Privilege 435

Nous étions pressé d'essayer cette unité prometteuse, il nous aura fallu patienter quelques temps afin qu' un exemplaire soit disponible. Le N° 1 prévu initialement nous ayant fait faux bond pour cause d'expédition urgente vers son propriétaire d'outre-atlantique, nous embarquions sur le N° 2 version "Easy Cruise" *, ce 23 septembre dernier, au départ de La Rochelle pour rejoindre la base "chantier" des Sables d'Olonne.

Under sail

The mile weather conditions enabled us to go quickly on an escapade to the Isle of Aix. After all, this was a relaxing moment to discover the spacious volumes of this 13-meter unit. The sails are deployed by hand with some effort for the final hardening of the mainsail (by Incidences Voiles) on the Andersen winch, but without contortion thanks to the well planned control stations: mainsail halyard at the mast foot, sliders on trolleys by Fredericksen, traveler adjustment units reduced to a single rear winch placed on the portside of the cockpit and all the maneuvers of the genoa jib and furler on the roof directly accessible from the helm station. On a fine sea, wind abeam, in spite of a light breeze of barely 8.5 knots, the Privilège 435 reached Aix at an average of 6.1 knots. It must be said that the sail power is very much present on this new unit. It is clear that the shipyard has turned a page in its history. Starting with the Privilège 465, this new range provides true pleasure under sail… and we are on board of the least aggressive version: the “Easy Cruise” with fixed ailerons fixes and aluminum mast. The next day, heading toward Les Sables d’Olonne between Île de Ré and the coast of Vendée, this impression was further reinforced.

On a slightly agitated sea with long 1.5 to 1.8-meter westward swell and 11 to 12-knot southwestern winds, the performance remains encouraging for such a catamaran. Thus, with the same true wind, we were able to note the following data: Angle Apparent wind Speed 80° 14 knots 7.2 knots 90°abeam 12.5 knots 7.8 knots 100° 12 knots 7.4 knots 120° 11 knots 6.9 knots 140° 8.5 knots 5.5 knots 150° 8 knots 4.9 knots After a night at anchorage in front of Saint-Martin-de-Ré and a copious breakfast outside in the “outdoor saloon”, the crew could hoist the 150‑m² asymmetric spinnaker with no difficulty thanks to the (indispensable…) sock. With a timid 9‑knots breeze 3/4 downwind, the speedometer indicated 7 good knots. Orienting ourselves slightly abeam and increasing our true wind to 12 knots even allowed to reach an average of 9 knots. At this speed, distances seem must shorter! The position of the helm, the complete view in front and on the sails associated with very good longitudinal stability should provide excellent moments at the helm at this point of sailing in warm waters. The high hulls with their very generous forms recall more the floats of a 45’ that those of a 42’. The balance of the volumes thus obtained promotes gentle passage in choppy water.

Circulation on deck is very easy, except for the difficulty in climbing on top of the roof. The access by the transoms to the cockpit all on a single level is excellent; the circular benches and the table are perfectly adapted for relaxation and dining. There is nothing to be said, such a unit provides for very pleasant living, with every element worked out for this purpose. The construction. Alliaura Marine is moving more and more toward “tailor-made” prestige production. Sensitive to individual preferences, since each owner is unique, the shipyard offers for this unit, as for its entire range, by the way, a choice of 3 versions of equipment designed to meet the customers’ real needs. There is a choice of: - Several helm station positions, simple facing the roof partition (version tested) or simple or double in the cockpit, aft - fixed fins or daggerboards -  3 or 4 cabins - Standard aluminum mast or carbon mast - Longer rear transoms increasing the waterline length and consequently the possibility of loading -  2 x 28 CV standard motors or 2 x 40 CV, unquestionably better adapted for extended cruising - Fixed three-blade propellers or steerable Max Prop

Built entirely of PVC foam sandwich, multi-axial glass fabric glued under vacuum and isophthalic resin, the Privilège 435 is guaranteed 10 year for the structure. Every material used in this structure is approved by Lloyd’s and Nordsk Veritas. Such quality and the care brought by this shipyard also provides for certification from Bureau Véritas. The partitions also made of “aviation” type sandwich panels under vacuum participate further in saving weight for the whole, providing a displacement/m² among the lightest at this time. The deck is built on a female cast and PVC sandwich under vacuum. The antiskid is of the type incorporated in the cast and is perfectly satisfactory. Standard equipment includes rudders suspended on stainless steel main piece with self-aligning bearings and they are entirely filled with epoxy foam. For the version with variable draft, the Alliaura Marine shipyard chose to have “fusible” centerboards. Entirely made of multi-axial fabric and epoxy glue under vacuum, these centerboards are filled with low-density foam which break, in case of violent shock, without damaging the board case and positive floatability facilitating retractation. It’s simple and effective.

The motors

On the “Easy Cruise” we were able to try out for this test, Sail Drive motors are those that seem to be most popular among the first customers and for good reason: two 3JH3CE-type 40 CV Yanmar. Equipped with 18” Max Prop three-blade propellers, these motors boost the boat’s 10 metric tons at 7.5 knots at a cruising speed of 2,900 rpm only! The results are very satisfactory considering the thickness of the keels and the wetted surfaces. For these latest generation motors, the results obtained with Max Prop blades oriented à 20° are excellent but use up more fuel: Motor speed Speed Cons. 2 Motors. 1,200 rpm 3.5 knots 1.4 l/h 1,800 rpm 5.6 knots 3.5 l/h 2,200 rpm 6.4 knots 4.2 l/h 2,600 rpm 7.8 knots 6.6 l/h 3,000 rpm 8.4 knots 9.8 l/h 3,600 rpm 8.9 knots 14.8 l/h The 380-liter fuel tank is quite sufficient for extended travel: 350 miles of autonomy (44 hours at 8 knots).

Life on board

Like her big sister, this new Privilège is brimming with light and ample space inside. This is certainly due to the light wood and PVC lining. There is the time-tested arrangement of the net: U-shaped galley on mid-level between the saloon and companionways. With the top-of-the-range appliances you can cook as if you were at home while taking advantage of the convivial saloon. The ventilation is good and the excellent visibility makes this a privileged observation point in the natural extension of the sailing area. The layout and choice of decoration materials (veneer and solid light-colored cherry, “Bolon” type PVC lining, sliding wood panels) both in the galleries and cabins indicate the great care the shipyard brings in each of its units. Each cabin is wonderfully spacious (5 m²), each berth occupies 2 m x 1.6 m with a slatted bed base. On such a unit, Alliaura Marine has not overloaded the features with too many washrooms. This gain in space in each float leaves room for two real galleries with storage, each perfectly integrating a washroom that is quite sufficient with sink, toilet and shower. On board the 435, you can move around easily in the wide practical galleries. After spending just two days on this prestige unit, I would willingly come back on board for a week’s vacation; it is a very pleasant place to live, the control lines are also brought back to the helmsman (except the rather difficult mainsail sheet hardening). With its perfectly targeted size, its versatility will satisfy both those who wish to cruise on the high seas or the increasing number of people interested in family coasting. With this second unit, after the 465, Alliaura Marine is reinforcing its place as a large French shipyard building both sailing catamarans and Trawler-cat type motor catamarans.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Designer: Marc Lombard Interior designer: B.E. Jeantot Marine & Archetype Studio Builder: Alliaura Marine SA. Construction: Sandwich hulls (glass + isophthalic resin, foam Divinicell) under vacuum. Monolithic keel fins reinforced in beaching areas Version tested: 435 “Easy Cruise” Hull length: 13.45 m Waterline length: 12.85 m Overall beam: 7.07 m Draft w/ fixed fins: 1.35 m Light displacement: 8.9 metric tons Max. load displacement: 12 metric tons Berths: 4 doubles Water tank: 600 l. Fuel capacity: 380 l. Motors: 2 Diesel Sail Drive 40 CV. Propellers: Three-blade Max Prop (18”) Max. motor speed: 3,600 rpm Batteries: 12V [2 x 100 A] + [ 5 x 100 A] Sails: Fullbatten mainsail: 64 m² (3 reefs) Genoa jib on furler: 47 m² Gennaker on furler: 50 m² (with tack pole) Options: Staysail: 20 m² Asymmetric spinnaker: 150 m² Draft for “Performance” version (Centerboards): 1.20/2.50 m Certifying organization: Bureau Véritas For the following EC certification: Category A B C Authorized load 2,900 kg 3,100 kg 3,700 kg Capacity 8 10 16 Safety certification: Category 1 for 8 people Export price in Euros: “Easy Cruise” Euros 388,722 “À la carte” Euros 331,557 “Performance” Euros 396 344

Pros

The interior arrangement and its design Circulation in the cockpit and access to the transoms Clear improvement in performance Choice between a version with fins or centerboards

Cons

Protection from the sun on front of roof Circulation on deck near the backstays Access on the roof during maneuvers on the mainsail The ergonomics of the winches for the mainsail sheet

COMPARISONS:

CRITERIA * PRIVILÈGE 435 NAUTITECH 435 CATANA 431 VENEZIA 42 FREYDIS 430 LOA 13.13 m 13.25 m 13.10 m 12.60 m 12.99 m Waterline length 12.60 m 12.30 m 12.80 m 12.30 m 12.99 m Beam 7.07 m 6.60 m 7.30 m 6.95 m 7.00 m Light displacement 8.3 t. 7.5 t. 8.0 t. 6.9 t. 5 t. Sail area upwind (genoa jib) 111 m² 90 m² 151 m² 101 m² 123 m² Skin friction coeff. ** 6.275 6.337 6.453 6.515 7.659 Propulsion coeff. *** 5.247 4.887 6.195 5.323 6.539 * = Builder’s data = Light weight displacement)= Light displ. ** = Lwl./ ÷ cubic root of vol.displ. — light (— = D/1.025 ) = Skin friction coefficient *** = ÷ square of sail area/÷ cubic root of vol. displ. — light displ.

Some figures: en cm

Berths in fore cabins: 200 x 160 Berths in aft cabins: 200 x 160 Seating at the table: 7 + 3 poufs Galley 180 x 170, U-shaped Cockpit area >11 m² Headroom Entrance to net: 191 Middle of saloon: 187 Front of Saloon: 175 Galley: 190 Chart table: 192 Galleries: 197 Fore Cabins: 199 Aft Cabins: 200 Toilets/Shower: 196 Height under the net: 100 to 85 cm from front to rear