Astoria, a galley-up catamaran whose open flybridge sets the pace of each day
Astoria is a Fountaine Pajot Samana sailing catamaran built around a galley-up plan, which keeps the chef in the saloon rather than out of sight in a hull. From that saloon, doors lead forward to the foredeck and back to the cockpit, so guests drift between shade and sun without climbing any stairs. Daylight comes in from all sides, and the interior is finished in contemporary lines softened by warm tones. Under sail she is smooth and steady, the kind of catamaran that lets guests read or doze on passage and step off rested at the next anchorage.
Most hours aboard are spent in the open air. Up on the flybridge there is room to stretch out in the sun, eat with the whole horizon in view, or gather with a drink as the evening cools. The aft cockpit serves as a shaded dining room, with generous seating around a table and the BBQ close at hand for grilled lunches. Forward, modular sunbathing pads on the foredeck feel removed from the activity aft, a calm corner with the wind across the bow. A deck shower takes the salt off after a swim.
Accommodation pairs a master suite with queen-bed double cabins, and every one has a private bathroom. Because each cabin is a double of its own, she suits couples who want to share a charter on equal terms, with no one consigned to bunks. A chef, a hostess and a captain look after the yacht: meals cooked aboard, cabins tidied while guests are ashore, and a skipper who reads the wind and plans each day around it. In Greece, where she cruises, that means anchorages chosen to suit the breeze and the mood of the party.
In the water, the choice is wide. A Seabob pulls swimmers along beneath the surface, snorkelling equipment opens up rocky shallows, and a paddleboard suits the calm early hours. The Stingher tender handles trips ashore and tows adult water skis, the wakeboard, monoski, tube and inflatable couch. A fishing rod is on hand for quieter moments off the stern. After dark, the sound system, TV, WiFi and board games keep evenings aboard easy and unhurried, with no need to go ashore for entertainment.
On board
01Open flybridge for sunbathing and dining
02Galley-up saloon flowing out to both decks
03Aft cockpit table with the BBQ close by
04Foredeck sunpads set apart from the rest
05Master suite plus queen-bed doubles, all en-suite
