The traditional Alubat shipyard is best known for its extremely robust, all-aluminium long-distance yachts in the Ovni series. This year, the Ovni 490 the new flagship; a test report will soon appear in YACHT. At the same time, the French have developed the new Cigale 15 QR and laid the keel. With the upmarket Cigale concept, Alubat has established a second mainstay alongside the successful Ovni range in order to meet exclusive demand and at the same time be able to cater much more closely to individual customer wishes. The boats in the Cigale range also stand out from the more sedate, purely cruising-oriented Ovni programme thanks to their sportiness and performance.
However, as is typical for shipyards, the construction method remains unchanged. For the hull, seawater-resistant aluminium plates are welded in the multi-buckling frame over a frame structure. The deck is also made entirely of aluminium. Like all Alubat yachts, the Cigale 15 QR also has a swivelling keel. However, unlike the boats in the sister programme Ovni, the flexible fin is not fully retracted into the hull, but only swivelled under the hull. Nevertheless, the maximum draught of 3.30 metres can be reduced to 1.60 metres. The Cigale 15 QR should also be able to fall dry without any problems.
Offshore racing as godfather
The design comes from the pen of Finot-Conq. The experts for high-performance yet cruising boat concepts have designed a fast cruiser for Alubat that borrows from ocean racing in many areas. For example, the standard carbon fibre rig is positioned conspicuously far aft, even behind the centre of the ship. The long J-measurement allows for a larger genoa and more flexibility in customising the sail plan, for example with a stay jib and code zero. The final configuration of the sail plan is determined by the shipyard according to the owner's wishes and depending on the planned usage profile.
An open and bright interior is planned below deck. Three double cabins and two heads are planned as standard, although the shipyard's aluminium construction also gives it a virtually free hand when it comes to the layout. This means that the needs of the buyer can be catered for flexibly. For example, one of the two aft cabins could alternatively be converted into a generous storage space, a workshop or an office. A very wide channel has been planned between the aft cabins for additional technical installations such as a generator or a watermaker.
Construction number one of the Cigale 15 QR is currently under construction at Alubat in Les Sables-d'Olonne and is scheduled to enter the water for its first tests in spring 2026. As an initial indication, the shipyard is quoting a base price of just under 1.4 million euros net for the extensive, high-quality and largely blue-water-capable vessel.
Technical data Cigale 15QR
- Designer: Finot Conq
- CE design category: A
- Hull length: 14.50 m
- Overall length with bowsprit: 15.70 m
- Waterline length: 14.20 m
- Width: 4.70 m
- Draught with swing keel: 1.62 - 3.30 m
- Mast height above waterline: 21.0 m
- Weight: 12.0 tonnes (empty)
- Ballast/proportion: 3.2 tonnes / 26.6%
- Mainsail: 72.0 m2
- Genoa: 68.0 m2
- Stagfock: 47.0 m2
- Code Zero: 150.0 m2
- Gennaker: 235.0 m2
- Motorisation: Volvo-Penta D2-75 (75 hp) / shaft drive
- Fuel capacity: 600 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 400 litres
