The Ikone family expands with a 7.50 m big brother. After almost 100 Ikone deliveries (6.00 m cat-boats built in exactly 98 units since 2002), Espace Vag launched the Ikone J in 2006 (5.50 m length, 60 units sailing today).
It's worth remembering that Ikone yachts are not in the regatta league. They are easy-to-use, low-maintenance units offering maximum sailing pleasure. A concept that has already proved popular with the first two models.
So it's towards a larger unit that the project is launched. The Ikone 7.50 keeps the cat-boat principle - a mast set close to the bow with a mainsail and no jib. Given the 35 m2 surface area of the mainsail, the solution of wrapping it around the âeuros mast, as on the other two âeuros models, was not chosen. This time, the mainsail is classic, with a boom and an automatic reefing system to reduce the sail area. A lasy jack and a lasy bag keep the sail stowed, and a rigid vang keeps the boom off the deck.
Despite its white color, the mast is made of carbon, making it rigid enough to dispense with shrouds, while weighing no more than 60 kg. And if you want to lengthen your downwind stride, an asymmetrical spinnaker can be rigged on a long bowsprit (also in carbon, reinforced by a sub-bar). In this configuration, under the spinnaker, runners take up the load to assist the mast when overloaded.
Below the waterline, two keels limit the draught to 1.20 m, while providing stiffness to the canvas. Although not yet priced, a version with a single keel could be envisaged for use on lakes, for example.
A single rudder gives the boat excellent manoeuvrability, both under sail and under engine (it turns in a handkerchief).
All on-board manoeuvres are controlled from 2 winches on either side of the companionway. Here you'll find the German-style mainsheet, reefing line, mainsail halyard and spinnaker halyard. It couldn't be simpler!
With a 3 m beam, the cockpit is very spacious and can easily accommodate 6 adults for a day out. Access to the water is via a tilting rear deck, just like on larger cruisers.
Designed for coastal cruising, the Ikone 7.50's cabin is ideal for a couple and 2 children to spend several days aboard. Sleeping accommodation is generous, with a double berth forward over 2.00 m wide (albeit with the occupants' feet separated by the mast step). And under the cockpit, there's another double berth, this time 1.10 m wide.
A kitchen block and a real toilet with chemical or marine WC (your choice) complete this very complete inventory for such a small unit.
Barely launched at the end of summer, the Ikone 7.50 will be presented to the public at the Grand Pavois de La Rochelle in September 2015.
FEATURES
Architect: Julien Marin
Approval: B/C
Length: 7.50 m
Width: 3.00 m
Draft: 1.20 m
Cast-iron ballast: 2 x 415 kg
Upwind sail area : 35 m²
Spinnaker: 47 m² (47 sq. ft.)
Self-supporting carbon mast: 60 kg
Displacement: 2.2 t
Recommended motor power: 13 hp
Price: ?58,000
