Caught Looking

CAUGHT LOOKING is a brand new 2018 Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 offering 3 cabins and 2 electric toilets, air conditioning and generator, and watermaker.

The Lucia 40 sews up the amenities found on her bigger sister Helia 44 into a neat and tidy package and she is a sleek cruiser that has plenty of beam and deck space without looking boxy or awkwardly tall. The hulls have a fine entry for better performance, the fixed keels eliminate the need for daggerboards and the coachroof angles down as it swoops forward, adding the perception of movement or speed. The Lucia 40 is actually bigger than the Lipari 41 she replaces, featuring a more spacious cockpit, more interior volume and larger windows all around. The cockpit is quite spacious and is almost the size of the cockpit of the Helia 44. The portside L-shaped dinette can accommodate up to eight, and there is additional seating along the transom and on the starboard-side lounge. The entire cockpit is protected by a composite bimini and sun shades. Forward, there is a large optional sun pad “lounge” that spans the front of the cabinhouse.

Caught Looking features the three-cabin Maestro version, in which the entire starboard hull is dedicated to a master suite that is nice and open. The walk-around island bed aft is low and easy to get into. There are plenty of lockers that not only provide excellent stowage and a small desk. The (electric) toilet ensuite is in its own compartment, which means the shower and sink can be used even if the head is occupied. The sink is oversized and nobody will complain about the generously proportioned shower. On the port side there are two cabins with a shared electric head that also has a separate shower compartment.

The saloon is surprisingly spacious for a boat of only 40ft. Glass doors open to reveal a cooking and socializing area on the same level as the cockpit. Six can sit at the L-shaped settee, which shares a seat with the dedicated nav station. Vitrifrigo fridge drawers are located to starboard as is an L-shaped galley to port. The sink is by the window, which slides open for easy communication with the cockpit and helm. There are also a separate counter-height oven, a freezer and a three-burner Eno stove.