1986 Pouvreau 42' Expedition Cutter

Pouvreau 42

Aluminum Expedition Cutter

Fleur Australe is a simple, light, fast, strong world cruiser optimized for single and double handing. She was originally built by French racer Philippe Poupon, who sailed her extensively in Patagonia and Antarctica.

Current owners since 2014 (the third owners) have circled the North Atlantic twice, cruising Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland in the North, as well as the spending time in Europe and the Eastern Caribbean. Fleur Australe has been sailed double-handed, alhough configured to be largely handled single-handed when offshore. Offshore, plan for passages at 150nm/day with minimal to no engine usage. Inshore and in places with no wind you'll appreciate the boat's tankage, minimizing the need to worry about refueling (1300 NM range) and no need for strapping fuel cans ondeck. You'll appreciate the stiffness of a metal boat that allows running higher rig tensions allowing to safely sail the boat hard in heavy weather without concern. The heaters and insulation are wonderful, especially with the double-panes on the windows and hatches. Owners spent one winter living aboard and cruising in coastal Maine with no complaints or condensation worries, and she has plenty of ventilation in the tropics as well.

This Vaton design aluminum built by the Pouvreau yard was modified and adapted for ice sailing. Reinforced hull, thermal insulation, double glazed pilot house with plexiglass bubble, companionway swinging door, Reflex oil fired stove in the saloon and open spaces make this cutter a really efficient expeditions sailboat. The accommodations are simple and comfortable with large aft and forward doubles and a single large head space. Handholds ideally located for offshore conditions. Galley equipped for cooking offshore. Reliable systems with substantial tankage.