Under new ownership, the French company Archambault Boats is just getting off to a flying start. The shipyard recently presented the first plans for a new 13-metre racer, the Archambault A13. The design comes from the Joubert/Nivelt office and is quite radical: extremely flat stern, super-wide stern, minimally short cabin superstructure and a maximally large cockpit. Another visually striking feature is the pronounced, negative deck projection.
The A13 will be very specifically and uncompromisingly designed for IRC racing sailing inland and offshore. To this end, the boat will be fitted with a carbon fibre rig (mast and main boom) as standard. The weight of the ready-to-sail newcomer is calculated at a maximum of 6.7 tonnes. This should enable it to start planing from 15 knots of wind.
The handicap according to IRC is given as a TTC value between 1.16 and 1.18. The A13 is sailed with either a spinnaker or a gennaker. Depending on the choice, the boat is fitted with a long, permanently attached bowsprit made of carbon fibre. And instead of the double rudder wheels, tiller steering is also possible.
Inside, the A13 is designed to be suitable for touring to a limited extent. After all, there are six berths, a short galley and a toilet in the separate but otherwise empty foredeck. This makes navigation all the more important. This functional area is divided and arranged on both sides of the companionway. This means that the navigator can always sit and work upwind.
The prototype of the Archambault A13 is due to take to the water in spring 2014. An initial price indication is 379,000 euros including carbon fibre rig and VAT.
Shipyard: Archambault Boats
Distribution Germany: Diamond Yachts, Laboe
