{"id":45225,"date":"2019-12-09T16:00:11","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T21:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=45225"},"modified":"2023-05-06T17:56:32","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T21:56:32","slug":"fountaine-pajot-elba-45-best-charter-boat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/story\/sailboats\/fountaine-pajot-elba-45-best-charter-boat\/","title":{"rendered":"Fountaine Pajot Elba 45: Best Charter Boat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Batamaran\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n A Trip to Elba<\/span>\n Jon Whittle <\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no question that crewed and bareboat chartering has become one of the largest, most profitable segments of the entire recreational marine industry. The annual US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, now dedicates an entire portion of its exhibits to charter companies\u2014the popular \u201cVacation Basin\u201d\u2014and of course, a vast number of the new boats on display, particularly along the ever-growing catamaran ranks, will be employed in the charter trade. To recognize that fact, in recent years, the judging panel has awarded a special prize to the top charter boat, a practice that has continued for 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

There was no lack of contenders: Bavaria has made huge inroads into chartering in the British Virgin Islands, and of course, a high percentage of boats from the big cat builders \u2014a third to half of all boats built from Fountaine Pajot and Lagoon, and in even greater numbers for Bali\u2014go into charter service, either directly to the major charter companies or through private owners who put their boats into a charter-\u00admanagement scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\u201cThe split helm is going to maximize the fun for the sailors who charter her.\u201d\n\n<\/p>\n<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n

Perhaps not coincidentally, with Batman graphics throughout the boat, owners who wore Batman costumes to publicize their boat\u2019s charter availability, and even a catchy name (Batamaran<\/i>), the Fountaine Pajot Elba 45<\/b> was ideally set up for chartering, and the won-over judging panel ultimately agreed that it made the Best Charter Boat<\/b> for 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

It had all the major \u00adattributes required for a happy trip through the islands: It performed well; it had stellar accommodations; and it was well-laid-out for kicking back and enjoying the spritely sailing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was very satisfied with this boat,\u201d judge Ed Sherman said. \u201cIt was well-built. I liked the way the deckhouse and interior were fashioned, and the way it was structurally engineered. It all indicated to me that this is going to be a strong boat that will last a while. Which is exactly what you want with a boat that\u2019s going to be well-used with week after week of charter clients coming aboard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt had that \u2018four-by-four\u2019 cabin layout\u2014four staterooms and four heads\u2014that\u2019s ideal for chartering,\u201d judge Ralph Naranjo said. \u201cThey\u2019re squeezing a lot into the available volume down below, and I mean that in a good way. I\u2019m happy with the way the steering station is laid out, with a single helm and a separated area for trimming sails. It\u2019s going to maximize the fun for the sailors who charter her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Which, of course, is the exact point of the exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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See All Winners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

2020 Boats of the Year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Other Winners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n