Launched in late 2019, the Ovni 400 marked a shift in this line of aluminum integral dinghies. It stands out in particular with a very glazed deckhouse bringing a lot of light inside in the saloon. Based on the experience of this model and customer feedback, Alubat has launched the Ovni 370 in 2021. This little brother, built in semi-thick aluminum, features a raised saloon that offers a panoramic view to crew members sitting around the table. This layout was so popular that, despite the possibility of having a saloon on the same level as the kitchen, 100% of the Ovni 370s were sold in the raised saloon version!
The UFO 400 that becomes 430
Given the success of the 370 and to improve the details of the Ovni 400, the shipyard thought of proposing this layout on the 400. But given the changes to integrate it, the architect Alain Mortain and the CBA firm took the opportunity to modify the main lines of this 12 m unit. Thus, the old Ovni 400 disappears in favor of the Ovni 430 revised and modified, but not lengthened despite this change of nameâeuros¦
Semi-thick aluminum construction
Like the 370, the 430 will be built in semi-thick aluminum, with the hull bottom in 10 mm and the sides in 8 mm. This eliminates the longitudinal rails, but retains the transverse structures. This makes construction easier, and above all it saves space inside for the fittings.
On the look side, the Ovni 430 gains an additional chine. Gone is the straight and imposing planking. With this chine, the boat's hollow has been moved forward for better performance. It is on this third chine that the rudders are fixed, thus more angled and more powerful with the heel.
Design details
Details such as the 3 position sloping watertight descent door, seen on the Ovni 370, has also been adopted. Other lockers have been modified, as has the cockpit table. Finally, the deckhouse can be topped with a canvas canopy or a rigid aluminum model.
On the systems side, the yard has sought to simplify maintenance by removing the hydraulic jack for the daggerboard maneuver and replacing it with textile hoists that return to the piano winch, if necessary electrically. Similarly, the steering system's steering lines have been improved.
The Ovni 430 is a new boat that we will be able to discover in the water at the end of 2023, while remaining in the continuity of the late Ovni 400. The 430 will be offered at a base price of 464,000 euros before tax and it is necessary to count between 100 to 1500,000 euros of option to have a complete sailboat ready for the great voyage.
