Design and Construction
Alubat built the Ovni 365 in aluminium, a material that defines much of the boat’s character. The hull is 65% as strong as steel but one-third as heavy. That makes it robust, if not bulletproof, while keeping displacement sensible for a 39-footer at 8,800kg.
The 365 measures 11.94m overall and 11.44m on the waterline, with a beam of 3.92m. With the keel raised, she draws just 0.77m; lowered, it increases draught to 2.35m. Those dimensions give her the footprint of a proper offshore cruiser, while the lifting appendages and aluminium hull allow her to be beached—a genuine advantage when exploring remote places.
Rig and Handling
The lifting keel and rudder are central to the 365’s versatility. Raised, they let her slip into shallow creeks; lowered, they prepare her for ocean passages. Yachting Monthly’s review presents ocean crossing as a routine part of the boat’s role, while the shoal-draught expedition brief will appeal to sailors who value access to remote inlets and bays.
The ability to take the ground gently expands the choice of anchorages and storm refuges beyond those available to a fixed-keel 38-footer. Compared with steel, the aluminium hull’s lower weight also aids beachability and lively performance under way.
Accommodation and Expedition Role
The sources don’t describe the interior arrangement, but the boat’s stated role is that of a long-distance liveaboard cruiser built to spend weeks or months away from support. The “perfect expedition yacht” description and the ability to explore from the Arctic to the tropics suggest a cabin intended for extended living rather than weekends alone.
A beam of 3.92m and LOA of 11.94m provide the volume this role demands. The rugged hull also allows an owner to treat the boat as a working tool rather than a showpiece.
Known Issues
The one documented concern is electrolysis. One owner’s warning bears repeating: “ensure you are not a giant anode.”
Aluminium in seawater requires careful isolation from dissimilar metals and stray currents. The boat’s robustness in other respects shouldn’t lead buyers to overlook bonding, zincs, or shore-power practices.
Refits and Ownership
Owning an Ovni 365 means respecting the aluminium envelope. The lifting keel and rudder need routine attention to remain free, while the risk of electrolysis means that added equipment must be properly isolated.
Beyond that, the boat asks little unusual of its keeper apart from the inherent requirements of a shoal-draught expedition cruiser.
The Verdict
The Ovni 365 is a purpose-built aluminium expedition cruiser that trades a little interior polish for reach. She can go where fixed-keel boats cannot while retaining the ability to cross oceans. Her hull’s strength-to-weight balance is genuinely distinctive, and the lifting appendages make her a practical tool for remote cruising rather than a dockside statement.
Pros
- Aluminium hull with 65% of the strength of steel at one-third the weight
- Lifting keel and rudder, giving 0.77m shoal draught and allowing the boat to be beached
- Documented ocean-crossing and liveaboard expedition capability
Cons
- Electrolysis risk demands disciplined isolation and bonding
