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Ovni 32
Designer: Philippe Briand  ·  Builder: Alubat (Fra)  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Ovni 32

Designed by Philippe Briand and built by French shipyard Alubat from 1986 to 2002, this aluminum centerboard cruiser represents a distinctive approach to bluewater sailing. With just 100 hulls produced over its 16-year production run, the Ovni 32 belongs to an exclusive family of boats designed specifically for adventurous cruisers seeking to explore shallow waters and remote destinations. The boat's defining characteristic is its lifting centerboard configuration, which reduces draft significantly when raised, allowing access to shallow anchorages and even beach landing capabilities that traditional deep-keel boats cannot match. This versatility, combined with robust aluminum construction, makes it ideal for expedition cruising and gunkholing in areas like the Bahamas or remote Pacific atolls. Philippe Briand's design balances performance with practicality, evident in the masthead sloop rig and moderate sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22.47. The aluminum hull construction provides durability for extended cruising while keeping maintenance requirements reasonable. With a comfortable motion at sea thanks to its 18.44 comfort ratio, the Ovni 32 appeals to cruisers prioritizing versatility and seaworthiness over pure speed, making it well-suited for coastal exploration and offshore passage-making to unconventional destinations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.12 ft / 10.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 5.91 ft / 1.80 m
Min Draft 1.97 ft / 0.60 m
Displacement 8,700.00 lb / 3,946 kg
Ballast 4,100.00 lb / 1,860 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 592.00 ft² / 55.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard (Trunk)
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Aluminum
Designer Philippe Briand
Builder Alubat (FRA)
First Built 1986
Last Built 2002
Number Built 100
Associations Alubat Ovni Club
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
22.47
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
47.13
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
159.25
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
18.44
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.11
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.22 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,122.21 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 27
Fuel Capacity 18 gals / 68 L
Water Capacity 58 gals / 220 L
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