As the holiday season is nearing and you and your family are getting cosy around the fireplace our friend Francis Joyon is racing his monster tri in the frigid Southern Ocean. Check out the new queen of Fountaine Pajot's fleet - the magnificent Galathea 65 and find out what questions you should ask your dealer.

Enjoy this current edition of
OCEAN PASSAGES, our newsletter.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS !

Gregor Tarjan
founder
Aeroyacht Ltd.
(800)-446-0010 info@aeroyacht.com

Again - you heard it through Aeroyacht's newsletter first: "GALATHEA 65" is the name of Fountaine Pajot's new giant 65' luxury world cruiser. With a low lightship displacement and an all infusion build hull and deck this Flagship class catamaran will be not only supremely comfortable but give other cats a run for their money.

Among fanfares, press opening statements by Jean Francois Fountaine and Eric Bruneel the Galathea 65 was unveiled last week at the Paris Boat Show in front of a crowd of several hundred spectators. With this new creation, the world's largest and most successful builder of catamarans can be proud of their achievement over the last 30 years. Like all of the new generation FP's the Galathea 65 has a beautifully integrated composite bimini top, a very well appointed interior and twin sundecks - and above all she is very sensibly priced.

 

IDEC is a 120' all carbon monster record breaker trimaran of the newest generation. In the hands of French sailing great - Francis Joyon, she is being furiously single handed around the world to chase down and beat Ellen (pardon - "Dame" Ellen - she earned it hard) Mac Arthur's existing world record.

Imagine single handing a giant trimaran and constantly sailing at 100% averaging 20-30 knots. No big deal right? Now do this non-stop around the world flying by icebergs. Nice.

When shopping for the ultimate dream you better make the right decision. While you can abandon the lemon of a car in the middle of the road, or leave a structurally unsound house you are in a different situation on a failing boat on a moonless stormy night (Murphy's Law)
A good yacht broker should not be pushing what he has in stock but rather he should be learning about you and your intended project. On the other hand you as a customer must reciprocate smartly. By asking the right questions to your broker you will minimize the risks and educate yourself as much as possible.

1.) Ask your salesman: "Have you personally sailed this boat and have you ever crossed an ocean on a cat?" This will obviously give you first hand feedback about the dealer's experience - or uncover him as simply a commission based sales person hungry for a close.
2.) Inquire - "Can you train and take time to coach me on my new cat?" (or are you going to toss me the keys and do a 180?) How many of us will be able to immediately step on their new 20,000 lbs, 23' wide multihull and sail away with confidence. Make sure that your broker gives you his time, explains the systems and assures that your are comfortable with your purchase.
3.) Find out -"How exactly is this catamaran built and what sets it apart from the competition?" Can your dealer explain the technology and construction that goes into the biggest monetary investment of your life? Is he a naval architect or yacht designer - has he ever worked in a shipyard building high tech cats with his own hands? Make sure he does, as the beauty of today's catamarans is more than skin deep.