jeanneau yachts 55 review

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Jeanneau Yachts 55 review: Thinking outside the box

• Rupert Holmes
• February 28, 2024

Interior accommodation has traditionally been what sells mainstream cruising yachts, but the Jeanneau Yachts 55 ‘monocat’ turns that thinking on its head

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

Boatbuilders rarely have the courage to launch a model that represents a radically different way of thinking. Instead, most new yachts are simply variations on established themes with incremental improvements that represent important evolutions over time.

And when testing boats it’s easy to gloss over what it’s like to spend time relaxing on board, whether in harbour or underway in lovely weather. Yet this is a critical factor in the enjoyment owners derive from their boats.

Even with the best natural ventilation, in tropical sun or when the outside temperature rises above 30˚C, the interior of any yacht gets uncomfortably hot. So why have monohull builders and designers continued to expend so much effort on optimising saloon and dining space below decks, rather than focussing on exterior socialising and relaxation spaces?

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 completely reimagines how the main living areas on a yacht intended for use in sunny climes should be configured. All key elements of the main saloon are effectively on deck, sheltered by a big sprayhood and hard top or bimini. It reflects how yachts are actually used, at the same time improving privacy in each of the sleeping cabins and in the owner’s quarters.

In a sense it merely recognises how many people use a boat with decent sun protection: maximising time spent in the cockpit.

While this is not the yard’s first foray into this concept of accommodation arrangement it’s the first model aimed at private owners. It draws on Jeanneau’s experience with the Sun Loft 47 of 2019, which was geared resolutely for the charter market. We got to put a pre production model of the Jeanneau Yachts 55 to the test in Spain last autumn.

A pair of electric winches at each helm station allow for push-button sail handling. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Novel layout

The cockpit effectively extends a huge distance forward and has multiple different spaces for different purposes. Right aft is a full-beam flexible area with expansive sunbeds that convert to large tables, creating a space that easily rivals the aft cockpit of multihulls of a similar size. As with flybridge catamarans and motor yachts, cushions are a fast drying type made for use outdoors.

Immediately ahead of this area is the main control centre for the boat, with twin helm and winch stations. These have a pair of Harken electric winches each side, with one having a back-winding facility, and on the test boat all furling and reefing could be done electrically by one person.

The distinctive mainsheet arch is standard on all boats, whether or not the optional solid sprayhood and hard top are specified over the standard fabric components. This has the big benefit of keeping the sheet safely clear of the cockpit, however the standard arrangement doesn’t allow for fine control of sail shape.

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Outboard of the wheels the side decks slope upwards towards the foredeck in a refinement of the ramp first seen on the Sun Odyssey 440 back in 2017. This arrangement works really well on the Jeanneau Yachts 55, giving easy step-free access to the foredeck. It also effectively creates a deep bulwark, with an extra high 36in rail outboard of the winches, making it a safe place for sail handling. There are also lovely deep rope bags here, though longer handrails on the coachroof sides for use when going forward would be beneficial.

The two well appointed ensuite guest cabins are immediately forward of the helm stations. These are accessed from on deck, below the shelter of the hard top, which provides more privacy at night than a conventional arrangement with quarter cabins accessed directly from the saloon. The port is the larger of the two, with more floor area and space for a compact two-seater sofa.

On the downside guests have to descend into the depths of the hull via steep steps, so there’s potential for these cabins to feel claustrophobic, access to the starboard cabin’s heads is awkward, and the galley can only be reached by climbing up into the cockpit, then back down the main companionway.

Side decks slope up to the foredeck, while deep bulwarks make it a safe space to handle sails. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

The arrangement is great for owner’s privacy, and fine if you have teenage kids, but won’t suit everyone, especially those with children under a certain age.

Ahead of the guest cabins, towards the front of the sprayhood, is a small four-person dinette/coffee table to starboard and a navstation to port.

Both are slightly raised to give a good all-round view and the dinette can be lowered to create yet another day bed. This also makes it a good space to take a nap on short-handed passages, when you might need to be available at short notice.

Equally the navstation is an ideal place from which to con the boat when on watch alone, when the dished seat will help you stay in place when heeled on port tack. It also makes a great place to work using a laptop, as long as the almost all-round view doesn’t prove too much of a distraction. If it does there’s a secluded desk/dressing table in the forward master cabin.

Outdoor living begins at the stern with sunbeds, loungers and dining tables that easily rivals many multihulls for space. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Monocat sailing

What about sailing performance? Naval architect Philippe Briand has created a boat with relatively low freeboard and powerful hull sections, plus plenty of form stability that on paper ought to hold its own against other mainstream cruising yachts of similar size.

More often than not, the yachts provided for our tests have the optional deep keel married to a taller rig with a slab reefing mainsail that typically gives 20% or more extra sail area than standard. This enables us to get a good feel for the fundamental qualities of the hull design.

However, the Jeanneau Yachts 55 we tested had the 1.9m shoal draught keel, along with the standard size furling mainsail and self tacking jib, albeit with upgraded sailcloth.

At the same time, the test boat’s displacement was some 3.5 tonnes heavier than standard, thanks to the shoal keel (800kg), plus the solid sprayhood and hard top in place of the standard fabric sprayhood and bimini, a washer-drier, air conditioning and a diesel generator.

Raised dinette and navstation are forward of the mainsheet arch, under the sprayhood. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

It was difficult to make the furling main set well in the very light airs of my first day on board and, frustratingly, there was neither a Code 0 nor an asymmetric spinnaker on board. On the plus side, my experience is arguably a more realistic reflection of the configuration in which up to 90% of these boats will be ordered.

Many new designs impress with the way they sail in light airs – an important factor for summer cruising in Europe . However, this boat had very little feel or heel until the wind got above 7 knots, when we started making reasonable progress at just over five knots on a close reach, despite the restricted sail area. In only 4-5 knots of breeze we struggled to reach even three knots of boat speed, irrespective of wind angle.

Happily my second day on board produced 10-12 knots of breeze in which we made 5.5 knots close-hauled at a true wind angle of 55º, despite the boat being repeatedly slowed by a swell right on the bow. Bearing away with the true wind just aft of the beam, and that awkward swell on the quarter, we made a consistent 6-7 knots under main and jib.

The boat tracked well in these conditions, despite imperfectly set up steering: there was play, friction and vibration in the system, though we’re told these problems will be resolved on production boats.

Nevertheless, the helm stations are nicely configured, with big comfortable seats and large MFDs each side. There’s also excellent protection from sun, rain and spray, yet you can also steer sitting well outboard on the coaming to get a better view of the headsail luff, although the MFD and instruments are difficult to read from this position.

Dual helms, access to aft cabins and forward lounging area can all be under cover of the long bimini. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Are the seating and sunbed arrangements aft viable when there’s more wind and sea? There was much discussion about this at the start of the European Yacht of the Year trials. I sailed with the sunbed on one side, and table with space to seat six to eight people on the other, an arrangement with obvious appeal at anchor or at a boat show.

With seven people on board, in a Force 3-4 breeze and uncomfortable swell, this area aft was favoured over the more sheltered and secure seating further forward, even when close-hauled. In these conditions it felt safe, though in rough weather and high angles of heel it would be a less inviting space, while the width of this area and its proximity to the transom would undoubtedly make it feel insecure.

Given the Jeanneau Yachts 55’s accent on outdoor living, along with Jeanneau’s emphasis that the main below decks accommodation is primarily for owner’s use, it’s surprising they didn’t create a more comprehensive outdoor galley, even if that would inevitably compromise other elements. Instead there’s an optional barbecue that swings out from under one of the aft seats, so you need to stand on the bathing platform to use it, plus an optional fridge drawer under a seat further forward.

Returning to port with a quartering swell the boat rolled enough to make you think why not buy a catamaran instead? There’s a multitude of answers to that question, of course. For example, for anyone who spends a lot of time in the Mediterranean at busy times of the year it’s usually much easier to find a visitor’s berth for a monohull, whether in a chic Ligurian marina or a bustling Greek town quay.

Of course multihull owners may counter that by pointing out that catamarans don’t have a monohull’s tendency to roll in an uncomfortable anchorage and you can often anchor off and dinghy ashore with a decent tender – but that’s not always feasible.

Double doors at the forward end of the saloon/galley lead through to the owner’s suite. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Designed for the owners

All the space on deck makes this feel in some ways like a much larger yacht than the overall length might suggest, so descending the companionway is a surprise as it feels small for a 55-footer. But that initial impression misunderstands the whole concept of this boat.

Unlike almost any other yacht, the idea is the main below deck spaces accessed via the companionway will be predominately the preserve of the owners. This highlights how much of a change of mindset is needed to accurately evaluate this boat.

To starboard is a very long and very well appointed galley, and a saloon/dining area with space for six people to port. There’s lots of room to move around here – proportions are those of a smart apartment – though the wide open expanse may present a challenge at sea in rough conditions.

Well appointed linear galley is to starboard. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Double doors in the main bulkhead open onto a properly spacious full width owner’s cabin with a wonderfully open feel and the peninsula bed offset to port. To some extent the feeling of space comes at the expense of stowage volumes, but there’s an option to replace the vanity desk here with a big wardrobe, while retaining the small sofa to starboard.

There’s also an excellent almost full width head and shower right forward, but it’s surprising there’s no provision for an easily accessed day head in addition to the three ensuites.

Stowage on deck includes a huge sail locker forward that’s large enough to be fitted out as an optional skipper cabin. There’s also a big lazarette aft, measuring 2.1 x 1.5 x 0.35m, where you might otherwise expect to find a tender garage. This has access from on top, as well as from the bathing platform, making an excellent wet storage area for fenders, watersports toys and so on. There’s also a dedicated liferaft locker.

Optional telescopic davits have a capacity of more than 100kg, sufficient for an aluminium RIB of up to around 3.5m with a tiller-steered outboard. This is arguably a better option than a tender garage, which invariably severely limits the size of dinghy that can be carried without significantly reducing the volume available aft for accommodation.

Port side is the larger of the two guest cabins and has room for a small sofa. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

An optional retractable gangway to port means access to the water, or to a quay when berthed stern to, is available even when the tender is stowed on the davits and the central transom walkway is therefore not available. The pilot rams and steering gear are accessed through a hatch at the side of the lazarette that’s just wide enough to crawl through, before rotating yourself 90º to the right. This would make it very difficult to access at sea and some will find it difficult even in port.

The standard twin 380lt fresh water tanks are a decent size for a boat with only three double cabins and there’s a high capacity 36lt per minute water pump for near domestic levels of water pressure. However, the 230lt fuel tank is definitely on the small side for the 110hp engine. Engine, generator and other systems are installed in a tunnel between the guest cabins, accessed from cockpit hatches, and therefore nicely separated from the main interior accommodation.

Hull construction is vacuum infused polyester, with solid laminate in the keel area, while the matrix in the bilge that helps spread keel loads is glued in place. The standard of finish generally looks very neat and the interior joinery is well executed. However, integration of the optional hardtop elements with the mainsheet arch and optional solid windscreen are not as slick.

This means there’s a lack of clean lines and continuity in styling terms. From a distance it looks good, but close up there are too many changes of surface level to look really clean, tidy and stylish.

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This model represents a big bet and a bold move for Jeanneau that effectively creates a new type of yacht for private owners. When I first saw it at Düsseldorf in January 2023 I was taken with the concept, and the obvious enthusiasm Philippe Briand and Ignacio Oliva-Velex of renowned interior designers Winch Design have for it. Of course the Jeanneau Yachts 55 won’t suit everyone, and there are many who wouldn’t consider this boat, but it has potential to be a good match for many others. Admittedly the price of the pre-production test boat we sailed was inflated thanks to a very long list of extras. However, there are ways in which it didn’t feel like a $1million yacht, even if some elements such as the owner’s cabin and the expansive seating/sunbed areas aft are very nicely executed. Nevertheless the core idea clearly works well and aspects of it can’t easily be replicated on a multihull. Jeanneau plans to build 15 boats each year, so doesn’t require a huge production run for it to be considered a success. Even though this part of the market tends to be very conservative, 17 Jeanneau Yacht 55s have already been sold and we can surely expect to see more production designs for private boat owners along similar lines in future.

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

First look: Jeanneau Yachts 55

• Theo Stocker
• May 2, 2023

The new Jeanneau Yachts 55 a monohull with come multihull characteristics makes for an innovative new luxury yacht

Product Overview

A few years ago, Jeanneau jumped into the large luxury yacht market with its Jeanneau Yachts line, distinguished from their Sun Odyssey cruisers and Sun Fast race boats. The 60 was the first in this range, followed by the 65. Now the Jeanneau Yachts 55 has arrived, but rather than following in its larger siblings’ footsteps, Jeanneau has tried something quite innovative.

Combining elements from catamaran cockpit design, the inside-outside sailing positions of boats like Amel, and the separate spaces and private access of Jeanneau’s Sun Loft charter range, this boat is finished to a luxurious standard below decks, but with the two aft guest cabins with their own companionways.

This leaves the forward owner’s suite, which includes a full-beam cabin and large forward heads compartment, as well as a saloon and galley, into which the owner’s cabin can be semi open-plan. The guest cabins have large double beds, a small sitting area, and their own heads compartments, ensuring everyone on board has their own space.

The saloon and galley are amidships, aft of the owner’s cabin

On deck, Jeanneau says there are two cockpits, though in reality there are three distinct areas. The helm stations, to which all lines are led, are central, under the cockpit arch. Forward of this is a seating area to starboard, enclosed by either a folding sprayhood, or a permanent doghouse with a chart table to port where instruments and autopilot controls allow the boat to be conned, if not sailed from a sheltered position on deck with excellent visibility forward. Aft of the wheels is a sundeck, with large lounging sun pads, or tables and seating, on either side.

The hull, as with most new boats these days, has a wide beam taken all the way aft, with a hard chine to bring the topsides in to a narrower waterline. Twin rudders keep this under control, while an arch-mounted mainsheet keeps the cockpit clear, and twin forestays with furling genoa and jib, plus bowsprit, give plenty of sail options for changing gears.

It’s an unusual configuration that could work as a luxury charter boat, an owner’s Med boat, or with the fixed dodger, could work equally well in colder climates.

Jeanneau Yachts 55 specifications

LOA: 16.93m/55ft 6in LWL: 16.05m-52ft 7in Beam: 4.99m/16ft 4in Draught: 2.55m/8ft 4in Sail area: 160.8m2/ 1,731sq ft Ballast: 4,900kg/10,803 lb Displacement: 18,542kg/40,878 lb Price: £615,000 ex VAT base (€975,000 ex VAT sailaway) Contact: www.jeanneau.com

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Jeanneau sails into cat space with JY55

• February 1, 2024

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 joins the new 60 and 65

What’s in a name? In the case of the new Jeanneau Yachts 55, there’s a double number that seems to speak of this monohull’s dexterous adoption of some of the best multihull characteristics. Look once and you’ll see a monohull, but look twice – especially from aft or above – and you may sometimes wonder if you’re not aboard a catamaran.

For its new sailing yacht, Jeanneau turned to Philippe Briand for the hull and Andrew Winch for the interiors. Star designers like these could only produce a top result and they continued the winning combination that previously turned out the Jeanneau Yachts 60 and flagship 65. Like those models, the 55 is built for sailors who intend to do some long-distance offshore cruising in comfort and style.

The JY55 offers catamaran-like social space aft

Built to last, the 55 has a vacuum-infused GRP hull with an LOA of almost 17m and a beam just under 5m. The keel draught is 2.45m and the yacht’s twin rudders have self-aligning roller bearings. This serious sailing setup is easy to manage short-handed, with an in-mast furling mainsail and a furling jib with self-tacking jib track offered as standard.

From here, the array of options owners can choose is almost dizzying, making the 55 a yacht that can be fine-tuned to meet an array of sailing skill and lifestyle needs.

CAT-LIKE SOCIAL SPACE

Quality of onboard lifestyle was a driver for this monohull, which includes many easy-living features that are typically only found aboard catamarans. The aft-deck layout, for example, is all about lounging.

The aft deck has L-shaped seating to port and a U-shaped sofa to starboard

You might think you’re seeing double when you board and find a U-shaped seating arrangement starboard, opposite an L-shaped sofa to port. Both arrangements can do double duty by converting from seating around tables to becoming large sunpads where guests can lounge, undisturbed by the presence of winches and other sailing gear.

Note also that the flooring is all on one level, so you have a space dedicated to enjoyment that spans almost a quarter of the yacht’s length.

Each side has a table that can be lowered and covered with cushions

The transom opens out to become a large swim platform that offers more than just easy access to the water. It’s also the base for an outdoor kitchen when a grill is mounted onto the starboard side. While hovering just inches above the water, preparing meals in a setting like this offers those ‘what-more could-you-ask-for’ moments that go to making a vacation truly memorable.

Although there’s no tender garage, a 2.9m tender can be stored and launched from telescopic davits, much like those found aboard catamarans. And should there be a tender stored aft, one of the side benches lifts to allow guests to disembark comfortably while leaving the tender safely stowed.

COMFORT AND PROTECTION

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 is set up for short-handed sailing

While the aft area seems to be inching up on a catamaran lifestyle, forward of the large lounging areas are the twin helming positions, with wheels mounted onto pedestals that contain the beating heart of the yacht’s sailing soul.

Sure, it’s easy sailing with Raymarine touchscreen commands, joystick controls for bow and aft thrusters, electric winches and all lines close at hand, but it’s serious sailing nonetheless and it’s good fun.

There’s a navigation station with GPS screen to port

Sailors can easily keep an eye on the headsails and quickly walk along the clean side decks, which stay on a single level that slowly ramps up towards the headsails and the fixed bowsprit. In the fore section is anchoring equipment and even an en-suite skipper’s cabin.

The mainsheet traveller is mounted directly onto an arched roll bar that delineates the protected cockpit. The windscreen is in curved glass with an opening central section, so views are always free and clear.

Aft view of the covered cockpit, with a dinette to starboard

Depending on the climate they’re planning to sail in, owners can opt to mount a hard top dodger or a fold-away bimini. Aft of the roll bar, owners can even mount protection for the helming positions so they can sail whatever the latitude or weather conditions.

Inside the cockpit is a navigation station with a chart table, GPS screen and autopilot controls to port, while a sheltered dining table to starboard makes this an indoor/outdoor zone that doubles as a work/play area.

A sliding companionway door leads below deck

Everything is as protected from the elements as owners choose to make it, and all equipment is easy to access and close at hand. A couple of experienced sailors could easily sail this boat on their own, exploring the world in total freedom.

LIGHT DOWN BELOW

This living-free feeling is reinforced by the layout of the saloon below deck. Three layers of light pour in through hull and coachroof windows and flush hatch skylights to make the whole area bright and offer excellent natural air circulation.

Forward view of the saloon, with two-table dinette to port and galley to starboard

A well-equipped galley, a dinette with L-shaped seating and tables that adjust in height to become an extra berth are similar to what you’d expect to find on a sailing yacht this size.

However, what is surprising is that the area can be used as a single open space together with the full-beam owner’s cabin fore by leaving the two sliding doors open. This creates a kind of ‘loft living’ vibe where divisions between day and night areas are blurred to create a single large space that’s perfect for a couple sailing on their own.

Sliding doors lead to the master suite forward

While it’s spacious and airy, it’s also seaworthy and practical, with plenty of well-placed handrails, pointing to the designers’ will to keep the boat and its occupants safe, even in rougher conditions.

While the Jeanneau Yachts 55 pampers its owners with the luxury of space and privacy, let’s not forget that this is a 17m boat, so it’s probable that guests will be part of the picture at some point. No problem.

Gullwing doors lead to the two guest cabins

Nobody’s privacy will be disturbed because of a truly innovative setup, which is so well-conceived that you might not even notice it at first. Just fore of the helms are twin gullwing glass doors that open to reveal symmetrical companionways leading down to the two guest cabins. The setup and feeling are much like you get on a catamaran, entering a separate hull.

This ingenious solution gives guests total privacy, keeping their sleeping areas separate both from the owners and the other guests. Both double cabins have their own en-suite bathrooms, so this again echoes the kind of privacy found aboard a catamaran.

The outdoor grill can be accessed when the swim platform is lowered

So, can a sailing yacht adopt some of the best lifestyle features of a catamaran and stay true to its calling? From sales numbers, it appears that the Jeanneau Yachts 55 can.

With its combination of sailing performance and catamaran comforts, this may well be the yacht that wins back monohull sailors who had drifted over into the ease and stability of catamarans. It may also appeal to motor yachters looking for a more sustainable, ecofriendly way to enjoy their time on the water.

The innovative design has led to impressive sales figures

Because aboard a sailing yacht where you’re free as a bird to choose your location, location, location, it’s the many ways the Jeanneau Yachts 55 allows you to enjoy your life aboard that makes all the difference.

http://www.jeanneau.com

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Jeanneau has rethought the cruising yacht

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 aims to offer as much space as a catamaran with one hull and has developed a completely new design for this purpose.

Jeanneau is known for boldly implementing new concepts. With the Yachts 55, the shipyard is turning the wheel of yacht design a little further and developing a consistently conceived owner’s yacht for blue water, which can even be sailed single-handed thanks to many electronic solutions.

The smallest model in Jeanneau’s large cruising yacht range is a novelty in deck layout. The shipyard’s aim was to build a monohull that was only slightly inferior to catamarans in terms of space and roominess. Jeanneau developed a completely new room concept for this. Plenty of space in the stern with two large lounge areas, a forward steering position and aft cabins for guests with a separate entrance via the cockpit.

Jeanneau creates space like on a cat

You can get on board in the port aft via the automatically extending gangway. A small door in the raised bathing platform opens the way on board. Two large lounge areas divided in the middle with electrically lowerable tables create huge sun loungers or a dining area. There is space for up to a dozen people. Perhaps a bit much for a yacht that is actually designed for six people. Next to the bathing platform there is an extendable ourdoor grill, there is no dinghy garage, it is hung on the extendable David poles.

You walk comfortably forward to the two helm stations, which are positioned well forward. A hardtop covering the entire front cockpit stretches directly above them on a targa bracket. It creates a large covered area with a navigation station and a seating area to starboard.

The navigation station is equipped with a Raymarine chart plotter screen and autopilot control. A perfect place to keep watch on a warm night. For added convenience, it is possible to completely close off this space in front of the steering position. Windows on the sides and in the roof provide a view of the sea and let in plenty of light.

What sailors want

Inside and outside on the Yachts 55 are no longer defined as above and below deck, but on the same level as on a catamaran. For dedicated blue water sailors, the front cockpit becomes a well-protected and very bright area in bad weather.

Jeanneau surveyed 1,100 Jeanneau bluewater sailors and incorporated their wishes and suggestions into this layout. Most owners are between 50 and 60 years old and sail as a couple for four to six months a year, sometimes with family or friends, but primarily as a couple. They sail long distances, even across the Atlantic. You need a yacht that can be sailed by two people for more than 24 hours. The Jeanneau Yachts 55 is designed to make this possible. The concept has been very well received by customers.

The overhead navigation table with plotter is also a logical choice for long journeys. Jeanneau has combined the good sailing characteristics of a monohull with the spaciousness of a catamaran. Sailing takes place on deck, living is below deck. Everything is tidy in the cockpit. The mainsheet is attached to the targa bracket and there are no lines on deck to get in the way.

There is another special feature on deck. Access to the two spacious aft cabins with en-suite bathrooms is via the cockpit. Jeanneau has consistently thought the owner’s yacht through to the end and kept the guest areas, with their own wet room, separate. Both are large enough for guests to feel at home here: With a standing height of almost two meters, a large window, a sofa and its own refrigerator, it is a more comfortable cabin than most aft cabins seen elsewhere at 55 feet.

The apartment below deck

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 is offered in exactly one cabin layout, which is also highly unusual. Almost three quarters of the boat, from amidships to the bow, are intended for the owner couple. The large open living space with a standing height of over two meters looks like an open-plan apartment.

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Nominee Spotlight: Jeanneau Yachts 55

• By Andrew Parkinson
• October 3, 2023

On the heels of the Jeanneau Yachts 60 and 65, the French boatbuilder synonymous with sailing in style premieres its latest prodigy, the Jeanneau Yachts 55, at the Annapolis Sailboat Show. Our editors first saw the 55 as a scale model back at the 2023 Miami Boat Show. A quick study suggested it was anything but another everyday sailboat design. With this new model, Jeanneau has emphasized the idea of building a boat around its potential owners’ needs, with an eye on long-range cruising in more space and comfort than ever before.

The Jeanneau 55 was penned in a collaboration between Philippe Briand Yacht Design, Winch Design and Jeanneau. According to the builder, the 55 sought inspiration from catamarans for space optimization. That approach is evident in the final product.

It starts with the boat’s exterior, in the form of a true dual cockpit setup. The twin helm stations are positioned a bit forward, leaving a wide area abaft for entertainment and relaxation, with two sofas: one U-shaped and one L-shaped, which both convert to sun lounges, and a hydraulic swim platform. Sheltered by an optional hardtop arch, the helm area and forward “exterior salon” include a chart table with a GPS screen and autopilot controls, all protected by a wraparound windscreen with excellent visibility. The streamlined foredeck also includes plenty of real estate for a sun-lounge, which can be shaded with a canopy at anchor.

Below the waterline, it’s a dual rudder system and a sturdy keel (either a traditional L-shaped fin keel with a weighted bulb or an optional shallow-draft version). At 40,878 pounds with a D/L of 125.5 and a 26 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio, it extends its beam throughout, adding a topside chine for more interior volume.

Its sail configuration comprises a modern fractional sloop rig, enhanced by an attractive bowsprit. Versatile rig options are available. Downwind performance can be enhanced with an optional asymmetrical spinnaker, spanning 2,690 square feet. 

The Jeanneau 55 employed advanced composite materials in the build, with elegant wooden accents carrying a sense of timeless craftsmanship. Inside, the 55 sports a distinctive three-cabin layout, providing roomy, comfortable accommodations for up to six guests. Designed with a private apartment in mind, the forward owner’s suite occupies nearly two-thirds of the main interior. The cabin has an inviting island berth, while the salon offers an inviting L-shaped settee and two comfortable chaises. Two aft cabins offer cozy double berths, each accessible via its dedicated staircase from the protected cockpit salon. A functional crew cabin can be integrated into the bow as an option.

The starboard-side galley has a streamlined design, incorporating an island with a cooktop, an ice storage unit and a double sink. The 55 has three private heads, one in each cabin. Cabin headroom is also a plus, at over six and a half feet.

Attributed with the 55’s living spaces, design Andrew Winch says ergonomics are essential to the success of any boat design. “I was so pleased with the Jeanneau range, I even bought one for myself,” he says. “I have always wanted a yacht that was as comfortable as this and performed extremely well as an ocean sailing yacht. If there is one unifying thread which runs through all of our design departments, it’s our commitment to designing not just spaces for clients, but lifestyles.”

Jeanneau Yachts 55 Specifications

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On Test. Jeanneau Yachts 55: the evolution of the sailing boat

• Luca D'Ambrosio
• August 21, 2023

Jeanneau Yachts 55, sea trial of the evolution of the sailing boat.

When two designers like Philippe Briand and Andrew Winch start thinking about the future of sailing with a yard that is particularly inclined towards innovation, the result of this creative process is something that is destined to change the market for this type of boat forever, and the new Jeanneau Yachts 55 is a clear proof of this.

This new creature is such a revolutionary sailboat that we are compelled to list all the innovations it brings with it. A boat that we couldn’t fail to thoroughly test, then, in a two-day sea trial that kept us busy in truly entertaining marine weather conditions.

But let’s go step by step and discover this new Jeanneau Yachts 55 which, we anticipate, literally bewitched us.

Jeanneau Yachts 55, that’s what innovation means

It’s not every day that we have to use a list to fully convey the design effort made by this team which, very importantly, listened carefully to the owners before starting to design what we believe is the new evolutionary stage of the sailing boat.

1: The stern, the realm of relaxation

The five-metre maximum beam is fully exploited and manages to provide space for two enormous multi-function dinettes that, while leaving plenty of central passageway, make this area the hub of the boat’s open-air life. As many as 10 or 12 guests can sit here to have dinner or lunch very comfortably and, like on a terrace overlooking the sea, enjoy the best possible panorama. The dinettes also transform into two large sundecks which, not by chance, are positioned right next to the electric platform leading to the sea.

2: A dream Hard-Top

Who said that Hard-Tops have to be ugly? This one is beautiful, sporty and blends perfectly with the lines of the new Jeanneau Yachts 55. More importantly, with this innovation Jeanneau has managed to create a new space that simply didn’t exist before. In fact, under the shelter of this very useful structure is an external chart station, a third dinette equipped with a table and the entrance to the three separate rooms on the lower deck.

3: Interior, a new way of living

It is a precise choice that introduced by the new Jeanneau Yachts 55, a solution that comes from the opinions of many owners who, desirous of having privacy and comfort, are now satisfied by this absolute novelty which, as mentioned, creates three distinct interior spaces.

A real private flat is reserved for the owner which, huge, occupies all the space available from amidships to the bow. As we enter we immediately find ourselves in the saloon where, to port, the linear galley is positioned. To starboard is the interior dinette which, thanks to two folding tables, can also be converted and is equipped with a pop-up television.

Continuing towards the bow we find, a touch of genius, two sliding doors that lead us to the Master Cabin, whose bed is set against the side and is simply enormous. On the other side is a sofa with buiserie and a capacious wardrobe. The owner’s private bathroom is also very large and equipped with a separate shower. The two guest cabins are a VIP cabin and a double cabin respectively, which are accessed from the two separate entrances forward of the wheelhouses. Both cabins are very large, equipped with queen-size beds, wardrobes and en-suite facilities, while the VIP cabin is longer and can accommodate an extra sofa of normal size.

Jeanneau Yachts 55: Sea Trial

We were lucky enough to test the new Jeanneau Yachts 55 extensively and in ideal conditions. Rough to very rough seas with a wave of a metre and a half, 15/16 knots of taut wind and some rain showers. All the necessary characteristics to fully understand how this sailboat navigates.

Let us tell you straight away, the boat sails well and is fast in absolute terms, very fast in relation to pure cruising sailboats, especially if we consider that the one in the test was equipped with a mainsail furling in the mast.

We cast off our moorings under a leaden sky and, thanks to the manoeuvring propellers, we quickly get out to sea, in the waters off the Vieux Port in Cannes. Here, the mistral blows from the south-west and creates a wave of considerable height, about a metre and a half today, but our Jeanneau Yachts 55 hardly seems to notice it as the engine speeds away, hardly rolling.

The 110HP Yanmar pushes well and, despite the folding-blade propeller, we reach more than 9 knots of cruising speed; the 8.5 gait is also excellent, with consumption of just 11 litres per hour, or just over a litre per mile, which is very little for a 17-metre 18.5 ton yacht.

The new Jeanneau Yachts 55 was introduced to me as being designed to be steered very easily or even single-handedly. A fact I definitely want to verify, so I politely ask the captain and the rest of the crew to step aside, and I take the helm alone. The boat is smartly rigged, the bowsprit could of course be rigged with a Code 0 or a Gennaker but today, given the conditions, it’s better to avoid that. The mainsail is furling in the mast but of excellent workmanship, there is also a 130% genoa and a 95% self-tacking jib, both on furlers. The mainsail sheet is German style and the stoppers are positioned so that they can be used from both sides. Equally noteworthy are the winches, which, as well as being electric, are also reversible, making it possible to ease at the push of a button.

Everything here is electric and the buttons are actually within reach, duplicated and present in both steering systems so, which does not surprise me, mainsail and genoa come out in a second, very easily.

What does amaze me, however, is that the Jeanneau Yachts 55, as soon as I set off (strictly solo), takes off like a rocket as if propelled by a turbo. I’m at 40 degrees from the apparent wind and I’m going at more than 10 knots, but not top speed, I’m actually sailing at a constant 10 knots, unbelievable.

Intrigued, I bear away a little and again the boat accelerates and exceeds 11 knots, without moving from the wheel I press a button and release the mainsail a little, press another and ease the genoa a little, sails at 11.5 knots. Man how she sails!

Bearing away of course, it slows down even if even at reach, below 8 knots this boat just doesn’t want to go. The thing that wins me over though is the stability of the course, this boat sails as if it were on rails while the wheels remain soft, even when the boat is heeling.

I decide to luff up and, again, without moving from the wheel I haul the mainsail and genoa in. I get the classic 30 degrees from apparent with the Jeanneau Yachts 55 still sailing at 8 and a half knots. Again the boat amazes me and, despite the apparent being well over 20/22 knots, I manage to ride these waves without the boat being in trouble, the bow opens the way and the T-Top (absolutely useful in these conditions) shelters us from the spray and rain that sporadically comes to bother us.

Sure, the boat is heeling a lot and, since we have a self-tacking jib at our disposal, I decide for a headsail change which, once again (after asking the captain’s permission), I want to try to handle solo while the boat is sailing in these somewhat difficult conditions.

We are tacking to port and, without easing the genoa, I open the jib, which overlaps the genoa at the push of a button; when I set it, of course, the genoa loses power and I can then furl it, again without leaving my position.

Total time for the manoeuvre? Two to three minutes at the most, all without hardly slowing down, without struggling and in complete safety. Solo sailing test passed with flying colours, it’s really a nice system, effective and functional.

With the self-tacking jib, the boat now sails in a more relaxed manner, this is undoubtedly the correct way to sail in these marine weather conditions, where the Jeanneau Yachts 55 is at ease and gives back a decidedly larger boat comfort.

On the other hand, its vocation is that of a blue water cruiser, a characteristic that it manages to embody to perfection although, I must admit, it also won me over with its unsuspected performance.

WWW.JEANNEAU.COM

Test conditions: Rough to very rough sea, true wind 15 knots, folding blade propeller, 5 passengers on board, water 90%, fuel 70%.

Jeanneau Yachts 55: technical specs

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• Jeanneau Yachts 55
• Jeanneau Yachts

Innovative, bold, and original, this Jeanneau Yachts 55 is a direct and uncompromising response to meet the needs of sailors who love to travel and who appreciate beauty.  This sailing yacht offers a world entirely constructed around its owners, headed for a unique cruising experience.

SEANAPPS Technology on board. To learn more, click here .

The Sailboat for All Who Love Open Waters

Faithful to the spirit of the line – with elegance, high performance, and comfort for offshore sail-ing and longer voyages – this sailboat does not hesitate to break from tradition to better meet the expectations of avid sailors headed for far-off destinations. Designed as a true private apartment, in an unprecedented layout, the forward owner's suite occupies fully two-thirds of the interior. Refined, bright and comfortable, the Jeanneau Yachts 55 is well equipped for cruising with full peace of mind. The main companionway provides private access to the owner's suite, opening onto the forward cabin, and features numerous handholds for safety on board while under way. Two cabins with private bathrooms enable guests to enjoy perfectly independent living spaces, accessible from the cockpit by two separate companionways.

Revolutionary Deck Layout

On the exterior, the Dual Cockpit takes on new meaning. The aft is dedicated to relaxation, featur-ing: two saloons, one U-shaped and one L-shaped, which each convert into sundecks, and a gigantic hy-draulic swim platform. The twin helms are positioned forward, and even feature an exterior chart table with a GPS screen and autopilot controls, all sheltered by the hard top and the wide, wrapa-round windscreen, offering remarkable visibility. These innovations enable you to cruise in all seasons and latitudes, placing the pleasure of sailing back at the heart of life on board. When the dream becomes a reality…

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