Ovni 430, an all-round dinghy that ticks all the boxes

Ovni sailboats have always been invitations to travel. This is still the case for the new model presented at Grand Pavois 2023 in La Rochelle. This Ovni 430 retains the main principles that have guided the Sables-d'Olonne shipyard. It remains an all-aluminum, full-beam dinghy, with fittings designed for a small crew looking for comfortable living on board.

An evolution of the hull

Un bouchain de plus pour la carène de l'Ovni 430
One more bilge for the Ovni 430 hull

Developed from the Ovni 400, the 430 is an evolution of this hull. It gains an additional chine, which refines its lines. It reduces the planking a little to lower the deck by 9 cm, but above all retains the panoramic deckhouse that offers such a beautiful view from inside. At the same time, the deckhouse has been widened, invisibly reducing the number of side decks to increase the interior volume and enable the installation of a saloon deck, so that you can enjoy the view outside, even when seated in the saloon. This is one of the main options for this yacht: lower or upper saloon?

Fittings designed for long-distance cruising

A l'avant, la cabine propriétaire
Up front, the owner's cabin
A l'arrière une cabine double
At the rear, a double cab

The layout is divided between two cabins. The first occupies the front triangle. This will be the owners' cabin. It is slightly below the saloon, with a step to access it. At the stern, there is also a double cabin on the port side. On the starboard aft side, a large hold is accessed via the toilet. This hold, ideal for storage, also gives access to the mechanical section, with watermaker and generator if required. This hold can be fitted with two bench seats to increase the number of berths to 6.

La "salle des machines" accessible par la soute
The "engine room" accessible from the cargo hold

An electric motor

Une propulsion Oceanvolt en ligne d'arbre
Oceanvolt shaftline propulsion

At the request of its owners, the first Ovni 430 is powered by an in-line electric motor. This Oceanvolt solution not only propels the boat, but also offers the possibility of regeneration under sail. This motor is backed up by a battery pack, a generator and 900 W of solar panels for total autonomy during cruising. Note that this sailboat does not have a gas bottle, but that everything on board is electric, even the induction hotplate.

A square to live in

Le carré très lumineux
The bright square
La table à cartes à bâbord
Chart table on port side
Salle d'eau à tribord
Starboard washroom

The saloon is the centerpiece of this yacht, and is very bright thanks to the panoramic deckhouse. The table is located on the port side, with the bench resting on the daggerboard well. For ease of maintenance, and to avoid complex hydraulic circuits, the daggerboard lifting system is once again a hoist, mounted on the piano. An electric winch completes the installation. Opposite the saloon is a large galley along the starboard side. It's pleasant to live in, practical and bright. The navigator is not to be outdone, with an attractive chart table large enough to accommodate navigation instruments and the now indispensable PC.

Protected manoeuvring space

Le cockpit bien protégé par la capote rigide
Cockpit well protected by hard top

Back in the cockpit, you'll find yourself well protected by a hard top. The owners of the first Ovni 430 even chose to close off this space under the canopy, to provide a well-protected corner from rain and cold for extreme sailing. Aft of the cockpit are two helm stations, with the jib winches centered for safer maneuvering.

Perfect finishes

Un pont bien dégagé pour les manœuvres
A clear deck for maneuvering
Une grande plage avant
A large front deck

The level of finish on this boat is particularly high, both in terms of aluminum and woodwork. Discovering this Ovni 430, we sense the history of this type of construction held by this shipyard, which continues to create new models to enlarge the family of long-distance sailors.

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