OVNI 52 Evolution Sister-Ship Update

Celui ci est en anglais car 70% des accès à l'ALUBAT 52 numéro 1 viennent des USA! Surprenant.

So ALUBAT built a new OVNI 52 Evolution.

Click Here to access Number One's posting

This one went to the sea the 23rd of september and there was, of course, a few things to finish befor she can set sails and sail south.
The boat was on the same berth as the new Cigale 18 now in the Méditerranean and from the out side she is not veru différent from the previous one.

Among the changes are:

First, outside.

The desk, that is now covered with some synthetic teck-like component manufactured in la Rochelle. It comes in different colors: varnished teck or grey teck as well as a few others. For this one the varnished option was selected and it is blued to the underlying lacquered aluminium using Sikaflex: not bad at all.
           

The aft arch suppporting the solar panels, the windturbine and various antennas is still there but one above the companion way has been extende backward a bit to provide a better protection but one must be carefull not to bang one's head against it whe going to the desk, no big deal but a "mind your head" warning could be considered. Included in the arch are leds and this will prove very usefull by night. The dinghy storage under the cockipt has been replaced by a huge and very convenient storage compartment that host the Lecomble& Schmidt auto-pilot mechanical parts. There is a large hatch through which two poeple can go and it is then very accessible whatever the condition migh be and, to me, this is a big plus. Racks have been isntalled ther for 'semi-outside' storage, very smart as it can accomodate 16 30 litres crates on secured shelves. Something I am a bit lukewarm about are the pushing spreaders on this huge mast. They are very angulated,probably in the range of 20 degrees and I think it may raise some issues when sailing downwind as it will generate some significant chafe and may be a limiting factor when positionning and triming the sails. Tacking to stay around 160 degrees from the wind might be the option and foretting to go to close to downwind.

Second, inside

     

Once past the wide companion way door a few changes are obvious. The place is very bright thanks to the deck panels that are everywhere and have convenient auto-blocking systems. A lot of light also comes from the large door of the companion way that gives the felling of being partly outside, a bit like on a catamaran and this was a strong point of the number 1.. The wood panels are different from the previous one, a bit darker even if still made of american oak tree. I think I prefer this one and the varnish is not awater-varnish any more.

The wide galley is still on port with everything one can dream of, including a double fridge, and a very convenient piece of furniture has been added between it and the saloon on starboard.
This piece has been designed by the carpenter, I wouldn't say on the spur of the moment but it seems there were no pre-established plans for it, just some space that was available as the previous boat just had a handle bar at that place.
It is a 50% chest of drawers and 50% cup board and will be very handy for storage as well as for remaining stable for cooking when the heeling is significant.
As far as a "Wife Acceptance Factor" exist, this should add a few points to the "WAF score".
     On the starbord side, the saloon got an additional seating between the table and the aforementioned cupboard and there is enough room to comfortably seat 8 people at least. They tried 10 when the boat was launched and still had some space left.
The chart table is looking bakward, same as on number one.
           

The technical room on starboard is not there anymore and has been replaced by a conventional cabin that open on a large technical compartment, aft of the engine, where all technical equipement is located: water maker, power generator, you just name it ... Very conventional in fact. This compartment is separeted from the 'aft' storage compartment at the very back of the ship that can be accessed only from the cockpit as indicated earlier. The aft cabin on port is identical.

Moving forward we find the owner cabin on starboard (no picture of this one as it was full of 'stuff'), facing a head with an almost independant shower and this is a very good point in my view.
The shower cabin is made of polyesther, which is quite unconventional on an Alubat boat but makes a big difference and bring additional points to the WAF score.
           

One step ahead is an other cabin with two bunks, one above the other and a dedicated head. From this cabin one can access the forward sail locker and storage compartment for sails, rope and so on and where are located the electrical components for the windlass and the bow-thruster. Everything is very accessible from inside and that's a good point when the weather becomes bad and the sae rough. That wasn't the case on the Cigale 18 and I did find it a weak point.

Others

When visiting the boat floor panels were still open and you could investigate what's below.
The lifting keel/daggerboard engine is located under the owner cabin and is a huge piece of stainless steel.
Lots of sea-cocks that will have to be looked after and many water pipes from the tanks (always made of aluminium). As far as those pipes are concerned I liked very much the solution that was selected for the Cigale 18 where most water pipes were fed from a single "clarinette" but may be the owner didn't want that.

 
The rest is pretty much un-changed when compared to number one and it is all very good and clean.

To know more or if you are interested click here

A suivre ...

Back to Home