The large Ovni 490 was developed in collaboration with the designers from the Mortain & Mavrikios studio in La Rochelle and Jean-Pierre Brouns' CBA Design Office. This co-operation has already proven its worth in the design of the smaller sisters Ovni 370 (YACHT 6/2022 test) and Ovni 430 (YACHT 14/2024 test).
The clear orientation of the concept as a blue water yacht is reflected in the solid, fully enclosed pilothouse. The bulkhead to the cockpit can be closed watertight. In this completely sealed-off navigation area, the helmsman and the free watch remain optimally protected on long trips. It would also be possible to install a second helm station in this area so that the boat can also be steered from the inside.
Robust and suitable for dry falls
The boats in the legendary Ovni series are built in a particularly robust design as aluminium multi-buckling chandlers. Like all Ovnis, the new 490 also has an integral swivelling keel that can be fully retracted into the hull. This means that the boat is stable on the floor plate and the two rudder blades when dry - even regularly in tidal waters. Additional stability under sail is provided by the internal ballast in the form of cast iron blocks, which are installed in special containers in the hull at a maximum depth.
The standard sails include a slightly overlapping genoa with hole points on the coachroof; a self-tacking jib is not provided. However, an additional stay jib is a sensible option for long strokes. A gennaker or a code zero on the short nose can be optionally used for more performance on a crosswind course.
The deck saloon concept of the Ovni 490 offers a raised seating area with a panoramic view through the fully glazed cabin superstructure. There are various layout options in the foredeck: The central island bed can be replaced by a double berth fitted to the side. One of the two aft cabins can be converted into a large, walk-in locker or a spacious workshop.
Two engines, diesel or electric
The Ovni 490 is supplied as standard with two 50 hp diesel engines installed offset in the side of the hull. Both drives can be operated independently of each other, making it particularly easy to manoeuvre in the harbour - similar to a catamaran. Thanks to the shaft drives, the engines are also protected against damage if they fall dry. Construction number one is equipped with innovative electric drives at the customer's request.
The Ovni 490 costs 1,231,650 euros (gross, incl. 19 per cent VAT) in the high-quality and very comprehensive basic configuration, including a set of sails (main and genoa). The YACHT editorial team was on board the robust Frenchwoman in Les Sables-d'Olonne. The detailed test report will appear in an upcoming issue of YACHT. Until then, the first photos from the test can be seen in the gallery above
Technical data Ovni 490
- Designer: Mortain & Mavrikios / CBA Design Office
- Hull length: 14.90 m
- Overall length (with bowsprit): 15,46 m
- Waterline length: 13.98 m
- Width: 4.80 m
- Draught with integral canting keel: 1.00 - 3.50 m
- Mast height above waterline: 21.80 m
- Weight: 21.0 tonnes
- Mainsail: 65.0 m2
- Genoa (Solent): 64.0 m2
- Motorisation: 2 x Volvo Penta (D2-50) / 2 x 50 hp
