Design and Construction
Alubat builds the Ovni 395 from the marine-grade alloy 5083 H111, a magnesium-rich aluminium welded in an argon/helium atmosphere to resist saltwater corrosion. The chined hull is a practical solution, as forming a round-bilge shape in metal would be far more expensive, and leaving the topsides largely unpainted avoids the labour-intensive coating process required on aluminium. Because the hull structural framework carries the loads, interior bulkheads are largely freed from stress, making it easier to alter the layout later. On deck, the aluminium construction creates a notably integrated feel: toerails, stanchion sockets and grab handles are all welded in place and faired with filler before painting, so there are no creaking sub-mouldings or messy sealant beads. A raised upstand around the forehatch helps deflect green water, and the distinctive stern gantry doubles as a lifting point for davits, aerials and a wind turbine.
Shallow-Water Versatility
With the centreboard fully raised, draught shrinks to just 0.58 m, allowing the Ovni 395 to stroll up gently shelving beaches and dry out upright. The hydraulically operated rudder is equally retractable: housed partly within a fixed skeg, it drops to 1.6 m when sailing yet swings up freely if it strikes the bottom. Because Alubat opted for a single blade rather than twins, the helm retains much of its sensitivity and benefits from prop-wash when maneuvering under power in shallow water—an asset for negotiating silted channels and marina fairways.
A flat grounding plate and a protective propeller skeg ensure the boat sits securely when the tide recedes, transforming a falling tide into a deliberate beaching opportunity. The arrangement also allows hull inspections and minor repairs to be carried out between tides without a travel lift.
Sailing Performance and Handling
The masthead rig is notably conservative: the combined mainsail and foretriangle yield a sail area/displacement ratio of 16.33, a figure that puts the boat firmly in the ‘under-canvassed’ camp by modern planing standards. In practice this translates into a forgiving nature. The 395 will comfortably carry full sail upwind in 16–18 knots of apparent breeze and could likely hold it in another 4–5 knots. On test she clocked around 6.5 knots hard on the wind and held 6 knots with the breeze on the beam; reaching under a cruising chute, she easily surged well over 8 knots. The clean transom stays above the waterline even at displacement speeds, reducing drag.
Handling is smooth and long-legged, though the small, bevelled centreplate can induce a stall if the helm is thrown over too aggressively during a tack in light air. For most cruising, this is nothing more than a minor quirk to be learned. The rig is equipped with forward lowers, twin backstays and a removable inner forestay for a staysail or storm jib—belt-and-braces detailing rarely found on swept-spreader production boats. The only rigging oddity is a mainsheet led to a coachroof winch, which puts control out of the helmsman’s hands unless an extra crew member tends it.
Accommodations and Livability
Despite the metal hull, the interior feels warm and traditional: light-oak joinery, vinyl-covered ply headlinings and pale laminates in the heads and galley eliminate any hint of aluminium on display. The centreboard case is cleverly disguised, and lifting sole-boards are fitted with rubber feet to avoid scratching the surrounding timber. Stowage is abundant, with shelves that have proper fiddles and lockers that follow the cushion cut-lines for easy access. A water meter tracks cumulative and resettable consumption, while the switch panel hinges down to reveal neatly organised circuitry. Engine access to the Volvo D2 55 is excellent—both the front and top come away, and side panels expose the alternator and aft mounts. Headroom is a generous 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) throughout the saloon.
Known Considerations
Aluminium’s two principal enemies are electrolysis and galvanic action. Owners must avoid copper-based antifoulings, keep stray electrical currents at bay, and replace the multiple anodes regularly. The builder uses a magnesium-rich 5083 H111 alloy and has built over a thousand aluminium yachts, so the formula is well-proven, but the discipline is non-negotiable. As Cruising World noted, aluminium boats require extra attention with regard to stray electrical current, wiring, sacrificial anodes, and paint systems.
The internal ballast and light centreplate produce an angle of vanishing stability of 115°, a figure that rightly gives some sailors pause. In practice, Ovnis have a strong record of surviving severe weather, in part because the lifting keel allows the boat to slide sideways rather than being tripped by a deep fin. It remains a design choice that demands a methodical, reef-early approach.
The Verdict
The Ovni 395 is a boat that demands a certain mindset. She won’t win a beauty contest beside a modern Euro-styled cruiser, and her aluminium care regime requires more diligence than fibreglass. What she offers in return is a rare degree of self-sufficiency: the ability to take the ground without drama, to shrug off impacts that would hole a GRP hull, and to explore shallow cruising grounds others can only anchor near. The sailing experience is unhurried yet engaging, the interior is thoughtfully crafted for long-term liveaboard comfort, and the engineering detail—from the forward lowers to the lifting rudder—speaks of a builder that understands what it takes to go offshore.
Pros
- Aluminium hull shrugs off collisions and grounding
- Centreboard and lifting rudder enable beaching and shallow-water gunkholing
- Welded deck fittings create a robust, leak-free structure
- Thoughtful offshore details: inner forestay, forward lowers, green-water upstand
- Practical interior with abundant stowage and excellent engine access
- Clean transom and protected propeller skeg
Cons
- Modest AVS (115°) demands conservative heavy-weather tactics
- Aluminium requires careful electrolysis management and regular anode replacement
- Low SA/D ratio means leisurely light-air performance
- Mainsheet led to coachroof; not directly controllable from the helm
- Cockpit locker apertures are narrow, limiting bulky storage
- Utilitarian styling may not suit all tastes
