F.P. Saona 47' Review. This is the perfect sized Catamaran to be a full time live-aboard boat.

[@jamielancaster01]

Not too big, not too small, it’s just right😎

[@tylerwalz1]

Great review. Many of the "features" of the boat that you don't necessarily like can be customized. For example, you mention no seating area up front, but the same ratchet chair style cushions you saw on the 42 would work here. Likewise, the coffee table can be replaced with a standard table. They even offer a hydraulic table that can lower to make another sleeping spot. Same with things like a hard bimini vs cloth. That hard bimini is not standard, but can be ordered just like on the Astrea so it shouldn't be mentioned as a determining factor since it's customizable. Just something for your viewers to keep in mind. While you can't upgrade a boat with a single sink, you can easily upgrade from a cloth to hard bimini.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Agreed. Many things can be added. No recessed footwells in the front so not really a designed seating area. But I agree you could lay on cushions on the front.

[@gerhardnentwig3598]

Thank you, showing so much Katamarans for living aboard a boat. I´m thinking, for blue water cruising and live for a long time on a boat, a catamaran is the best desicion and comfortable. For me is, at that time, the Antares 44 the niciest concerning the interieur and seaworthy to. The warm colour of the mahagoni wood, rounded edges that shows the love of doing that kompetent handcraftwork. Modern the composite parts build in that woodwork, saving weight. For me the "modern interieurs" like the Saona 47, is cold, cheaply made in automaticly karambolagen production. Not the price worthy. Hope you understand my amateur english. Nice regards

[@Bowmans-Woods]

I agree with what you are saying. The "Modern" interiors of the new production cats does feel cold. Antares does have a lot of owners that love them so I have to take from that, that the quality is good longer term.

[@peterlamere1982]

Wrap one up for me.🤩

[@Bowmans-Woods]

If I was a salesman, I would be happy. LOL

[@stevemazz3121]

PRO- nice layout for a 47 foot vessel, it will cruise around 8.5 knots with upgraded engines. CONS- as stated everything on the vessel is an option and even the options have upgrade options... ALSO it is almost impossible to see the Port Side forward or aft from the helm for docking of close maneuvers.

[@TheUglyGnome]

One deal breaker: length of the bridgedeck on the bow. Too little space for waves. You can definitely expect constant wave slamming under the bridgedeck.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Yes. You are probably right. More deck space probably has the down side of more chance of bridge deck slap. Pros are more interior or storage space. Always pros and cons to most choices.

[@jameswalker9244]

This is a great looking boat. I think you guys are right in about 6 years will be fantastically priced if you can find one that's hasn't been used and abused. I think I'm between this one and the Saba 50.. you know, in about 10 years when I might actually be able to afford one, lol.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Sound like we think alike. Used saves you a ton of money. Like we have both said, the only thing is to wait for one that was privately owned (Not Ex-Charter) that has been lovingly cared for and gently used. Luckily we should have time to find one like that.

[@lordhydromage6614]

I know this is fun for yall but truly...thank you for your time and efforts on these films ....edit wheres the microwave space?????

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thanks BC. It is a lot of work, and at times I wonder if it is worth my time, but I see 2 benefits. 1) a lot of people, like you, really appreciate them and they have rewatchability for years to come 2) We see so many boats that they all start to blur together and by making these we have the ability to remember each and refer back to them when we are looking at the used market and trying to pick one cat over the other to get serious about diving in deeper to.

[@jandradventures]

What a beautiful catamaran! I agree about the table size in the saloon. Sometimes its cold and you want to eat inside.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Hey bud. Good to hear from you! Congrats on the new edition. Glad you have chosen to keep sailing and raise the little on on the boat. I'd do the same. Boat kids seem to be the most educated and mature kids anyway. Home schooling is by far superior to public schools. As for cold weather and eating inside ..... You would know now that you are living our future life! I thought that too when I say just a coffee table inside. No matter where you are (say the Bahamas for instance) you are still going to get windy, wet, cool days that you are just going to want to curl up in your nice warm, dry salon and eat dinner and watch a movie. No table to eat at in a large salon like this 47, just makes no sense?!? If I bought this boat on the used market in 4-5 years, I would pay a carpenter to build us a table for that salon and throw that IKEA looking thing in the garbage. Who uses a coffee table in a Cat anyway? It's not like you are going to leave Coffee table books for people to peruse, just lying around on a moving cat. ha ha. Good to hear from you again. Safe Cruising! Craig

[@nothingtoseaheardammit]

On my Helia 44, you can close off the "cockpit" with the awnings and eat there when its cold and wet. The plastic awnings keep the rear nice and toasty.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thats great. Im sure it can get chilly at times, even down south.

[@tedboender]

Leopards? I love the 45. The front porch rocks.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

The episodes are coming out in the order that we saw them. Leopards were not with the other Cats but over with the Sunsail and Moorings Charter companies, so we saw them later in the show. Stay tuned. The Leopards will be coming.

[@mhappy01]

The sharp corners should tell you everything you need to know...;-)

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Yes. Lack of effort in cabinetry making. Sad. But it seems all the 3 big production builders are doing the same thing. They believe everyone wants cheap IKEA looking furniture?

[@IanHobday]

I really enjoy your videos but would love it if you included more information about safety features & design. If you’re planning long ocean passages these are important considerations.

[@deibertmichael]

Sweet! Owners shower seems small. Can't see it being used underway. For me Engine placement and machine rooms major concern. Fuel and water capacity. Hard to show in a short well done video!

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thanks. Yes. We are not a fan of the head layout. The showers seem so narrow that underway you would be bouncing off that glass wall and I'd be worried about knocking it off its mounts. The head is by far the biggest negative. Those details can be easily looked up on the FP website. Going into great detail would make the episode go on for a long time. People wouldnt want to watch a 45 minute episode.

[@bill4nier]

Very nice. Hopefully, you'll be able to compare the 47 to a Leopard 48. I use to really favor FP, but now Leopards have taken the lead in terms of production Cats. Thanks for sharing.

[@dalesmth1]

The Leopard 48 has a forward cockpit. Which is a deal breaker for blue water cruisers. One good wave, and you have 7,000 pounds of water on the front of the boat.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Funny you say that. We have changed out order this year as well. We use to like them in the order of Lagoon, FP, Leopard. After this show, I think it has gone Leopard, FP, Lagoon. The constant squeaking floors in all the lagoons kind of made us feel that not too much effort into fit and finish. Too bad. Years ago when they made the FP Salina 48, we use to love that boat the most.

[@mselawry]

Cruising Off Duty Good input, thanks!

[@jackrabbit5047]

You guys have sure come a long way from your "a boat is better than a cottage" days on Lac Deschenes. I hope your dreams come true; and in the meantime, hope to run into you (though not literally, as in ferry-style, LOL) in the Thousand Islands next Summer! Think I saw you in Beaurivage anchorage this past Summer, but was too shy to come over...

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thanks and yes. If you are in the 1000 island area maybe we’ll see you out there.

[@davidmike8991]

Also, regarding the "long" shower in the owners head. I noticed a horizontal bar, about waist high, at the front of the enclosure. I believe that is for someone--let's say Janice--to hold on to for support. Maybe you should reconsider that design.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

OK. Bar or no bar, that shower stall is really narrow. The bar wont stop us from banging our elbows off the glass constantly and don't even try having a shower in a rolly anchorage or underway. You will be body slamming that glass over and over. :-)

[@dalesmth1]

Not sure if the owner opted out, but I noticed it doesn't have digital switching for the lighting. FP needs to do more to bring their boats into the 21st century.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

I have to agree. I am sure that everything is an option for extra $$$. So the owner must have decided not to spend the extra money to get the latest and greatest. We are shocked how stripped down the basic mass production boats are. That why we are now leaning toward the Boutique builders. They seem to be sold with everything you would need as standard. They cost a bit more, but not a lot more. And maybe less if you got a FP, Lagoon or Leopard and then added a lot of options on.

[@petemcfadyen1697]

Dude, loose the music! I turned the sound off because of it.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

You are the first that ever said that. I have had tons of comments saying they like the music. So, I'll go with the masses.

[@petemcfadyen1697]

@@Bowmans-Woods Hey Craig, I didn't mean the music so much (though I'm not a fan) as the music ON while you are talking. old(er) ears don't like a whole lot of ambient noise while trying to hear someone speak. If it's just background over video, no problem, but just drop it when doing narrative, please?

[@Gatorforlife11]

Another informative video! I am not an experienced sailor, so I have learned so much from the both of you. I watch these videos because my ultimate goal is to do the same thing you all are wanting to do. Keep up the good work!

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thanks. Hope both our plans work out.

[@ym4682]

How about this boat are they any good at the north sea like Arctic?

[@Bowmans-Woods]

I doubt it. Mass production boat, is not build for arctic sailing.

[@LanceWilliams123]

I heard from a catamaran sailing instructor that the nav/steering pod gets in the way (behind you) when you are trying to pull in lines from the winches. He says he's banged his elbows and back against it and that there needs to be more space. Granted they are power winches but i thought it was an interesting observation. What are your thoughts on that? Do you think it could be an obstruction while underway and manning the lines?

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Hmmmm. I guess if you are manually winching and pulling on the lines you may find the helm is too close. Good point. Thanks!

[@JLSOhio51]

Hey!!! Wait!! No Janice seated on the princess seat? Loved the tour, but you skipped one of my favorite parts of each tour. Remember that when you edit the next one. Believe it or not, I am only partially kidding. She seems to get such a kick out of the right seat that she has the biggest smile when she finds a good one. It's sort of the highlight of the vid for me.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

ha ha. I will keep it in mind. FYI. Did you notice that all the FP's had no front bar to lean on in their princess seats? I don't think Janice loved the lack of safety. When we were on our charter cat she loved sitting out on them as we bashed through waves and she was bounced up and down 6-8' while waves splashed over her. She is a daredevil, but having not front bar to lean on just seems unsafe. I think that seat is only made to sit on in a calm anchorage. Not a big enough point to harp on in the video but we did notice and comment on the lack of a front bar in the video. But, more Janice-Princess seat shots. Got it! 😜

[@JLSOhio51]

@@Bowmans-Woods I remember she mentioned how much she loved the seats during your charter vids, and I noticed that she pointed out the missing front bar on the FPs. As a retired Certified Safety Engineer, those things stood out to me. Great boat show vids and I'm looking forward to your upcoming sailing season.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thanks JLS. Got to get through this blah winter first. Can’t wait to be sailing all year long.

[@JoeTheLion60]

Nice reviews - Was wondering if it would be easy to custom add-on those features you find lacking - ie how easy to add your own dining table; shelving in cabins etc

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thanks and you could fairly easily pay a carpenter to build you all sorts of custom items. But a carpenter will use real wood. Nothing else on these boats tends to be real wood. So it won’t really match.

[@DE1049]

Has the Helia 44 been discontinued or they just didn't bring one to the show? After following Out Chasing Stars for sometime it seemed to me also to be just right. I did like the two camera production in the first boats you looked at this year. Coming back?

[@Bowmans-Woods]

The Helia 44 was not at the show. Not sure why. I guess they just go with whatever boat they have that is fairly new, that is in the Annapolis area. They only have limited space a the docks too. We often had 2 cameras working. Just some of the boats were small or there were so many people all over it that us trying to film at the same time with 2 cameras was just too difficult and we would end up standing right next to each other talking overtop of each other's audio. It was sometimes just easier to use 1 camera then.

[@andrewlabat9963]

My favorite cat under 50'... But while the shower looks cool in the owners quarters I'm sure that narrow open arraignment might become not so cool as time goes by.. other than that there is a cushion set up for the bow and that low semi fly deck is great as it gives you all that space but the main sail is still pretty low compared to a conventional full fly deck..

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thanks. Yes cushions up front would help but no recessed footwells on the front of this boat. That’s why I said not seats on the bow.

[@justcruisin109]

I understand your comments concerning the size of the catamarans but hypothetically, if you did win the lottery, what boat would you choose as a liveaboard cat? I guess the larger the cat, the less likely it can be sailed as a couple but some of those larger cats do look so nice. Cheers

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Ya. 50 and above is almost too big for just a couple. A lot of boat to maintain and clean to

[@glenpeters955]

I love this boat, as you say it does seem to tick all or most of the boxes for a liveaboard solution. I noticed when you entered the non-owners hull there seemed to be a very sharp corner you had to dodge when going down the stairs, was this an issue or did it just appear to be in the film?? Again thanks for the great video and opinion.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Hey Glen. You are very right! I didn't show this in the video but I actually cut my foot on the edge of one of those sharp corners of the staircase steps when I was on the FP 42'. I was bleeding all over the floors. So we are not kidding when we say we are not a fan of all the sharp corners on the interior cabinets and finishes. They are sharp enough to cut you. No Lie!

[@billybeerman2657]

Great info as usual. I love your channel but can you please change your background music already? It's becoming a bit tiring. Thanks!...LOL

[@Bowmans-Woods]

OK. I will look for some new stuff. Thanks.

[@andrewlabat9963]

Make sure to check out the Bluewater 50..

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Ha ha. I think you are joking? I sailed across the Atlantic in that cat. Lots of film of that cat already. And, not at the show.

[@andrewlabat9963]

Cruising Off Duty I've watched that ep couple of times, just thought a boat show breakdown might happen.. it is pretty pricy too..

[@Bowmans-Woods]

If it was at the Annapolis Show we would have filmed it. Just not there. That boat was the first hull. Not sure if they have produced many or any since then.

[@allensmith8953]

Great job guys. I'm loving your channel

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Thanks. Always nice to hear.

[@grantmoore8889]

Best one so far - or May be a used Xquisite X5 or the predecessor Dean 5000

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Majestic 530 is our favourite. Best bang for the buck and a big boat.

[@grantmoore8889]

Cruising Off Duty yes we are looking for something similar - but 2 years out. We come from a racing background - so have been through the unrealistic world of trying to find something that meets both worlds Privilege Série 5 is another option.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Yes. There are 3 points to a Cat and something has to sacrifice. Speed, comfort, price. You can probably have speed and little comfort or comfort and little speed. If you expect to get both at the same time, you better expect a very high price. 😜

[@grantmoore8889]

Cruising Off Duty what about a Schionning Designs Arrow and G Force Series? Build your own or have it built. Lots of them around the South Pacific and Asia. Seawind 1600 is another. Grainger another. However like the Discovery 50 - built in low numbers.

[@uncleal3451]

The Fountaine Pajot 2018 price sheet for the Saona 47 states the following (sums are in Euros): SAONA 47 MAESTRO (3 cabins 3 baths) 509,244 SAONA 47 QUINTET (5 cabins 5 baths) 519,832 Packages: Grand Large version: 18,000 Oceanic version: 39,500 Comfort version: 46,500 According to this price sheet, a "Quintet" cabin layout, plus the "Comfort" packages of extras, costs roughly 570,000 Euros, or, about $650,000 at today's exchange rates. So, where are these $850,000 prices for new-model Saonas coming from? I don't see how even a plethora of additional extras accounts for $200,000 in price difference. www.fountaine-pajot-croatia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/saona-47-en-eur-01082018.pdf

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Plus Tax, Plus the Comfort packages are not going to include all the solar, Lithium-ion batteries and a whole host of other things that you need to install to get it to be your full-time live-aboard home. So it will be more than $650K in USD. Even if you are right and I could get one taxes and all extras in for just $700K (which I doubt) we are Canadian, not American, so we have to add the exchange to get our money to $USD. Add 35% exchange and our tax is 13% so, you can see how your 700K boat turns into a $1 Million+ dollar boat really fast. Our plan is buy used. Buy in some country where they don't charge tax (as long as the boat leaves their jurisdiction within a certain time frame, and then NEVER bring the boat back to Canada so we never have to pay that 13%. Buy a boat in France and I am almost sure you are going to pay the VAT and then if we ever went home to Canada we would get whacked with the 13% HST tax here as well. No thanks. We will fly home to visit. :-)

[@uncleal3451]

That makes sense. Wow, those extra costs really add up, fast! Thank you for the detailed answer to my question -- I appreciate it. Happy holidays and happy cruising! :)

[@aponoypi]

Thats a nice boat. Maybe eating outside is better so the inside does not have a food smell

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Eating outside is always more fun as long as its warm and not raining sideways in gale force winds. Then I will curl up inside and watch a movie while I eat my food. :-)

[@playb4work447]

Seating cushions are available on all FP's, Bimini's are available both hard or soft on all FP's, coffee tables or dining tables are available on all FP's in their salons. How come you don't know these things after being there year after year.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

What we know is anything that is not standard is CRAZY overpriced. So if a boat shows a coffee table you know that is the standard thing you are going to get. Last year we saw a FP with slightly rounded corners on the salon table instead of pointy corners and we said "At least the table is not square". The owner of the boat heard us and said. "Ya, you know what they charged me when I asked them if they could just slightly round the corners? $900! He said for that price I could have had a carpenter build me a totally different top with much better wood". He told us he was not happy with how much they gouge you on all the upgrades. So we are well aware that for $$$$$$ they will change anything you want. But you can expect to get overcharged. What we are showing by walking through is, if it looks cheap, you can count on it being the standard setup. If it looks really upscale (like that outdoor rubber wood flooring) then you can almost guarantee it was an upgrade and costs Tons of $$$. We are not Nieve.

[@ronhecklinger1845]

Will you be reviewing leopards?

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Yes. In future episodes.

[@supertoroism]

If they were to add a nice forward cockpit with at least a coffee table and they made the nav station directly pointing front, this would be the ideal layout. But like this , it is kinda overpriced. You don't want to sacrifice anything when you pay that much. Fp 42 is a better boat for the money.

[@bowwave59]

Don’t like where that head is in the bow. Where’s all the plumbing go for it and ventilation? 👍👍👍

[@Bowmans-Woods]

We agree. Not of fan of the layout of the head.

[@AustralianDude1]

Just curious, you are looking for a 5 y.o. boat but you are looking at new. Wont the configuration and styles etc. be different. Would it not be better to do a comparison against 5 y.o. boats or did I ruin your next series of reviews?

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Muir! A Patron and someone I know has been watching the channel forever. You should know this! But to repeat to anyone who hasn't been watching. We are looking at new boats at the show now because these same models will be the 5-year-old Cats of the future on the used market when we are looking to buy. I thought this must be a new viewer that I was explaining this again but then I saw it was you. I was shocked. I think you are pulling my leg ?!?!? haha . Bonus reason we go to the show is a lot of our viewers can't make it to Annapolis so they really enjoy seeing what is at the show every year. Consider it a public service. 😁

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Ooops. Looked at the comment above. You are not Muir. Sorry. Well, I said the reason anyway. haha

[@davidmike8991]

Regarding accessories and prices, here is a link to a video on the "Sailing SV Happy Together" channel where he explains the accessories that they had added to their 2015 Leopard 48 when they bought it new. He includes the prices for each item. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKOceIiAhZ2oY68

[@Bowmans-Woods]

Great. Thanks for the link.

[@lucascatardo1999]

How about the FP Saba 50 ???

[@dalesmth1]

Lucas Catardo The owners cabin is smaller. FP doesn't offer a 3-cabin on the Saba.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

There was no Saba at the show. If DS is right and there is no 3 cabin Saba, I am sure it would not be for us.

[@perrymcdonald5376]

Would you provide comments on engine accessibility? Oil change, transmission oil change, fuel filters, etc. Thanks.

[@Bowmans-Woods]

When we get guided tours we show that.

[@feltonseigler7578]

No sound?

[@Bowmans-Woods]

No one else had that issue so I think it is on your end.

[@eddieohearn17]

You really didn’t show the helm, people in the way or .....

[@Bowmans-Woods]

People in helm. Similar to all their other helms.

[@laurence9695]

Despicable nav station