Launched just two years ago, the small shipyard Chantier Ofcet in La Rochelle as one of the most ambitious boat builders when it comes to small ocean racing yachts. The brand has its roots in a service company that has specialised in preparing racing yachts for regattas since 2008. At some point, the founders - Yann Dubé, a former aeronautical engineer, and professional sailor Mathieu Piquelé - felt that this was not enough and decided to enter the boat business themselves on the side.
Her debut was fantastic. At the MiniTransat last autumn, her Ofcet 6.50 won the series classification and also took second place, an outstanding result, especially as the Pogo3, also new, was a tough competitor at the start - developed by a shipyard that had shaped and defined the class for decades.
Will the next coup follow with the new Ofcet 32? There are some indications that it will.
Because the project is very special - an IRC-optimised ocean-going yacht for single-handed operation or small crews. There are not many of these on the market, at least not to the extent shown here. Nevertheless, Yann Dubé is also hoping for interest from ambitious cruising sailors.
Eric Levet from Marc Lombard Yacht Design designed the 9.80 metre long boat with its striking lines. The basic data already indicate a high performance potential: 3.4 tonnes of displacement with 60 square metres of sail area on the wind result in a sail load factor of 5.2, while the indicator jumps to 7.3 under sail. The provisional IRC race value is between 1009 and 1017, depending on the configuration.
The Ofcet 32 is deliberately designed for a wide range. "High performance values on all courses are particularly important for an offshore racer," Levet told Seahorse magazine (interview in the current issue). Because there is no crew weight on the high edge in solo or double-handed operation, the boat is very stable. Twin rudders ensure controllability when the boat is in position. The fin keel does not require a bomb, which is an advantage according to IRC; the ballast ratio is almost 50 per cent according to the shipyard!
To achieve this ratio and keep the overall weight within limits, the hull, deck and bulkheads are made entirely of foam sandwich. Full laminate is only used in the immediate keel area. In addition, the platforms of the cabin extension - laminated together with the floor assembly in a single piece - fulfil a stiffening function.
The Ofcet 32 is expected to cost around 140,000 euros and will be launched shortly. Nominated for European Yacht of the Year in the Performance Cruiser category, it has already managed to attract international attention and recognition in advance. She is undoubtedly one of the hottest premieres of the 2016/17 model year.
Click here to go to the Homepage of the shipyard, here to the Facebook account of Ofcet.
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
