Alubat, it is the famous aluminum sailboats with bilge: the Ovni. These sailboats are typically for long distance travel with their integral hull and deck aluminum. But in parallel to this range, the Vendéan shipyard has always proposed a range of fast sailing boats. First developed under the name Levrier de Mers, they were later named Cigales (14, 16 and 18m). Originally, the shipyard had called upon the Finot-Conq firm for the design of this range of fast cruisers. After a passage in the hands of Marc Lombard, the future Cigale 15 QR will again be designed by Finot-Conq.
A fast cruising yacht
Pierre Forgia architect of the Finot Conq firm explains: " We have designed a fast sailing boat adapted to a reduced crew. We have designed her as a modern performance boat with a nice volume of hull at the front. The hull will have modern chines, with a chamfer on the maint to make the line more dynamic. The sheer is also slightly inverted, like on an IMOCA. "
3 cabins and 2 bathrooms
Built in aluminum, this Cigale 15 QR has a hull length of 14.50 m and 15.70 m with the bowsprit. The architect explains the genesis: " We had started with a project between 14 and 15 m. It is the size of the cabins and the toilets that have determined this length of 14.50 m. The saloon is in the center of the boat. The yard's marketing department asked us to abandon the aft saloon under the cockpit. It was the trademark of the previous models in the range, a good idea at sea, but difficult to market. As a result, the saloon bench is above the daggerboard well. And the kitchen is on the gangway. In spite of the deckhouse stop in front of the mast, we keep a good headroom in the beautiful owner's cabin at the front. "
14.50 m and a lifting keel
For performance, the boat is equipped with a lifting keel that brings the draft to 3.30 m on the lower keel and 1.62 m on the upper keel. Even if it is not yet definitively decided, the keel will probably be in cast iron. Unlike the first versions of the Greyhounds, this Cigale 15 QR has no ballast, but its maximum beam is still 4.70 m! A choice justified by Pierre Forgiat: " Also for performance, we tried to build as light as possible. This boat will also be equipped with a carbon mast. "
Elevated listening point
The cockpit is protected by a doghouse, or rather a rigid canopy. The clew is deported on an arch, as the designer specifies: " This is a solution we have tested on a JFA. It avoids the mainsail track in the cockpit and makes maneuvering safer. The mainsheet winch is located below on a pod in the center of the boat. In addition, we imagine a lighter gantry behind to support solar panels. "
The shipyard announces the launch of the Cigale 15 QR project, a very advanced project even if it will be necessary to wait for a prospect before seeing the first example in production.
