Lipari 41 - A helm station at mid-height of the rigid bimini

By the late 2000s, cruising catamarans were trying to offer ever greater levels of comfort and designers began integrating the notion of “perceived quality”. After growing the nacelles and the hulls, builders were now offering more fluid and more secure deck layouts. As for interiors, the finishes were more meticulous and high-end materials were integrated. The Lipari 41, with her fully enclosed cockpit, slightly raised helm station and flattering interior, followed these trends.

First splashed in 2009, the Lipari 41 was the replacement the Lavezzi 40 launched seven years previously. Both models had been designed by Joubert/Nivelt - the brand’s historical architects – and were similar in terms of design: the same cap-shaped coachroof and the same rounded bows. At Fountaine, there was still little impact from certain fashion effects. The aforementioned bows remained snub-nosed, while the competitors were playing the card of maximum waterline length. We had to wait for the next generation - the one initiated by Berret/ Racoupeau - to see straight, and now inverted, bows. The characteristics of the Lipari and her predecessor are relatively similar. The 41 is slightly bigger: 2 inches (5 cm) in length and 9 inches (23 cm) in beam. So, what was (really) new? Well, that would be the rigid bimini and the deck plan, of course! The coachroof extends aft, far above the cockpit, which is now devoid of all sailing maneuvers. There’s a large (4’ x 3’ / 93 x 120 cm) table that seats seven - and with two stools and the seat on the starboard side, it is even possible for 10 people to share sundowners at anchor. As for the helm station, it was a little higher up. All the...