Mass-produced sailboats are well thought-out and well-built, but lack personality. InterParus, a Ukrainian company based in La Rochelle, has imagined a step up in quality by proposing numerous adaptations to bring these yachts into the top-of-the-range category.
Fountaine-Pajot and Dufour dealer for Eastern Europe for 15 years, this company has created a demonstrator with a totally customized Isla model. We were able to climb aboard and discover this project, named Garna (which means "Beautiful" in Ukrainian).
Garna is a classic 3-cabin Isla 40 ordered from the yard. It is then fitted out according to Interparus' wishes. These modifications are not limited to aesthetics. There are many clever ideas for making the boat easier to handle and maneuver.
On the bridge
The Garna has a Seacork-covered deck laid out with very wide slats, an unusual choice for boat decks.
The boom is electrically furled for easy sail reduction, but above all for clean stowage, avoiding the lazy-bags that are always difficult to close.
The genoa and staysail furlers are electric. As are the winches at the piano, which are also electric.
The mooring cleats, shown here on the bow, are fitted with integrated electric winches. This makes mooring easier when tensioning the lines.
The mast, equipped with lights for mooring, also has cameras pointing towards the deck. These are very useful when mooring to ensure the catamaran is correctly positioned in relation to the quay, especially when mooring on the port side, opposite the helm station. The masthead is also equipped with a SeaAI camera (ex Oscar) which monitors the bow of the boat for submerged objects.
Fountaine-Pajot originally offered the Isla 40 with 2 x 20 hp Volvo. InterParus chose to install 2 x 40 hp Nanni for greater maneuverability.
These Nanni motors are operated by electric controls. This is not only more comfortable, but also makes it possible to install a second control station. This is what Inter Parus offers, with remote engine controls on the port aft skirt, opposite the helm station.
For even greater performance, InterParus installs a MadInTec autopilot. This model is similar to that found on today's racing multihulls, notably the Ultims.
In the cabin
While the layout of the Garna is the same as that of the basic Isla 40, the furniture finish is of higher quality.
The finish of the alcantara cousins and the indirect lighting give this Isla 40 a completely different look. The floor is also covered with a thick carpet.
Ditto in the cabins, with the restoration of the vaigrages too.
The leather details, here to hold the curtains, are also a fine trademark.
Even the coffeemaker gets leather trim!
In the kitchen, the cabinet doors are replaced with new, darker veneers and leather handles.
The sound system is a top-of-the-range hifi system using vertically-installed 33 rpm recordings.
The subwoofer, below a seat in the saloon, with a stainless steel finish bearing the boat's name.
No TV screen on board, but a ceiling-mounted projector that projects onto a screen that unrolls for the duration of the projection.
In the cockpit, the cushions are also all alcantara. But the cushions are thinner than the original ones, to make them easier to store when they're inside.
Customization at what price?
InterParus has announced a price premium of ?300,000 on top of the Isla 40's base price (around ?400,000). But this price corresponds to the Garna we discovered at La Rochelle, i.e. a version with everything possible, a full option that may not be chosen by all customers.
