth with a Profurl hydraulic furling system, enabling the boat to devour miles without resorting to the motors. A code zero on an electric furler supplements the working genoa for light-air passages. All line handling is led to twin flybridge helms, removing clutter from the deck and centralizing the crew station, with electric winches throughout reducing the physical demands on that crew. Expected cruise speed in typical conditions is around 10 knots, with a maximum of approximately 13. Three diesel engine options are available — 175, 270, or 300 horsepower — providing motor-sailing redundancy and useful propulsion on calm passages.
Accommodations and Layout Versatility
The Thira 80 is offered in three distinct layout versions, each serving a different ownership profile. The Maestro configuration centers on a large owner's stateroom, a VIP cabin, and two guest double cabins, each with a private ensuite. The VIP version expands to five sleeping cabins total. A six-cabin version provides six separate cabins with en suite private bathrooms — a layout scaled directly for charter operations. In all versions, crew accommodations are entirely separate, comprising a private double berth for the captain with direct cockpit access via a gull-wing door, two single crew bunks, and a dedicated crew mess. Owners can choose between galley-up and galley-down configurations: the former integrates the chef into the social space, the latter relocates the galley to the crew area to maximize salon volume. The owner's stateroom in the Maestro version is, by the manufacturer's own account, capable of accommodating a sauna, hammam, or whirlpool bath — a claim that speaks to the sheer dimensional generosity of the hulls. Upholstery selections draw from the Pierre Frey range, and the builder's Millésime program evolves the interior palette across production years.
Technology and Power Systems
Fountaine Pajot has embedded a coherent solar strategy into the Thira 80's structure rather than treating photovoltaics as an afterthought. Four kilowatts of flexible photovoltaics are integrated into the flybridge and salon roof areas as standard, with an optional upgrade adding another 4.2 kilowatts through clear glass overhead panels fitted at the cockpit roof edges and in sunroof sections over the salon and flybridge. These glass overheads allow filtered light while producing usable power — an integration that addresses both the boat's energy appetite and her owner's preference for open, luminous interior spaces. Toy storage reflects the practical demands of charter and private use: space beneath the cockpit seating accommodates a water scooter, jet ski, or dive equipment, while shallow wells on the forepeaks hold paddleboards and additional gear. The side deck lounges feature retractable balconies with transparent solar panels overhead that shelter without blocking natural light — a detail that threads the needle between usability and elegance.
Known Considerations
At the time of her debut, sailing performance data was limited given how recently the design had launched. The Multihulls World sea trial took place in 10 knots of wind on smooth water between Cannes and Monaco, favorable but not representative of the range of conditions a vessel of this type would encounter on extended passages. The editorial review noted no hybrid or electric drive options as a shortcoming relative to competitors like the Sunreef Eco line, which has made electrification a central selling point. Buyers considering the Thira 80 alongside the Sunreef 80 or the forthcoming Lagoon Eighty 2 should weigh this against the Thira's arguably more complete sailing setup and established Fountaine Pajot build quality.
The Verdict
The Thira 80 is a serious sailing catamaran that happens to operate at the scale of a superyacht — not a superyacht that happens to have sails. Her fractional rig, hydraulic sail handling, and genuine upwind area set her apart from motor-forward competitors, while her three layout options, comprehensive crew quarters, and dense amenity list make her credible for both private ownership and professional charter operations. Her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show — Fountaine Pajot's first appearance at that venue — placed her among some of the most extraordinary superyachts on the planet, a meaningful statement for a production sailing catamaran. The absence of a hybrid drivetrain is a real gap as electrification becomes the competitive standard, and passage-performance data remains sparse for a boat still early in her production life.
Pros
- Fractional rig with over 3,500 sq ft upwind sail area and hydraulic furling — genuinely sails
- Three cabin configurations accommodate owner, VIP, and charter profiles
- Fully separate crew quarters with captain's cabin, bunks, and dedicated mess
- Solid foredeck "Beach Club" with optional jacuzzi, eliminating the safety compromises of trampolines
- Integrated solar up to 8.2 kW across standard and optional glass overhead panels
- Toy garage beneath cockpit seating plus forepeak paddleboard lockers
- Fold-down cockpit wing terraces expand social space and improve sea visibility
Cons
- No hybrid or electric propulsion option currently offered
- Documented passage-performance data limited given early production stage
- Scale and crew requirements make her impractical for a two-handed private passage without professional support
