Alubat Ovni 395 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The three-cabin layout is the one most frequently encountered on brokerage listings, so buyers looking for a dedicated owner's cabin forward with a generous en‑suite will find plenty to choose from. Two‑cabin versions with a larger heads compartment and more saloon space do appear, though they are less common. A factor worth noting is that a significant number of Ovni 395s have spent time in charter fleets; while many have been well maintained, a charter history naturally means higher‑usage interiors and machinery. A thorough survey will help separate honest wear from neglect, but the layout flexibility means that whether you need extra sea berths or a more open interior, there is likely a configuration that fits.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Because the Ovni 395 was built to travel, most used examples come to market with a solid cruising inventory already in place. Autopilots, solar panels, chartplotters, liferafts, and cabin heating are so routinely fitted that you might regard them as baseline equipment. A bimini is often in place, frequently paired with radar, AIS transceivers, and an EPIRB—gear that reflects the boat's ocean‑crossing intentions.

As the fleet has aged, owner‑led upgrades have become increasingly visible. Lithium battery banks, wind generators, and bow thrusters appear on a number of boats, though none is yet universal. An asymmetric spinnaker is a favourite add‑on for sailors who want to make the most of light‑airs passages. If a boat you view lacks one of these, it is more a reflection of a previous owner's preferences than a shortcoming, but they are worth factoring into your refit budget.

What to Inspect

Commissioning a surveyor who genuinely understands aluminium construction is non‑negotiable. The hull itself demands a disciplined eye: aluminium's two principal enemies are electrolysis and galvanic action, and stray electrical currents can quickly set up destructive pitting source. Every used 395 should be checked for proper bonding, the condition of all sacrificial anodes (there are several), and any evidence of copper‑based antifouling contamination, which can wreak havoc on aluminium source. Paint chipping around the stern and gunwales is normal, but deep corrosion beneath flaking areas is not.

The centreplate is a simple aluminium foil with bevelled edges rather than a fully profiled hydrofoil. Raise and lower it while the boat is ashore, and inspect the uphaul purchase and sheaves at deck level for chafe and corrosion source. The plate itself can suffer from electrolysis if anodes have been neglected, so look closely at its surfaces. Internally, the lead ballast is encapsulated in resin and boxed inside aluminium compartments either side of the centreboard case; any sign of water staining or bubbling paint around these boxes warrants investigation source.

The lifting rudder mechanism is hydraulic, with the ram housed in the starboard stern locker. Cycle the rudder through its full range and check for weeping seals, hose deterioration, and smooth operation—when the boat dries out, the rudder skeg and propeller skeg take the ground, so inspect both for deformation or cracking source. The Volvo D2‑55 shaft‑drive installation is robust and access is good with the front and top panels removed, but look beyond the engine itself: examine the stern gland, cutless bearing, and shaft alignment carefully, especially on ex‑charter boats where hours may be high.

Rigging is substantial, with a masthead sloop that includes forward lowers and twin backstays—unusual on a swept‑spreader rig and a clear belt‑and‑braces approach. The removable inner forestay and its running backstays should be checked for wear, and the chainplate attachment points on the inboard deck need a close inspection for cracks or loose fasteners source. The mainsheet leads to a coachroof winch, so you will not be trimming from the helm; this is a design choice, not a fault, but make sure the system runs freely. Finally, any aluminium boat's electrical installation should be scrutinised, with particular attention to the bonding circuit, no stray‑current leakage, and the condition of wiring in damp bilge areas source.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

Ovni 395s on the used market are most commonly found in France, Greece, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with New Zealand also representing a notable market. This geographic spread means you can often find a boat already equipped for the cruising you have in mind.

When you view a used Ovni 395, your inspection checklist should include:

• Thorough aluminium survey by a specialist familiar with 5083‑grade hulls, focusing on stray‑current damage, anodes, and any copper contamination.
• Operational test of the centreplate and rudder lifting gear, looking for friction, corrosion, and hydraulic leaks.
• Internal examination of the ballast compartments and bilge framework for water ingress or paint blistering.
• Engine and shaft‑drive systems, especially on higher‑hour or ex‑charter examples.
• Condition of standing rigging, chainplates, and the inner‑forestay running backstay arrangement.
• Verification that all bonding circuits and the vessel's electrical installation are free of stray currents.