Well known for their sailing yachts, Jeanneau has been powerboating since 1958. The Jeanneau NC 1095 is the new flagship of the NC line of cruisers. Powered by twin 300-hp outboard engines, the hull design offers a smooth, flat ride with exceptional fuel efficiency. Recessed side decks allow for safe movement about the boat with easy access to the helm and the bow sunpad through a sliding side door.
The cockpit’s L-shaped seating converts into a large lounging and sunning area. Transom platforms on either side of the outboard engines make boarding and swimming safe and easy. Large windows and sunroofs provide plenty of natural lighting in the salon and the cabins. The Jeanneau NC 1095 offers two- and- three cabin versions with easy access to the head and shower. The owner’s cabin forward has a centerline bed.
The new Jeanneau Leader 9.0 CC is making its way to U.S. shores.
Whether you’re cruising for a weekend or enjoying a sunset ride with friends, the Leader 9.0 CC can accommodate up to 11 passengers on deck and is powered by twin 200-hp or 250-hp Yamaha outboards.
An L-shaped aft seating area wraps around a table that has two additional folding bench
seats to port. The table, as well as the forward lounge, can be transformed into a large sunpad so sun worshippers are well accommodated.
The helm has a wraparound windshield, seating for three and an optional galley with a refrigerator, stove and sink tucked behind. There’s more to this compact cruiser than just
deck space. Below, you’ll find a double berth and an enclosed head and shower compartment. There’s also an optional generator to power air conditioning. A weekend of glamping, anyone?
Solid performance, thoughtful layout, and maximum livability define the Jeanneau Leader 46 express cruiser.
We idled out of the long, straight channel leading north from Kent Island Narrows into the Chester River on the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay. I pass the No Wake signs, push the throttles forward smoothly, and the boat seems to lift up onto plane with very little bow rise as though it was elevated from the hull’s center of effort. I wasn’t surprised considering that the hull form on the Jeanneau Leader 46 is a collaborative effort between brothers Japec and Jernej Jakopin of J&J Design in Slovenia and the naval architects of Jeanneau Design.
Design Rules
Three pairs of lifting strakes flank a wave-cleaving, sharply raked stem with deep-V forward sections, a significant chine that widens aft to provide an additional lift on acceleration, and a modified-V planing surface beginning well aft of amidships. Additionally, there’s a distinct spray rail that begins at the stem and extends to the transom for a very dry ride on plane.
“It may seem surprising that a global boat manufacturer like Jeanneau collaborates with outside companies like J&J,” said Nicolas Harvey, president of Jeanneau America. “But the reason is sound. Ten years ago, when Jeanneau produced a 45-foot cruiser, the fully loaded boat weighed 10 tons. Today’s fully loaded luxury 45-footer weighs 15 tons, so we asked J&J to design and engineer a hull of approximately the same size that can carry more weight without increasing the weight of the platform.”
There’s room for two at the helm.
Ingenious use of space in the master offers a port-side head that’s separated from the shower courtesy of frosted glass doors that swing outward.
Jeanneau has a long-standing relationship with the Italian design and engineering firm Garoni Design that developed the sleek-looking profile of the Leader 46
C-shaped seating is slightly raised for great views all around. Ingenious use of
Speed Ease
The throttles were synched to a pair of Volvo IPS 600 diesel drives—the most powerful engine option among the two stern drives and two IPS drives offered—producing a total of 870 horsepower at wide-open throttle. The Chester River was beautifully smooth that day, and the boat topped out at 30 knots in just moments. I eased the throttles back until we settled in at a cruising speed of 20 knots and began a series of turns to create a boatload of messy wakes for crisscrossing at speed. As I expected, the sharp entry slashed through the mess with ease as is normal with a high-performance hull shape on the Jeanneau Leader 46.
If you’ve read about or driven an IPS-powered boat, you know that the steering is smooth and continuous. The angles of the individually azimuthing drives serve as rudders to create optimal performance and control. As a result, the Leader 46 handles flawlessly at speeds right up to wide open throttle, banks beautifully into turns all across the upper and middle power bands, and settles into straight and true tracking with precision.
Options Abound
This model of the Jeanneau Leader 46 was loaded with numerous options, not the least of which was an alternate seating arrangement on the aft deck; its standard configuration is a fixed sunpad flanked by twin boarding stairs leading up from a fixed swim platform. This boat was equipped with an optional hydraulic swim platform, an outdoor galley on top of the standard garage for a small RIB, and facing bench seats in place of the sunpad.
With extra cushions and a convertible table, the aft deck seating transforms into a second outdoor sunpad supplementing the pad forward. The foredeck sunpad is equipped with handholds, drink holders and two adjustable seatback sections for leisurely lounging. Teak decking is standard on the swim platform, the steps and the aft deck, and our test boat had optional teak side decks for good looks and comfortable footing.
Thinking it Through
It is thought-provoking that the European builder provides dedicated life-raft storage on the aft deck, a CE safety requirement for those going more than six miles offshore. Most American cruising families never consider a life raft as necessary and instead, they opt to use the RIB dinghy as a safety platform. That’s okay if you can launch the RIB and get into it across a broad range of weather conditions.
The nicest option on the Jeanneau Leader 46, in my opinion, was a glass aft bulkhead with a large central panel that swung upward using a hidden, electrically-powered mechanism—a nice bit of design work that transforms the usual sundeck on an express cruiser to an upper salon. Locked in place and with the starboard side door opened and latched inward, the aft bulkhead virtually disappears and serves to bring the outdoor and indoor spaces together. An optional canvas piece extends sun protection for the entire aft deck seating area.
Stepping into the upper salon, a large, beautifully upholstered, contemporary-styled, C-shaped seating and dining area is to port, and an outdoor galley is to starboard. It is noteworthy that this area is on one level continuous with the aft deck stretching all the way to the cabin entrance. To ensure that guests seated here have great views all around, the seating is slightly raised up. The same concept applies to the copilot and helm seating areas for longer, clearer views forward—albeit they are raised somewhat higher. The forward half of the upper salon can be bathed in sunlight and fresh air with an optional electrically actuated sunroof. Two sliding windows also promote cross breezes.
The Space Between
The copilot seating area on the Jeanneau Leader 46 is cleverly arranged for multiple uses and offers an aft-facing lounge-style seat outboard and a forward-facing, two-person bench. Pull the spare cushion from its dedicated storage slot below and drop it into place, and the seating transforms into an inside sunpad, shaded or lit according to the position of the sunroof and also well protected by the windshield.
The helm of the Leader 46 is well designed, with a twin bench that is actually two separate adjustable seats with flip-up bolsters. There’s plenty of standing room for better views all around the boat. A thoughtfully placed, stainless-steel hand-rail makes getting in and out of the helm seating more secure and offers some protection for the system switches ahead of it. The factory-installed Raymarine-based electronics package is anchored by a 12-inch multifunction device (MFD) screen to port of the adjustable-tilt steering wheel. It also had the necessary add-ons like a VHF, autopilot and radar. The throttles and an IPS joystick are outboard of the wheel for ease of maneuvering, along with a full range of engine performance gauges. A compass on top of the dash ahead of the wheel completes the total command and control effort.
Down Under
Companionway stairs with stainless steel handrails lead down to the true salon of the Jeanneau Leader 46, with another seating and dining lounge to port and a well-equipped L-shaped galley to starboard. The guest stateroom is in the bow; a nifty double berth can be reconfigured as a V-berth when not needed for a couple. It is served by an enclosed head to starboard. The master stateroom is aft, making the Leader 46 just right for a family with two children or for a couple and occasional overnight guests. Of interest to those who have a larger family, Jeanneau Leader 46 offers the option of replacing the lounge seating to port with an enclosed third cabin complete with over and under berths.
The large double berth in the master stateroom is set to starboard slightly, making room for a port-side head that cleverly separates the head from the enclosed shower on either end of the sink with storage in the center. Frosted glass doors for the separate compartments swing outward to form a glass partition—a clever design solution.
Family Cruiser
Jeanneau has a long-standing relationship with the Italian design and engineering firm Garoni Design that developed the sleek-looking profile of the Jeanneau Leader 46. Sporty exterior lines and practical in-hull windows illuminating enclosed cabin spaces below achieve a contemporary look overall. All of that is quite an accomplishment given the wider beams and higher topsides most family cruisers have today.
If you’re considering a new express cruiser, the Jeanneau Leader 46 is worth exploring. As the flagship of a line that ranges down to a new 30-footer, it has the performance and livability most cruising families seek.
The Jeanneau Leader 30 (30’3″ LOA, 25’5″ beam) combines a bright interior with comfort and performance. The luxurious cabin features a dedicated bed, and the salon transforms into a double berth. Standard features include a private head, a galley and copious stowage including a large hanging locker.
Buyers can choose an optional lacquer finish for the furniture. Most owners will be lounging in the cockpit on the Jeanneau Leader 30 that features adjustable sun lounges on the bow. The L-shape seating in the rear can also be made into a sunpad. Access to the large swim platform is through a starboard walk-through. An integrated sink with refrigerator behind the driver’s spot comes in handy on warm days. jeanneauamerica.com
The Jeanneau Velasco 37 Flybridge offers two fully equipped helms for double the pleasure.
Flybridge boats practically demand to be driven from the upper helm station, and in warm weather climates that’s usually the captain’s favorite spot. But sometimes it can be too hot, cold, wet, or windy—and then piloting from down below in the comfy confines of the main helm station is the right choice. On the Jeanneau Velasco 37F you have all the latest power and navigation technology at the ready whether you are inside or outside and space for family and friends to enjoy the ride right along with you.
That’s because Jeanneau—one of the brands under the French megabuilder Group Beneteau—puts a premium on social gathering and communication while on board. Both helm stations feature room for at least two if not three people to gather around the dash as I discovered during the launch of the Velasco 37F at the 2015 Miami International Boat Show. “Jeanneau wants to share navigation with those on board,” explained Coryne Thibault, a Jeanneau representative who unlocked all the secrets of the new Velasco 37F. “The helm seat in the main cabin can be configured many different ways.”
Jeanneau Velasco 37 Flybridge offers Twin beds in the guest-stateroom.
Jeanneau Velasco 37 Flybridge has a very well appointed head.
The full-beam master cabin, reminiscent of a modern and functional city hotel
room, invites one to relax on the Jeanneau Velasco 37 Flybridge
flybridge boats practically demand to be driven from the upper helm station, and in warm weather climates that’s usually the captain’s favorite spot.
Generous helm are on the main deck of the Jeanneau Velasco 37 Flybridge
It’s a social affair in the salon with near 360-degree views from the salon on the Jeanneau Velasco 37 Flybridge
The Velasco 37F is most likely going to be operated by the owner, and Jeanneau’s design engineers have helped improve access to the bow from the main helm seat with a clever starboard-side door. With the flip of a handle the captain gains fast access to the starboard walkway to tend lines or handle fenders. It’s that kind of versatility that makes the Velasco 37F so interesting.
“It’s not just the layout that’s flexible and appealing. You can bring everything you need on trips because plentiful storage is a major theme on this boat,” Thibault added. “Everywhere you look the use of space for storage and socializing has been maximized.”
The Velasco 37F makes for one great party platform starting at the transom with the large water-level teak swim step. There’s also a drop-down boarding ladder to make it even easier to board the boat after swimming. Guests climb a few steps to the spacious cockpit and transom bench seat, and on the teak flooring there is another sign of the Velasco 37F’s versatility—the cockpit space can be left open, or a table can be securely fixed onto the cockpit sole forward of the bench seat for dining. The cockpit is also partially covered by a hardtop that extends off the flybridge, so there’s some relief from sun and weather if needed. “The table works in many different ways—you can use it in the salon, the cockpit, or store it out of the way,” Thibault said. “When you lower it in the salon, it can be used to convert the U-shaped couch into a double bed. Then by drawing a curtain around the entire area you make another stateroom that is quite private.”
Entering the salon through a three-panel sliding glass door from the cockpit, the galley is to port with stove, fridge and microwave, and the U-shaped couch and aforementioned table is to starboard. The helm backrest is actually shared with the couch—another way that the boat’s social zones are tied together. To port is a copilot’s bench seat and map station, and what quickly becomes noticeable is the near 360-degree views throughout the salon. Huge port and starboard windows let in sunlight and also give the captain and guests a clear view of the surroundings. The forward windshield is wide and tall, while the aft salon sliding door provides excellent rear visibility.
Stepping down two steps from the helm to the lower deck, the master stateroom is located forward and features a double bed and generous storage. A hanging locker to starboard and more stowage compartments under the bed allow for plenty of space for clothes and gear. A single head with toilet, sink and large shower enclosure is to port and shared with guests in the starboard-side guest stateroom furnished with two single beds, which can be joined with a filler cushion to make a larger two-person bed. Both staterooms have portholes to allow natural light in, and the master has a hatch in the ceiling for ventilation.
Back at the helm level, the captain looks forward to a compass at the top of the dash and a pair of tachometers for the twin Volvo Penta D4 300-horsepower diesel powerplants on a flat vertical section of the dash to the right. To the pilot’s left on the dash is a single Raymarine HybridTouch MFD that offers a complete look at all system and performance information. The Volvo Penta throttle-and-shifter assembly and bow thruster controls are in a comfortable position to the right, while the steering wheel is centered and features the Jeanneau badging.
The Velasco 37F is powered by twin 300-horsepower engines mated to conventional shaft drives, with bow thrusters for added control while docking and at low speeds. The hull is built of fiberglass with a balsa core for added structural integrity, and the bottom design allows the Velasco 37F to plane easily, while also handling chop and rough water.
The flybridge is accessed by a starboard staircase and encircled by a stainless steel railing for safety. A U-shaped lounge on the back portion of the flybridge can be configured as a couch or sunpad. There’s also a faux radar arch for mounting electronics, and the staircase opening can be closed off with a hatch to provide more flybridge floor space. The helm station forward offers a single captain’s seat and dash that’s a near mirror of the helm station on the deck. Everything you need to operate the boat, including another Raymarine MFD, bowthruster controls and compass, is well positioned in the dash console. “Warm weather, hot weather, cold or windy, this boat can handle many different conditions,” Thibault said. “You can run the boat up top, or go down below into the air conditioning if it’s too hot. A Bimini top on the flybridge protects you from the sun, and the visibility is amazing.”
Not quite a trawler, not quite a sport yacht, Jeanneau’s new Velasco 43 occupies a niche in the market that will attract attention from a wide variety of boat buyers. And that’s saying nothing of its price tag, which at first glance would seem to be missing a figure. But more on that later.
Debuting at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in March, the boat’s appeal lies in a sweet spot at the epicenter of several sought-after qualities. Think back to your math-class days and picture a Venn diagram with overlapping circles labeled “performance,” “value” and “luxury.” The spot where all three circles overlap is exactly where you will find the Velasco 43.
Like sister brand Beneteau, Jeanneau is well known for crafting high-end production sailboats such as the Sun Odyssey series. Powerboats are quickly becoming a focal point for the French boat-building powerhouse, however, and it’s easy to see the smarts behind this strategy. Sailing enthusiasts can be a superstitious lot, and as they look to make the trade from sail to power, brand loyalty often enters into play.
InterMarine in Dania Beach, Florida, exhibited the Velasco 43 in Palm Beach and invited Southern Boating for a sea trial with company captain Tony Pedraja. He’s been with the dealership for two years and driven all manner of boat makes and models. He admits to being “skeptical at first” concerning the Velasco 43’s performance, and adds that despite having the added bulk and weight that comes with a flybridge, it compares very favorably to Jeanneau’s popular NC14 cruiser. “It’s pretty much the same hull design,” says Pedraja, “which means it’s very economical and runs great at trawler speeds but can also get up to 27-28 knots.” The hull also stays true to the NC14’s exaggerated wedge design, which is intended to minimize bow rise—a hallmark of the Beneteau/Jeanneau family.
The Velasco 43 features both interior and flybridge helm stations—fully equipped with Raymarine hybrid-touch multifunction displays—but up top is where you want to be. Before you ascend the starboard-side stairs, however, the boarding process is made easy thanks to an optional telescoping, hydraulic gangway. The swim platform is also hydraulically powered, making it even easier to adjust the way the boat is situated at the dock.
The aft deck area is roomy enough for lounging and casual socializing but could feel a bit cramped when the table from the saloon is added to the mix. While we’re on the topic of tight spaces, the asymmetrical side decks make some dance moves necessary as you progress forward to the bow. The starboard side deck is a fairly reasonable 15½ inches wide, but on the port side the passageway width narrows to 12½ inches. It shouldn’t be a problem for most people—just something to be aware of. However, Jeanneau ameliorates this compromise via several features, such as a sliding door on the starboard side that allows the helmsman to step out directly onto the side deck—a welcome advantage at the dock. Also, Jeanneau has substantially exceeded American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) safety standards with the height and thickness of the toe rails and handrails along the side decks and bow, so there’s very little chance of losing your footing in these areas.
Queen master forward invites light through panoramic hull windows.
The flybridge offers plenty of room for entertaining.
Jeanneau Velasco 43
The helm keeps the skipper close to guests.
Dinette converts for extra overnight guests.
Guest stateroom on the Velasco 43
Jeanneau’s Velasco 43 checks all the boxes.
A well-equipped galley offers convenient access.
The Velasco 43’s lines are good-looking.
Bump up your tan on the sun pad on the flybridge.
Arrangements for the Jeanneau Velasco 43 offers many options.
There’s room for two on the bow sun pad.
The foredeck boasts one of the boat’s many outstanding creature comforts—a huge sunpad with a cover to protect it from the elements and handrails on either side in the case of a bumpy ride. This area of the boat should get a lot of use, so Jeanneau also included a bow platform with ladder as an optional feature. The review model was fitted with optional teak decking on the foredeck, side decks and cockpit sole. Teak is standard on the aft platform.
The salon is laid out nicely with the galley to port, just forward of a chaise lounge that adds a bit of European flair to the interior. It’s a feature we’re seeing more of as builders—especially those with Continental pedigrees such as Jeanneau and Beneteau—strive to introduce variety to vessel accommodations. It’s hard to lie down and relax on a U- or L-shaped settee with a dinette table in the middle, so introducing an amenity like a chaise lounge is a welcome design choice. You sacrifice some space in the galley, but overall, it’s worth it. And not to fear: directly across from the chaise lounge is a U-shaped settee for dining and entertaining.
The galley itself has everything you’d need for extended cruising, including two stainless-steel sinks, a GE microwave, Kenyon two-burner stove, and eight cabinets/ drawers. A convection oven and dishwasher are available as options. The refrigerator is cleverly placed opposite the galley below the helm seat. Opening a hatch in the saloon sole between the dinette and chaise lounge reveals an area for a wine cellar or freezer, or just additional storage. It also provides access to the engine room if for some reason the main access point in the cockpit is not available. Another below-deck storage space between the galley and helm houses a washer/dryer.
Below deck, a guest cabin to starboard is fitted with twin beds, while forward the master boasts a queen berth and full ensuite head along with CruiseAir temperature control panel for maximum comfort. A guest/day head is located just forward of the guest cabin. Both cabins benefit from a full complement of standard features—reading lights, mirrors, hanging lockers, portholes, removable carpet, and panoramic hull windows, to name a few. Cruisers looking for a boat with more guest accommodations need not rule out the Velasco 43 as the dinette table in the saloon can be removed, and an additional cushion added to the settee to create a double bed.
The flybridge is the highlight of the Velasco 43. This particular hull lacked some of the optional features, but it did have the all-important, greatly appreciated bimini for shade from the unrelenting Florida sun. The adjustable helm seat offers supreme comfort for the driver of the boat, and to port, a reversible bench seat is just as accommodating and even sports the added benefit of a footrest when facing forward. Facing backward, the bench seat becomes part of a U-shaped settee wrapping around a dinette table.
The Velasco 43’s performance was a pleasant surprise, topping out at 27.8 knots at 3070 rpm during our sea trial. It was kind, forgiving and steady in turns, with no unwelcome tendencies to speak of. We found 8 knots to be an excellent cruising speed, at which the engines sipped only 1.66 gallons per hour. And thanks to the sharp, responsive engines, tight maneuvers such as spinning the boat in its own length are stress-free and easily accomplished.
Whether you’re in the market for performance, economy or luxury, Jeanneau’s Velasco 43 is a tough package to beat. The price tag might indicate otherwise, but this is a boat that is absolutely packed with value.
