After financial turbulence last year, Archambault Boats has regained its financial footing. The French construction group GCBTP has taken over the ailing traditional company and wants to bring the brand back to its former strengths.
The complete overhaul of the successful A35 (YACHT 15/2007 test), which has made a name for itself in recent years, particularly in the French IRC scene, as a major contender on the regatta courses, should now help. The new boat will also bear the name A35, but has been completely rebuilt. Only the fast hull remains the same. The deck, on the other hand, has been redesigned, visually adapted and is now also being built using the vacuum infusion process, just like the hull. Shipyard boss Emmanuel Archambault estimates that the new deck will weigh 150 kilograms less than the old one. In addition, the interior has been slimmed down thanks to many composite parts. The shipyard is repositioning the saved weight in the keel. The Joubert-Nivelt design is intended to accommodate around 50 per cent ballast (lead) in the fin keel. The old boat still had 40 per cent.
In return, the mast is now higher and the sail area larger. A gennaker package including a fixed nose will be available as an option. The cockpit design is also new. As with the previous model, the customer has the choice between tiller and wheel steering. However, two steering wheels are new. And the cockpit layout has been further optimised to meet the needs of regatta sailors without neglecting the requirements of touring and family sailors.
The new Archambault is built with vinyl ester resins as standard. However, it is also available in epoxy as an option. Two rudder blades are also available on request. The boat offers additional variance with regard to the interior fittings. The A35 can be ordered as a racing version with a lightweight interior or in a cruising version with more comfort and more wood below deck.
Dealer Dines Pontoppidan from Diamond Yachts in Laboe puts the price of the standard boat at 147,900 euros including VAT. The first two units have been ordered and are currently under construction. The first ship of the new type should be afloat in late summer.
