Design and Construction
The Ovni 43 has an aluminium hull, deck, and coachroof. Her round-bilged hull combines a fine entry with a wide stern, while an anti-slip deck coating provides better footing. Aluminium resists corrosion and osmosis.
The boat has a moderate displacement of 18,739 pounds. Her centreboard carries a lead bulb at its foot to provide ballast and stability, contributing to a ballast ratio of 42.4. However, the bulb weighs only about 100 kilograms—too little for the board to right the boat if she capsizes.
The centreboard is hydraulically operated. The spade rudder can also be raised by winch, allowing the boat to dry out or be taken onto a beach.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Ovni 43 has a masthead sloop rig with a deck-stepped mast, two sets of spreaders, and a single backstay. Stainless-steel wire standing rigging is adjusted with turnbuckles.
The sail plan includes a fully battened mainsail with three reefs and a furling genoa on a Furlex system that can be operated from the cockpit. An optional staysail or gennaker adds flexibility, while lazy jacks and a stack pack simplify mainsail handling. A single wheel provides steering from the aft cockpit.
With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22.0, the design stands up well to her canvas in a blow. In competent hands, she can outrun similarly sized cruisers of her 34-foot 2-inch waterline. Her displacement-to-length ratio of 211 identifies her as a moderate-displacement cruiser, while a comfort ratio of 23.3 places her motion in the coastal-cruiser band.
Accommodation
Below decks, the Ovni 43 has three separate cabins and two heads, creating a bright, roomy interior for a boat of this length.
The forward cabin contains a double berth, a hanging locker, and an ensuite head with shower. Each of the two aft cabins has a double berth; they share a second head with shower in the saloon.
In the saloon, a U-shaped settee and large table sit to port, with a long settee to starboard. A substantial navigation station lies aft of the starboard settee and includes a large chart table and instrument panel. The galley is aft of the port settee, equipped with a double sink, a three-burner stove with oven, and a top-loading fridge.
Deck and Equipment
The deck layout is simple and functional. Wide side decks lead to a large foredeck, while the uncluttered aft cockpit is spacious and comfortable. It includes two large lockers, a folding table, and an integrated bathing platform.
The deck hardware is grouped for short-handed sailing. Two self-tailing winches handle the genoa sheets, two serve the halyards and reefing lines, and another two operate the centreboard and rudder controls.
The centreboard can be locked at any draft between 0.8 and 2.5 metres. The rudder can be set between 0.8 and 1.6 metres.
Known Issues
The main concern is the centreboard’s roughly 100-kilogram lead bulb. Although it supplies ballast and stability, it is too light to right the boat if she capsizes.
The Ovni 43 also has a capsize screening formula of 2.1, placing her outside the sub-2.0 band generally associated with lower capsize risk on ocean passages.
The Verdict
The Ovni 43 is a versatile, comfortable aluminium cruiser. Her lifting centreboard and rudder provide access to shallow water and drying anchorages that remain closed to fixed-keel yachts, without sacrificing the stiffness and pace of a well-ballasted cutter with a moderate displacement of 18,739 pounds.
Pros
- Aluminium hull and deck resistant to corrosion and osmosis
- Hydraulic lifting centreboard and winch-raised rudder for beaching and shallow-draft sailing
- Strong sail plan with cockpit-operated furling and reefing gear
- Roomy three-cabin, two-head layout with a proper navigation station
Cons
- Centreboard ballast is too light to right the boat after a capsize
- Capsize screening figure of 2.1 falls outside the usual ocean-passage threshold