The Archambault shipyard has delivered more than 1900 Surprise boats since 1976. And the Joubert/Nivelt design has become a popular and highly competitive standardised class, particularly in France and Switzerland. At the Bol d'Or Mirabaud, the long-distance classic on Lake Geneva, the Surprises are by far the strongest class with well over 100 participants.
However, the manufacturer Archambault has no longer existed since 2015. Now the BG Race shipyard in Saint Malo has taken over the moulds and the rights to build the Surprise and will relaunch the boat. Three new units have already been built and sold. Many more are to follow.
However, the Surprise is not only a popular boat within the standard class, but is also suitable as a sporty daysailer and as a touring boat for families with four berths. The 2.48 metre wide and only 1250 kilogram Frenchwoman is also very easy to transport on a trailer. And in addition to the standard equipment with a fixed keel, it is also available with swivelling or bi-keels. A small built-in engine can also be installed instead of the outboard motor.
BG Race in Saint Malo offers the new Surpise for a price of 38,940 euros (gross, including sails). The boat will continue to be built exactly according to Archambault standards, so it will continue to fit seamlessly into the measurement of the standard class. The shipyard is now also working on the new edition of the Archambault types A35 and A13.
