Simoun 485 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

Gouteron (Chantier), founded in 1959, established itself as a forward-thinking French boat builder, known for its pioneering construction techniques. While initially embracing plywood, the shipyard successfully transitioned to fiberglass as new materials became prevalent, a move exemplified by the Simoun 485's solid fiberglass hull and deck construction. Production for the Simoun 485 commenced in 1972, following Gouteron's tradition of producing durable and well-regarded small boats.

The design of the Simoun 485, attributed to Chantiers Gouteron themselves, marked an evolution in dinghy design. It featured a "more gliding, more tense" hull form, indicating a pursuit of enhanced performance over its predecessors. A key safety and convenience innovation incorporated into the Simoun 485 was the self-draining double bottom, a feature Gouteron had pioneered, significantly improving the boat's usability for day sailing. The boat's centerboard keel also speaks to its design ethos, offering a shallow draft for accessing varied waters and a deeper draft for improved upwind performance.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a lightweight, 15.91-foot (4.85-meter) centerboard dinghy with a displacement of just 287 lbs (130 kg), the Simoun 485 is characterized by its nimble handling and lively performance. Its fractional sloop rig and reported sail area of 163 square feet contribute to its agility on the water. While performance ratios typically apply to larger cruising yachts, for a boat of the Simoun 485's size and type, the focus is on direct sailing characteristics.

Owners and reviews suggest the Simoun 485 offers "reasonable performance and good stability" for its class, being described as a "good boat" with "very high-performing" capabilities when in good condition. Its centerboard allows for versatile sailing, providing a minimal draft of 0.56 feet for exploring shallow areas and a maximum draft of 3.94 feet when the board is fully deployed for better windward performance. The "slightly more speedy hull design" aimed to make it more efficient. The self-draining cockpit is a crucial feature for a dinghy, enhancing safety and ease of use by preventing water accumulation.

Accommodations and Layout

Consistent with its classification as a small sailing dinghy, the Gouteron Simoun 485 features a functional, yet spartan, interior layout. Given its length overall of just under 16 feet and an extremely light displacement, it is primarily designed as a day sailor with very limited, if any, enclosed accommodation space. The boat is not intended for overnight stays or extended cruising.

Likely, any interior space would be confined to a basic cuddy cabin forward, suitable mainly for dry storage of gear or sails, rather than providing standing headroom or dedicated berths. Details regarding specific interior materials or finish quality are not widely documented, but in keeping with its era and purpose as an accessible dinghy, the emphasis would have been on practicality and robust fiberglass construction over luxurious appointments. The open, self-draining cockpit would serve as the primary "living space" while sailing, designed for ease of movement and active participation in sailing.