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Test
Historical sketch
Improvements
When she came out in 1983, the
By 1986, the series had changed. The
interior features and amenities, particularly the presentation of the net with the
saloon/galley/chart table unit.
Louisiane got rave reviews in the specialist press. All market observers acclaimed this catamaran as a “true” liveaboard, capable of distancing monohulls
T E S T
L O U I S I A N E
3 7
both offwind (which we already knew)
and in tacking. We should say that the
similarity between the 37-footer from the
Fountaine-Pajot shipyard and CharenteMaritime
(same
designers: Joubert-
Nivelt) and same builder) understandably
T E X T
&
P H O T O S
:
B.
L E L I È V R E
gave the Louisiane extra appeal… Thus,
in
issue
#2
of
Multicoques
Mag
(October/November 1985), we wrote of
this boat: “Louisiane 11 meters: A mini
Charente. In the generation of new cruising multihulls the Louisiane is the veteran. Her characteristics include powerful
bows, a rather classy silhouette and
generous sail area. There is a double
cabin and a washroom in each of the
hulls, which are separate from the
Louisiane 37
saloon. The rear of the hulls can be used
either as a single cabin, or as an engine
hold. The central net is for the galley,
chart table and saloon. The table is reclinable for use as a double berth. The
mainsail and self-tacking jib propel
Louisiane at a good speed, by facilitating
maneuvers.”
With or without a spinnaker, the Louisiane sails rather
well, especially the version with centerboards…
The
Veteran...
There is no dearth of articles and comments on this “new-generation” catamaran. Given her originality in comparison
with what was being made then, we
must recognize that she was without a
doubt one of the very first precursors of
this movement in the eighties. She has
had few rivals. We can mention the Edel
Performance:
33’, then Edel 35’, which, although
For having sailed in all seasons on various
Louisianes, I often had the opportunity to
“measure” the excellent performance of
this catamaran in friendly regattas with
the monohulls I met up with. The qualities
of balance under sail are obvious, you can
often allow the boat to sail all by itself,
with the helms held in place simply with
an elastic strap and no help from the
automatic pilot… for 30 minutes and
more (on the version with retractable centerboards). With winds from 15 to 20
knots, the Louisiane comes round at 50°
of true wind at a good 8 knots.
somewhat different in concept, were
also the most popular catamarans both
OUR NEW FEATURE ON TESTS OF USED BOATS STARTS WITH ONE
for private owners and for rental companies open to this new type of sailboat.
OF THE BESTSELLERS FROM THE EIGHTIES: LOUISIANE BY
By 1984, the Louisiane was tested in the
specialist press with very conclusive
results, especially regarding the pros-
FOUNTAINE-PAJOT. THIS CRUISING CATAMARAN HAS REALLY
pects for speed and fun at the helm.
There was just one shadow at the time:
LEFT HER MARK ON HER TIMES AND IS TODAY VERY POPULAR AS
the finishing needed improvement and
the chandlery was somewhat undersi-
A USED BOAT.
Definitely good balance under sail…
The principle of tilting centerboards was
dropped: too many problems with leaks,
complexity in construction, for an unconvincing final result – according to the
builder. It turned out in the end that most
Louisiane owners and users almost never
adjusted their centerboards, leaving
them in a “median” position (50% raised).
The centerboards were replaced by fixed
skegs, which provided for more space,
with waterproof central cabins and very
simple deck arrangement and running
rigging. The drawback: reduced heading
upwind. These models will always been
less efficient tacking and… all the abovequoted praise ceased ever since.
zed considering the many running riggings to the cockpit.
45 MultihullsWorld
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Test
In fact, the secret of this catamaran, that
was “revolutionary” for her time, can be
summed up in one principle, repeated
The separate net, the living space on the boat, concentrates all the daytime sailing activities.
Some figures
(in meters):
Double berths:
2.00 x 1.40
Kitchen: 1.10 x 0.83
U-shaped saloon: 2.00 x 1.70 (6 people)
Berth:
2.00 x 1.40
Surface Cockpit area:
4 m2
Height at net entrance:
1.70
Height inside hulls: 1.75
Retractable rudders
ke outboards, 25 to 30 HP, most of which
ting, if need be, that she was and still is
- This same version is equipped with
were replaced by new 4-stroke outboard
one of the very first “new generation”
catamarans.
transom rudders: they can be more easi-
motors, 9 or 15 HP, far more economical
over and over again by her designer
ly checked. These rudders originally suf-
and silent.
Michel Joubert: eliminating extra weight.
fered too much compensation, resulting
in a stiff helm at high speed. A reduction
The risk of osmosis
The price on the used
boat market
in the surface areas of the leading edge
Although all the first units were affected,
Used Louisianes are rarely for sale. As
has since remedied this defect.
rest assured, these have all undergone
proof of her success, good opportunities
the best sail power to displacement
The limited structure of the omega rein-
repairs with an epoxy base. For some,
rarely remain up for sale for any length of
ratios of her generation, with 17 m2 per
forcements on the first units must be
the most recent, the shipyard offered
time. Witness our survey of the main bro-
metric ton displaced!
checked, and local reinforcement may
preventive treatment. Although it seems
kers specialized in used multihulls: we
This advantage was unfortunately too
have to be considered.
unlikely for this to occur again, it would
had a lot of trouble visiting the unit on
often reduced by overly large crews (10
The version with fixed skegs remains the
be useful to ask the former owner.
sale.
people for a fairing foreseen for 4 to 6)
most widespread. The hulls built of stra-
who would cast off for a two-week sum-
tified monolithic glass are better sam-
Owners’ association
range from FF. 330,000 to 350,000 (inclu-
mer cruise with several cubic meters of
pled. Except for specific shocks, they
To our knowledge, there is as yet no such
ding VAT) according to the equipment.
food and drinks!
should present no fault.
organization, so the door remains open.
For more recent units (production stop-
The Louisiane’s fairing (cf. photograph) is
very well balanced, but should not be
overloaded. The Louisiane has among
For 1985/86 Louisiane, the prices posted
The Louisiane’s keel is very well balanced,
and requires very little load.
ped in 1988) or those in particularly good
Life on board
The deck and cockpit
In conclusion
condition, the budget is more like FF. 350
At the time, the Louisiane offered a deck
Built of foam-glass sandwich, the deck
A very appealing catamaran, the ideal
to 400,000 with completely equipped in
layout that was very different from what
and cockpit may suffer from wear and
companion for your holidays with the
2nd category for 6 people.
our British friends were doing. The net
tear: on many of these boats, there may
family or with friends enjoying a rapid,
did not communicate with the hulls. This
be local blistering or even delamination.
inexpensive cruise. Well canvassed and
For example, at PIBA MARINE, a broker
“French” school can also be seen in the
Without questioning the sturdiness of
relatively light, the Louisiane remains a
in Hyères in southern France speciali-
Edel 33’ and 35’ range (which will soon
the whole, a repair may then be needed:
safe efficient catamaran. Since 1983, this
zed in multihulls since 1984, we were
be tested in this feature) and later in the
foresee a polyester specialist to repair
sailboat whose agenda was originally
able to see two Louisiane available:
first Outremer, etc.
the delaminated areas.
mainly for family cruises in 3rd or 2nd
A 1985 Louisiane launched in 1986,
The separate net, which makes up the
Another effect of wear and tear: the fixa-
category, has managed to rise to the
with centerboards, flat cockpit equip-
boat’s living area, centralizes the dayti-
tion points of the chandlery parts on
ranks of the top oceangoing cruising
ped with 2 outboards (2-stroke 30 HP
me and sailing activities, with the hulls
deck (mooring cleats, pad eyes, stan-
catamarans. Many owners have shared
and 15 HP OB, 1993 mainsail, 1995
preserving the privacy of the two double
chion sockets) should be meticulously
the joys of long hauls, some having sai-
Profurl furler genoa + the former genoa
cabins. This arrangement, which was
examined.
led round the world following the
jib + asymmetrical spinnaker and spin-
Tradewinds, without, however, losing
naker sock + very complete electro-
challenged by some, met with the favor
of many others, as shown by this cata-
The rigging
their soul or they savings.
nics, certified in 1st category, ready to
maran’s commercial success: over 90
Although initially the mast (Francespar)
At present, Louisianes are still sailing on
cast off for a tour round the world for
units built until 1988.
had few shrouds in front, all the changes
all the seas on the planet, demonstra-
FF. 340,000 (including VAT).
+
pros
The waterline, particularly streamlined
and harmonious, efficient fairing.
■ Excellent sail area:displacement ratio
■ The equilibrium under sails and the
shallow draft
■ A real net for a living space, hulls
providing privacy in the bedrooms
■
that had to be made may have already
Specific points to look
out for
been made by the previous owner. The
The centerboard cases
with triangulated spreaders: presence of
COMPARISONS:
- The first version with the tilting cen-
a crank lever on the leading edge.
CRITERIA
Year of unit:
Overall length /LOA
Waterline length /Lwl
Overall beam /max. beam
Max. displacement
Sail area upwind
with furler genoa
Draft: centerboards
for version with fixed skegs
Sleeping capacity
Skin friction coefficient
Propulsion coef: sail area:
light displacement ratio
standard rigging is of self-bearing type
terboards, in my opinion, remains the
Complete chandlery, but sometime a little undersized
considering the many running riggings to the cockpit.
46 MultihullsWorld
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most pleasant to sail in, and it is also
Motors
interesting for its ability to reach the
The Louisiane may be equipped with
most secret moorings, with its 40-cm
outboard motors, except for very speci-
draft with the centerboards raised!
fic cases. These motors, linked by cables
Conversely, there is a fragile area,
to the two rudders, are very well adapted
which must absolutely be checked for
to the agenda for such a light catamaran.
its condition and proper function.
They provide exemplary maneuverability.
Waterproofing, loose stainless steel
Practical and with easy upkeep, the out-
axis, hoisting rope blocks, state of
board can also be stored in dry condi-
ware of these same ropes: you must
tions at home for the winter. The only
examine these cases in dry dock befo-
disadvantage: the lack of autonomy. The
re purchasing.
first Louisianes were equipped by 2-stro-
LOUISIANE 37’
1983
11.00 m
10.22 m
6.00 m
4T. 360
Edel Cat 33’
1983
10.08 m
9.26 m
6.03 m
3T. 870
Blue 2
1985
10.40 m
9.59 m
5.95 m
5T. 220
Tobago 35’
1993
10.60 m
10.00 m
5.85 m
5T. 970
Privilège 36’
1995
11.17 m
10.37
6.56 m
8T. 600
71.40 m2
63.17 m2
66.89 m2
68 m2
76 m2
0.40/1.65 or 1.01 m 0.90 m
2 doubles + 2
2 doubles + 2
7.25
7.75
1.10 m
2 doubles
6.50
0.95 m
3 doubles + 2
6.01
1.20 m
3 doubles
5.55
5.99
5.25
4.55
4.64
5.70
cons
-
The poorly finished details in the first
boats made
■ The headroom in the net: 1.70 m max.
■ The complexity of the running riggins
to the cockpit
■ The narrowness of the cockpit
■
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