Refits & renovations : keeping the adventure going
Building a yacht capable of sailing for several decades also means knowing how to look after it throughout its lifetime.
At Alubat, our relationship with OVNI and CIGALE owners doesn’t end the day their boat is launched. Over the years, we continue to support them with their requests for parts, technical queries, repairs, equipment upgrades and, where necessary, refit and renovation work.
Because a boat that sails is a boat that lives.
After covering thousands of miles, on voyages in sometimes challenging conditions, distant stopovers and years spent at sea, certain components may need repairing, upgrading or simply bringing up to date.
And when the boat requires more extensive work, it can return to the shipyard where it was first built.
EXPERTISE
The builder
knows your boat
Having your boat refurbished by its builder offers a clear advantage : we know the OVNI and CIGALE models inside out.
We understand their design, materials, assembly techniques, equipment and the changes made to the various models over the generations. This knowledge enables our refit team to analyse your boat’s needs more quickly and find the solutions that best align with the original construction.
Led by Thierry Leprince, our dedicated team handles everything from one-off repairs to larger refit projects. And when specific expertise is required, we can also draw on our network of specialist partners. This structure enables us to offer a tailored solution for every situation, whether it’s a targeted repair or a complete refit.
From repairs to a complete refit
A boat owner's needs can very greatly.
A repair following a collision, work on the centreboard, refurbishment of the deck or hull, interior renovation, upgrades to the electrical systems, replacement of equipment or a complete modernisation of the boat : each project is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The refit then becomes a new stage in the boat’s life : the stage at which an existing sailing yacht is adapted to meet the needs of a new project.
A shipyard
capable of coordinating it all
One of Alubat’s strengths lies in the diversity of expertise available at the yard.
Metalwork, joinery, painting, electrical work, mechanical engineering, deck fittings and the integration of equipment are all part of the shipyard’s day-to-day operations.
Our in-house joinery workshop enables us to work on interior fittings and carry out bespoke modifications, while our two paint booths allow us to undertake various preparation and finishing tasks. Having the benefit of expertise across several trades all in one place makes it easier to coordinate work and provides a comprehensive overview of the project.
For the owner, it also means being able to entrust several tasks to a single point of contact and benefit from consistent site supervision.
Evolution
Repair, improve, customise
A refit is not necessarily synonymous with a faithful restoration. On the contrary, it can be an opportunity to develop the boat further.
Usage patterns have changed, technology has advanced, and owners themselves could well have new exceptations after several years of sailing. The electrical system can be modernised, power generation increased, navigation equipment updated, the interior layout redesigned or certain spaces transformed.
The boat can thus continue to evolve alongside its owner.
This is particularly true for OVNI and CIGALE boats, which are designed to support long-term sailing projects. A boat built several years ago can therefore be modernised and adapted to the demands of a new voyage wihtout losing any of its fundamental qualities.
And sometimes,
the shipyard can work remotely
Because OVNI yachts sail all over the world, some requests can be dealt with remotely, with technical advice or help in finding a solution.
The regular communication we maintain with owners sometimes enables us to resolve a problem without the boat needing to return to Les Sables-d’Olonne.
This was the experience of the owners of the OVNI 445 Cybele 17, who told us they were able to receive remote assistance whilst their boat was in Norway, where they were facing a problem with the centreboard.
This sort of situation illustrates a simple reality : being a boatbuilder also means being there when the boat is sailing far away from us.
Remote troubleshooting
C'est ce qu'ont vécu les propriétaires de l'OVNI 445 Cybele 17, alors que leur bateau naviguait en Norvège et rencontrait un problème de dérive.
“Thanks again to Thierry for the remote troubleshooting of my centreboard, which had become jammed by multiple layers of antifouling: he helped me remove and plane down the nylon sliders and explained the issue with the sensors (the centreboard must have moved sideways), which I’ll sort out when I next haul the boat out of the water. From the far reaches of Helgeland (Norway), at anchor in 25-knot gusts and torrential rain…”
The owners of the OVNI 445 Cybele 17
Giving your boat
a new lease of life
A refit can take place at various stages in a boat’s life.
Before a big voyage
To prepare it for a new adventure.
Après plusieurs années à naviguer
Pour retrouver confort, fiabilité et sérénité à bord.
When there is a change of ownership
To adapt the boat to a new programme.
To keep your yacht for years to come
And continue adapting ot to your future sailing projects.
Whichever the case, the aim remains the same : to ensure the boat, and the adventure that goes with it, lasts for years to come.
Because the longevity of an OVNI or a CIGALE does not depend solely on the robustness of its construction. It also depends on its ability to be maintained, repaired, improved and adapted over time.
And after sailing the oceans, braving the sea spray, gales and occasionally a few less-pleasant encounters, it can always return to Les Sables-d’Olonne to be in the hands of those who know it best.
The shipyard that builds your boat is also the one that can give it a new lease of life.
So that the adventure may continue for many years to come.
