DECEMBER '08 / JANUARY '09
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Modern Boating and Big Hat Productions head out for a glorious day on the water to give the Seawind 1160...
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The bluster buster
The cockpit had plenty of luxury seating and a substantial wet bar with fridge located behind the helm and there were also forward and aft sun pads, lengthy bow rails, large steps and plenty of stowage areas under deck and under the seats.
Mark explained that the 42S was designed to take an optional patented sliding window and door that tucked in behind the aft lounge when not required. This option (not featured on the tested vessel) had the two-fold benefit of added security when the vessel was unattended and protection from the elements in colder climates. This feature would be well worth considering but would add to the as tested price of $749,000. Other options worth considering would be a generator, air conditioning and a Zodiac for the garage!
HELM AND PERFORMANCE
After a lengthy look about the vessel I leapt at the chance to get behind the helm of the 42S. The Jeanneau's twin-seat helm featured all the required engine instrumentation and offered room for more gadgets if you were that way inclined. But this well-tuned vessel required so little attention to trim that the gauges seemed secondary to the experience of driving. Driving comfort was further enhanced by the helm seat, which featured a drop down section underfoot, which offered a variety of driving positions.
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The twin 370hp Volvo IPS 500s were controlled at low speed by a joystick system that delivered exceptional control in docking and anchoring situations. From 3 knots the Jeanneau shot out of the hole and hit 30 knots in about 10 seconds—similar to the acceleration of small sterndrive petrol powered speedboats.
Out in the rough weather Mark and I found a fast cruise speed of 30 knots at 3000rpm and a wide open speed of 35 knots at 3450rpm, but eventually we settled back to the mid 20s at about 2500rpm.
The main thing was that the Jeanneau offered a good choice of speeds and offered solid handling across the board and stayed very dry in the mixed conditions.
The 42S's aft-located engines were very quiet even with the sunroof closed. When cruising and not adjusting engine speed the Jeanneau had a fairly wide turning circle that could be tightened by adjusting the twin engine rev ratios.
Despite the considerable chop as I crossed the blustery harbour, by the end of the sea trials all the toys were still neatly in place, which was a sign of a solid vessel. I would be confident taking this vessel out coastal cruising in all but the worst conditions.
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Mark explained that the 42S was designed to take an optional patented sliding window and door that tucked in behind the aft lounge when not required. This option (not featured on the tested vessel) had the two-fold benefit of added security when the vessel was unattended and protection from the elements in colder climates. This feature would be well worth considering but would add to the as tested price of $749,000. Other options worth considering would be a generator, air conditioning and a Zodiac for the garage!
HELM AND PERFORMANCE
After a lengthy look about the vessel I leapt at the chance to get behind the helm of the 42S. The Jeanneau's twin-seat helm featured all the required engine instrumentation and offered room for more gadgets if you were that way inclined. But this well-tuned vessel required so little attention to trim that the gauges seemed secondary to the experience of driving. Driving comfort was further enhanced by the helm seat, which featured a drop down section underfoot, which offered a variety of driving positions.
read on below advertisement
The twin 370hp Volvo IPS 500s were controlled at low speed by a joystick system that delivered exceptional control in docking and anchoring situations. From 3 knots the Jeanneau shot out of the hole and hit 30 knots in about 10 seconds—similar to the acceleration of small sterndrive petrol powered speedboats.
Out in the rough weather Mark and I found a fast cruise speed of 30 knots at 3000rpm and a wide open speed of 35 knots at 3450rpm, but eventually we settled back to the mid 20s at about 2500rpm.
The main thing was that the Jeanneau offered a good choice of speeds and offered solid handling across the board and stayed very dry in the mixed conditions.
The 42S's aft-located engines were very quiet even with the sunroof closed. When cruising and not adjusting engine speed the Jeanneau had a fairly wide turning circle that could be tightened by adjusting the twin engine rev ratios.
Despite the considerable chop as I crossed the blustery harbour, by the end of the sea trials all the toys were still neatly in place, which was a sign of a solid vessel. I would be confident taking this vessel out coastal cruising in all but the worst conditions.
next page »
« go back
