Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 vs Nautitech 40 Open

Two near-neighbours in the 40-foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Fountaine Pajot

Isla 40

The Isla 40 is a 40-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2022. Best for couples, small family, first time charter. A balanced cruiser that does many things well.

Nautitech

Nautitech 40 Open

The Nautitech 40 Open is a 40-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2020. Best for performance, open space lovers, couples. A performance-leaning hull form for sailors who care how it feels on the helm.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Isla 40	Nautitech 40 Open
Length overall	40 ft (11.93 m)	40 ft (11.98 m)
Beam	6.65 m	6.8 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	4 + 2	4 + 2
Max guests	8	8
Year introduced	2022	2020
Best for	couples, small family, first time charter	performance, open space lovers, couples
Standout amenity	AC, watermaker	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, US East Coast & Florida	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Northern Europe & Baltic, US East Coast & Florida
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$7,000	$7,000
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$57,500	$57,500
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 Isla 40 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Nautitech 40 Open offers a more conventional enclosed saloon. The Nautitech 40 Open specifically targets open-space lovers — the indoor/outdoor flow is the headline feature.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 4 symmetrical guest cabins. What differs is cabin shape — the Fountaine Pajot typically uses a forward-galley / island-berth layout, while Nautitech often offsets the galley aft. Worth seeing both layouts before deciding for a couples-only trip.
Amenities & kit. Isla 40 comes with AC, watermaker, dinghy, solar. Nautitech 40 Open adds generator.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the Nautitech 40 Open.

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 Nautitech 40 Open's wider 6.8 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 Isla 40 starts at $7,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Nautitech 40 Open starts at $7,000/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Isla 40 reach $57,500/week and the Nautitech 40 Open reach $57,500/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

Both boats work for families — compare cabin configs in our detail pages and we'll help you pick the better-fitting layout.

If you want performance / a sailing-feel boat

Choose the Nautitech 40 Open. 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 Nautitech 40 Open. It's specifically tuned for indoor-outdoor living and the finish is the more premium of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Isla 40 bigger than the Nautitech 40 Open? ▾

The Isla 40 is 40 ft (11.93 m) long with a 6.65 m beam, while the Nautitech 40 Open is 40 ft (11.98 m) with a 6.8 m beam. They're the same nominal size, but design differences (saloon layout, flybridge vs fly-bridge-free) affect how the space feels.

Which is better for a family — Isla 40 or Nautitech 40 Open? ▾

Neither boat is purpose-built for families; both lean couples / small family. For family charters we typically point you toward the Bali 4.4, Lagoon 46, or Astrea 51. Speak to a 2Hulls expert for a specific recommendation.

Which is better value — Isla 40 or Nautitech 40 Open? ▾

In our tracking, the two boats are priced within ~$0/week of each other at the low end, so value depends on which features you weight: the Isla 40 gives you AC, watermaker, dinghy; the Nautitech 40 Open gives you AC, generator, watermaker.

Can the Isla 40 and Nautitech 40 Open charter in the same destinations? ▾

Isla 40: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, US East Coast & Florida. Nautitech 40 Open: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, 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? ▾

Isla 40: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests in standard charter config. Nautitech 40 Open: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests. Both sleep the same number — your choice depends on layout and amenities.

Keep Comparing

More 40-foot Catamaran Comparisons

Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 vs Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 40 ft vs 38 ft · same brand Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 vs Nautitech 44 44 ft vs 40 ft · same cabins Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 vs Nautitech 46 Open 46 ft vs 40 ft · same cabins Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 vs Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 47 ft vs 40 ft · same brand Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 vs Nautitech 47 47 ft vs 40 ft · same cabins Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 vs Lagoon 40 40 ft vs 40 ft · 3 cabins

→ Isla 40 detail page → Nautitech 40 Open detail page → All comparisons

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