JEANNEAU’S BEST YET?

Fortunate indeed is the boatbuilder who announces a proposed, new model and immediately sells out the entire first year’s production run of 50 vessels – without having laid up a single hull.

This remarkable turn of events happened last year when Jeanneau used the Cannes Boat Show to flag its plans for a new Jeanneau 54 (LOA 16.5m) – a smaller sister to its existing 64 and 57 models. Punters responded with enthusiasm, and filled up the first year’s order book before you could say “Jeanneau”. Since then some 40 of the new models have been delivered worldwide, with one making its Southern Hemisphere debut at the recent Sydney International Boat Show. I was lucky enough to accompany local Jeanneau agent Lee Condell on her maiden sail – delivering the boat after the show at Darling Harbour to the Pittwater marina – about 35 miles up the coast.

There are two things you need to know about the trip: the mast had only been stepped a day before the show and the sails had never been unfurled for battle. And we set out in a brisk southerly, through the Sydney Heads into fairly boisterous seas.

It made for an exhilarating sail – during one memorable fivesecond surge we hit 19 knots surfing down a monster wave, with the sea boiling right around the boat. But the more impressive part of the trip, I think, was that she was able to be sailed at all. It says a lot about Jeanneau’s workmanship and the standard of factory preparation that she embraced the conditions without missing a beat.

So – what’s she like? A real beauty. Aesthetically – superb. Standard Jeanneau DNA in the sleek lines and uncluttered decks with the flush hatches. Plumb stem and long chines down the hull for optimising waterline length. All enhanced by long, curved windows down the sides of the coachroof. All very easy on the eye.

But two components of the design are different. The first is the cockpit. It’s massive – and takes up about a third of the overall deck length. Jeanneau is pushing the “family-sailing” concept into new territory.

It’s best illustrated by the recliner settees – complete with drinks holders – either side of the companionway, under the dodger. They extend the standard cockpit settees by quite a distance. The idea, of course, is to make the sailing experience more accessible to everyone. Those who prefer to hibernate below during

sailing to avoid wind/spray/sun will be much more inclinedto-recline in comfort with this arrangement. It’s a much more “inclusive” space – especially for non-sailors.

The second difference is the boarding platform – a beautifully engineered piece of transom design which unfolds elegantly, creating a series of steps down from the cockpit. Jeanneau calls it a “terrace”. Access to the swim platform is much easier – your mother-in-law will look far more elegant as she negotiates her way into the water.

The 54’s generous beam (4.92m) runs all the way aft and the cockpit takes full advantage of the space. In the centre is a gorgeous table, with two similar-sized leaves either side. Deployed, these create a seriously large table for family gatherings and relaxed al fresco dining. I was intrigued by the large locker at the aft end of the table – the logical place for stowing a life-raft – smart thinking.

And while we’re talking about relaxing, check out the large, recliner sunbed on the foredeck, complete with its own miniBimini for shade. It’s hard not to imagine lying there with a cold beer, surveying the anchorage.

SIMPLE CONTROLS

While space is the dominant theme in the cockpit, it’s also shaped around easy handling. The twin helms are positioned well outboard and afford great sight lines. Each is supported by nearby primary and secondary Harken winches. The primaries – closer to the helms – are manual. The secondaries are electric, rewind models. So you hardly need to move your butt for trimming and tweaking.

All the lines disappear at the base of the mast and reappear at the jammers just in front of the winches. Running in channels