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Test & Sea trial of the Thíra 80, an exceptional yacht
21 November 2024
Discover the exclusive narrative of the sailing journalist Steeve Reaching, who shares his expert insights on this luxurious flagship vessel. With its elegant lines, technical prowess, and thrilling sensations at sea, immerse yourself in the essence of a truly exceptional catamaran yacht by Fountaine Pajot.
The Harmony Between Style and Luxury
The arrival of a new flagship is always a special moment in the life of a shipyard, and even more so when that flagship comes from Fountaine-Pajot. The La Rochelle-based brand is launching the Thíra 80, the largest and most luxurious catamaran ever produced in its fleet. We sailed aboard her from Monaco to Saint-Tropez, a world-class yachting location and a setting in which her many facets and innovations blend in perfectly.
Nothing resembles a Fountaine-Pajot catamaran more than another Fountaine-Pajot catamaran. That’s what you might think when you look at the different models in the range, from the New 41 right through to the Alegria 67, and you can see the similarities at a glance. But when it comes to the largest catamaran ever built by the shipyard, it would be easy to expect a break in this harmony in favour of shapes linked to the imperatives of high-end yachting. Not so with the Thíra 80, which, like her smaller sisterships, maintains her slender, elegant lines while offering unprecedented levels of space and luxury. The distribution of space between the hulls and the coachroof is well proportioned to evoke a sleek yacht that doesn’t sacrifice its silhouette for five-star comfort. Two basic characteristics are impressive: 340 m² of space to make the most of life on board and 340 m² of sail area so you can sail as often as possible. All the expertise of the shipyard founded in 1976 and the ingenuity of the designers have come together to transform these simple numbers into a genuine yacht, one designed to provide the ultimate in well-being on the water.
Maximum Relaxation
Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design, in direct collaboration with the shipyard’s own design office, is responsible for the naval architecture, exterior styling and interior design. The unusual dimensions of the platform led to a highly innovative approach to the spaces, particularly in terms of providing an optimum view of the surroundings. No fewer than fifteen bench seats, designed as soft, comfortable loungers, are spread across the main deck and flybridge areas of the Thíra 80 to create eight or nine small or large deck lounges. Two of them form a terrace overlooking the sea on either side, thanks to the fold-down bulwarks. These areas are delicately shaded by solar panels that are integrated into the transparent coachroof wings, simply creating an invitation to relax. Each guest can be alone or get together to chat as they wish and enjoy every moment or the first or last rays of sunshine. The forward and aft spaces have been transformed into club-style relaxation areas. A beach club at the stern with an immense sundeck and a full-width bathing platform. A Jacuzzi club forward with large mattresses and an adjoining whirlpool tub. Coolboxes and minibars are spread across both decks and the flybridge, so you’ll never be short of anything. For entertainment, a garage houses an electric water scooter, while two forward lockers conceal paddleboards and other nautical toys. Two fine dining tables, one on the flybridge and one in the cockpit, complete this very friendly or intimate relaxation layout, undoubtedly one of the most successful in its sector.
The Horizon as a Backdrop
The layout of the Thíra 80 offers grandiose volumes by bringing together a range of high-end features, yet remains within the realistic framework of series production, the DNA of the French iconic brand, which is also the basis of its reliability.
There’s a choice between an open-plan galley in the saloon or a more discreet one on the lower level. In both cases, a crew mess area and crew cabins have been installed in the port hull so that everyone can be comfortable and efficient. And in both cases, an office-bar located at the entrance to the saloon welcomes guests as befits the time of day. This over-50 m² lounge offers a fully panoramic view right from the entrance. To the right, a lounge for welcoming all the guests, while on the other side, there is either a smaller private space for more personal exchanges, or where the chef concocts his little dishes within his galley. A central unit guides traffic to the foredeck and to the night-time apartments, and that’s an apt description. Four to six cabins can be fitted out to suit different specifications, but four or five cabins offer unusual private spaces. In particular, the starboard hull offers private access to a master suite and a VIP suite with separate toilet and large walk-in shower. The lucky owners are the most spoiled, with over 20 m² at their disposal, including an office space, a lounge and a closet giving access to a double washbasin bathroom and a whirlpool bath. Customisation is organised to create a unique décor. There is a choice of three woods for the furniture and flooring, and four colours for the leather upholstery on the drawers and chart table. With the upholstery coming directly from the Pierre Frey catalogue in Paris, the combinations are endless and the level refinement is extraordinary. All you need do is to settle into an armchair for a few seconds to appreciate the sense of well-being generated by this tasteful ambience.
A Flagship that Cruises
In Monaco’s Vieux Port, the crew of the Thíra 80 gave us a warm welcome. Once the Williams 525 tender had been lifted onto the platform, we set sail in a light breeze of 7 to 10 knots. A short run under power were convincing proof of the care taken to insulate the engine rooms and bulkheads. Equipped with the largest engine option, we cruised at nine knots, hearing only a faint hum. The captain stopped the motors to hoist the mainsail and gennaker, a sail area of over 400 m² well suited to the light Mediterranean breezes. Sail handling manoeuvres were undertaken electro-hydraulically by the crew from the forward area of the flybridge, with the aft area separated for novices or those who are content just to sit back and admire. A course was set to skirt the French Riviera coastline, which could also be viewed from the inside, and the Thíra 80 sped along at more than six knots in just ten knots of wind. If the breeze picks up, she’d be able to keep the same proportions. By adapting the sail plan, she can reach an average of 12 knots in 20 knots of wind. The inertia of her hull form and her stability mean that she can demonstrate her power while clocking up the miles yet remains very comfortable and easy to handle. Tranquil strength, you might say.
The Thíra 80 blends unostentatious luxury with the elegant lines of a true sailing yacht.
This, combined with good seakindliness, even in light airs, puts her firmly in the category of exceptional yachts. By allowing a degree of customisation and remaining attentive to customers’ needs for minor adaptations, the mastery of the yard’s industrial process is a convincing guarantee of serenity for those who will be lucky enough to sail aboard her.
