ELBA 45 - FOUNTAINE PAJOT

HELM POSITION: is well protected and certainly pleasant when crossing. However, the view from there, both forwards and aft is of course only ideal on the helm side. The opposite side is more or less clearly visible. Docking it on the "wrong" side should be a bit more difficult. Depending on the sail position and selection, the headsail on the port bow naturally also obscures the view.

STEARING: As with many other manufacturers, the primary transmission is also solved here by means of hydraulics. Actually a solid thing, but again something more that can break and certainly will at some point. Otherwise, the materials used and their dimensions do not look too trustworthy to me. But since you don't read anything about any problems, that will probably hold up.

HOLDING FACILITIES - INTERIOR: In tThe salon one will have difficulty to hold on in rough seas. The pantry is completely open and has a companionway. Well used space, but getting stuck between furniture when there is a little more movement in the ship becomes difficult. And the way down is always through the pantry on the port side. You have to like it, especially if someone is working there.

SAFETY ON DECK: There are enough holding possibilities to be able to move safely on deck. Unfortunately, we did not find a safety line to pick in a teather. Not on the option list either.

REEFING - TAKEN SAILS DOWN: We didn't sail the Elba, but we stood on the roof. Larissa had no chance of getting up to the lazy bag. The reef lines are all led to the helm station, but if you have to salvage the whole thing, the lazybag remains open, because even I, at 1.91m height, would not dare to go there in heavy seas.

STORM SAILS: Unfortunately, none. Also not found on the options list.

LIFERAFT: Under the stairs to the helm station. The opinions on this are very diverse. In my opinion, as long as the ship doesn't capsize, you can certainly get the liferaft to where you need it within a reasonable period of time. I haven't found out how it can be secured against drifting away on the ship after it has been splashed down in the water...

Smell: A good indication if any material is used that emits. On the Elba we didn't notice anything in the hulls or in the salon.

Hull material: As with almost all major manufacturers, the hull material is probably a vinylester, with a foam core and gelcoat surface.

Furniture: All Fountaine Pajot are "mass-produced", built primarily for the charter market. So don't expect too much. Everything on the Elba was neatly finished, didn't look too cheap, but it isn't of high quality either.

Surfaces: Feel very good and should give pleasure for a long time. Sturdy artificial stone or similar material seems to have been used.

"Creaking": As I said, we haven't sailed the Elba yet, but sometimes pictures say more than words, a somewhat different area of application for a cork, someone must have been annoyed during the transfer ;)