
Discover the new Jeanneau Yachts 55, an award-winning and innovative 55- foot yacht designed by sailors for sailors, which combines performance, elegance and ease of handling to offer a unique experience for owners.
For over 20 years, Jeanneau has been a market leader in the large production yacht segment. With a dedicated brand team, the company has developed Jeanneau Yachts to stand out in the market for vessels that display a unique pedigree of looks, seaworthiness, and cutting-edge innovation. The three models in the range, the Jeanneau Yachts 65, 60, and newly released 55, come from a pairing of naval architect Philippe Briand and the design house headed by Andrew Winch. Briand, a world championship sailor himself, has penned the design for a wide range of yachts including America’s Cup winners and 160m superyachts. Andrew Winch, another keen sailor, established Winch Design in 1986 with his wife, and the company has since won over 30 prestigious design awards and is acknowledged as one of the leading design studios in the world…an impressive pairing! The latest model to be released is the Jeanneau Yachts 55. Already a multi-award winner, the first example has just touched down in Australia. We met up with Lee Condell, owner of Performance Boating Sales in Sydney (performanceboating.com.au), to discuss the range and find out more about the impressive Jeanneau Yachts 55.
What sets the Jeanneau Yachts range apart?
I have been selling the Jeanneau sailing range for over 20 years now and I am constantly impressed by the fact that Jeanneau is never afraid to innovate. Working closely with input from customers and dealers around the world, Jeanneau has released such things as the 360-degree docking system, the cockpit ‘terrace’ design, walk around side decks, and now the separated luxury apartment-style accommodation on this new model. The Jeanneau Yachts range combines all of this with a naval architect and designer, Philippe Briand and Andrew Winch, who are world renowned for their work with cutting-edge superyachts as well as production cruisers.
The separate owner’s suite is a particular feature of the Jeanneau Yachts 55. Describe what benefits that gives?
The Jeanneau Yachts 55 was designed with the comfort of the owners at the forefront. A full two thirds of the yacht is for the owner. They have their own entry that leads to an owner’s suite with a private bathroom. With up to two metres of headroom clearance throughout, moving about and relaxing is easy. The galley is also within this suite, so you can invite your guests to join you when you wish. Evening meals, movie nights; all in your own ‘apartment’ in a level of luxury that will impress even the most discerning cruiser.
When friends, or even hired skippers, join the owners, how do they fare?
Your friends are well taken care of. There are two self-contained guest cabins aft. Each has its own private access, a double bed, a bathroom, storage and even a mini bar option. The two guest cabins enable friends or family to enjoy independent living spaces. A great feature if you have some friends that are early risers. Another option on the Jeanneau Yachts 55 is the independent skipper’s cabin. Situated in the front peak, the cabin is accessed through a lockable front hatch. It can sleep two in bunk beds and has its own separate toilet compartment with sink and shower. It could also be a good place for noisy children.
Australian sailors tend to spend a lot of time on deck. What has Jeanneau done to make this space more liveable?
Here again Jeanneau has innovated. Even with a dinghy in place on the retractable davits you can easily and safely enter the cockpit through the port side access door. If you do not have the dinghy on the davits, or if it is stowed in the dinghy garage, you can also access the cockpit via the wide hydraulic swim platform. Then it is an obstacle-free walk directly through the cockpit to other areas of your yacht.
For going forward, Jeanneau has incorporated their patented walk-around side decks. No more clambering over seats, just a smooth, easy and safe path to get to the bow of the boat where you can relax on the optional forward sun lounge while sheltering from the sun under the awning. At the rear of the yacht are two distinct lounging areas. One L-shaped and one U-shaped, both have tables that can be lowered independently making huge sun lounges for whiling away the hours. Being able to lower them independently is perfect if you would like to leave one up to lay out lunch or sun downers.
And if the weather changes?
Walking forward past the helm stations you enter the main cockpit area. This area has a comfortable saloon for you to relax in, maybe enjoy a meal, or to lower the table to create another lounging area that is fully protected. This area also contains a separate chart table nook which is ideal for also being able to physically see what is around when you are entering an anchorage.
This main cockpit area has a number of options available. Attaching to the standard arch you can choose between a canvas or a rigid sprayhood with windscreen, and also a hardtop which extends from the centre arch to the rear of the yacht. Sun lovers are not forgotten here though as the hardtop has a sliding opening to let the warmth in. The hardtop can also accommodate a solar power system without interfering with the roof opening. A range of other options are available to make the deck area suit you. You can even get a full enclosure option which serves to make the entire rear deck area into one huge extra cabin.
You mentioned seaworthiness, tell us about the sailing aspect of the Jeanneau Yachts 55.
The Jeanneau Yacht range certainly displays an impressive array of innovation and comfort, but they are there to be sailed. These yachts are ocean-going cruisers and, being designed by a naval architect such as Philippe Briand, are fast, modern, and safe. The modern hull design also gives them room to be able to include a lot more comfort options that you may usually find in a large catamaran, but without the potential difficulties that having a two-hull design can create.
The twin-helm station on the Jeanneau 55 is forward of the aft lounge areas. For sail control there are four Harken winches within easy reach of the helmsperson, and these winches are available as optional electric models making it that much easier for a couple to manage. The helm station is also far forward enough to benefit from the protected cockpit area but still enabling clear vision. You have a choice of sail plan to suit you. The standard version includes an in-mast furling mainsail and a self-tacking headsail. For those who want a little more action you can select the performance version. There are also several other options available including a cutter rig setup and spinnaker.
What happens on those days when there is not a breath of wind?
On those days… sailors are not happy. There is quite a powerful engine included, a 110hp Yanmar turbo-charged diesel. With a fuel capacity of 230 litres, and the option of an extra 230 litre tank, that will be enough range and power to take care of those windless days. To also make things easier a stern thruster and bow thruster are standard. Some anchorages are tight fits and if you combine that with an optional shallow keel, there is not a lot of places that you cannot visit.
It truly sounds like a bespoke yacht…
Jeanneau prides itself in offering customers options to suit. At this level especially, people want to be able to design certain aspects to suit their requirements. Cabin options, sail options, keel options, deck canvas options, all of these are available. You can also choose the colour and style of the upholstery and include a multi-station sound system.
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