A Cigale 15 signed Finot/Conq
The Alubat shipyard, a specialist in sailing yachts based in Les Sables d'Olonne, is known for its Ovni range. But it is also at the origin of the Cigales, aluminum sailboats with a good reputation. Left aside for a few years, they will experience a rebound with the arrival of the Cigale 15, announced on September 24, 2021. To design this 15-meter boat, the shipyard called on the creator of the range, Finot/Conq. "With David de Prémorel, who took over the Finot/Conq firm, we isolated the fundamentals of the Cigale: "an all-aluminum, high-performance boat with taut lines," summarizes Hakim Rahmoun, Alubat's boss.
A modern sailboat design for performance
Few technical details of the future boat have been revealed. The shipyard's specifications are to maintain good average speeds over time during offshore sailing. It has announced that it wants to exceed 200 to 250 miles over 24 hours. Although it is "more designed to cross oceans than to sail up African rivers", the boat will have a lifting keel. "Compared to the old boats, we can use modern techniques to keep performance by having a lifting keel. The draft was often one of the problems of the Cigale. We should have less than 1.80 m of draft, once the keel is raised, on the Cigale 15" assures Hakim Rahmoun.
Comfort and protection of the crew
Studies are well advanced, but the shipyard has only revealed a silhouette today. It assures us that it does not want to abandon a certain level of comfort required by cruising sailors. While it is not known whether the aft saloon appreciated by the Cigale will still be present, the living space should remain generous. "Customers will most often sail as a couple, but they want to be able to welcome other people when they stop over," says the shipyard's owner.
Emphasis is also being placed on crew protection while sailing. "Nothing is set in stone, but we are moving towards a very protected cockpit, probably with a doghouse, perhaps in composite. We're thinking about it," says Hakim Rahmoun.
The launch of the Cigale 15 is scheduled for the 2023 fall shows. No doubt that it will be watched with a magnifying glass by the lovers of the shipyard and the Cigale.
