jeanneau yachts wiki

Jeanneau innovates with the Jeanneau Yachts 55, a new concept in owner's sailing yachts

July 13 2022

Written by Yachting Art English Edition

Twenty years ago, the French shipyard Jeanneau distinguished itself by launching Jeanneau Yachts, a range of luxury sailing yachts over 50 feet, which quickly allowed it to become the world leader in this market segment, by greatly expanding it. The latest model in this line, the Jeanneau Yachts 55 , unveiled this week and to be presented for the very first time at Boot 2023 next January, inaugurates a new concept of layout, unique on an owner's monohull sailboat, offering catamaran-like features.

The concept of the new Jeanneau Yachts 55 was based on a central question in the specifications that the teams from the naval architecture firms Philippe Briand, Winch Design and Jeanneau Design had to answer, and which is a nagging question at Jeanneau: how to offer more space aboard a 55-foot sailboat, while maintaining its length, in order to offer more functionalities on an owner's boat?

In fact, answering this question meant imagining a revolutionary layout, halfway between that of a monohull sailboat and that of a catamaran, making it possible to reconcile the sensations under sail of a monohull with the volume and many of the functionalities of a catamaran.

The Jeanneau shipyard had already taken this approach a few years ago with Philippe Briand on the Sun Loft, a brilliant unit, designed for certain charter companies, and which already allowed us to dream of its more luxurious version, aimed at a couple of owners who love ocean sailing, in the greatest safety and comfort, with the performance and luxury of a Jeanneau Yacht.

How the Jeanneau Yachts 55 reinvents the deck plan of a monohull

In order to square the circle, Jeanneau has totally rethought the deck plan of this new luxury yacht, by moving the two steering wheels to the middle of the cockpit, and inventing a sort of full-width central cockpit where all the maneuvers can be performed! Gone is the traditional bathtub of the central cockpits, squeezed between the side decks in the Hallberg-Rassy style!

This choice of layout logically frees up the entire stern of the Jeanneau Yachts 55, to be used for lounging, sunbathing and dining, all communicating directly with the sea at anchor and the tender garage.

In front of the two helm stations, protected by a strong arch and a bimini, there are two lateral companionways - catamaran style - to 2 beautiful VIP cabins on port and starboard, as well as a dining area on starboard, perfectly sheltered, and a chart table in the direction of travel on port. This chart table on the deck should really seduce, as it is directly inspired by the catamaran world.

Central owner's loft 

From this perfectly protected deck saloon, you can access the interior of the Jeanneau Yachts 55 saloon, which, once the chart table is removed, should offer an incredible volume, between the lounge area on the port side and the starboard side kitchen. The first sketches of the interior style suggest a modern, sober and tasteful design, dear to Jeanneau Yachts. Note the peripheral furniture which seems to be suspended, by a withdrawal of its legs, of the most beautiful effect.

The owner's suite, positioned forward of the saloon, with its door off to starboard, guarantees the privacy of its occupants, even when it is open. The large bathroom is a very practical separation from the skipper's cabin in the forepeak.

A great deal of privacy for everyone

The layout of the Jeanneau Yachts 55 offers extraordinary habitability on a 55-foot monohull yacht, creating living spaces that do not exist on traditional yachts.

The space separating the 3 cabins offers true intimacy to each person, and could even give sailing enthusiasts a desire to sail, or even to bring back to the monohull, catamaran enthusiasts!

One of Jeanneau's objectives?

=> Jeanneau Yachts 55 2022-2023 development plans

Specifications of the Jeanneau Yachts 55 - 2022/2023 - Yachting Art Magazine

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 is a luxury sailing yacht from the French shipyard Jeanneau (a brand of the Bénéteau Group), announced in July 2022, for a first presentation to the public in January 2023 ...

https://www.yachtingart.com/2022/07/specifications-of-the-jeanneau-yachts-55-2022/2023.html

Jeanneau innova con il Jeanneau Yachts 55, un nuovo concetto di barca a vela armatoriale - Yachting Art Magazine

Vent'anni fa, il cantiere francese Jeanneau si è distinto per il lancio di Jeanneau Yachts, una gamma di barche a vela di lusso di oltre 50 piedi, che è rapidamente diventata leader mondiale in ...

https://www.yachtingart.com/2022/07/jeanneau-innova-con-il-jeanneau-yachts-55-un-nuovo-concetto-di-barca-a-vela-armatoriale.html

Jeanneau innove avec le Jeanneau Yachts 55, un nouveau concept de voilier hauturier de propriétaire - ActuNautique.com

Il y a 20 ans, le chantier français Jeanneau se distinguait en lançant Jeanneau Yachts, une gamme de voiliers de luxe de plus de 50 pieds, qui lui a rapidement permis de devenir le leader mondial de

https://www.actunautique.com/2022/07/jeanneau-innove-avec-le-jeanneau-yachts-55-un-nouveau-concept-de-voilier-hauturier-de-proprietaire.html

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Jeanneau Yachts 55 review: Thinking outside the box

• Rupert Holmes
• February 28, 2024

Interior accommodation has traditionally been what sells mainstream cruising yachts, but the Jeanneau Yachts 55 ‘monocat’ turns that thinking on its head

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

Boatbuilders rarely have the courage to launch a model that represents a radically different way of thinking. Instead, most new yachts are simply variations on established themes with incremental improvements that represent important evolutions over time.

And when testing boats it’s easy to gloss over what it’s like to spend time relaxing on board, whether in harbour or underway in lovely weather. Yet this is a critical factor in the enjoyment owners derive from their boats.

Even with the best natural ventilation, in tropical sun or when the outside temperature rises above 30˚C, the interior of any yacht gets uncomfortably hot. So why have monohull builders and designers continued to expend so much effort on optimising saloon and dining space below decks, rather than focussing on exterior socialising and relaxation spaces?

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 completely reimagines how the main living areas on a yacht intended for use in sunny climes should be configured. All key elements of the main saloon are effectively on deck, sheltered by a big sprayhood and hard top or bimini. It reflects how yachts are actually used, at the same time improving privacy in each of the sleeping cabins and in the owner’s quarters.

In a sense it merely recognises how many people use a boat with decent sun protection: maximising time spent in the cockpit.

While this is not the yard’s first foray into this concept of accommodation arrangement it’s the first model aimed at private owners. It draws on Jeanneau’s experience with the Sun Loft 47 of 2019, which was geared resolutely for the charter market. We got to put a pre production model of the Jeanneau Yachts 55 to the test in Spain last autumn.

A pair of electric winches at each helm station allow for push-button sail handling. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Novel layout

The cockpit effectively extends a huge distance forward and has multiple different spaces for different purposes. Right aft is a full-beam flexible area with expansive sunbeds that convert to large tables, creating a space that easily rivals the aft cockpit of multihulls of a similar size. As with flybridge catamarans and motor yachts, cushions are a fast drying type made for use outdoors.

Immediately ahead of this area is the main control centre for the boat, with twin helm and winch stations. These have a pair of Harken electric winches each side, with one having a back-winding facility, and on the test boat all furling and reefing could be done electrically by one person.

The distinctive mainsheet arch is standard on all boats, whether or not the optional solid sprayhood and hard top are specified over the standard fabric components. This has the big benefit of keeping the sheet safely clear of the cockpit, however the standard arrangement doesn’t allow for fine control of sail shape.

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Outboard of the wheels the side decks slope upwards towards the foredeck in a refinement of the ramp first seen on the Sun Odyssey 440 back in 2017. This arrangement works really well on the Jeanneau Yachts 55, giving easy step-free access to the foredeck. It also effectively creates a deep bulwark, with an extra high 36in rail outboard of the winches, making it a safe place for sail handling. There are also lovely deep rope bags here, though longer handrails on the coachroof sides for use when going forward would be beneficial.

The two well appointed ensuite guest cabins are immediately forward of the helm stations. These are accessed from on deck, below the shelter of the hard top, which provides more privacy at night than a conventional arrangement with quarter cabins accessed directly from the saloon. The port is the larger of the two, with more floor area and space for a compact two-seater sofa.

On the downside guests have to descend into the depths of the hull via steep steps, so there’s potential for these cabins to feel claustrophobic, access to the starboard cabin’s heads is awkward, and the galley can only be reached by climbing up into the cockpit, then back down the main companionway.

Side decks slope up to the foredeck, while deep bulwarks make it a safe space to handle sails. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

The arrangement is great for owner’s privacy, and fine if you have teenage kids, but won’t suit everyone, especially those with children under a certain age.

Ahead of the guest cabins, towards the front of the sprayhood, is a small four-person dinette/coffee table to starboard and a navstation to port.

Both are slightly raised to give a good all-round view and the dinette can be lowered to create yet another day bed. This also makes it a good space to take a nap on short-handed passages, when you might need to be available at short notice.

Equally the navstation is an ideal place from which to con the boat when on watch alone, when the dished seat will help you stay in place when heeled on port tack. It also makes a great place to work using a laptop, as long as the almost all-round view doesn’t prove too much of a distraction. If it does there’s a secluded desk/dressing table in the forward master cabin.

Outdoor living begins at the stern with sunbeds, loungers and dining tables that easily rivals many multihulls for space. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Monocat sailing

What about sailing performance? Naval architect Philippe Briand has created a boat with relatively low freeboard and powerful hull sections, plus plenty of form stability that on paper ought to hold its own against other mainstream cruising yachts of similar size.

More often than not, the yachts provided for our tests have the optional deep keel married to a taller rig with a slab reefing mainsail that typically gives 20% or more extra sail area than standard. This enables us to get a good feel for the fundamental qualities of the hull design.

However, the Jeanneau Yachts 55 we tested had the 1.9m shoal draught keel, along with the standard size furling mainsail and self tacking jib, albeit with upgraded sailcloth.

At the same time, the test boat’s displacement was some 3.5 tonnes heavier than standard, thanks to the shoal keel (800kg), plus the solid sprayhood and hard top in place of the standard fabric sprayhood and bimini, a washer-drier, air conditioning and a diesel generator.

Raised dinette and navstation are forward of the mainsheet arch, under the sprayhood. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

It was difficult to make the furling main set well in the very light airs of my first day on board and, frustratingly, there was neither a Code 0 nor an asymmetric spinnaker on board. On the plus side, my experience is arguably a more realistic reflection of the configuration in which up to 90% of these boats will be ordered.

Many new designs impress with the way they sail in light airs – an important factor for summer cruising in Europe . However, this boat had very little feel or heel until the wind got above 7 knots, when we started making reasonable progress at just over five knots on a close reach, despite the restricted sail area. In only 4-5 knots of breeze we struggled to reach even three knots of boat speed, irrespective of wind angle.

Happily my second day on board produced 10-12 knots of breeze in which we made 5.5 knots close-hauled at a true wind angle of 55º, despite the boat being repeatedly slowed by a swell right on the bow. Bearing away with the true wind just aft of the beam, and that awkward swell on the quarter, we made a consistent 6-7 knots under main and jib.

The boat tracked well in these conditions, despite imperfectly set up steering: there was play, friction and vibration in the system, though we’re told these problems will be resolved on production boats.

Nevertheless, the helm stations are nicely configured, with big comfortable seats and large MFDs each side. There’s also excellent protection from sun, rain and spray, yet you can also steer sitting well outboard on the coaming to get a better view of the headsail luff, although the MFD and instruments are difficult to read from this position.

Dual helms, access to aft cabins and forward lounging area can all be under cover of the long bimini. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Are the seating and sunbed arrangements aft viable when there’s more wind and sea? There was much discussion about this at the start of the European Yacht of the Year trials. I sailed with the sunbed on one side, and table with space to seat six to eight people on the other, an arrangement with obvious appeal at anchor or at a boat show.

With seven people on board, in a Force 3-4 breeze and uncomfortable swell, this area aft was favoured over the more sheltered and secure seating further forward, even when close-hauled. In these conditions it felt safe, though in rough weather and high angles of heel it would be a less inviting space, while the width of this area and its proximity to the transom would undoubtedly make it feel insecure.

Given the Jeanneau Yachts 55’s accent on outdoor living, along with Jeanneau’s emphasis that the main below decks accommodation is primarily for owner’s use, it’s surprising they didn’t create a more comprehensive outdoor galley, even if that would inevitably compromise other elements. Instead there’s an optional barbecue that swings out from under one of the aft seats, so you need to stand on the bathing platform to use it, plus an optional fridge drawer under a seat further forward.

Returning to port with a quartering swell the boat rolled enough to make you think why not buy a catamaran instead? There’s a multitude of answers to that question, of course. For example, for anyone who spends a lot of time in the Mediterranean at busy times of the year it’s usually much easier to find a visitor’s berth for a monohull, whether in a chic Ligurian marina or a bustling Greek town quay.

Of course multihull owners may counter that by pointing out that catamarans don’t have a monohull’s tendency to roll in an uncomfortable anchorage and you can often anchor off and dinghy ashore with a decent tender – but that’s not always feasible.

Double doors at the forward end of the saloon/galley lead through to the owner’s suite. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Designed for the owners

All the space on deck makes this feel in some ways like a much larger yacht than the overall length might suggest, so descending the companionway is a surprise as it feels small for a 55-footer. But that initial impression misunderstands the whole concept of this boat.

Unlike almost any other yacht, the idea is the main below deck spaces accessed via the companionway will be predominately the preserve of the owners. This highlights how much of a change of mindset is needed to accurately evaluate this boat.

To starboard is a very long and very well appointed galley, and a saloon/dining area with space for six people to port. There’s lots of room to move around here – proportions are those of a smart apartment – though the wide open expanse may present a challenge at sea in rough conditions.

Well appointed linear galley is to starboard. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Double doors in the main bulkhead open onto a properly spacious full width owner’s cabin with a wonderfully open feel and the peninsula bed offset to port. To some extent the feeling of space comes at the expense of stowage volumes, but there’s an option to replace the vanity desk here with a big wardrobe, while retaining the small sofa to starboard.

There’s also an excellent almost full width head and shower right forward, but it’s surprising there’s no provision for an easily accessed day head in addition to the three ensuites.

Stowage on deck includes a huge sail locker forward that’s large enough to be fitted out as an optional skipper cabin. There’s also a big lazarette aft, measuring 2.1 x 1.5 x 0.35m, where you might otherwise expect to find a tender garage. This has access from on top, as well as from the bathing platform, making an excellent wet storage area for fenders, watersports toys and so on. There’s also a dedicated liferaft locker.

Optional telescopic davits have a capacity of more than 100kg, sufficient for an aluminium RIB of up to around 3.5m with a tiller-steered outboard. This is arguably a better option than a tender garage, which invariably severely limits the size of dinghy that can be carried without significantly reducing the volume available aft for accommodation.

Port side is the larger of the two guest cabins and has room for a small sofa. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

An optional retractable gangway to port means access to the water, or to a quay when berthed stern to, is available even when the tender is stowed on the davits and the central transom walkway is therefore not available. The pilot rams and steering gear are accessed through a hatch at the side of the lazarette that’s just wide enough to crawl through, before rotating yourself 90º to the right. This would make it very difficult to access at sea and some will find it difficult even in port.

The standard twin 380lt fresh water tanks are a decent size for a boat with only three double cabins and there’s a high capacity 36lt per minute water pump for near domestic levels of water pressure. However, the 230lt fuel tank is definitely on the small side for the 110hp engine. Engine, generator and other systems are installed in a tunnel between the guest cabins, accessed from cockpit hatches, and therefore nicely separated from the main interior accommodation.

Hull construction is vacuum infused polyester, with solid laminate in the keel area, while the matrix in the bilge that helps spread keel loads is glued in place. The standard of finish generally looks very neat and the interior joinery is well executed. However, integration of the optional hardtop elements with the mainsheet arch and optional solid windscreen are not as slick.

This means there’s a lack of clean lines and continuity in styling terms. From a distance it looks good, but close up there are too many changes of surface level to look really clean, tidy and stylish.

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This model represents a big bet and a bold move for Jeanneau that effectively creates a new type of yacht for private owners. When I first saw it at Düsseldorf in January 2023 I was taken with the concept, and the obvious enthusiasm Philippe Briand and Ignacio Oliva-Velex of renowned interior designers Winch Design have for it. Of course the Jeanneau Yachts 55 won’t suit everyone, and there are many who wouldn’t consider this boat, but it has potential to be a good match for many others. Admittedly the price of the pre-production test boat we sailed was inflated thanks to a very long list of extras. However, there are ways in which it didn’t feel like a $1million yacht, even if some elements such as the owner’s cabin and the expansive seating/sunbed areas aft are very nicely executed. Nevertheless the core idea clearly works well and aspects of it can’t easily be replicated on a multihull. Jeanneau plans to build 15 boats each year, so doesn’t require a huge production run for it to be considered a success. Even though this part of the market tends to be very conservative, 17 Jeanneau Yacht 55s have already been sold and we can surely expect to see more production designs for private boat owners along similar lines in future.

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Sailboat Review: Jeanneau Yachts 55

• By Mark Pillsbury
• April 26, 2024

One way to gauge the relative success of a production sailboat is to look at the size of the model’s run: the quantity of hulls sold or the number of years it was offered. After investing in research and development, not to mention tooling and marketing, a company needs to spread those costs over as many boats as possible. To be a winner, a new model should be versatile and appeal to as many buyers as possible. Often, this means multiple layouts and options to meet the needs (and budgets) of private owners and charter companies.

But for the latest sailboat in the Jeanneau Yachts range, the French builder decided to focus primarily on owners. This 55-footer has a layout that borrows concepts more often found on midsize multihulls. There are spacious accommodations for the owner, separate staterooms where guests can come and go without disturbing one another, multiple places to gather or find privacy, and protected spots to navigate and spend time off watch—without having to be down below.

The result is a very different sort of sailboat. In fact, it would be safe to say that Cruising World ’s Boat of the Year judging team had never seen anything quite like it when we arrived for a dockside inspection during the Annapolis Boat Show this past October in Maryland. In the end, we obviously approved of the concept. The Jeanneau Yachts 55 not only earned the title of Best Full-Size Cruiser, but it also it went on to take top honors as the 2024 Boat of the Year .

With so much that’s new and different about the 55, let’s start with what you discover the moment you board using the fold-down swim platform. You then step up to encounter a living/lounging/working area that starts at the transom and stretches forward to take up nearly half the boat’s topsides. The builder calls it a dual-cockpit layout, but that barely begins to describe all that’s going on there.

Two cushioned seating areas—one is U-shaped to starboard, and the other is an upside-down L-shape to port that opens up a walk-through path for boarding—are located across the transom. Each one surrounds a table that can be lowered to create party-size sun lounges. With the boat’s beam of 16 feet, 4 inches, that’s a lot of room to kick back and relax.

Under the port seats, there’s life-raft storage, and between the tables, there’s access to a garage below the deck. It could handle toys, an inflatable or even a Tiwal sailing tender.

Between the lounges and the pair of helm stations located just forward of them, there’s access on either side of the boat to the walk-around side decks that have become a Jeanneau trademark.

A fiberglass cockpit arch rises up just forward of the steering wheels. On the boat we visited in Annapolis, it connected an optional hard spray hood that covered the forward portion of the cockpit and main companionway, and a hard Bimini top (also an option) that protected the aft area. The Bimini had a nifty sliding fabric panel in the middle that could be opened for sun and stars, or shut for shade and rain.

Two more companionways are just under the arch, providing access to two private port and starboard guest staterooms. We’ll get to them in a minute. But first, let’s complete the tour of the topsides.

Tucked up forward, under the rigid spray hood, there is another smaller table to starboard with U-shaped seating around it. Call it a breakfast nook or a fine spot to sit and enjoy a book, no matter the weather outside. It’s opposite a forward-facing navigation desk with a chart plotter. Here, a watchkeeper is protected from the elements but still has a clear view all around.

Much like on a catamaran, there’s a provision for another cushioned lounge area on the broad foredeck, giving guests another place to enjoy the great outdoors.

The 55’s interior accommodations, designed by Andrew Winch, are just as unique as those found topsides. The builder describes the layout as being “owners first.”

I mentioned that two guest staterooms are accessible only from the cockpit. These give the crew (and owners) privacy that’s not possible on a conventional monohull, where all of the staterooms open into the salon.

To port is a VIP stateroom with en suite head and shower, and enough additional space to allow for a small sitting area with a desk or vanity. The starboard guest stateroom, also with en suite head and shower, is a bit smaller because of the location of the galley in the salon, but it still has a double berth. Both staterooms have 6-foot-5-inch headroom.

Stepping down the main companionway and into the salon and master stateroom, the first thought that comes to mind is that it resembles an efficiency or one-bedroom condo in some urban center. In fact, two-thirds of the interior space is intended for those paying the bills. A dining area with L-shaped seating takes up the port side of the salon, with a large-screen television mounted on the forward bulkhead for movie nights.

A galley is opposite, with an island counter amidships, giving the cook a solid place to brace while preparing meals underway.

Ports in the cabin top and hull let in loads of light, and white walls and overhead panels help keep things bright. The boat we sailed had teak-colored Alpi bulkheads and furniture; white oak is another option.

The owner’s stateroom is forward, through double doors. A double berth is offset to port, with lockers and a sitting area to starboard. A spacious head and shower compartment is farther forward.

Depending on how an owner plans to use the boat, the forepeak can be either a sail locker or a crew cabin.

Buyers also have options when it comes to a standard keel (8-foot) or shoal draft foil (6-foot-2-inch), and either a standard in-mast furling rig or a performance spar with full-batten main. The boat we sailed had the former, coupled with a versatile three-headsail sail plan that included a self-tending jib to simplify tacking upwind, an overlapping genoa for light-air days (both with electric furlers), and a downwind sail that’s flown from a continuous-line furler.

For motoring, the 55 is equipped with a 110 hp Yanmar diesel with a shaft drive and a three-blade Flexofold prop—and a bow thruster for close-quarters maneuvering. If I had to pick a nit, it would be engine access, which was through a hatch in the cockpit sole. It seemed adequate enough, though not necessarily convenient.

Loaded up with electronics and options, the price tag on the 55 in Annapolis was right around $1.4 million. That included Jeanneau’s Seanapps system, which provides remote boat monitoring, alerts and maintenance recommendations.

Underway, I found the 55 comfortable. The walk-around decks made it easy and safe to move about, and when I wasn’t doing the sailing, there were numerous places to relax and take in the sights.

When my turn came at the wheel, visibility all around was excellent, and electric winches made trimming sails effortless during singlehanded maneuvers. Steering by hand, you can stand inboard, out of the elements, or step out onto the side deck to feel the breeze in your face as you lean an arm over the stainless-steel life rail that encircles the cockpit.

Our test sail took place on Chesapeake Bay in variable conditions that ranged from nearly no breeze to gusts well into the high teens. Tacking in light air—about 5 knots or less—boatspeed was 3 to 4 knots. Later, reaching in 17- to 20-knot puffs, we trucked along effortlessly at 7-plus knots. Some boats do well in light air; some like big wind. The 55 lit right up in both. No wonder it’s a winner.

Designing Outside the Box

A casual sailor walking the docks at a boat show could be excused for thinking that these days, new boats all look pretty much alike. Sure, “innovations” are introduced annually, but a barbecue grill built into the transom or two cockpit tables instead of one are hardly radical innovations. And chines in the hull? Yup, pretty much everybody’s got ’em too now.

But in fall 2023, there wasn’t any other new sailboat introduced to North America that looked anything like the Jeanneau Yachts 55.

When the concept for the boat began to take shape under the shadow of the pandemic, Erik Stromberg, currently the vice president of power and motor yacht development at Jeanneau, was still a sailboat guy and leader of the design team. Tasked with coming up with a sistership for the Jeanneau Yachts 60 and 65, his logical step might have been to simply scale things down. And in fact, designer Philippe Briand did just that.

But the design team also asked, “What happens if you take a 55-foot boat and design it the way people actually use and live on the boat?” Stromberg says. Answering that question led them down a concurrent conceptual path—still toward a big, elegant cruising yacht, but one with more protection and bigger spaces to live in on deck, not to mention a different approach to staterooms that might not be used all the time.

Briand and interior designer Andrew Winch listened to the ideas and went to work.

Ironically, this owner-focused boat drew inspiration from an earlier Jeanneau model called the Sun Loft 47, a six-stateroom vessel designed strictly for Yacht Week events in Europe, where charterers pack the boat with as many people as possible. To make room for six staterooms belowdecks, the galley and entertaining area on the Sun Loft were moved topsides. With the onset of COVID-19, though, chartering shut down, and demand for the Sun Loft waned.

Stromberg says that so far, Jeanneau has orders for more than 30 of the 55s, and the boat is showing broad appeal in Europe and Asia. Here in the States, two were sold during the show in Annapolis—one to a couple who plans to go cruising with their 10-year-old daughter, and another to a couple on the Great Lakes who want a boat to sail and entertain friends. A third is under consideration by a couple of engineers who want to have their offices on board.

Stromberg says that the yard can build 17 or 18 boats a year, and the production run should fall somewhere in the 60- to 70-boat range. He calls the Yachts 55 an interesting project, the challenge being to stay within the limits of what has to work on a sailboat while still being creative.

“We need to keep innovating,” Stromberg says.

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Morgan Marine is a family run boatyard in Brightlingsea, Essex, UK. With a ten acre boatyard we offer new and used boats for sale, moorings, yard services, a chandlery and a full service workshop. We also have a 30 ton boat hoist and our own private slipway.

Why Jeanneau? A brief history…

Jeanneau have been building boats since 1957… there is a huge wealth of passion, experience and knowledge, gained not just from motorboats but also building some of the best sailboats in the world. That understanding of what works on our oceans around the world translates across all models and types – whether motor or sail.

In 1958, the Jeanneau shipyard built its first fibreglass hull. This (then) new material, a petrochemical based product, created a technological breakthrough. “In the beginning, we built three boats a week. It was very specialised and like a group of craftsmen, we built everything from wooden preforms, from the keel to the ribs?. With the advent of fibreglass, it was necessary to demonstrate to customers that the fibreglass would perform as well as wood. The first model was called interestingly, “Sport polyester.” Then came the “Mirage” and the “Prélude.” Fibreglass, of course, became the material of choice when building boat hulls.

1963 saw Jeanneau produce its first ever production-line powerboat, the Sea Bird. The idea of a production line at this time was very innovative. Other builders were still working on a hull by hull basis for individual orders…

Jeanneau entered a single-handed Transatlantic Race In 1976 with a  ‘Melody’ yacht; helmed by Yves Olivaux. This significant event, demonstrated quite simply, that a production model boat could be sailed across the Atlantic; single-handed.

That same year saw the launch of the typically French named ‘FLIRT’.  It received rave reviews among the 6-metre model yacht ranges available. It was solid, well-made and had very good attention to detail

1980 was another landmark year as Jeanneau enters POWERBOAT RACING again alongside transport company, Transports Graveleau. For several seasons, the Formule 1 Inshore or Formule 3000 (1984) catamarans, helmed by Michel Rousse, would dominate the competition with their more solid, and again innovation leading, Kevlar hulls. This success gave rise to the first of the all new Cap Camarats from Jeanneau, with the Cap Camarat 575. Called “the 4 x 4 of the seas,” its seafaring qualities were such that that it  carved a unique segment from the marketplace. Today, the Cap Camarat range has become an international force in powerboats for sport and leisure.

This success spurred Jeanneau to winning the first three places in the Nyamey-Bamako Rally in 1981, a test of endurance covering 2,000 km. A specially constructed Cap Camarat Niger 510 made of Kevlar, destroyed the competition in this African adventure, piloted by Gérard D’Aboville. This same year and possibly prompted by its recent successes, Club Med chose Jeanneau to resupply its fleet of powerboats for water skiing.

Between 1982 and 1998, Jeanneau was the exclusive supplier for the Sailing “Tour de France”, with three generations of sailboats

1987 – Jeanneau cements its international leadership in the world of powerboat racing, beating the world speed record for production model engine (at a stunning 170.21 Km/h) and for endurance over 24 hours. Jeanneau also took victories in the 24-hour race of Rouen four times, in the 6-hour race of Paris, as well as races in Great Britain and in Singapore.

1989 saw the birth of the 1st Prestige luxury motorboat, designed by Garroni Design. It immediately won hearts as well as awards with contemporary styling and exceptional seaworthy qualities. This launch signalled Jeanneau’s arrival on the market of luxury motor yachts. Today, over 2500 Prestige motor yachts cruise the oceans.

During 1990, aboard her “Groupe Pierre 1er” trimaran, Florence Arthaud completed an incredible race and was first to finish, ahead of Fleury Michon and RMO. It was a triple win for Jeanneau, who built all three boats on the podium.

In 1991, the Jeanneau One design (JOD) replaced the Sélection as the official boat of the Sailing Tour de France.

1995 saw the first Sun Fast make its debut with the production of the Sun Fast 52, a Jeanneau racer-cruiser sailboat designed by Philippe Briand in collaboration with Philippe Poupon.

1996 saw an important milestone: the creation of Jeanneau America, in the United States.

2000: With the Sun Odyssey line, the 2000s would see dynamic growth in a line of sailboats featuring signature Jeanneau qualities: elegance, comfort, innovation and seaworthiness.

In 2005 the Jeanneau production site dedicated to the construction of larger Jeanneau models is expanded. Jeanneau would now have the world’s largest shipyard for the construction of production-model boats, extending over 40 hectares.

Named European Yacht of the Year in 2008, Jeanneau launched the Sun Fast 3200, designed by Daniel Andrieu.

2011 saw the creation of the Asia Pacific Jeanneau subsidiary in Hong-Kong.

Jeanneau offers the first production yacht over 60 feet in 2014: the Jeanneau 64! It is a bold move made possible by the experience and capabilities of the Jeanneau team, and one that was very well received by customers. Customer loyalty continues to be an essential source of motivation, enthusiasm and confidence, as it has been since 1957!

2015 Jeanneau’s Sun Fast range of yachts dominates the podium in 3 out of 4 divisions, and 10 are among the top 12. Outstanding results for this range that combines speed, performance and technology.

By 2016 Jeanneau has become market leader in inboard powerboats. Continually renewing their products and creating new product lines that immediately find their audience: with Leader, Velasco and NC lines each offering their share of innovation.

In 2017 production of the NC 895 (Merry Fisher 895 in Europe) begins in the U.S, in Cadillac, Michigan. This is the same factory facility that Four Winns, Glastron, Scarab, and Wellcraft are built!

Jeanneau hits a major milestone in 2017, celebrating 60 Years of boat building! A major achievement and testimony to its positive customer feedback and quality of product.

Jeanneau introduces a new concept for cruising sailboats in 2018 – the walk-around deck. Starting with the launch of the Sun Odyssey 440 followed by the Sun Odyssey 490 and 410, these sailboats have won international awards all around the world.

2019 sees not only the Sun Fast 3300 arrive, the newest addition to the extremely successful Sun Fast line but in addition, the inboard and outboard motorboat range goes from strength to strength with larger, award winning models, from both Cap Camarat and Merry Fisher, with the new Merry Fisher 1095 Flybridge promising to be very popular.

2020 promises to be a very exciting year with more new models on the horizon and even more potential Jeanneau owners taking to the water and enjoying all that 60 plus years of passion, experience and knowledge can produce!

For further details or technical specifications on any Jeanneau motorboat model, please contact Oli, Graham, Ric or Steve in the Morgan Marine Sales Office: 01206 302008.

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From 1884 to nowaday

Launch of Seanapps : the mobile app to sail off with a free mind

Strategic plan 2020-25 : Let’s Go Beyond!

Jérôme de Metz is appointed Chairman and CEO of Groupe Beneteau.

Launch of Band of Boats , a new community services platform for everyone with a passion for the sea.

Acquisition of Delphia Yachts , Digital Nautic , et Seascape .

Group’s three-year global transformation plan adopted.

Jeanneau and CNB celebrate their 60th and 30th anniversaries respectively.

Groupe Beneteau Racing Division created , focused on performance sailing projects. At the former JTA site in Nantes-Cheviré, work was carried out to develop the Figaro Beneteau 3, the first single-design offshore racing unit with foils.

Residential housing business shut down and Chaize le Vicomte plant converted to produce leisure homes.

Motorboat production stopped in Brazil.

North America: the Four Winns, Glastron, Wellcraft and Scarab brands joined the Group, further strengthening its motorboat range. This acquisition includes a specialist motorboat production unit in Cadillac (Michigan).

Lagoon celebrated its 30th anniversary.

HOUSING / INNOVATION

Coco Sweet created: a new functional and cozy concept for a new camping holiday experience.

Beneteau brand opened its new headquarters in Givrand (Vendée)  in a smart building aligned with BBC energy efficiency standards.

Presence established in South America: Beneteau inaugurated a plant in Brazil , building models from the Gran Turismo range.

Beneteau launched its Barracuda sport fishing range.

First BH houses delivered in Les Herbiers (Vendée)  as part of the Val de la Pellinière program, with seven four-room houses and seven three-room houses, all BBC energy-efficiency certified.

Entry into the luxury motor yacht segment with the creation, in Monfalcone (Italy), of Monte Carlo Yachts , which today offers a range from 65 to 105 feet (19.82m to 32.26m).

Prestige became a separate brand, cementing its position on the motor yacht segment with the success of the Prestige 500 , launched in 2010.

BH plant (residential housing) built in Chaize le Vicomte. This modern plant, with its integrated high-quality environmental approach, had an annual production capacity of 600 houses.

Inheriting JTA’s performance culture, the Sun Fast yachts are an integral part of the ocean racing landscape.

Microcar and Wauquiez were sold.

BH subsidiary developed on the new market for timber-frame residential housing in line with sustainable development standards.

Idéale Résidence Mobile (IRM) joined Groupe Beneteau , further strengthening its Leisure Homes business.

CNB launched the Bordeaux 60 , marking its transition to a range of semicustom super yachts.

Commercial representative and procurement office opened for Asia-Pacific in Shanghai (China) . In 2016, it transferred to Hong Kong.

Beneteau Foundation created.

Company management structure changed with the adoption of a Management Board and Supervisory Board.

Beneteau celebrated its 120th anniversary in Saint Gilles Croix de Vie.

Lagoon became the world leader for cruising catamarans.

The Figaro Beneteau 2 was launched for this event, confirming the yard’s reputation for reliability by covering the equivalent of eight Vendée Globes or 180,000 miles.

Group’s new headquarters built in Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, the Bénéteau family’s historical birthplace.

Service subsidiaries set up: EYB (European Yacht Brokerage) and SGB Finance.

Jeanneau unveiled the Prestige 36 flybridge , setting out the fundamentals for its new motor yacht range.

Limited edition activities transferred to CNB: Beneteau Fishing and Lagoon catamarans. Wauquiez (building semi-custom sailing yachts, founded in 1965 by Henri Wauquiez) joined the Group, with D. Gust taking the helm.

Chantiers Jeanneau joined Groupe Beneteau, with its subsidiaries Microcar (license-exempt vehicles) and Lagoon (catamarans).

Leisure homes: O’Hara’s first homes quickly set the standard for the camping holidays market.

CNB (large recreational boats and commercial boats) in Bordeaux and Chantiers Gendron (professional fishing) in L’Herbaudière (Noirmoutier) joined Groupe Beneteau.

Jeanneau took the top three places in the Route du Rhum race, with the legendary victory by Florence Arthaud ( Groupe Pierre 1er ), followed by Fleury Michon and RMO, all built by JTA.

Beneteau was selected to build the first single-design model with the Figaro Beneteau 1 for solo offshore racing . From 1990 to 2002, this boat sailed the equivalent of seven Vendée Globes or 156,000 miles.

Designed for family cruises, Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey range is up to its 8th generation in 2017.

Jeanneau broke new ground by presenting the first Prestige 41 Open and moving into motor yachts.

Performance and design for the First 35.5 , created through a blend of two talents, the designer Philippe Starck and the architect Jean Berret.

High seas and coastal cruising on board the Beneteau Oceanis designed by Philippe Briand, the range that has become the global benchmark for cruising is now up to its 4th generation in 2017.

Construction Navale Bordeaux (CNB) boatyard created by Dieter Gust and Olivier Lafourcade.

Lagoon launched its first boat, the Lagoon 55 , a rapid cruising catamaran, with high volumes produced to satisfy demand.

Jeanneau launched its sport fishing range Merry Fisher , with two lines available today: fishing and cruising.

First steps taken in America , with the production unit inaugurated in Marion, South Carolina (USA).

Beneteau brand celebrated its centenary and the Group floated on the Paris stock exchange’s “second market”.

Jeanneau Techniques Avancées (JTA) was created , a high-tech yard that developed around 50 prototypes for offshore racing.

Beneteau became the world’s leading sailboat builder thanks to the success of its First models and especially the legendary First 30 .

One of the most competitive and stable sailboats of its time, the First 42 was designed by the Argentinian architect German Frers.

Jeanneau’s Sun Fizz , designed by Philippe Briand, introduced a range of new ideas and went on to enjoy international success.

Known as the 4×4 for the seas , Jeanneau launched the Cap Camarat , now a timeless classic. On this same segment, Beneteau launched the Flyer .

Beneteau reinvented traditional concepts to offer the Swift Trawler , a safe, very seaworthy and extremely comfortable day-boat , which leads its segment today.

Beneteau’s legendary First   series launched , with the unveiling of the First 30 designed by André Mauric.

The last in a long line of pinnaces produced by Beneteau since the end of the 19th century, L’Astrobale  was one of the most beautiful boats created by André Bénéteau senior.

Beneteau introduced a revolution with the planing hull on the Antarès , the range that is available today with inboard and outboard motor options .

The yard moved into a new era with Beneteau’s first twin-mast boat, the Evasion 32 , designed by André Bénéteau. More luxurious, more spacious, simply more like a yacht.

An innovative and attractive seaworthy yacht, Jeanneau’s Sangria went on to sell over 3,000 units.

New fishing cruiser concept introduced , with the cabin on Beneteau’s Baroudeur designed for on-board living. Throughout the 1970s, Beneteau developed fishing cruisers to serve diverse customers.

Pleasure of sport-fishing opened up more widely thanks to the commercial success of two new models, the Forban and Galion , which went on to sell high volumes.

New “sport fishing” boat concept introduced by Beneteau , marking the yard’s first participation in the Paris Boat Show.

First hoisting sail launched on the Jeanneau Alizé , a four-berth sailing yacht, opening up opportunities for recreational boating.

Beneteau opened up to recreational boats and introduced polyester for boat building , led by the third generation, Annette Bénéteau-Roux and André Bénéteau.

Hall Nautique de l’Ouest created by Henri Jeanneau (37 years old) in Les Herbiers (Vendée), changing its name to Jeanneau in 1960.

To take on board the region’s new fishing methods, L’Antigone  was the first boat created for tuna fishing with live bait.

Just after the war, the entire fishing feet needed to be rebuilt and André Bénéteau was determined to introduce some changes. He created bridges fitted with a helm wheel.

Symbolizing the speed that he wanted to give his boats, André Bénéteau built the Jeannot , followed by La Poursuivante in 1930.

Yard taken over by André Bénéteau (21 years old), Benjamin Bénéteau’s son.

First motorized sardine fishing boat launched , the Vainqueur des jaloux initially generated fear among local communities, who accused the “oil boat” of scaring the fish away, before winning over the sector.

Beneteau boatyard created by Benjamin Bénéteau, a naval architect, in Croix-de-Vie (Vendée), to build sailing trawlers for fishermen.

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