Cruising World - February 2016

F

rench sailboat builder Jean-

neau might well look back

on 2015 as the Year of the

Yacht. First it launched its new

64-foot fl agship to introduce the

Jeanneau Yacht model line, and then

it followed up with a 54- footer bear-

ing the same DNA, which made

its North American debut at the

U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis,

Maryland.

Like its big sister, the 54’s lines

were drawn by longtime Jeanneau

collaborator Philippe Briand, with a

contemporary (and comfortable) in-

terior fashioned by designer Andrew

Winch. With this vessel, Jeanneau is

going after a particular corner of the

market: younger sailors who look for

all the comforts of home whether

they’re off to their slope-side condo

or their summer home on the water.

Erik Stromberg, Jeanneau’s sail-

boat marketing director, says the

company’s new Yacht range is in-

tended for couples and families

who don’t necessarily want to take a

crowd on vacation or pack the boat

with friends while off on a charter.

Topsides, there’s a big cockpit and

multiple spaces dedicated to relax-

ation (more on that in a minute),

while below, the owner’s cabin is

premium, guest cabins are well ap-

pointed, and the galley is fi tted out

with the size and sorts of appliances

one might fi nd in an urban apart-

ment, right down to a front-opening

full-size fridge, washer and dryer,

dishwasher, and vent hood for the

propane stove and oven.

In addition to the 64 and 54,

there’s a 57 in the Yacht range, and

Stromberg says more models will

be added over time as the company

plans replacements for its larger DS

(deck saloon) models.

The idea, he says, is to provide

a standard of living aboard that we

have elsewhere in our lives.

My life should be so good.

Climbing aboard the 54 dock-

side or from a tender, one steps

onto the “terrace,” which might be

called a swim platform if not for the

cushions to each side that, when

unfolded, let you sit astern and take

in the surroundings. Underway, the

cushions are folded up, and the ter-

race folds as well, creating a level

sole between the dual helms. A cen-

terline swim ladder then becomes

part of the transom lifelines.

Also at the stern are a couple

of other noteworthy innovations.

Jeanneau has solved the vexing

problem of a lack of davits on wide-

beam modern cruising boats by

installing a pair that fold down and

retract into the hull when not in use.

The designer also moved the ends of

the split backstay inboard, so they’re

out of the helmsman’s way when he

or she is seated. Sitting or standing,

I found the sightlines from either

wheel were quite good.

79

february 2016

cruisingworld.com

NEW TECHNOLOGY, REVIEWS and

PRODUCTS for the CRUISING SAILOR

FEBRUARY 2016

LEISURE Living

The newly launched JEANNEAU 54 dishes out plenty of comfort

along with a healthy helping of sailing performance.

BY MARK PILLSBURY

BOATS

& GEAR

The distinctive curved lines of the cabin
top have the Jeanneau 54 looking sharp;
its low profi le provides good sightlines
forward for the helmsman.