Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40

Two near-neighbours in the 38–51 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

Get a Side-by-Side Quote Skip to Verdict

At a Glance

Fountaine Pajot

Astrea 51

The Astrea 51 is a 51-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2020. Best for family, luxury, performance. A proven family-friendly layout.

Fountaine Pajot

Lucia 40

The Lucia 40 is a 38-foot 3-cabin catamaran launched in 2017. Best for couples, small family, first time charter. A balanced cruiser that does many things well.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Astrea 51	Lucia 40
Length overall	51 ft (15.55 m)	38 ft (11.73 m)
Beam	8.1 m	6.5 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	4 + 2	3 + 1
Max guests	8	6
Year introduced	2020	2017
Best for	family, luxury, performance	couples, small family, first time charter
Standout amenity	AC, generator	AC, watermaker
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, South East Asia, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, US East Coast & Florida
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$18,000	$8,000
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$44,000	$22,500
View full detail	View →	View →

Pricing data drawn from current-season bookings across BVI and Mediterranean bases. Updated quarterly.

Design & Comfort Differences

The two boats feel meaningfully different on board, even within the same nominal size class. Three specific differences worth knowing:

Saloon and deck space. The Astrea 51 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Lucia 40 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 4 (Astrea 51) vs 3 (Lucia 40) guest cabins. If you need 4 equal cabins for a multi-couple charter, the Astrea 51 is the better fit. Otherwise they're both fine for a single-family layout.
Amenities & kit. Astrea 51 comes with AC, generator, watermaker, solar, dinghy, BBQ. Lucia 40 adds a similar kit, with the same core list.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the Astrea 51.

In light air (under 10 knots true wind), the heavier-displacement boat will feel slightly sluggish; in 15–20 knots trade-wind conditions both perform similarly. In big Med Meltemi/Mistral conditions (25+ knots) the Astrea 51's wider 8.1 m beam will initially feel more stable but pushes more water resistance.

For bareboat charters both behave predictably under sail and under power. We rarely see either one out-sail the other in normal charter conditions.

Price & Value

In current-season data, the Astrea 51 starts at $18,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Lucia 40 starts at $8,000/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Astrea 51 reach $44,000/week and the Lucia 40 reach $22,500/week.

For most charterers the price difference is small (~$500–$1,500/week) compared to the total trip cost — meaning amenities, layout and your destination matter more than sticker price when choosing between two boats this similar.

Which Should You Choose?

If you're a family with kids

Choose the Astrea 51. It's the calmer, family-oriented platform; the layout is forgiving for first-time charterers with kids aboard.

If you want performance / a sailing-feel boat

Choose the Astrea 51. It was designed with sailing performance in mind — the helm feels more responsive and you'll enjoy being on the wind.

If you want luxury / open-space

Choose the Astrea 51. It's specifically tuned for indoor-outdoor living and the finish is the more premium of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Astrea 51 bigger than the Lucia 40? ▾

The Astrea 51 is 51 ft (15.55 m) long with a 8.1 m beam, while the Lucia 40 is 38 ft (11.73 m) with a 6.5 m beam. The Astrea 51 is the longer boat, but the difference of 13 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Astrea 51 or Lucia 40? ▾

The Astrea 51 is the stronger family pick — it was designed with family / luxury in mind, with 4 guest cabins and a layout that's forgiving for kids new to sailing. The Lucia 40 leans couples / small family — fine for older families with sailing experience.

Which is better value — Astrea 51 or Lucia 40? ▾

The Lucia 40 is the lower-priced option (starts around $8,000/week bareboat), with the Astrea 51 starting around $18,000/week. The price difference of ~$10,000/week is usually worth it if you specifically want family; otherwise the Lucia 40 gives you most of the experience.

Can the Astrea 51 and Lucia 40 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Astrea 51: Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, South East Asia, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East. Lucia 40: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, US East Coast & Florida. Where they overlap (often the Caribbean + Mediterranean), they're both well-supported by local charter fleets and you can usually get a checkout sail either way.

How many guests can each boat sleep? ▾

Astrea 51: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests in standard charter config. Lucia 40: 3 guest cabins + 1 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 6 guests. The Astrea 51 sleeps more; pick that one for larger groups.

Keep Comparing

More 38–51-foot Catamaran Comparisons

Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 51 ft vs 47 ft · same brand Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 51 ft vs 40 ft · same brand Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Leopard 45 51 ft vs 45 ft · same cabins Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Bali 4.4 51 ft vs 44 ft · same cabins Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Nautitech 44 51 ft vs 44 ft · same cabins Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Lagoon 46 51 ft vs 46 ft · same cabins

→ Astrea 51 detail page → Lucia 40 detail page → All comparisons

Decide Between Astrea 51 & Lucia 40

We'll send current quotes and an honest recommendation. Free, takes 24 hours.

Get Both Quotes