Armagnac Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Armagnac’s story begins in 1969, emerging from the skilled hands of Chantier Naval Aubin, a French boatbuilder renowned for its craftsmanship since 1926. While Aubin's early years were rooted in traditional wooden boat construction, the shipyard evolved to embrace modern designs and materials, a transition evident in the Armagnac's fiberglass_plywood_core hull and deck construction. This composite approach allowed for durable, well-constructed boats, a hallmark of Aubin's manufacturing ethos during this era.

The design itself hails from the drawing board of Philippe Harlé, one of France's most influential naval architects. Harlé was celebrated for his practical, seaworthy, and often performance-oriented designs, particularly within the RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club) classes, which aimed to create competitive yet manageable yachts for a wide audience of sailor. The Armagnac, as an RORC 1/2 ton design, reflected Harlé's philosophy of blending racing potential with comfortable cruising capabilities, offering a boat that could perform well on the race course while still providing enjoyable offshore or coastal sailing. The production run continued for seven years, concluding in 1976. Details regarding significant variations in the Armagnac's production, such as MkI or MkII versions or different rig options, are not widely documented.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Aubin Armagnac, with its design as a masthead sloop, exhibits characteristics typical of a capable cruiser-racer from its era. Its calculated performance ratios offer insight into its likely behavior under sail.

The Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 16.53 suggests a moderately powered boat. While not an extreme light-air specialist, the Armagnac is designed to perform adequately in a range of wind conditions, offering a good balance between sail-carrying ability and ease of handling. This ratio indicates a versatile performer for both cruising and club racing.

A notable characteristic of the Armagnac is its high Ballast to Displacement ratio of 0.545. This significant amount of ballast relative to its overall weight points to a very stiff and stable boat. Such a high ratio means the Armagnac is well-equipped to stand up to a strong breeze, carry its full sail plan effectively, and provide a comfortable, stable motion even in choppy seas. This inherent stability contributes to both crew comfort on longer passages and confident handling when pressed hard in racing scenarios.

The Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio, at approximately 208.57, places the Armagnac firmly in the moderate displacement category for a cruiser-racer. This is neither an ultralight displacement vessel nor a heavy, traditional cruiser. Instead, it indicates a boat with enough substance for comfortable offshore work and a respectable turn of speed, consistent with Harlé's design goals for a competitive RORC class yacht.

Overall, the Armagnac's design ratios suggest a sailboat that is both responsive and reassuringly stable, capable of delivering an enjoyable sailing experience across various conditions. Anecdotal descriptions of its precise handling characteristics in different sea states are not readily available in public records.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the specific interior accommodations and layout of the Aubin Armagnac is not extensively documented in available public resources. With a length overall of just under 28 feet, the interior would typically offer a functional layout for its size and vintage. Boats of this class and era generally feature a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees that often convert into berths, a small galley area, and a navigation station. A marine head would usually be situated either forward or amidships. Given the fiberglass_plywood_core construction, the interior finish likely combined fiberglass moldings with traditional wood trim, typical of French production boats of the 1970s, prioritizing durability and practicality. Detailed descriptions of storage, ventilation, or the overall finish quality are not readily available.