She is one of the most interesting new yacht-designs proposed in the last year. The Horizon 47 by French aluminum specialist Allures Yachting made her debut during last Cannes Yachting Festival and stirred up quite some interest from the outset: Although only being presented with a few renderings and a tiny model (well, it´s a crisis out there after all, right), my sources in the shipyard confirmed five orders right after the show. Which is a great success, given the fact that the first boat won´t be ready to visit live and in full size up until late this autumn. That said, I´ve incorporated the latest pictures of the Allures Horizon 47 building progress, provided by the shipyard, to visually tell the story of the boat in the making.
In any case, the new Horizon 47 is one of the very, very few boats I think are really interesting this year. You may have read my Duesseldorf-article, which I had dubbed “playing it safe” for a reason. It seems that the crisis-ridden industry is more occupied with adapting to much a lower order-intake (some speak of up to 50 percent less boats sold in average) and they don´t want to or cannot afford to really invest in something new, yet alone, something paradigm-shifting. So, the Allures Horizon 47 clearly stands out in this respect: She might change bluewater cruising for real. So I´m happy that naval architect and designer Olivier Racoupeau agreed to answer a couple of questions. Let´s delve into the story of how he re-defined the horizon …
About the new Allures sailing yacht – and the “Horizon Frame”
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “Olivier, when I first studied the lines of the new Allures Horizon 47, I quickly realized that that this boat-design has a form of “disruptiveness” inherent. Who had the idea for this new yacht in the first place?”
Olivier Racoupeau: “Well, Lars, of course, the design brief, as for every other new project too, always comes from the shipyard, which is Grand Large Yachting in Cherbourg. Nevertheless, the solution to their briefing we had devised is very much our own. That goes for the major characteristics of the yacht and also the details, like the idea to lower the foredeck and of course the huge transparency provided by the panoramic glazing. Also, the distinctive ergonomics of the yacht and many other things as well – all of this, combined with the response of the project team back in the shipyard, represents our vision for this yacht. I don´t know if this will be such a groundbreaking revolution as you call it, but she will surely be a major milestone for Allures.”
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “How was the “horizon frame” invented? Did you go through various stages, more and more nearing the final design?”
Olivier Racoupeau: “As a matter of fact, the idea of having a horizontal glazing actually emerged very naturally. I shall say, spontaneously! It all happened quite early in the design process and was one of the first major decisions, or suggestions, we´ve made to the shipyard. Interestingly enough, the design and ergonomics did not change much during the later development. This confirms to me that the design is beautiful, sound and hits a sweet spot for a majority of people. “
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “What are the structural implications of the frame in terms of integrity of the hull? I can imagine that “cutting out” such a large piece of hull needs to be carefully thought through and calculated, even if the boat is built in aluminum, right?”
Olivier Racoupeau: “Yes and no. Everything we do needs to be calculated and evaluated, structurally and technically. As for the horizon frame I can tell you, that we extensively utilized modern calculation methods, such as Finite Element Method (FEM) software, to provide all the necessary assurances regarding structural integrity when subjected to stresses, most importantly, during heavy weather sailing. In the end, the Allures Horizon 47 is a true ocean crossing bluewater sailing yacht, which comes with specific demands. In practice the large glazing of the horizon frame integrates particularly well into the boat’s structure, to be honest. So, no worries about this large piece of hull “missing”. (smiles)
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “Just for curiosity: Would something like this be possible for a GRP-made sailboat?”
Olivier Racoupeau: “Yes, sure. It would certainly be possible to build a composite boat with the same ergonomic solution as the Horizon 47. We´d need to adapt the design in terms of its strength and rigidity to suit fiberglass construction, but it´s possible. Large hull windows aren´t a problem for GRP-made yachts, utilizing latest chemical bonding agents and production methods.”
Working together as a couple: Introducing Isabelle Racoupeau
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “One upcoming article I am particularly looking forward to is the interior design part and the implications of the horizon frame, which will be done with your wife, Isabelle. But tell me, how close did you and Isabelle work together? Or did you finish working on the outlines, hull shape and naval architecture and she would work with whatever you came up with? Or did her work even make you change details of the exterior as well?“
Olivier Racoupeau: “Let me say first that we at Berret-Racoupeau have a very specific, holistic approach which is underlying every project we tackle. I thing this is one of the things setting us apart from maybe other design bureaus. In terms of working together with Isabelle, well, generally speaking, we usually work together simultaneously during the first or preliminary design stages.
We do it to ensure that decisions regarding naval architecture and styling integrate seamlessly with the interior design, and vice versa. For the customer the boat is always a whole, a comprehensive concept, and so it is only natural that we approach the design of a new boat together. Though everyone has his or her specialties and competences, we really flourish in our holistic working atmosphere.”
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “Please excuse my comparison: The Horizon 47 to me appears like some kind of a “pumped up Oyster”. I mean, she is ultra-luxurious, a true long-haul cruiser but with the ruggedness and safety of an aluminum yacht. Did you work together with Allures-clients and/or future owners?”
Olivier Racoupeau: “Of course we do speak to a great many owners. That goes for Allures, but is also valid across all the brands we collaborate with. And it is our personal understanding of each owner’s journey leading to their purchase that enables us to better understand the specific characteristics of each brand. In view of the Horizon 47, the specifications are indeed those of the shipyard as I said earlier, although the specific features of this project led us to review certain points during development.”
An old-school designer still …
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “Did you start from scratch, hull-wise, or did you take the Allures 45.9 or the 51.9 as a starting point from which you began the journey?”
Olivier Racoupeau: “Well, you never really start with a white sheet of paper, meaning that starting from scratch doesn´t make sense. For a new car, you haven´t got to re-invent the wheel or the engine likewise. Every new project always draws on our experience and expertise with past project. Regarding the sailing characteristics of the new Horizon 47, there won’t be any major differences in sailing this yacht compared to a 45.9. But skilled sailors will maybe notice that by evolving the sail plan the new boat will have a slight edge in practically all conditions. I look very much forward to see her and sail her in real life soon.”
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “When designing and playing around with ideas, do you use a pencil or how does Olivier Racoupeau design his yachts? How many design iterations did it need to arrive at the finished boat?“
Olivier Racoupeau: “Well, although it may seem surprising, practically all ideas are first expressed through a sketch, even in 2026! But of course, modern computer aided design is a must. It not only speeds up processes, but is the basis for detailed construction plans, the wiring, the pipes, the tanks, the plumbing and all that. But I really enjoy working with a sheet of paper and sketching my ideas at first, that´s true. How many design iterations there are I cannot say, because it is more like a flowing process, not a matter of clearly and distinctively shaped steps.”
NO FRILLS SAILING | Lars Reisberg: “Last not least: Who do you think would be the perfect client for the Horizon 47? And likewise, who would be better off with an Allures 45.9 or 51.9 or even the (also luxurious) Garcia?”
Olivier Racoupeau: “Lars, I don’t know if there is such a thing as a “perfect client”. Nor do I know if there is a boat that is “perfect” for every client, either. I do, however, believe that innovation allows us to develop, change and adapt sailing monohulls to a way they will actually be used in 2026 and coming years. I mean “used” in that respect that I really think that our Horizon 47 is truly a forward-looking boat.”
… and in that respect, she might change something at last as I predicted. We will see. Thanks so much, Olivier, for these insights: And I am looking forward to talking to your wife about the great interior design ideas which complement your awesome work for the boat´s outward appearance.
Pictures © with kind permission by Allures Yachting
You may also be interested in checking out these related articles:
Unveiling the model of the all-new Allures Horizon 47
At the Allures-shipyard in Cherbourg
Aluminum rudder trunks vs. GRP-boats: Wow.
