Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 vs Nautitech 46 Open

Two near-neighbours in the 38–46 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

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.

Nautitech

Nautitech 46 Open

The Nautitech 46 Open is a 46-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2019. Best for performance, open space lovers, modern lovers. A performance-leaning hull form for sailors who care how it feels on the helm.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Lucia 40	Nautitech 46 Open
Length overall	38 ft (11.73 m)	46 ft (14.02 m)
Beam	6.5 m	7.5 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	3 + 1	4 + 2
Max guests	6	8
Year introduced	2017	2019
Best for	couples, small family, first time charter	performance, open space lovers, modern lovers
Standout amenity	AC, watermaker	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, US East Coast & Florida	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$8,000	$11,000
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$22,500	$31,000
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 Lucia 40 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Nautitech 46 Open offers a more conventional enclosed saloon. The Nautitech 46 Open specifically targets open-space lovers — the indoor/outdoor flow is the headline feature.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 3 (Lucia 40) vs 4 (Nautitech 46 Open) guest cabins. If you need 4 equal cabins for a multi-couple charter, the Nautitech 46 Open is the better fit. Otherwise they're both fine for a single-family layout.
Amenities & kit. Lucia 40 comes with AC, watermaker, dinghy, solar. Nautitech 46 Open adds generator.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the Nautitech 46 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 46 Open's wider 7.5 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 Lucia 40 starts at $8,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Nautitech 46 Open starts at $11,000/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Lucia 40 reach $22,500/week and the Nautitech 46 Open reach $31,000/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 46 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 46 Open. It's specifically tuned for indoor-outdoor living and the finish is the more premium of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lucia 40 bigger than the Nautitech 46 Open? ▾

The Lucia 40 is 38 ft (11.73 m) long with a 6.5 m beam, while the Nautitech 46 Open is 46 ft (14.02 m) with a 7.5 m beam. The Nautitech 46 Open is the longer boat, but the difference of 8 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Lucia 40 or Nautitech 46 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 — Lucia 40 or Nautitech 46 Open? ▾

The Lucia 40 is the lower-priced option (starts around $8,000/week bareboat), with the Nautitech 46 Open starting around $11,000/week. The price difference of ~$3,000/week is usually worth it if you specifically want performance; otherwise the Lucia 40 gives you most of the experience.

Can the Lucia 40 and Nautitech 46 Open charter in the same destinations? ▾

Lucia 40: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, US East Coast & Florida. Nautitech 46 Open: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East. 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? ▾

Lucia 40: 3 guest cabins + 1 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 6 guests in standard charter config. Nautitech 46 Open: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests. The Nautitech 46 Open sleeps more; pick that one for larger groups.

Keep Comparing

More 38–46-foot Catamaran Comparisons

Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 vs Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 40 ft vs 38 ft · same brand Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 vs Nautitech 40 Open 40 ft vs 38 ft · 4 cabins Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 vs Nautitech 44 44 ft vs 38 ft · 4 cabins Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 vs Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 47 ft vs 38 ft · same brand Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 vs Nautitech 47 47 ft vs 38 ft · 4 cabins Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 vs Lagoon 42 42 ft vs 38 ft · 4 cabins

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