The Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 vs Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 measures 51,0 feet overall (2020), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019 at 46,0 feet (2019). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 tips the scales at 39 903 lbs — 9 479 lbs more than the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019 at 30 424 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 75 hp for the Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 and 60 hp for the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019 carries 248 gallons versus 236 gallons in the Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 displaces 39 903 lbs — a 9 479-lb difference over the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019 at 30 424 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,2 ft and 4,4 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
For auxiliary power the Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 carries a 75-hp engine against 60 hp on the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 carries 237 gallons versus 185 gallons on the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Fountaine Pajot Auro 51 2020 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 39 903 lbs displacement and 51 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 2019 at 30 424 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.