Design and Construction
The Ovni 39 has an aluminium hull and an iron centreboard keel. Depending on load, she draws just 0.70 to 0.80 meter (2.30 to 2.60 ft), allowing access to shallow marinas.
She measures 39.21 feet overall, with a beam of 12.96 feet. Her length-to-beam ratio of 3.04 indicates a broad, volume-oriented hull rather than a slender racing design. The ballast ratio is 48 percent, while a displacement-length ratio of 220 describes a moderately loaded cruiser intended to carry cruising payload rather than pursue outright speed.
Wetted surface is about 46 square meters (495 square feet), a consequence of the broad hull plan and centreboard trunk.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Ovni 39 carries a masthead rig. Her standing and running gear follow predictable cruising dimensions: jib and genoa sheets are estimated at 12.0 meters (39.4 feet) with a diameter of 14 mm, the mainsheet at 30.0 meters (98.6 feet) in the same diameter, and spinnaker sheets at 26.4 meters (86.8 feet).
The theoretical maximum speed for a displacement hull of this length is 7.6 knots. Her capsize screening value is 1.99, and the Motion Comfort Ratio ranges from 23.6 to 25.8. These figures describe a stable, damped motion profile rather than the livelier behavior of a light-displacement hull.
An immersion rate of about 262 kg/cm (1467 lbs/inch) indicates that she settles meaningfully under cruising load. That is consistent with both the 48 percent ballast ratio and the 300-liter fresh-water capacity.
Accommodations and Cruising Capacity
The Ovni 39 carries 300 liters (79 US gallons, 65 imperial gallons) of fresh water, supporting extended independent cruising for a boat of her size.
Her beam of nearly 13 feet provides enough interior width for a practical cruising layout. The aluminium hull also permits flat interior surfaces without the framing constraints of a molded composite shell. The design record classifies the Ovni 39 as a large sailboat, reflecting both her length and her volume-oriented proportions.
Verdict
The Ovni 39 distills Alubat’s aluminium centreboard approach into a 39-foot Philippe Briand design from the late 1980s. Her shallow draft, high ballast ratio, and comfort-oriented motion figures make her a serious voyager for shoal waters. At the same time, the aluminium hull and iron centreboard shape her maintenance and inspection requirements.
Pros
- Aluminium hull and iron centreboard, with a draft of 2.3–2.6 ft for access to shallow marinas
- 48 percent ballast ratio and a Motion Comfort Ratio of up to 25.8, indicating stable motion
- 300-liter water capacity for extended cruising
Cons
- Wetted surface of 495 sq ft and a displacement-length ratio of 220 limit outright speed
- Immersion rate of 1467 lbs/inch indicates sensitivity to cruising load