WINTER 2011
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Boat Tests > Jeanneau > 50 DS
Jeanneau sans frontieres
WORDS & PHOTOS: BARRY TRANTER
OPENING PHOTO: COURTESY PERFORMANCE BOATING SALES
Back in 2003, the management of the French boatbuilding company Jeanneau took a deep breath and plunged into unknown waters.
Long-time company policy had been to steer a conservative design and styling course while their fellow Europeans hurtled forward into the avant-garde. But Jeanneau took the plunge and were duly rewarded; the first of the 'teardrop' deck saloon yachts, the 54 DS, was such a success it took even Jeanneau by surprise.
Then the company was concerned that the sleek styling of the 54 DS would not translate to smaller hulls, but they needn't have worried?the DS series now includes a 39-footer which looks pretty good. Here, we take a look at the latest teardrop to reach Australia, the 50 DS.
The DS series are cruising boats; there is no suggestion that this is a cruiser/racer, or one of those pretend cruisers whose live-aboard credentials are limited to a five-day trip during the school holidays, at which point the kids have driven you mad and there's nowhere to put the rubbish. The 50 DS was designed to carry people real distances in real comfort.
read on below advertisement
LAYOUT
Designers must heave a sigh of relief when receiving a brief for a 15m boat since they don't have to stay awake all night worrying about how to fit everything in. At 50ft, you can have it all: roomy saloon, cabins and bathrooms, as well as dedicated storage space. Aboard a cruising yacht, storage space is the greatest luxury of all.
Jeanneau has given this boat a layout of rare flexibility. The classic layout, as shown, features the master cabin forward and two guest cabins aft. The bow cabin has an ensuite bathroom (surely the term 'head', derived from the warships of Nelson's day, is no longer appropriate) and the boat's bathroom is alongside the companionway.
This layout can be reversed with the master cabin aft and two cabins forward. But Jeanneau has arranged a cunning dividing wall between these two cabins (whether forward or aft) which can be removed to make a vast single. On the boat we tested this could not be demonstrated as the owner had chosen to have it 'glassed in place.
The galley is big, as are the dining and navigation areas. Notable features include: a multi-panel, fold-out shower screen which fastens against the wall when not needed?finish your shower, fold it away, dry off; a fridge with a top-opening lid that opens to deep baskets, as well as a front-opening door; a bin, alongside the sink, to put dirty dishes in, or clean ones drying?set sail knowing the dirty breakfast dishes are secure; storage bins under the saloon floor; a gas stove, compliant with Australian regulations?not all imported gas appliances are, apparently; and a big, comfortable navigation area.
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OPENING PHOTO: COURTESY PERFORMANCE BOATING SALES
Back in 2003, the management of the French boatbuilding company Jeanneau took a deep breath and plunged into unknown waters.
Long-time company policy had been to steer a conservative design and styling course while their fellow Europeans hurtled forward into the avant-garde. But Jeanneau took the plunge and were duly rewarded; the first of the 'teardrop' deck saloon yachts, the 54 DS, was such a success it took even Jeanneau by surprise.
Then the company was concerned that the sleek styling of the 54 DS would not translate to smaller hulls, but they needn't have worried?the DS series now includes a 39-footer which looks pretty good. Here, we take a look at the latest teardrop to reach Australia, the 50 DS.
The DS series are cruising boats; there is no suggestion that this is a cruiser/racer, or one of those pretend cruisers whose live-aboard credentials are limited to a five-day trip during the school holidays, at which point the kids have driven you mad and there's nowhere to put the rubbish. The 50 DS was designed to carry people real distances in real comfort.
read on below advertisement
LAYOUT
Designers must heave a sigh of relief when receiving a brief for a 15m boat since they don't have to stay awake all night worrying about how to fit everything in. At 50ft, you can have it all: roomy saloon, cabins and bathrooms, as well as dedicated storage space. Aboard a cruising yacht, storage space is the greatest luxury of all.
Jeanneau has given this boat a layout of rare flexibility. The classic layout, as shown, features the master cabin forward and two guest cabins aft. The bow cabin has an ensuite bathroom (surely the term 'head', derived from the warships of Nelson's day, is no longer appropriate) and the boat's bathroom is alongside the companionway.
This layout can be reversed with the master cabin aft and two cabins forward. But Jeanneau has arranged a cunning dividing wall between these two cabins (whether forward or aft) which can be removed to make a vast single. On the boat we tested this could not be demonstrated as the owner had chosen to have it 'glassed in place.
The galley is big, as are the dining and navigation areas. Notable features include: a multi-panel, fold-out shower screen which fastens against the wall when not needed?finish your shower, fold it away, dry off; a fridge with a top-opening lid that opens to deep baskets, as well as a front-opening door; a bin, alongside the sink, to put dirty dishes in, or clean ones drying?set sail knowing the dirty breakfast dishes are secure; storage bins under the saloon floor; a gas stove, compliant with Australian regulations?not all imported gas appliances are, apparently; and a big, comfortable navigation area.
next page »
« go back