It takes a great deal of courage, confidence, self-assurance and budget to develop a new boat so far outside the framework of the usual and established. All the more reason: what Jeanneau is launching with the new Yachts 55 is not a volume boat suitable for the mass market, but rather an exclusive blue water vessel with a hull length of over 16 metres and a correspondingly high price tag for discerning owners.
The yacht builders in western France presented the new Yachts 55 as a world premiere at the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf in January. And it became the much-noticed star of the show. No other new boat was the subject of so much and, above all, so controversial discussion during and after the trade fair. And no other concept has polarised as much. All in all, the Jeanneau Yachts 55 is the most exciting new release of the year.
As a subsidiary of the all-powerful Beneteau Group, Jeanneau has the possibilities and the solid foundations to dare to try something new and realise fresh ideas. Other manufacturers can hardly afford such daring developments with the risk of failure. Especially in these difficult post-pandemic times, when problems such as supply chains and a shortage of skilled labour continue to slow down production and squeeze margins in the yacht building industry, many manufacturers are generally holding back with progressive new developments.
Other interesting cruising yachts:
Jeanneau acted with similar courage back in 2019. Back then, the French company presented the equally unusual Sun Loft 47, a full-bodied boat that was developed exclusively for the needs of the charter market and, as a pure B2B project, is only sold directly to this market - not without success. The new Jeanneau Yachts 55, on the other hand, fulfils exactly the opposite pole of demand. The boat is designed exclusively to meet the sophisticated wishes of owners who like to travel alone and only occasionally take guests with them.
The Jeanneau Yachts 55 has similarities to the charter model
Even if the developers at Jeanneau don't like to hear it: There are definitely parallels between the two strongly polarising concepts Sun Loft 47 and Yachts 55. Especially on deck. For example, the helm stations on both boats are built far forward to create huge lounge areas on the aft deck. In addition, the cockpit can be partially or completely covered in expansion stages with flexible or fixed elements. And on both boats, the two aft cabins are directly accessible from the cockpit via separate companionways.
The interior, on the other hand, is completely different. While the Sun Loft 47 has a total of up to twelve berths for charter guests, the interior of the larger Yachts 55 is designed more like a flat for the owners only, with a large saloon, kitchen-living room, bedroom and a spacious bathroom - a kind of two-and-a-half-room flat integrated into a yacht, if you like. The layout is as unusual as it is exciting. The shipyard has built two additional double cabins with their own bathrooms aft, completely separate from the main cabin. If required, guests travelling with the yacht can stay here comfortably, with plenty of privacy and, thanks to the separate access from the cockpit, also largely separated both spatially and acoustically.
Innovative details inspire, the high variance also
The general concept of the Yachts 55 includes the targa bar and the fixed hardtop or the flexible sprayhood with windscreen in front of the companionway. As on the test boat, the entire forward cockpit area is protected from the weather, wind and sun. If desired, the aft deck with its spacious lounge areas can also be largely covered by a fixed bimini, similar to a catamaran. All of this - apart from the targa bracket fitted as standard - is available as an option for a corresponding surcharge.
Another special feature: the navigation system is not installed below deck, but on deck in the cockpit. In the shelter of the canopy, you sit in an elevated position and have a good view to all sides as well as into the sails. With the remote control from the autopilot, the boat could also be steered from here in wind and weather.
You can have great parties on the aft deck. There is as much space for this as on a catamaran
The aft deck is dominated by the huge seating areas on both sides. Many people can sit together there or lie in the sun when the tables are lowered and the surfaces are closed with cushions. Further forward in the cockpit under the protected canopy is another seating area for five or six people, which can also be converted into a sunbathing area if required. And with additional cushions, the flat cabin superstructure on the foredeck can also be converted into a sunbed. It's nice to have so much space on deck. However, the question arises as to who should ultimately use the huge lounge areas - on a pure owner's boat, which is usually only used by a few people at a time.
The Jeanneau Yachts 55 can also be sailed single-handed
For the YACHT test in the south of France, only two people are on board, which is easily enough to cope with the large boat when sailing, even if the conditions are not as favourable as during the test run. The helmsman has a good overview both to windward and to leeward at the far forward steering positions. And he has the winches for the sheets, trim lines and halyards right in front of his nose on both sides.
To set and trim the sails, it is best to stand in the channel of the laterally recessed running deck (walkaround cockpit) and turn the winches at a good height in a relaxed and efficient manner. In this favourable position, the steering wheel is also within easy reach. Large halyard pockets keep everything around the helm tidy and organised, and there is also plenty of space for working on the lines. Overall, the handling is impeccable and very easy to manoeuvre. Even soloists can get to grips with it very well. However, because the loads on the sheets are generally very high on a boat of this size, electric drives are worthwhile, at least for one winch on each side.
Surprisingly dynamic
The design from Philippe Briand's studio surprises in the YACHT test with dynamic sailing characteristics in winds of between eight and a maximum of ten knots. With a ready-to-sail weight of 18.5 tonnes, the relatively heavy touring boat is very lively, especially upwind, and reacts directly to steering impulses with its double rudder blades. Despite the long distances from the forward-mounted steering positions to the rudder quadrants, the system works very smoothly and with virtually no slippage thanks to the Dyneema cable transmission.
With the large, widely overlapping genoa, the Jeanneau Yachts can tack 55 to 55 degrees to the wind and can achieve an average speed of 7.1 knots. If you have to tack, you can reach 6.2 knots with the self-tacking jib at an angle of 45 degrees to the true wind. The test boat is equipped with a Sparcraft furling mast as standard. This rig with the conspicuously strongly swept spreaders is trimmed with a lot of tension and a noticeable amount of mast bend. This is intended to prevent the mast from pumping in heavy swell. The manufacturer Sparcraf has developed a new mechanism to ensure that the furling process in the mast works perfectly despite the strong bend.
Innovative and right - even in detail
Jeanneau does not offer an alternative layout for the apartment-like interior below deck with its unusual layout. In any case, the three-part layout in the forward interior area with saloon, bedroom and bathroom remains the same. In this way, the shipyard underpins the concept as an uncompromising owner's yacht, but with the two additional guest cabins aft, it also offers living space for guests on board or for the children. The only deviation from the standard layout is planned for the forepeak, where the shipyard will normally install a spacious and accessible sail locker. However, an additional cabin for the skipper with his own toilet and separate entrance can also be realised there as an option.
The interior design impresses with an open, bright and Mediterranean living ambience as well as an overwhelming amount of space, especially in the huge owner's cabin, which extends across the entire width of the ship of almost five metres. The queen-size double bed is attached to the side on the port side. There is another small sofa on the starboard side with a make-up or work table in front of it. There is also plenty of space in the bathroom. The very spacious shower area with solid partitions is particularly pleasing. There is also plenty of room to move around here.
The long galley, which complements the saloon in a J-shape over a length of no less than 3.40 metres on the starboard side, scores maximum points. The work surfaces are enormous and the amount of storage space is almost immeasurable. There is no doubt that Jeanneau has raised the bar yet again in comparison with the competition with this galley. What's more, the work surface is installed very high, around 96 centimetres from the floor. This is particularly advantageous for working in the galley when the boat is heeling. The striking extension component below deck is the central carcass, which serves as a room divider between the saloon and kitchenette and, above all, as a welcome place to hold on to. However, the furniture is not particularly stable.
Innovative and full of good ideas. Jeanneau has once again delivered an extremely creative piece of work
The two aft cabins also offer guests a high level of comfort, each with a double berth of reasonable dimensions, their own bathroom with shower and, above all, plenty of privacy as a completely separate cabin with a separate companionway. It would perhaps be desirable for the shipyard to offer one of the two aft cabins as a walk-in locker or even as a workshop and technical room for use as a blue water vessel. Unfortunately, this convenience is not currently included in the options.
Loud machine
The built-in diesel engine from Yanmar brings a generous 110 hp into the water, with a three-blade folding propeller and shaft drive. No alternatives are planned or necessary. The ship can reach 9.2 knots at full power and 8.6 knots at cruising speed. Because the powerful genset is installed in the technical channel between the aft cabins, it is relatively noticeable in the cabins with 76 decibels of noise when cruising. Jeanneau installs both a bow and stern thruster as standard, once again emphasising the importance of the boat as a pure owner's boat, which is usually operated with a small crew.
One million euros and more are quickly reached
The Yachts 55 costs around 820,000 euros gross with its extensive and high-quality basic equipment, including a furling mast and a simple set of sails. Nevertheless, the list of possible options is relatively long. The test boat, the construction number one shown at the trade fair in Düsseldorf, is equipped with all possible extras for test and demonstration purposes. With all the accessories, the boat ultimately costs just under 1.3 million euros.
With the Yachts 55, Jeanneau has put together an incredibly exciting, very attractive and smart complete package, aimed at discerning and spoilt owners who like to live on the boat in unrestricted comfort and at most want to stay in small company. In the YACHT test, the French company's distinctive concept worked very well. However, whether it can achieve a breakthrough on the market is another matter. Nevertheless: Jeanneau was able to sell 15 boats of the new type directly at the boot in Düsseldorf alone. That's a real announcement.
Jeanneau Yachts 55 in detail
Technical data
- CE design category A
- Hull length 16.15 m
- Total length 16.98 m
- Waterline length 16.05 m
- Width 4.99 m
- Draught/alternative 2.45/1.90 m
- Mast height above WL 25.20 m
- Theoretical hull speed 9.7 knots
- Weight 18.5 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion 4.9 t/26.5 %
- Mainsail (furling mast) 68.0 m²
- Self-tacking jib 54.0 m²
- Engine (Yanmar) 81 kW/110 hp
- Fuel tank 230 litres
- Fresh water tanks 760 litres
- Holding tank (3) 60 litres
- Batteries 6x 95 AH + 1x 50 AH
Hull and deck construction
GKF sandwich, constructed using the vacuum infusion process. Full laminate in the keel area. Continuous inner shells glued in
Equipment and prices
- Base price ex shipyard821.100€
- Standard equipment included: sails (self-tacking jib, furling mainsail), engine, sheets, railing, navigation lights, battery, compass, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, WC, fire extinguisher, electric cooler, holding tank with suction system
- At extra cost: anchor with chain € 3,830, fender/mooring € 785, antifouling € 6,975, clear sailing handover € 10,115
- Price ready to sail842.805€
- Guarantee/against osmosis2/5 years
Included in the price:
Electric bathing platform, furling mast, self-tacking rail, headsail furling system, tarpaulin bows, fixed bowsprit, bow and stern thruster
Motorisation
A four-cylinder diesel engine from Yanmar with 110 hp output, shaft drive and three-blade folding propeller will be installed ex shipyard. No alternatives to this standard engine are planned
Sails and options
The furling mainsail and the self-tacking jib are part of the basic equipment. The large and widely overlapping furling genoa (120 per cent) as on the test boat is ideal as an additional sail. A code zero or gennaker is attached to the fixed bowsprit
Winches and fittings
Deck equipment from Harken and stoppers from Spinlock. Four 46-sheet winches are provided as standard. Electric winches (Harken 60.2) with rewind function for 11,800 euros (gross) surcharge
Shipyard
Chantiers Jeanneau, 85505 Les Herbiers (France); www.jeanneau.de
Distribution
Dealer network
YACHT rating
Exciting and thrilling new touring boat from Jeanneau exclusively for the demanding wishes of owners. The unusual interior design and a completely new layout on deck, which worked very well in the test, are proof of this
Design and concept
- + Independent and individual
- + Clear alignment
- + Navigation outside
- - Upscale pricing policy
Sailing performance and trim
- + Amazingly agile in the wind
- + Successful deck layout
- + Simple handling
- - Little steering feel on the wheel
Living and finishing quality
- + Different interior layout
- + Separate guest cabins
- + Enormously large pantry
- - No variance for aft cabins
Equipment and technology
- + Extensive basic equipment
- + Powerful motorisation ex shipyard
- + bow and stern thruster Std.
- - Cleats difficult to reach
