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Fountaine Pajot has believed in motor catamarans since2000. And the builder has taken advantage of a certain hesi-tation of its major competitor, Lagoon, in this niche. Themotor range (Power 43, then Power 44) of the world’s lea-ding catamaran builder was in fact sidelined six years ago, toensure production of the Hybrid range. But it seems fromcertain rumours that Lagoon’s motor catamarans will soonbe returning in force, with a 62-footer which is currentlybeing designed. But shhh, it’s still a secret! For its part, Fountaine Pajot is succeeding brilliantly in gai-ning a clear advantage, with a range of three models of cata-maran designed specifically for use under power. The mostrecent is the Cumberland 47 LC, presented at the MultihullBoat Show in La Grande Motte. This Cumberland is well-

Further optimised andeven more comforta-ble, the Cumberland 47

LC motor catamaran main-tains excellent nautical qua-lities, coupled with analmost unequalled range:the oceans are within reachof its bows.

Text: Emmanuel van DethPhotos:Jacques Vapillon

1TE

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umberland 47CTraditional motorboats had better

look out

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known to motor boat lovers, as it is deri-ved from the venerable 44, launchedin...2001! At the time, it joined, as flags-hip, the Greenland 34 and the Maryland37. 110 examples later, it gained a bit oflength to become the 46. We were nowin 2010, the year Fountaine Pajot decidedto work on its Cumberland again. Themain idea was above all, a change ofdirection in its marketing: the word traw-ler was dropped, as it is synonymouswith slow speed and a slightly soft cha-racter. And from an economic point ofview, it’s “too restrictive,” StevenGuedeu, the company's marketing direc-tor, answers. “The trawler represents 150million euros of the 140 billion that the 35– 70 foot motor boat market represents,just 5% of the market. Enter the MotorYacht range, whose latest addition is this‘Long Cruise’! Two words which showthat the builder believes in luxury inmotor catamarans, and that it stilldefends the very long range of itsmodels, whilst putting the accent on per-formance, which is clearly superior to thatof the traditional trawlers. The target ofthis repositioning? The 'traditional’ motorboats, with just one hull... The sledge-hammer arguments? They are numerous.Starting with the first of the motor cat’squalities, consumption, which is reducedby 40 to 50%, thanks to underwater sec-tions with less drag. “Until 2005,” Stevepoints out, “our customers weren’tbothered about fuel costs. Since then,things have become more serious:consumption is one of the first five ques-tions they ask.” The cat’s second strongpoint is reduced rolling in beam seas, andat anchor. “When you take into accountthe fact that the crew spends 90% of its

time on the flybridge, which is inevitablymore sensitive to the boat’s movements,and the cost of the stabilisers fitted tomotor launches, you can see the advan-tage of two hulls,” our skipper for the daycontinued. The third advantage, well-known to sailing cat enthusiasts, is theseparation of the functions, with a brid-gedeck and huge, convivial exterior areas,and hulls which offer real cabins whereprivacy is not just theoretical. As for thedisadvantages often evoked concerningsailing catamarans, here there are fewer.The wide beam of sailing boats with twohulls – essential for performance and sta-bility – is here much narrower, almostcomparable to that of a traditional motor

boat. All that remains is the price, whichis higher for the same length... But the 47LC’s comfort is equivalent to that of a 60-65 foot yacht.

SPEED OR LONG RANGE, YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE

In the port of La Rochelle, despite astrong crosswind, the Cumberland 47 LCsucceeded in easily extracting itself fromits berth. According to the builder’semployees, there is no need to fit thrus-ters. Once in the channel, and past thelast buoy, I put the helm slightly to star-board and opened the throttles. With ashort chop on the nose, the 47 LC rea-ched 23 knots – it will do 24 on flat water.We were equipped with the most power-ful propulsion option – 2 x 300 hp Volvos– the two engines delivered as standardare of 225 hp, which nevertheless allow itto exceed 20 knots. Obviously, at over3,500 rpm, consumption is around 100litres per hour, offering a range of about500 miles. If you slow down to the crui-

1 : The Cumberland 47 LC reaches 24 knots on flatwater: a real motor boat with specially designed hulls.

2 : Aft cockpit, forward or flybridge; there is no lack ofareas dedicated to relaxing, both at sea and at anchor...

3 : This motor catamaran gives the longest range at 7knots.

4 : The Cumberland is a true catamaran: as comfortableat sea as at anchor.

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sing speed of 15 knots, theconsumption is already half ofthis... But it is when you getdown to trawler speeds - wereally can't get away from themeasily – that the Cumberlandbecomes really attractive, wethink. By staying at a little lessthan 7 knots, you can succeedin consuming just one litre permile, giving an exceptional rangeof 2,400 miles. Because the tankcapacity, initially 1,600 litres, hasbeen increased to 2 x 1,200 litres.Enough to cross an ocean! Thedistance can be optimised furtherby playing with the two engines:with the wind and sea aft, you onlyrun one engine, the leeward one, toease the strain on the helm. The builderis conscious of the importance bluewater cruising enthusiasts attach to thispossibility of crossing oceans: theCumberland 47 LC to be presented in afew weeks at Cannes will have cruisedround Spain... without re-filling its tanks!Note: the IPS system – with swivellingpods – will allow the consumption to beoptimised by 10 to 15%, according to thebuilder. The first model equipped withthis system is actually being finished.

A STEERING POSITION FOUR METRESABOVE THE SEA

The steering position on the flybridge isvery comfortable and attractive; perched4 metres above the surface, the visibilityis optimal over 360°. An obvious ‘plus’when manoeuvring. The small wheel isof an exemplary smoothness; it is parti-cularly easy and fast to turn from onestop to the other. And one of the buil-der’s good ideas is to have provided aslight ‘hard spot’, to indicate the neutralpoint: practical! When you are going flatout, the feeling is amazing, compared to

a conventional motor boat: the turningradius is larger and there is no heel.Remember that for low-speed manoeu-vres, we mainly play with the engines(forward/astern) and not the rudders.The wind and the very rare spray – wewere still flat out, remember – were effi-ciently deflected by the Perspex winds-creen. Seats, table, sunbathing area,mini galley (optional) – this flybridge is areal terrace of almost 20m², with anunobstructed view. The boat’s behaviour with this short seaon the nose was exemplary. The move-ments were surprisingly gentle and dam-ped. Let’s look at the 47 LC’s famoushulls in detail. They are of a marked V-shape, to pass through the waves gently.The forward sections are slim, but have aslight longitudinal step just above theforefoot – which becomes more pro-nounced aft – to deflect the spray. Quitemarked inside, it gives a greater beam atthe level of the berths, whilst the sternhas significant volume. Finally, note theconsiderable bridgedeck height, to limitas far as possible the impacts from arough sea.

The deck plan is of course nothing likethat of a conventional motor boat. The 47LC offers an XXL-sized foredeck – equip-ped with a nice seat – and above all wide,uncluttered side decks. Walk around thedeck of a conventional motor boat andyou will understand what we are talkingabout... The windlass and its anchor gearare sheltered in a huge, well-centredlocker. The handrails are formed by thelower lip of the top of the coachroof. Wewould have preferred stainless steel han-drails, in the old style. But the rail fixedto the elegant wooden handrail ensuresgood safety. Lower down, under the‘windows’, the very long coachroof sur-

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round unfortunately slopes toomuch to be used as a seat...This isn’t very serious, as thereare places to sit down everyw-here, starting with the pulpitseats nestling in the bows, thewell-equipped aft cockpit, withits table – six people can eathere, using four chairs and asmall galley – not forgetting thetwo sugar scoop sterns.

INTERIOR ACCOMMODATION:A MORE DYNAMIC DESIGN

Inside, the builder has stuck toa classic layout for the accom-modation. We therefore findonce again a huge central areawith generous glazed areas,good 1.97m headroom, thecentral control position mat-ched with a chart table, the U-shaped galley to port and thesaloon opposite. The design has however deve-loped, with respect to theCumberland 46: the roundedfurniture has disappeared,

replaced with more angularshapes and leather edging. Thewhole electrical installation isnow of the Multiplex type,without wires. The saloon table– a bit small at 51 x 103cm – isadjustable. Ours had a sto-wage volume. A bigger (up to75 x 130cm, the same size asthe cockpit table) and highertop can be ordered. We notedthe presence of a joystick,which replaces the traditionalhelm, at the huge interior stee-ring position. Three people cansit there and there is anothersettee to port. The view of theexterior is perfect. It’s certainlythe perfect place from which tosteer the 47 LC in bad weatheror at night. The galley stretchesover the port side. A huge worksurface, lots of stowage, twobig 90 litre fridges – you willfeel as if you are at home, oreven better. In the hulls, thereare two possibilities: theQuatuor version has fourcabins. The aft ones are themost generous, with a 2 x1.6 metre

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5 : Well protected from the spray, the steering position on the flybridge isvery comfortable...

6 : There is everything ‘upstairs’: steering position, terrace, table, andeven an optional small galley.

7 : 20 m² dedicated to the pleasure of being aboard: here is the fly-bridge…

8 : Wide side decks, large sugar scoops, the Cumberland is much morecomfortable than any traditional motor boat...

9 : The cockpit is perfectly protected by the fly bridge, and offers twonice bathing platforms and access to the nacelle on the same level.

10 : The accommodation is comfortable and bright, with a very contem-porary design.

11 : For night watches, or if the weather doesn’t allow you to use theflybridge, the 47 LC can be steered from inside, using the joystick. Easy,fun and...comfortable!

12 : The builder is offering two accommodation plans, with a four cabinversion, and a three cabin version with the port hull dedicated to theowner.

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king-sized bed. As for the ope-nings, we find once again thefamous ‘light shaft’ matched to acircular deck hatch and a specta-cular – new – lateral portlightmeasuring 1.82 x 0.43m.Although the headroom is verycomfortable – 2m – we kept get-ting caught on the door handle,as the gangway is a bit narrow.The same feeling in the toilets,which are a bit tight. The forwardcabin is more classical, with a1.4m wide mattress, a standardformat ashore. Note that the cocoons whichprotect the engines have allo-wed 4 decibels to be gained athigh revs: bravo! The Maestroversion reserves the whole porthull for the owner. Here a realbathroom and a desk await you.For those who want to custo-mize their boat, the builder willlisten: a crew cabin, an additio-nal berth or a laundry can be fitted.

CONCLUSION

We have to admit that this 47 LC,a direct descendant of theCumberland 44, which appeared13 years ago, is a modern boat,perfectly suited to the modernway of cruising. Its two majorstrong points are certainly its nau-tical qualities and the possibility ofrealizing some very long pas-sages, including the Atlantic, byreducing the engine revs. Thebuilder’s aim is to impose themotor catamaran as a competitorto the conventional motor boat – abit like it has done with the sailingcatamaran compared to themonohulls of 30 years ago. TheCumberland 47 LC also repre-sents a real alternative for oceancruising enthusiasts who arebored – or tired – of handling sails.And the possibility for those whoare discovering boating to gainquicker access to the grail we areall searching for – the discovery ofnew far-off lands...

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Model: FlashCat 47 Jaguar 48 Aquila 48Builder: FLASH CATAMARANS JAGUAR CATAMARANS MARINEMAXLength: 13,50 m 14,47 m 14,02 mMotors: 2 x 350 2 x 260 2 x 330Price exc. VAT: 448,000 € NC 995,900 US$

T H E C O M P E T I TO R S

THE OPINION OF THE ARCHITECT,MICHEL JOUBERT:"The Cumberland 47 LC has been studied inconsultation with Fountaine Pajot’s R&D depart-ment, taking into account the product rangeeffect. It is not a case of just getting away fromthe visual signature of the two smaller models.The 47 has the widest range of use, with a longrange and the possibility of doing 24 knots. Thesailing catamaran’s hulls ‘rear up’ and slam quitequickly, as they lack sufficient volume, a lateralchine and too much wetted surface area. This isall right with a boat which saturates at 12 knots,with no pretentions to going faster. TheCumberland has been designed for a range ofspeeds of from 12 to 24 knots. Its forward sectionsare slimmer, there is more volume aft, the boat isnarrower, because it doesn’t need the stability ofa sailing boat. In the motor catamaran field, weare still 'in the fog', there is not the same expertiseas for monohulls. We were all very pleasantly sur-prised by the performance and handling of the44 and 46, the previous versions. If it is being usedagain, then the hull was successful! If I was doingit again, it would be the same, I wouldn’t changeanything...”

13 : In the (nice) cabins, there is aview of the anchorage, via the almost2m-wide glazed area...

14 : The builder’s new range of motorcatamarans is called “MotorYacht”. Andthis can be seen in the slightest details,such as here, in the bathrooms.

13 14

� Exceptional handlingat sea� Sufficient range tocross the Atlantic� Low sound pollution

� Small saloon table� Narrow gangways inthe hulls� Small guest bathroom

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the very high bridgedeck doesnot slam at all in the seas. Aguarantee of comfort at sea!

this large lateral portlight isthe 47 LC’s signature,

compared to its predecessor,the 46.

the coachroof lip which extendsover the ‘windows’ allows thegreenhouse effect to be very

effectively limited.

the steering position on theflybridge offers a perfect view

over the water.

the cockpit is perfectly protected from the sun and the rain thanks to the bimini.

as standard, the builder fitstwo 225 hp engines, capableof propelling the boat’s 14tonnes at over 20 knots.

the side decks are muchwider than those of a traditional motorboat.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Overall length: 13.95 mWaterline length: 13.40 mBeam: 6.55 mDraft: 1.10 mUnladen displacement: 14,200 kgDisplacement: 18,400 kgStandard engines: 2 x 225 hpOptional engines: 2 x 300 hpFresh water: 2 x 350 lFuel: 2 x 1,200 lCE Certification: A10 B10 C16 D25Architect: Michel JoubertBuilder: Fountaine PajotLaunch year: 2013Price, Quatuor version: 589,000 €exc. VAT.Price, Maestro version: 599,000 €exc. VAT.Grand Large Pack: 24,000 €exc. VAT.Oceanic Pack: 40,000 €exc. VAT.

the stainless steel rail makes movementaround the boat safer, even in rough seas.

the port hull can be fitted out with two guest cabins(Quatuor version) or a single cabin dedicated

to the owner (Maestro).

the small longitudinal step justabove the waterline deflects the

spray very effectively.

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