Fusion 40 review: design, build & ownership
The Gary Lidgard design story, the kit-cat build model, what to check on survey, and what three Fiji seasons taught us about ours.
Read the review
From liveaboard owners, not a brochure
The Mā Tori blog
We've owned, refitted and sailed our Fusion 40 across the Pacific — and before that, we did the same research you're doing now. This blog is the honest reading we wish we'd had: what the brands are actually like, what surveys find, and where the value hides. Every post has open comments, and readers' stories are welcome too. Full disclosure: our own boat is for sale, and we'd rather earn your trust than your click.
Start here
Best cruising catamarans under $500k
What US$500k actually buys across Lagoon, Leopard, Fountaine Pajot, Bali, Nautitech and the owner-built fleet — with honest trade-offs.
See the listBuying a catamaran in New Zealand
Why NZ is a smart place to buy, how Cat 1 certification de-risks your purchase, GST for overseas buyers, and delivery options.
Read the guideHead-to-head comparisons
Fusion 40 vs Lagoon 42
Light performance cruiser meets the world's best-selling catamaran. Weight, space, sailing feel and price-for-capability.
CompareFusion 40 vs Leopard 40
Robertson & Caine's charter-bred workhorse against an owner-refitted kit cat — including what ex-charter surveys find.
CompareFusion 40 vs Fountaine Pajot Isla 40
The modern French favourite (plus Astrea 42) against a proven Pacific passage-maker at half the price.
CompareFusion 40 vs Bali Catsmart
Two opposite philosophies: Bali's one-level living concept vs a light bluewater cat built to cross oceans.
CompareOwner-built & kit cats vs production
The resale myth, build variance, survey strategy — and where Nautitech, Outremer and Catana fit in the picture.
Read the guideSee how ours compares in person
Mā Tori is the boat behind these guides — refitted 2022, Cat 1, three Fiji seasons. Viewable in NZ or Fiji.
View the listing
Your turn at the helm
Write for the blog
Sailed one of these boats? Crossed to Fiji yourself? Disagree with something we wrote? We publish reader stories, passage reports and well-argued counterpoints — with your byline. Send us the idea and we'll shape it together.
Prefer to just comment? Every post has a comments section at the bottom — jump in there.
Follow the journey
Occasional updates from the crew — passages, islands, and first word when Mā Tori finds her new owners.