The Athena is typical of the cats designed and built in the 1990s by Fountaine
Pajot – mainly for the charter market, although a fair proportion were bought
for private use.

A spacious but simple interior is bright and airy, and above all easy to
maintain. There are four double cabins and two heads, plus a spacious saloon,
which included the galley and vestigial chart table. Despite the fact that most
were bought for charter, the accommodation is entirely adequate for private
family sailing, although stowage is largely in open lockers and the décor could
be more interesting.

The Athena is one of the better performing of the charter-orientated cats, being
comparatively light with fine-sectioned hulls. Bridgedeck clearance is good.
Sail handling is straightforward from the large cockpit and there is plenty of
sunbathing space forward of the saloon.

A long production run (from 1995-2005) means prices vary a lot. Many are located
overseas, particularly in the Med and Caribbean, which must be factored into the
price.

LOA 11.58m (38ft), beam 6.30m (20ft 8in), draught 0.95m (3ft 1in), displacement
5,500kg (12,100lb). Price guide: £100,000 to £140,000. YM Test Report April
1996.

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   Fountaine Pajot Athena 38 Review – A Blast to Sail?

Large cruising cats have risen in popularity these days. The Athena 38 is yet
another

entrant into the catalog of cruising catamarans from Fountaine Pajot from
France.

The product of two renowned Olympic sailors, Jean-Francois Fountaine, and Yves
Pajot, the Athena 38 is the second smallest cat in their fleet of five cats.

The Athena 38 is designed for the rookie skipper. The catamaran was made to be a
favorite for a rookie skipper thanks to its simple handling.

Fountaine Pajot cats are known for their well-thought-out designs and innovative
tech and this particular one is no different. Here is the Fountaine Pajot Athena
38 review to help you make the right choice for your sailing holidays.

Table of Content [show]

Accommodation

The stern is 10 feet wide with a layout that makes it all seem like one big
cockpit. The whole area is rimmed with comfortable bench seating which can
accommodate at least 12 people. At the port corner, you also have the six-person
table which makes for even more comfortable cruising while you enjoy the
cockpit.

The hull and deck intersection is arguably the most eye-catching part of the
whole

boat’s design. The Athena is not a typical cat since most of them go for a large
freeboard, which almost always makes the topsides snobbish. For this boat, the
sheerline is tucked due to a large radius that allows it to rise to deck level
again.

It’s a styling concept that robs the boat of some deck space but then you tend
not to notice this once you see just how much deck space there is. The hull
design is also meant to give the Athena an attractive sculpted design as it ends
at the swim steps.

The 38-footer has enough space to accommodate the owner couple and 3 more
couples

effortlessly. Though four double berth staterooms might feel like a little too
much for a boat this size, the cabin placement makes the design workable.

Each cabin is placed on one end of the hull. Cabins are separated by the
head-shower. This symmetrical layout allows occupants all the privacy they need
thus the boat never feels crowded.

Interior

The Athena 38 has a low maintenance interior that charter companies can make
into

whatever they like in as little as a couple of hours and another group of
cruising fans can get on board.

The cast surfaces give the boat a delicate look which is just pacifying when you
are in the waters enjoying a cruise.

The boat uses the little space it has excellently so that the salon seems like
an extension of the cockpit. At mid-salon, you have a large table surrounded by
a deep lounge that is semi-circular. The navigation station stands off one end.

On the other end lays the galley with a 3-burner oven, twin sinks and a huge
fridge fit to store enough beer for everyone.

Exterior

The exterior of the Athena 38 is curvaceous and part of the reason the boat is
so inviting. Molded fiberglass for the exterior lines makes the transition from
the outdoor to indoor areas seamless. The thoughtful plan makes it easy to enjoy
al fresco dining and still remain comfortable when you have to eat indoors due
to foul weather.

The headsail is a ProFurl furling system. A loose-footed mainsail is hoisted and
drops down through lazy jacks. When the mainsail is up the cover stows firmly
roll around the internal battens.

The covers remain fastened to the boom boltrope groove of the boom. Keeping the
mainsail down and flanked is quite straightforward since all it takes is tying
the integral bungees and closing the zipper all the way to the end.

Undersail

The Athena 38 is not only about beautiful design. It also packs a punch when it
comes to functionality. The two Yanmar saildrive diesel engines have 18
horsepower which is enough to turn Athena’s length yet purr quietly with minimal
vibration when the RPMs reach maximum.

The engines power the Athena at 71/2 knots on flat waters giving out 2,600rpms.
When the boat hits such rpm with double-blade props and fixed turning the
auxiliaries consume around 4/10 of a gallon.

With a fuel tank of 40 gallons, the Athena can take you on your choice of a
cruise with no worries. You can easily access the engines by removing the cabin
berth cushion at the back and the underlying panel.

Comfort

O. Flahault Design proves that the boat was conceived to give the best when it
comes to catamaran cruising. All the creature comforts you might think of on
water are catered for. The cabins have the headspace to make them as comfortable
as can be. This, accompanied by the interior that boasts exquisite materials,
will have you feeling lost in a capsule-like paradise devised for two.

Why Charter the Athena?

Thanks to the ingenious design that steps away from the norm in pleasant ways,
the boat is perfect for your sailing holiday expeditions no matter what kind of
cruise you have planned for yourself.

The Athena 38 outdoes itself both in terms of functionality and comfort. Each
bit of the attractive boat is meant to maximize on your enjoyment once you get
on board.

When a boat tracks, as well as the Athena, does even at 40 degrees, you will
surely enjoy sailing. Under chute, the Athena 38 remains well-mannered even when
the winds reach gusts of 25 to 30. At times you may even feel like she is
slightly overcanvassed.

In Conclusion

In Athena 38, Fountaine Pajot has come up with an undemanding cruising cat that
even the least experienced sailor can enjoy. The boat lacks nothing in the way
of privacy or comfort and the performance is commendable as well. At anchor, the
boat is like a raft where you can enjoy some sun or dive. You can count on the
Athena to attract holidaymakers no matter where it is chattered. Simple handling
makes it about the adventure, which is a well-earned bonus. All you have to do
is sit back and watch the water drift by.

For more information on the Athena 38 contact:

Boatbookings.com

USA +1 954 892 5009

Email: charter@boatbookings.com

Specifications

* Manufacturer: Fountain Pagot
* Length: 11.6m (39.8 feet)
* Cabins: 4
* Bathrooms: 2
* Berths: 8
* Beam: 6.3m
* Draft: 0.95 m
* Fuel Capacity: 180L
* Water Capacity: 360-520L
* Engine number: 2

Details LOA: 11.58m (38ft) Draught: 0.95m (3ft 1in) Displacement: 5,500kg
(12,100lb) Beam: 20ft 8″

35 Yachts is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is
centrally listed by S&J Yachts. It is offered as a convenience by this
broker/dealer to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation
of a particular vessel