Trade-A-Boat — February 2018

T

he Jeanneau

Velasco 43F is a

beautiful boat

and Sydney

Harbour a

beautiful place, but the day

of our test was far from it.

There was an air of

trepidation as we departed

The Spit and headed toward

Sydney Heads for a morning

run. A southeasterly buster

was pushing through, winds

averaging 20kts but gusting

to around 30 to 35kts.

We rounded South Head

and continued seaward with

the Velasco taking it straight

on the nose. The mood

quickly changed to sheer

joy as the 43F confronted

the might of the Tasman Sea

with a strong and confident

attitude – and just a hint

of Euro arrogance and

panache.

Our confidence was

enhanced by the power of

the twin 380hp Cummins

QSB6.7 turbo-diesels

transmitting bold grunt

through the V-drive shafts.

Sensibly, we backed off into

the head sea, maintaining

a comfortable and fuel-

efficient 10kts.

After a good run into the

swell we rounded easily with

very little roll and ran back

down the waves. She sat

up nicely at 20kts, showing

2800rpm, using 50lt/h per

side and revelling in the

swell as she tracked straight

and true down the face.

The first Velasco 43s had

an upright trawler-style

windscreen, but the new

43F has sportier lines with

a sloping windscreen; an

image enhanced by a low

targa arch aft on the long

flybridge.

Her appointments include

a forward stateroom and a

convertible twin for visitors

and kids, both with en

suites. There’s a big saloon

area with functional galley,

comfortable seating and a

convertible dinette leading

to a large rear deck with

lounge.

The downstairs helm has

a double bench seat and

terrific 360-degree visibility

as well as comfortable

controls and sports steering

wheel.

The main access to the

engine bay is via a hatch

in the cockpit floor and

Jeanneau has maximised the

available space with a very

compact engineroom.

Back outside, Jeanneau

has combined all the

elements for the sun lover

with an extended flybridge

and large flat foredeck.

You will feel comfortable

having kids aboard with high

gunwales and well-secured

sidedecks.

The extended flybridge/

sundeck is an appealing

area for a private party but

has the capacity for a crowd.

There’s a double sunlounge

at the rear bordered by the

low targa and a U-shaped

lounge with table for alfresco

dining. The low-slung helm

gives all the required options

as below, including another

multifunction display.

The Velasco 43F is an

appealing boat with proud

lines and obvious European

heritage. She has the guts to

go to sea, yet the grace and

facility of a luxury cruiser.

Jeanneau Velasco 43F

POWERFUL PANACHE

quick specs

Jeanneau Velasco 43F

PRICE AS TESTED $837,000

MATERIAL Fibreglass

TYPE Planing monohull

LENGTH 13.7m

BEAM 4.13m

ENGINE 2 x 380hp Cummins

QSB6.7 turbo-diesel

FUEL 1170lt

WATER 400lt

FOR MORE INFO

Visit jeanneauaustralia.com

STORY JOHN WILLIS

PHOTO JACK MURPHY

tradeboats.com.au 83

Archive Tests