Northwest Multihull Sailing Charters

Alouette

Alouette is officially an F-31R, built in 1997. Between '95 and '01, many variation of the F-31 were built. The early ones have 40' fixed masts, later ones have 42 1/2' fixed or rotating masts. Several interior layouts are found, along with both aft cockpit and aft cabin versions. Alouette is considered an aft cockpit, long cabin version with a 42 1/2' rotating mast. It has a full head on the port side forward, a V-berth that can sleep 2, and, after extensive modifications, can sleep 2 singles in the main cabin. It also has removable bunk boards and extra cushions that can convert the main cabin into a queen size berth.

The galley has a sink and 2 portable butane stoves. Except in very windy or rainy conditions, placing the stoves on the cockpit seats just outside the companionway, effectively enlarges the galley and keeps any cooking mess outside.

A large cooler with a drain line is semi-permanently installed just forward of the starboard seat/bunk. And there are numerous storage compartments behind and below the seats/bunks, more than on any other F-31.

There is also a large navigation station aft on the starboard side. Both the navigation station and the galley slide back, out of the way, to give 2 - 6' bunks in the main cabin. See pictures of the interior on the "pictures" page. The main cabin was completely redesigned and rebuilt in 2005.

The head has been modified also. It has a sink, a traditional marine head, and a somewhat crude, but effective, warm water shower. A dry storage compartment has been added also. Alouette carries 16 gallons of fresh water, and has a 16 gallon holding tank. Both tanks are mounted under the V-berth. A simple 2 tank LED tank guage shows the water levels in either tank.

Stowage aft of the main cabin under the cockpit is easily accessible by removing the 2 small steps to the companionway.

Alouette has 2 gel cell batteries, a 3 stage shore power battery charger, speed log, depth gauge, VHF, and 10" GPS chartplatter. She has running lights, anchor light and steaming light. All simple but adequate.

Rigging is straightforward and simple. These boats don't need complex rigging or big fancy racing sails to go fast. Alouette has a pinhead main sail, and a regular size roller furled jib. It does not have a spinnaker, but instead has a sail called a "maxi - reacher". The maxi is almost as fast as a spinnaker downwind, but a lot simpler and safer. It performs as well or better than a spinnaker on a reach. The main sail has battcars on the luff, and an EZ Jax system which makes raising and lowering the main a breeze. The mainsheet system is a bit unusual with 2 lines, but no traveler. Once familiar with it, people find it effective and simple to use. Both the 9.9 Yamaha outboard, and the kick-up rudder, have block & tackle lifting lines to ease raising. Again, see the "pictures" page.

Overall, the boat is quite simple to rig and sail. You want to spend your time sailing, not constantly fussing with complicated rigging.

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