This great article by Bill Springer in Sail magazine traces how the Jeanneau 64 concept was conceived, designed, and produced. We are looking forward to seeing the real thing in Australia soon!
Jeanneau’s most audacious sailboat design yet began as many artistic endeavors do, with a hand-drawn sketch, in this case on a large sheet of paper in the Philippe Briand design office in London.
At the time, Erik Stromberg, Jeanneau’s American-born director of sailboat production, was looking to expand the French builder’s line to address what the company believed was a growing demand for larger yachts. In the process, Jeanneau would also be making a radical departure from all it had done before in the course of its nearly 60-year history.
“We started this project because many Jeanneau owners told us they wanted something more than the biggest boats we were building at the time,” Stromberg says, referring to the feedback his company continually receives from its hundreds of customers at boat shows and rendezvous. “We knew this project had to be much, much more than just a bigger Jeanneau 57. Our mission was to build a small superyacht rather than simply a stretched 57-footer.”
To this end, Stromberg not only brought in long-time Jeanneau partner Briand—whose office has helped create everything from the Jeanneau 57 to the 40-foot Sun Odyssey 41DS—but also UK-based Andrew Winch Designs, which specializes in top-end interior design for everything from megayachts to luxury villas and private jets.
Among the specific features Jeanneau identified as being necessary for a “next-step-up” yacht were a well-laid-out engine room that isn’t just accessed by lifting up companionway steps; an opulent owner’s cabin; multiple VIP staterooms; an ensuite head and separate shower compartment for every cabin; a dinghy garage aft; and expansive lounging spaces on deck.
As a “small superyacht” the boat also had to strike the right balance of style, luxury and function to impress buyers interested in a type of sailboat that pushes the limits in terms of what Jeanneau was accustomed to.
“We knew the potential owners of this boat would expect a higher level of comfort and sophistication in the accommodations than is found in your average production boat,” Stromberg says, summing up the early design brief. “And, of course, this all had to be contained within a boat that also performed well under sail.”
For the full article online go here…
To download a PDF copy go here…
