All of our catamarans are built from a sandwich structure with a core of PVC foam laminated under vacuum. Fountaine Pajot have been masters of this technology for 30 years. Outer skins are made of a laminate of fibreglass fabrics and powder binder mats applied by hand with an isophtalic polyester resin. The core of the sandwich is satisfied under vacuum leaving cross-linking at regular intervals between the two skins to ensure proper adhesion.

To guarantee the protection of our boats against hydrolysis, for hulls and decks we use only isophtalic gel-coats applied extremely evenly by spray-gun. Like every other phase in manufacture, the quality of their application is strictly controlled.

Custom-made Fabrics:

Fountaine Pajot and Trawler Catamarans, in collaboration with their supplier of fibreglass fabrics, Chomarat, have designed their own fabrics with mono and multidirectional fibres in different weights in order to optimise the weight and structure of the boat.

In accordance with the quality control process, for every model, an exact sample of each fabric allocated to specific zones in the vessel is prepared on a trolley and recorded.

The choice and composition of fabrics differs according to the zone orientation of the fibres takes into account the mechanical stresses. For zones subject to lower stresses, lighter fabrics are employed than for zones subject to higher stresses such as the structural partitions or the external girding in both, the forward beam end fittings and chain plates. In this way, we optimise fabric weights with respect to the stresses distributed throughout the boat.

Infusion Process:

Infusion was a crucial option adopted by the Fountaine Pajot shipyard. The entire structure of the boat is built up in layers of dry-bonded fabric. Under vacuum, the resin is able to penetrate into every empty space in a single operation.

The advantages of this process are numerous, even if in the final analysis a traditional composite can result in a vessel of identical quality.