Jean-Pierre Bigot has been sailing for several years on a Joubert-Nivelt design, a 12-meter integral steel dinghy whose marine qualities and performance he appreciates, in particular due to a deep, streamlined canting daggerboard and two rudders. When he imagined a new sailboat, he naturally turned to this same type of hull, an aluminum sailboat with evolving chines. This is how the Arsouin 40 Hybrid was conceived.
A steerable pod for propulsion
He now calls on Vincent Lebailly for the design, whose electric motorization solution was thought of from the beginning of the project. For this purpose, the boat will be equipped with a steerable pod which offers several advantages: when submerged, the electric motor is naturally cooled by the water. Orientable, the pod makes it possible to do without a bow thruster. Finally, the chosen pod (a 20 kW Fisher Panda model) also allows regeneration when sailing under sail.
Always a group to ensure autonomy
Despite the installation of a wind turbine and solar panels on top of the deckhouse, the project requires the presence of a diesel generator (20 kW) to recharge the propulsion battery pack (75 kWh). Indeed, only with the batteries, the estimated autonomy is limited to approximately 36 miles (6 h at 6 N).
The absence of a combustion engine frees up space in the engine room, which is still cluttered with numerous comfort accessories (generator, watermaker). The batteries are centered in the boat under the floorboards as close as possible to the engine, and also act as ballast.
A neat design
A careful design has been planned for the rigid cap. A bit like what we find on the IMOCA boats, it is divided into 2 levels to not obstruct the view too much, but offer the height under the bars in the descent.
At the rear, the cockpit is entirely open on the skirt. We note the choice of a double tiller which is totally justified with the presence of the 2 rudders (the double rudder offers less effort on the bar). The helmsman can choose a high bucket seat on the planking or a seat on the cockpit bench sheltered from the deckhouse. This type of cockpit layout can be found on wide boats like the Pogo.
2 cabins in 40 feet
The interior design is modern and different from current productions. However, with only two double cabins for a 12-meter sailboat, this sailboat is aimed at couples (who can occasionally receive a couple of friends). The whole rear part of the boat, unoccupied by cabins, is dedicated to the storage of belongings which can be voluminous in case of long cruises.
Created for the occasion, the Arsouin Marine company focuses first of all on a range of sailing boats for travel, starting with this 40-foot boat which has already required two years of study and reflection. The company's ambition is to widen its range later on, especially towards more accessible yachts, probably around 35 feet. The construction of the first Arsouin 40 Hybrid will start with the first order. Notice to the amateurs...
