Buying an Isla 40 for sale: the complete guide

The Isla 40 measures 11.93 metres in length by 6.63 metres in beam, with a light displacement under 9 tonnes. It features the reverse bow that defines the visual identity of Fountaine Pajot’s most recent catamarans, giving it a silhouette that’s both sporty and elegant. Its 59 m² mainsail, paired with a 36 m² genoa, gives it an excellent sail-area-to-weight ratio — a strong indicator of sailing performance for a catamaran this size. The helm station is raised without going as far as a flybridge, a design choice that ensures a clear view of the water while keeping the helmsman close to the cockpit.
On the pre-owned market, you’ll mainly find Isla 40s fitted with either 2 x 20 HP engines (standard) or the optional 2 x 30 HP Volvo engines, the latter allowing a motoring cruise speed of 7 to 8 knots.

As with other models in the range, the Isla 40 was offered in several interior layouts: 3 or 4 cabins, with 2 to 4 bathrooms depending on the version.
The Maestro version (3 cabins) dedicates an entire hull to the owner’s cabin, complete with its own en-suite bathroom and dedicated space. It’s the preferred choice for a couple or family cruising at their own pace who want genuine everyday comfort rather than maximum guest capacity.
The Quatuor version (4 cabins) maximizes the number of berths and bathrooms, making it a strong option for seasonal charter or rental projects, or for larger crews.
Aft, both versions feature comfortable island beds, and the reverse bows allow for an additional forward skipper’s berth.

Before committing to a pre-owned Isla 40, a few points deserve close attention:
Engine: check whether the boat has the standard engines (2 x 20 HP) or the 2 x 30 HP option, along with engine hours and the service history of the Volvo blocks.
Rigging and sails: overlapping genoa, mainsail, optional gennaker — their condition affects the budget you’ll need after purchase, as does the condition of the steel steering cables.
Optional equipment: electronics package, watermaker, solar panels, heating or a dinghy were among the most common factory options; their presence (and condition) significantly changes the boat’s real-world value.
Maintenance history: logbooks, boatyard invoices and recent surveys let you reconstruct the boat’s real history, well beyond what the listing photos show.
An independent professional survey remains the best safeguard before committing, whichever sales channel you use.

On the pre-owned market, the price of an Isla 40 catamaran mainly depends on the year built, the version (Maestro or Quatuor), engine hours, rigging condition, and onboard equipment level (watermaker, electronics, solar panels…). Two boats from the same model year can show a significant price gap depending on their maintenance and options. It’s better to compare several listings with equivalent equipment, or rely on an independent survey to establish the real value of a specific boat.

With a standard listing, the buyer has to carry out all these checks alone, without always having access to the boat’s full history or to someone able to answer technical questions. A Nextsail-certified Isla 40 has gone through an inspection process overseen by the Fountaine Pajot network, covering more than 250 checkpoints: overall condition, equipment, compliance and history are all checked in advance, with dealer support throughout the buying process. You gain visibility into the boat’s real condition, and peace of mind on after-sales support.