BOAT TEST - Allures Yachting

45
BOAT TEST
Allures
Words and pictures by Peter Poland
F
rench builders have always enjoyed
a good reputation (and plenty of
success) when it comes to building
yachts in steel or aluminium. For
reasons that escape me, British builders
of production yachts, on the other hand,
have stuck firmly with GRP over the last
half century. So maybe the absence of
aluminium yachts at UK Boat Shows has
become a circle that is hard to break.
There’s certainly no logical reason
why this should be – especially in the
market for high quality and semi custom
production yachts. But maybe things are
now about to change. The exceptional
strength to weight ratio of an aluminium
hull has never been in doubt and this
material has long been a favourite
amongst blue water sailors. And in recent
times, examples of the chine-hulled
aluminium Ovni range (built in France)
have begun to appear in the UK.
And now a range of beautifully built,
round-hulled aluminium Allures cruisers is
being launched on the UK market. I test
sailed the latest model – the Allures 45 –
in Cherbourg.
Allures Yachting is part of a recently
formed group that also includes the
successful Outremer catamaran builders
(the 49 won European Boat of the Year)
and specialist aluminium boat builders
Garcia. Although these three companies
offer very different products, they have
one thing in common: they aim to
produce high quality semi-custom craft
that appeal to serious sailors.
fair. The skin thickness is graded from a
massive 10mm on the bottom of the hull
to 8mm just beneath the waterline to
6mm on the topsides. The deck (which is
welded to the hull to make a monocoque)
is 5mm thick, while there’s considerable
additional thickness in localised areas
that need extra reinforcement (such as
chain plate bases etc). Then an extensive
web of stringers adds further strength
and rigidity. A beefy collision bulkhead
is welded into the forward sections; the
huge fuel and water tanks (550 litres
each) are welded into the bilge (where
their weight will do the most good); and
the generous amount of fixed ballast (4.4
tonnes out of an all up unloaded weight
of 11.8 tonnes) is fixed in position.
Much of the interior fit out is then
completed before the composite GRP
infusion-moulded coachroof is finally
bonded and bolted into place. Allures and
Beret went for this material for the roof
because it facilitates a far more slinky and
curvaceous shape than aluminium plates.
In addition, it keeps top-hamper weight
low and increases insulation.
In line with its aim to provide a
considerable degree of customisation
to its clients, Allures offers three internal
layouts. The ‘Owner’s Version’ is intended
for the small crew setting off on long
voyages. This has a huge forecabin (with
centreline double berth), a single double
berth cabin aft (to starboard) and a big
workshop ‘cabin’ aft to port. The heads
and shower cabinet are aft, to port.
Then the ‘Cruiser Version’ comes with
a forecabin (with en suite heads), two
aft double cabins and a large heads/
shower cubicle aft. The test boat was
one of these. Finally the ‘Family Version’
offers an extra ‘passage berth’ cabin
forward (to port), just aft of a forward V
berth. In addition, Allures offers a huge
array of other options such as generator,
watermaker, extra electronics, extra
refrigeration et al. Owners really can
optimise this boat to suit their needs.
What’s more, the system clearly works
and appeals; because 13 Allures 45s have
already been ordered since its launch in
September 2010. The builders say they
will be able to produce 23 a year.
The boat I sailed had just been handed
over to her new owners and was No.8 off
the line. She had been sold by UK agents
Williams and Smithells to a British sailor,
so he and his partner were just getting
familiar with their new yacht. And I was
impressed to see that the builders include
an extensive ‘commissioning and getting
to know your boat’ >>
The Allures range of ‘dériveurs intégrals’
(in other words boats with internal ballast
and pivoting centreplates) stretches
from 40 ft right up to 51ft. They are all
designed by the prominent French team
of Berret Racoupeau.
When I visited the Allures factory, I
was able to see the full production
process. First up comes the impressive
aluminium hull/deck shell, fabricated by
sister company Garcia. In line with the
expectations of its ‘blue water’ cruising
owners, this is a high spec piece of work.
The aluminium plates have been so
skilfully rolled and welded into a round (as
opposed to chined) hull that there is no
need for filler. The finish is commendably
INTERIOR |
Fine finish and a seamanlike layout
make the saloon work well.
EXTERIOR |
Allures 45 under sail with genaker
reaching and running sail set
SPECIFICATION
LOA
13.98m
LWL
12.35m
Beam
4.43m
Draught
1.05m to 3.00m
Weight (light)
11.8 tonnes
Ballast
4.4 tonnes
Engine Volvo D2-55 55hp saildrive
CE Certification.
Cat A Ocean
Base Price
€296,980 plus VAT
Builder
Allures Yachting, Cherbourg. Tel
0033 233 442220
www.allures.fr
UK Agent
Williams & Smithells, Wicormarine,
Portchester, Fareham, PO16 9DR
Tel: 01329 827053
www.williamsandsmithells.co.uk
We also tried out the large nylon genaker.
This is set on a sophisticated, continuous
line Profurl furling system with a drum at
the base and swivel at the top. Having
tacked the sail onto the front of the beefy
bowsprit, we hoisted the furled ‘sausage’
and wound in plenty of halyard tension.
This keeps the luff straight and taught;
so the sail sets well even when the wind
is ahead of the beam. With a true wind
of just 10 knots and at 90 degrees to the
bow, the Allures 45 surged ahead at 7.5
knots. Impressive.
A place for everything in the
sensible stern lockers and the
‘arch’ acts as davits for a dinghy
programme within the price. When I
asked the new owner why the Allures 45
had topped his shopping list, he replied;
“we could have spent less on an average
GRP yacht, but wanted something
special. The aluminium construction,
shallow draught ability, beautiful finish
and flexibility of specification added up to
a tailor-made yacht. And she’s beautiful.”
So how did she sail? First off, the owner
fired up the 55hp Volvo. It was so quiet
you could almost forget it was running.
Then she reversed out and - like all twin
rudder yachts - she can take time for
astern steerage to ‘bite’. But there is
always help on hand if needed (which
was not the case on this occasion) from
the bow thruster. Once under way, the
feathering three bladed prop provided
a lot of push. At a mere 1500 rpm she
made 5 knots and 1800 rpm brought up
an effortless 6 knots. Maximum speed at
3,000 rpm is 8 knots.
Despite her size, raising sail on the Allures
45 is not a sweat. The zip on the mainsail
stack-pack cover is intelligently offset
to one side (ie it is low down); so you
can easily reach it. The fully battened
mainsail went aloft without catching on
the lazyjacks, because Allures sensibly
lead these to a point halfway along the
spreaders, thereby widening the gap.
Then – because the wind was light – we
elected to unroll the larger Solent headsail
rather than the small staysail that is set
inboard of this on its own inner forestay
and roller. That’s one of the joys of the
cutter rig. Although it does add to the
cost, you always have two different sized
headsail options to suit the conditions.
And it is also worth mentioning that all
the sails come from the highly regarded
loft of Incidences; a sailmaker much
favoured by the around the world racing
fraternity. Allures policy is to fit quality
gear as standard. Commendably, the
company does not cut corners when
selecting its suppliers.
As we made sail, the NACA section
centreplate was lowered. This weighs
180 kg. and increases the draught from
1.05m to a meaningful 3m. The plate
is raised and lowered by means of a
tackle, which leads back to an electric
winch in the cockpit. And as the mainsail
and Solent caught the wind, the Allures
settled down to an easy 6.6 knots at 60
degrees to the 8 kn true wind. When
the wind picked up to 12 kn a bit later
on, she went to windward at 6.8 knots
and tacked through around 95 degrees.
The deep centreplate did a good job
at cutting leeway. But the real surprise
was how easily almost 13 tonnes of
boat (with tanks full and gear aboard)
slipped through the water. The helm felt
delightfully balanced and the motion
was pleasant. True, this is not a race
boat, because tacking a cutter takes a bit
longer. But nor does she hang about. It is
easy to envisage how an Allures 45 could
gobble up the sea miles at ease and in
comfort. >>
The cockpit is also comfortable and
secure with twin steering wheels, well
proportioned cockpit seats and deep
backrests. The teak cockpit table also
acts as a convenient foot brace and has
storage space inside. And this model was
fitted with a beautifully made spray hood
and a bimini that stowed neatly against
the multi-function arch over the back
of the cockpit. Every detail is carefully
thought out and well executed.
The living accommodation is accessed
via steps that lift in order to give access
to the engine. And as one takes in
the ‘ambience’ and the quality cherry
woodwork down below, it is immediately
obvious that the Allures 45 is not just
another run-of- the-mill mass produced
yacht. It’s special.
The fully equipped linear galley runs
along the port side (with loads of lockers
and drawers) and the saloon settees
and dining table are to starboard. The
central settee also hides the centreplate
housing, complete with inspection panel
so you can check on the lifting tackle.
Robust stainless steel grab handles fall
easily to hand. And the navigation area
(to starboard) comprises a big table (with
stowage inside), adjustable forward and
aft facing seats and really useful drawers
for stowing charts and other sundry gear.
The whole area is also slightly raised,
so the navigator has a panoramic view
of the outside world. It’s all worked out
for serious voyaging. And while on the
subject of storage, it’s worth mentioning
that the Allures 45 boasts almost 12,000
litres of locker space (compared to the
norm of 8,500 litres for a yacht of this size
and type).
I’ve already mentioned the three different
layouts vis a vis sleeping cabins and w.c.
compartments. Suffice it to say that
whichever option is chosen, the bunks
are comfortable (with slatted bases) and
the heads are well equipped and finished.
There’s also a large compartment beneath
the cockpit (between and accessible
from the two stern cabin areas) to house
ancillary equipment such as a generator.
The builders seem to have thought of
every need and eventuality.
Of course all this customisation and
extensive level of quality equipment does
not come cheap. The standard Allures 45
costs €296,980 plus VAT, and there’s a
long list of optional accessories (some of
which might be deemed essential). But
then you do get what you pay for in this
life. And in the case of the Allures 45, this
adds up to a beautifully built aluminiumhulled centreboard blue water cruising
yacht that can be custom built to suit
your needs. What’s more, several sailors
have already decided it is worth every
Euro.
“
Every detail
is carefully
thought out
and well
executed.
“
In common with many centreboarders,
most of the Allures 45’s ballast is in the
bilge (as opposed to deep beneath it), so
she will benefit from a reef when sailing
to windward in around 16 knots true.
But this is no big deal. She is Category A
Ocean certified and will take bad weather
in her stride. Indeed, many will tell you
that – in really extreme conditions – a
large centreboarder with ample internal
ballast and the plate raised will safely slide
sideways in big waves. Whereas a deep
fin keeler can ‘trip’ on its keel and capsize
(as happened to so many yachts in the
tempestuous 1979 Fastnet race).
Don’t argue with this!
Massive strength built
into the Allures’
multi-function ‘sprit’