Fountaine Pajot · Model · 2013–2018

Helia 44 for sale.

Fountaine Pajot's 44-foot cruising catamaran from 2013 to 2018. Replaced the Orana 44 and itself replaced by the Elba 45. With over 250 hulls built, one of the most actively traded used Fountaine Pajots.

0
For sale now
2013
Production start
43'5"
Length overall
7.40m
Beam
Overview

The Helia 44 — discontinued family cruiser.

The Helia 44 entered production in 2013 as the replacement for the Orana 44 in Fountaine Pajot's family-cruiser slot. Designed by Berret-Racoupeau and the FP design team, the Helia introduced two key innovations: the bulkhead-mounted helm station accessible from both aft cockpit and side deck, and the integrated bimini lounge area to port of the flybridge. Both became signatures of FP's mid-2010s sailing range.

Production ran until 2018, when the Elba 45 took over the slot. Industry estimates put Helia 44 production at over 250 hulls — substantial for a five-year run. The boat became dominant in charter fleets across Croatia, Greece, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean, and that charter exposure now defines the used market.

On the resale market in 2026, Helia 44 inventory is dominated by ex-charter boats — typically 2013–2016 hulls coming off long charter programmes. Pricing has stabilised at meaningful discounts to the contemporary Elba 45 and Tanna 47, making the Helia 44 a value play for buyers willing to accept higher engine hours and the cosmetic wear of charter use. Maestro owner-version Helias are scarce and command 20–30% premiums.

Specifications

Helia 44 specs and dimensions.

Dimensions

Length overall (LOA)
43'5" / 13.30 m
Length waterline (LWL)
42'9" / 13.05 m
Beam
24'1" / 7.40 m
Draft
4'1" / 1.25 m
Air draft (mast top)
67'7" / 20.60 m
Light displacement
23,810 lb / 10,800 kg

Sails & rig

Mainsail
624 sq ft / 58 m²
Genoa
452 sq ft / 42 m²
Total sail area
1,076 sq ft / 100 m²
Optional code 0
861 sq ft / 80 m²
Designer
Berret-Racoupeau

Engines

Standard engines
2 × Volvo D2-40 (40 hp)
Optional upgrade
2 × Volvo D2-55 (55 hp)
Saildrives
Volvo MS25L
Cruising speed
7 to 8 knots under power
Max speed (engines)
~9 knots

Tankage & capacity

Fuel
127 US gal / 480 L
Fresh water
153 US gal / 580 L
Owner version berths
6 (3 cabins + saloon)
Charter version berths
8 to 10 (4–5 cabins + saloon)
Interior design
Pierangelo Andreani

Specifications are manufacturer figures for a base specification Helia 44. Individual boats vary based on year, equipment, and owner modifications. Always verify against the specific boat's documentation during survey.

Layout

Owner version vs charter version — which Helia 44?

The Helia 44 is offered in multiple layouts. Choosing between them is the most important decision in a Helia 44 purchase, and meaningfully affects price, resale, and how the boat actually lives.

Maestro (3-cabin)

For owner-cruisers

Starboard hull dedicated to a single owner suite with island queen berth, ensuite head with separate shower, and storage. Port hull contains two guest cabins with shared head. Total of 3 cabins, 2 heads. Best for couples. Trades at a 20–30% premium on the used market — Maestro Helias are genuinely scarce.

Quatuor / Quintet (4 or 5-cabin)

For charter operations

Both hulls split into multiple cabins with four or five heads. Sleeps 8–10 guests plus crew. The dominant layout in original sales — most ex-charter Helias are 4 or 5-cabin versions. Lower per-cabin price but reduced storage. Ideal for buyers who genuinely want more cabins or who plan to operate short-term charters.

Wider context on layout choice and resale implications: our charter version vs owner version guide.

Pricing

Helia 44 prices used and new in 2026.

Indicative 2026 ranges for the Helia 44 across condition, year, and layout. Country of sale also affects pricing — Italian and French inventory typically lists 5 to 15 percent above Spanish or Greek equivalents.

2013–2014 charter version
Earliest hulls, very high charter hours
From€220k– €290k
2013–2014 Maestro owner version
Private use, 3-cabin, scarce
From€290k– €370k
2015–2016 charter version
Mid-life ex-charter, typical hours
From€280k– €360k
2015–2016 Maestro owner version
Recent private use, fuller equipment
From€350k– €440k
2017–2018 charter version
Final-year hulls, lower hours
From€340k– €430k
2017–2018 Maestro owner version
Final-year private boats, well-equipped
From€420k– €510k

For deeper context on Fountaine Pajot pricing, condition adjustments, and country-of-sale variation, see our complete catamaran prices guide.

Walkthrough

See the Helia 44 on board.

Walkthrough video courtesy of The Multihull Company on YouTube. Watch on YouTube →

Live inventory

Helia 44s for sale right now.

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Survey priorities

What to inspect on a used Helia 44.

01

Volvo saildrive condition

MS25L saildrives have specific 5–7 year service intervals. A 2013–2014 Helia is now on its second or third saildrive service. Verify documentation; expect to budget €4,000–€7,000 per side if service is overdue.

02

Engine hours and replacement consideration

Charter Helias commonly show 6,000–10,000+ hours by year 10. At those levels, full engine replacement is a realistic conversation — budget €18,000–€25,000 per side. Verify service history and consider a full engine survey on any 4,000+ hour boat.

03

Sail and rig replacement cycles

Original 2013–2014 sails are well past their service life — most Helias have had at least one full sail replacement, possibly two. Verify date stamps, condition under load during sea trial. Standing rigging on 10+ year boats should be inspected for replacement (every 10–12 years).

04

Bulkhead helm station integrity

The bulkhead helm was a Helia signature; check for water ingress around the helm seat seals, bimini support corrosion, and steering linkage condition. Common watching points on charter boats with deferred maintenance.

05

Charter-spec equipment baseline

Charter Helias have basic B&G or Raymarine packages; many electronics are now obsolete or near end-of-life. Budget €8,000–€18,000 for full electronics refit if planning serious cruising. Owner-version boats typically have substantially better packages.

06

Hull and deck cosmetic condition

10+ year charter use shows. Look for: gelcoat fade and oxidation (correctable), structural starring around stress points (concerning), saloon glazing seal condition, and teak deck wear if originally fitted (replacement is €15,000–€25,000).

FAQ

Helia 44 — frequently asked questions.

How much does a Helia 44 cost?

Used Helia 44 prices typically range from €220k for a 2013 charter-version with very high engine hours, up to €510k for a 2017–2018 final-year Maestro owner-version. The Helia 44 has stabilised at meaningful discounts to the Elba 45 successor — for value-conscious buyers willing to accept charter wear, the Helia is a credible 14-metre catamaran at sub-€300k.

Helia 44 vs Elba 45 — which is better?

The Elba 45 is the Helia 44's direct successor (2018) with redrawn hulls (~10% lower drag), a larger fly-lounge, and updated saloon glazing. The Elba is a meaningfully better boat in objective terms. But the Helia 44 trades at a substantial discount — typical 2015–2016 Helias are priced at 50–60% of equivalent-year Elbas. For budget buyers, the Helia remains a credible alternative.

Is the Helia 44 still in production?

No — the Helia 44 was discontinued in 2018 and replaced by the Elba 45. All Helia 44s on the market are used. Inventory remains substantial across the Mediterranean and Caribbean, mostly from charter-fleet returns.

How many cabins does the Helia 44 have?

The Helia 44 was sold in three primary layouts: Maestro 3-cabin (owner suite), Quatuor 4-cabin, and Quintet 5-cabin (both hulls split, charter-oriented).

Is the Helia 44 good for liveaboard?

Yes — Maestro 3-cabin Helias work well for couples or small families wanting full-time liveaboard use. The owner suite is genuinely spacious, tankage is reasonable for the size, and parts availability remains good (FP still supports the model). The trade-off vs newer boats is older systems, generally more dated electronics, and accumulated charter wear on most available examples.

Can the Helia 44 cross the Atlantic?

Yes — many Helia 44 owners have completed Atlantic crossings, including ARC participation. The boat has the volume, tankage, and sail wardrobe to handle blue-water cruising. The main consideration is condition: a well-maintained Helia is fully capable; a charter-fleet Helia with deferred maintenance needs significant work before being passage-ready.

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