Boating USA — February 2018

SCAN ME

PHOTOS: COURTESY JEANNEAU AMERICA

Peter’s patented Stepped-Vee Ventilated Tunnel hull. Though the

main photo shows Mercs, our tester sported twin 350 hp Yamaha

V-8 outboards, turning the big blades designed into its Saltwater

Series XL propellers to employ the big engines’ torque most ef-

ficiently. A bow thruster aids maneuverability dockside, and trim

tabs deliver a tool for fine-tuning performance while planing.

We achieved crisp cruising speeds from the mid-20s to the mid-

30s at attitudes proud enough to present the wave-cleaving bow

to oncoming seas, with the big outboards easing along between

3,800 and 4,500 rpm. Fuel economy was excellent for a gas-

powered, 10,000-pound boat carrying a 3.5 kW diesel generator,

and noise levels proved low enough for easy conversation. (Note

that the generator was running during one of our tests to keep

the cabin air-conditioned, but it did not register on the decibel

meter.) The Leader ate up the miles in comfort, with a conserva-

tive range of 200 miles over seven hours at 4,000 rpm. Clearly,

To view our online photo gallery of the

Jeanneau Leader 10.5, scan this tag or

visit boatingmag.com/3051.

BOATINGMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2018| 61