The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site

Colin And Louise’s OVNI 435, “Pèlerin”

Pèlerin, our boat and home, is an OVNI 435 cutter designed by Philippe Briand, built for us and launched in 2008. Here is a brief introduction to her, what has worked for us, and what we’d do differently if we were starting again.

The Designer

Philippe Briand has long been one of the foremost French designers, and a notable helmsman in his day, winning the half ton and one ton cups during the 1980’s. What was noticeable in those early days was that even his race boats were good looking, during an era that wasn’t noted for handsome lines. He then went on to design many well-known production yachts for the likes of Jeanneau and Beneteau, although today he is more involved in super yacht design. He designed many of the OVNI range, including the 495, which remains in production.

The Builders

In 1973, Alubat were amongst the first of the French builders to adopt aluminium as their build material. They have stuck to their formula of chunky, multi-chine designs with lifting keels ever since, and currently produce around fifty boats each year from their main base in Les Sables D’Olonne.

Specifications

LOA 44’ (13.37m)
LWL 34’11” (10.59m)
Beam 13’11” (4.22m)
Draft 2’4”-8’4” (0.74-2.54m)
Displacement -dry (10.3T)
Sail area (working) 1065sq ft (99sq m)
Measured rig height (I) 52’6” (15.9m)
Fore triangle base (J) 15’6” (1.69m)

Cruising history

After 16 years skippering yachts commercially (in my case), Louise and I had Pèlerin built to fulfil a long-term plan to go cruising. With that in mind, we had a great deal of input into planning her above and below decks, assisted by the experienced team at Alubat who gave us much good advice and converted our ideas into reality very well.

Having lived aboard for over two years, we are currently making our way South after spending the 2009 season in the West of Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland.

Size

For us, Pèlerin is a near ideal size. Not too big to handle, especially at close quarters, and just the right side of affordable in terms of gear and maintenance. She has true shoal draft with her hydraulically controlled lifting centreboard and rudder and ability to take the ground, which gives her amazing versatility and opens up many otherwise off-limits cruising grounds. Being easily driven she doesn’t have a huge rig and is simple to handle short-handed. Like many centreboarders, upwind is not her favourite point of sailing, but if sailed a little free she’ll get on with it. Downwind, with the plate raised she is fast and stable and is the most controllable boat we’ve ever sailed. With her ballast all mounted internally she has a very comfortable motion in most conditions, and is a relaxing boat to sail, capable of keeping up good average daily runs without putting big demands on her crew.

Aluminium

OVNIs are all aluminium, chosen not necessarily to make them light, but to make them robust. Aluminium construction is massively strong with its matrix of frames and stringers, and should deform on impact if necessary. It lends itself very well to custom fabrication and features at little extra cost, and we tried to make a virtue of that, welding everything possible on deck to avoid leaks and corrosion. In any case, Alubat have many years of experience building in the material, and have long ago learned how to avoid most of the pitfalls.

Most of the problems with aluminium and electrolysis can be traced to connection to shorepower, so we installed an isolation transformer soon after delivery. OVNI’s also have a leak meter which will detect any current bleed via the 12V system, which we check daily.

We had Pèlerin fully insulated at the build stage, hull and deck down to the waterline, which keeps her cosy and condensation free in winter and cool in the summer. It also cuts down on one of the less attractive aspects of aluminium construction which is noise inside – she is really quiet at sea.

Rig

Pèlerin is a true cutter with a high cut Yankee and staysail. The Yankee is mounted on a roller and the staysail is hoisted conventionally. She has a fully battened main running on a Harken track, which has single line reefing worked from the cockpit. Much effort (and expense) has gone into reducing friction in all areas of sail handling, which has really paid off, so that reefing is now straightforward and effective. All working sails are in laminated fabrics, and are wearing well.

We carry a hanked on storm jib, but not a trysail. Our mainsail has three reefs at larger than standard spacing, and so our third reef is effectively not much larger than a trysail. The staysail can also be reefed.

For light airs we have a lighweight No 1 genoa that sets on a stay just aft of the roller, which has really improved our upwind and close reaching ability below 8 knots of wind. We also have an asymmetric spinnaker mounted on a gennaker furler, which sets from a detachable bowsprit, which is versatile and easy to use.

We have one power driven winch to handle all halyards, which also double for hoisting the dinghy aboard, and lifting large heavy items from our forward store room and workshop.

Mechanical systems

Pèlerin is fitted with a Volvo D2 – 55D normally aspirated diesel engine currently driving the original three blade fixed prop via a Hurth gearbox. The engine is adequate for the size of boat, and we when we fit a Max-prop in the coming months we hope we’ll gain some extra grip astern, as well as better sailing performance. In calm conditions we motor at around 6.5 knots, using around 4l of fuel per hour. We carry 300l of fuel in two integral tanks.

In keeping with our policy of simplicity we have no diesel generator. We do, however, have 180W of fixed solar panels, which can be augmented by a further 85W of portable panel when at anchor. We also have a highly efficient (and now quiet!) Superwind wind generator. So far a combination of these units combined with relatively frugal daily demand has allowed us to avoid running our engine to charge the batteries. We carry a small petrol driven Honda generator for emergencies, but have so far only used it once to test it out.

We have no bow thruster, although there are times when we wish we did. OVNIs are not the easiest boats to handle in tight harbours, especially in cross winds.

We carry 600l of water, which is adequate, but we have our one concession to complexity in the form of a Spectra Ventura 150 watermaker, which is not too power hungry, and allows us to have showers whenever we like.

Our refrigerator is by Isotherm, and is well insulated, and so very efficient. We have a 5Kw blown air diesel heating system by Webasto, and so far it has worked very well.

Electronics

On deck, we have a Simrad integrated system, including radar, plotter, wind, AI 50 AIS transceiver and a Simrad AP 28 hydraulic autopilot. We have an Echopilot FLS Gold III forward looking sonar, with a custom aluminium transducer housing. Down below we have a back-up Furuno GP 32 GPS linked to an ICOM M505 DSC VHF radio, and an Iridium phone for e-mail and long distance communication.

The autopilot is matched by a Windpilot Pacific vane gear, which is powerful, easy to use and seems to match the boat very well.

Some other things that make Pèlerin a great boat

  • She has a feeling of immense strength which leads us to have great confidence in her
  • She is not at all demanding to sail, and has a very comfortable motion
  • She is very light and airy down below
  • We had considerable input over the interior design, and so far we feel it has worked very well, both at sea and in harbour.

What we would change if we had a magic wand

  • A solid dodger/doghouse like on the Boreal 44 that we recently tested. We couldn’t have one at the build stage (although we asked), but plan to have one fabricated in due course, either in composites or alloy plate.
  • Fit a Max-prop. We didn’t, and we regret it.
  • NO PAINT! There is no question that the one real downside to aluminium construction is keeping paint on it. If it had to be painted, then just the coachroof and deck, but, please! Not the hull!
  • We would change the deck hatches- all of them – to Goiot or perhaps Gebo.
  • We have changed nearly all of the deck gear to Harken, and what a difference it has made. We’d change the rest if money were no option.
  • Install a day tank so that we could monitor fuel condition and consumption.
  • Better engine access – the engine is mounted very low in the hull to assist stability, and despite numerous detachable access hatches access is not good. This is especially true of the stern gland, which is a Volvo seal, and needs to be ‘burped’ every time the boat is dried out – a job best suited to a contortionist.

Do you have questions or comments about Pèlerin? Leave a comment.

51 Comments
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Victor Raymond

Colin,

I was very interesting to read more about your Ovni today and especially about what you would change vs what you have installed.

Although my Jeanneau SO 45.2 is a GRP production boat we do share the same designer and a surprising number of similarities that Philippe Briand must have discovered worked well with either GRP or alloy boats.

I cannot agree more with your decision to upgrade to Harken equipment. I have yet to find anything of theirs I don’t like, although I do like Spinlock for jammers, but for winches, travelers, bat cars, etc they make beefy equipment that does the job. I have not seen or used their furlers (I have Profurl) so cannot comment. I would look at Antal and Facnors (especially for a furling gennaker or code 0.)

Another issue is engine access. I guess Phillipe never had to change the oil, replace the impeller or worse the stern gland on his designs. If he had perhaps he would have been more kind to us.

One point that few designers address is stainless on an alloy boat. Why not weld solid aluminum stanchions directly into the toe rail and while at it make them a comforting 1 meter height so they hold you onboard rather than help make sure you fall over board. Personally I would also make the life lines of spectra instead of stainless cable for numerous reasons too.

My final gripe for today involves mounting winches. My preference would be to always have them mounted on access plates (with enough room to get a wrench underneath) so that they can be easily removed for annual service. How many ball bearings have we all lost trying to service on deck? Down below in your nice workshop in your standup engine room is the ideal place for this type of work.

Please keep the details coming. Problems are the same, solutions are different.

Cheers

Victor

PS I look forward to seeing what you come up with for your hard dodger.

John Harries

Hi Colin,

Who manufactured the hatches that you would replace? I have my suspicions.

John

Jim Patek

Hello Colin

First I would like to thank you for your ongoing review of your Ovni experience. I look to your postings for ideas that I might apply. I have always been quite reluctant to be critical and all things considered, the positives of the design and construction far outweigh the niggles. The robust construction, flexibility of the builder, attractive and sea kindly accomodation, the forgiving characteristics of a centerboard and rudder that will retract on impact along with access to shallow places, the easy to manage sail plan and the sailing performance, off the wind, have made our Ovni 435, Let’s Go!, an almost perfect voyaging platform. After seven years and 45000 miles, my only serious complaint is that I am looking at a major cosmetic repair job related to stainless stanchions, grab rails, etc on an aluminium deck. It could be argued that I should have done a better job of catching the problem as it emerged. In addition, the insulation around the fridge and freezer proved less than adequate for the tropics and condensation has stained the woodwork. I understand that this is common problem not unique to the Ovni. But this, too, is a rather minor issue, however annoying.

All in all, the Ovni 435 is a fantastic voyaging vessel, difficult to beat, especially for the price. Most important: bullet proof construction; retractable centerboard and rudder; seaworthy layout; easy to sail.

Thanks again for your reviews.

Jim
Let’s Go!
Scalloway, Shetland

Colin Speedie

Hi Victor

It seems that Phillippe Briand follows the same routes with many of his designs! All designers should make their very best efforts to make access to all service points truly accessible. On a 45ft boat this shouldn’t be the issue it always seems to be – Boreal managed it fine. Re the stanchions, Boreal use alloy, and whilst it’s not so aesthetically pleasing, it’s simple and light. And I’d agree about Spectra for lifelines, and when ours are due for renewal, that’s the way we’ll go.

Access to the bolts for the winches is fine on the OVNI, and much of the deck gear is mounted on plinths – much better with aluminium.

John, the hatches are Lewmar, and the two forward ones are their Ocean models that we specified at build, and they’re OK. The others just don’t feel robust enough to me, and the small ones have the handles glued to the lens, and I’ve seen a few of these come off – and that’s them finished.

Jim, it’s great to hear from another 435 owner, especially someone who has really put some miles on her. It sounds to me like your experience and impressions mirror mine, and I’d agree with everything you say.
On the later boats Alubat started fitting plastic inserts into all of the stubs for stanchions etc., and so far ours have been OK. As for grab handles etc., we had everything welded and we’re very glad we did. Our fridge has coped well with the heat down here, so far, but we’ll watch out for evidence of condensation. It would be good to hear any other comments you might like to share – glad you’ve found mine useful.
Best wishes
Colin

Jim Patek

Thank you for your feedback Colin. I am happy to share my experiences with you.

Regarding the stanchions, a sleeve was inserted in each base but the stanchion was locked in place with an aluminum screw. Therefore the sleeve was neutralised. There are, however, many areas of bubbling paint or areas where paint has come off in small sheets where the beneficial effect of Duralac around ss fastenings was reduced with time. I have removed the fastenings and coated these with Tefgel to slow the process and buy some time.

The condensation related to the fridge and freezer first showed itself with water between the cabin sole and its aluminium framing underneath. This warped the sole before I could effectively seal the end grains of the panels. Only the two cabin sole panels below the step down just forward of the galley were affected. The staining of the wood below the fridge and freezer did not occur until nearly three years after purchase when the insulation must have become saturated. While I originally thought that this was a problem with my boat only, I subsequently learned that the problem is common. I am sure that by 2009, the builder will have modified the design, perhaps sealing the insulation in, and you will remain trouble free.

I have not found engine access to be a real problem (but I am not a big person). I replaced the Volvo dripless seal with PSS within a year of purchase and this has performed well. I have damaged the all rubber cutless bearing twice with line wraps and recommend that you carry a couple spares since they are not an off the shelf item in most places. The engine has, thankfully, performed reliably, after initial teething problems. Engine mount nuts loosen occasionally and I have to check them periodically. I had the Max-prop installed at purchase.

For power, I have two alternators on the Volvo, an Aerogen 6 wind generator (installed in New Zealand in 2004 once I realised my actual power demands), two 55 watt solar panels, a 3.8 kw Mastervolt 220V generator (also installed in New Zealand) and six AGM 120 AH batteries that have performed reliably since their purchase in Australia in 2006 ( I must have been charging them adequately in spite of my ignorance. I had been equalising them regularly). The generator, used relatively infrequently, has performed well. It is my second Aerogen, the first having taken off in Batsi, Andros in a huge gust of wind while at anchor, in 2008.

I had a Spectra Catalina installed in New Zealand in 2005 after ditching my Pur Surv 40 and it has been extremely reliable with the exception of a leak in the Clark pump, replaced by Spectra at no charge in 2010.

Electronics are primarily Raymarine with twin C-Map plotters/radar at helm and at the nav station and dated by now. I have relied on the Raymarine ST6001 with 400 series course computer combined with Lecombe and Schmidt hydraulic ram and pump, all original equipment and have no wind vane. So far so good. I carry lots of spares but have not had to use them. I baby my AP. I use an ACR AIS transponder with a Watchmate, low amp draw, display. A fantastic piece of kit manufactured in NZ.

Completely unrelated, I met the owner of the Boreal prototype, “Borealp” in Reykjavik a few weeks ago. His was a 50 footer. While he said he loved the boat and I could certainly understand why upon inspection, I thought the doghouse could have been extended further aft and some additional cockpit protection provided. It was a large cockpit, very exposed. I know this is radical, but I could not imagine having to go forward to reef since, as you know, we can do all our reefing quickly and safely from behind our dodgers and standing in the companionway.

Well, enough from me. But you did ask and I am camping out in Lerwick.

All the best, Jim

Jean-François Eeman

Hi Jim and Collin,

Good you met the guys from Boréalp in Reykjavik. They were clients, they became friends. The owner, Fred, is one of the rare guys I know who has sailed in 70’s to South Georgia on his own boat with wife and children. Excellent sailor!
When he arrived in Iceland he phoned us to say he felt fine with the boat in 45 knots headwind.

Colin, for your information, the doghouse and the cockpit on the 50 are exactly the same as on the Boréal 44.

The Boréal was not designed to be a one-off. We made something which we thought would meet the expectations of “everybody” allowing to have two people on watch outside, protected by the doghouse.
Boréalp has the standard doghouse. Up to now, we have never had the demand for an extended doghouse but we could tailor-make.

Jean-François

John Harries

Hi Jim,

Thanks very much for taking the time to share all your experience with the boat and equipment. Great stuff that I’m sure our readers will find very useful.

Victor Raymond

Colin and John,
I have Goiot hatches on my Jeanneau and they are surprisingly dry except of course in cold weather they will drip condensation but that is my “fault”. I don’t think any hatch manufacturer has thought of thermal breaks like commercial and residential glazing.
As for the aesthetics of alloy stanchions, I like all the shiny stuff below but not on deck. In the same vein I would not have any wood on deck. I abhor aesthetic maintenance. Let the alloy stand up for itself. I say.
Finally Boreal has not shown me how accessible their engine area is. I hope that includes tranny and stuffing box too. It would help change my mind about their otherwise refreshing design.
Cheers
Victor