30 Years with Fountaine Pajot | A Partnership Built on Passion

From a first visit to La Rochelle in 1996 to more than 500 sold yachts later, The Yacht Sales Co.’s relationship with Fountaine Pajot has grown into an enduring partnership built on a shared passion for innovation, quality and life on the water.

As Fountaine Pajot celebrates its 50th anniversary, 2026 marks another significant milestone: 30 years since The Yacht Sales Co. first began representing the iconic French shipyard.

To celebrate, The Yacht Sales Co. CEO Mark Elkington reflected on where the partnership began, during the 2026 La Rochelle Open Days, the evolution of Fountaine Pajot over the decades, the people, craftsmanship and vision that continues to shape the brand today.

Where the journey began

In 1996, when Mark visited La Rochelle while exploring the leading multihull builders of Europe.

There that he discovered Fountaine Pajot and met Jean-François Fountaine, whose passion for the shipyard and vision for the future immediately stood out.

The quality of construction, attention to detail and strong family values behind the brand ultimately set Fountaine Pajot apart.

That first visit led to an order for an Athena 38, purchased by Robert Leitch, who remains a good friend of Mark’s today. It was the beginning of a relationship that would span three decades and more than 500 yachts.

“We couldn’t depart from the passion of the Fountaine Pajot family. Their vision, the construction of the boats and the quality of the build really stood out.”
Mark Elkington, CEO, The Yacht Sales Co.

Three decades of evolution

Over the following 30 years, The Yacht Sales Co. has witnessed an extraordinary period of evolution for Fountaine Pajot.

Early models including the Athena 38, Bahia 46, Belize 43 and Eleuthera 60 helped establish the shipyard’s reputation for capable cruising catamarans.

A defining moment came with the introduction of the Helia 44 in 2012, which Mark describes as a significant change in direction for the brand. Greater interior volume, larger cabins and bathrooms, thoughtfully designed galleys and improved flow throughout the yacht helped introduce a new approach to cruising catamaran design.

That philosophy has continued to evolve through successive generations of Fountaine Pajot yachts, leading to the sophisticated range of sailing catamarans available today.

At the upper end of the range, Fountaine Pajot’s expertise has also expanded into increasingly ambitious large cruising catamarans, demonstrating just how far the shipyard has progressed since those early years.

50 Years, 60 Iconic Models

Built to go the distance

For Mark, one of the greatest strengths of Fountaine Pajot is not simply how the yachts perform when new, but how they endure.

After 30 years representing the brand, The Yacht Sales Co. continues to encounter early Fountaine Pajot models that have crossed oceans, completed circumnavigations and passed through several owners while remaining capable cruising yachts.

Their longevity, structural integrity and enduring appeal in the pre-owned market speak to the quality of the original design and construction.

It is a legacy that gives new and existing owners confidence that their yacht has been created for much more than the first few years of ownership.

More than a yacht

While the yachts have evolved considerably since 1996, the foundations of the partnership have remained remarkably consistent.

For The Yacht Sales Co., representing Fountaine Pajot has always extended beyond selling a yacht. It is about supporting owners throughout their journey and providing the experience, knowledge and service that allow them to get the most from life on the water.

Today, our experienced team supports Fountaine Pajot owners throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, continuing a relationship with the brand that has been built over three decades.

“You’re not just buying a boat. You’re buying a really strong relationship between Fountaine Pajot and The Yacht Sales Co.”
Mark Elkington, CEO, The Yacht Sales Co.

As Fountaine Pajot celebrates 50 years of boatbuilding and The Yacht Sales Co. celebrates 30 years representing the brand, both milestones offer an opportunity to look back at an extraordinary journey while also looking ahead to what comes next.

For Mark, the spirit of Fountaine Pajot remains grounded in the same qualities that first captured his attention in La Rochelle in 1996: its people, its attention to detail and its products.

Three decades and more than 500 yachts later, The Yacht Sales Co. is proud to remain part of that story.