All modern production yacht manufacturers set out to produce yachts that are easily handled short-handed and really the actual sailing of yachts in open water is straightforward, even without all of the mod-cons. I am talking about cruising the NSW coast of Australia in particular, where we are blessed with good visibility and very little in the way of tides. It’s a different story in other areas of the World such as the NW French coast where poor visibility is not uncommon, and tides have been recorded at up to 11 knots (that’s not a misprint!). Of course we believe that Jeanneau have found the best solution, particularly in the latest models and here are the reasons why:
– 360 degree docking option available that makes docking incredibly easy
– Lighter more easily driven hulls that will get you to your destination quicker, or away from bad weather
– German mainsheet systems that allow the helmsperson to control the mainsail
– Self-tacking jib option and the yachts are designed with the balance of the sail-plan specifically orientated to this option
– Chined hulls making the yachts stiffer and more directionally stable resulting in an incredibly forgiving yacht
– Affordable bow-thruster and autopilot options with bow-thrusters set lower in the hull for better efficiency
– Short-overlap headsails and the factory option of a Code 0 off-the-wind sail that is furling and can therefore be handled from the cockpit
– In-mast furling mainsails (standard on the DS models) that allow you to balance the yacht in any wind and manage the mainsail without leaving the cockpit
– Low centre-of-effort keels and injection moulded decks result in yachts that are stiffer than the opposition (just ask for their stability data!)
– Abundant handholds throughout for safe movement at sea
– Dedicated life-raft stowage at the transom (does not apply to the SO469 and SO509 if a generator is fitted)
– Rudder shaft tubes are well above the waterline, so that if a sudden impact managed to break the rudder the yacht will not sink
– Bureau Veritas International body approval AND ISO quality control where outside independent auditors check Jeanneau’s quality control and quality assurance to confirm that the yachts are built to the approved plans (no other volume manufacturer offers this)
So whether you’re heading out Whale watching, pottering up or down between Pittwater and the harbour, or heading further up or down the coast and you get caught out in a sudden or unexpected weather change you can be confident that your Jeanneau will get you home safely. To quote Jeanneau General Manager Jean-Paul Chapeleau “We make offshore capable yachts that sail well”.