Motor Boat & Yachting — August 2017

A slightly quirky-looking boat from one

of the largest builders in Europe, the

805 Leader lacks the pointy styling

common to many boats in this field,

but counters with a very wide beam.

Most boats of this type limit the beam

to 8ft 6in as a sop to the US market –

it’s a highway towing restriction. The

Jeanneau puts two fingers up to the

Yanks – the 805 is almost 10ft wide!

INTERIOR

That beam really makes itself felt

downstairs. Not only does the cabin

feel significantly less pinched, but

there’s also space to incorporate

a separate mid cabin with a proper

door, a seat and a wardrobe, rather

than the crawl-in double berth

tucked behind the stairs that

most have. A twin burner gas hob

is an improvement over the typical

single meths burner, while cherry

wood gives the cabin real class.

EXTERIOR

Another bonus of the wide beam

is proper side decks, rather than

teetering through the windscreen.

Cunningly, the aft section of the

cockpit spreads luxuriantly across the

full width of the boat, giving a massive

entertaining area uncompromised by

fixed sunpads (the table drops and

infills instead). A double helm seat is

another great feature. Like the cabin,

the outside feels a significant step up

in size from most of its competitors.

PERFORMANCE

Twin V6 petrol engines were a rare

option, a single V8 petrol less so. But

most got diesel power, and not

the little KAD 32 you might expect.

The meaty 230hp KAD 43 found

its way into boats up to the mid

2000s, the even more powerful

and super efficient D4-260 into

later boats, giving a 32-knot top end.

SEAKEEPING

“With so much beam carried so far

forward, we expected a hard ride,” said

MBM in 2001. “Conditions were just

right[...] not once did it slam hard,

managing to cushion every wave.”

DATA FILE

Length 25ft 7in (7.8m)

Beam 9ft 9in (3.0m)

Draught 2ft 9in (0.8m)

Displacement 2.3 tonnes

Fuel capacity

72 imp gal (330 litres)

Engine Volvo Penta D4-260

260hp diesel

SOLD Norfolk Yacht Agency.

Web: http://www.nya.co.uk

Plenty of space in the

sun in the cockpit

A separate mid cabin is

rare on a boat of this size

2006 £43,950

Jeanneau 805 Leader

Smart interior with

glossy cherry wood

★★★★★

RATING

Quirky-looking

boat that doesn’t

follow the herd

Space, pace, and

a classy cabin

MY CHOICE The Hawk 31 is a performance thoroughbred,

and there seems to be a growing interest in these earlier

Sunseekers, several having been refurbished like the boat you

see here. The Princess 385 shows just how much you can buy

with £50K, although you need to accept that boats of this age are likely to

need some love. The Botnia makes an interesting wildcard with its Scandi

build quality, seakeeping and all-weather protection. But the Jeanneau is the

true all-rounder. Recent build, powerful (and current-model) engine, strong

performance, generous accommodation, huge cockpit, nicely finished and

well equipped. I genuinely think there is no finer boat on the market for under

£50,000. But not this one – because I’ve just bought it. Nick Burnham