ATHENA 38

About the ATHENA 38

The Athena 38 is a French-built catamaran designed by Flahault/Nivelt and constructed by Fountaine Pajot between 1994 and 2001, with a total production run of 211 hulls. As a fractional sloop rigged vessel with a displacement of 12320.0 lb, it represents a significant era in multihull cruising design known for its spacious accommodations and robust construction.

Best for:

This boat is ideally suited for coastal cruisers and those seeking a comfortable liveaboard experience, given its high comfort ratio of 8.88 and popularity for solar panel and watermaker installations. Its fractional sloop rig and manageable dimensions make it accessible for couples or small families prioritizing interior volume over high-performance racing.

Bluewater capability:

With a capsize ratio of 3.58 and a displacement of 12320.0 lb, the Athena 38 demonstrates reasonable offshore stability, though its twin/triple keel configuration and reported rudder issues require careful assessment for serious bluewater passages.

Comparables:

Comparable vessels include other Fountaine Pajot models from the same era, such as the Salia 38, which shares similar design DNA and production timelines. It also competes with early 1990s to early 2000s catamarans like the Lagoon 380, offering similar beam widths and fractional rig configurations for coastal cruising.