for 2 feet or less of draft. That's pretty interesting when you consider the extra design constraints Alubat has to deal with in fitting the board inside the cabin, mostly above the sole. It's alot easier on the interior to put it below as was usually the norm in most of the keel centerboarders on the past. But they drew that extra amount of centerboard containing stub keel.

It looks like most of the Alubats are sold in the EU and surrounding areas. Could it be draft is so much more of an issue in that area that a 39'er drawing less than 2' is a strong attraction? I've seen vast areas of coastal EU that dry at low tide. Plus they have so many wonderful canals, many of which are getting shallower.

There's also the aluminum (or steel for that matter) factor that seems preffered in the EU by more new boat buyers I find interesting. But I get the impression the EU sailor goes farther afield in a smaller boat than we do too, so their Alubats get their legs stretched.

I enjoy sailing with a centerboard and put up with the downsides. And it's the ability to go "up the creek" in any boat that has always intrigued me. There's a world of difference between 4' board up draft and 1.7' the Ovni has. Of all the places I've sailed on the east coast, that's two different worlds.