SUMMER 2009/2010
The latest edition of Modern Boating magazine is out now! To get your copy delivered to your door, simply click on the link
The latest edition of Modern Boating magazine is out now! To get your copy delivered to your door, simply click on the link
Modern Boating and Big Hat Productions head out for a glorious day on the water to give the Seawind 1160...
Boat Tests > Jeanneau > 50 DS
Jeanneau sans frontieres
This boat had a Raymarine option, allowing you to project the plotter on the TV screen. You can also reverse it and watch a movie?or the rugby test?on the plotter in the cockpit.
As with many deck saloon boats, the saloon floor is raised amidships, so there is a step to negotiate when stepping down into the galley. The step riser has a red light to remind you there's a step at night. The handholds are great in the saloon, mounted low so kids can reach them.
ON DECK
The cockpit is a gem. There are two helm positions and a big, big table, which has a moulded base with teak top, large drop leaves and great grab rails. The table has plenty of bottle and glass stowage, and a big bin in the centre.
The cockpit has the world's best cushion system: backrests and bases in small pieces so they can be stowed easily.
The boat we trialled had a dodger and a bimini, the latter with clear panels so you can see the masthead and the mainsail leech. Before we sailed we unzipped a panel that connects the two; you can sail with it in place. You can also have clears that will enclose the cockpit.
The life raft fits beneath a teak grating in a locker between the helm positions. There's a huge garage behind the transom; the generator lives beneath the garage floor. There's also a locker each side, aft. The tender's outboard goes in the portside locker.
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Down in the bow is the best thing, however. The greatest luxury of all: a full-depth lazarette for sails or whatever you want. A full-height ladder provides access.
SAILING
I never tire of watching a modern yacht get underway. Ron Jacobs?of Performance Boating Sales?motors the Jeanneau out, switches on the autopilot, then hoists the mainsail from its boom bag using the powered winch on the port side on the coachroof. He then unrolls the headsail and sheets on. Back to the cockpit, switch off the Yanmar, sail. How long does it all take? Two minutes?
For cruising, a short mast is a good idea?the shorter the mast, the more secure. So to get enough sail area, the headsail must be long on the foot with a lot of overlap (the distance it extends aft of the mast when sheeted on).
Big headsails mean a lot of winching. This boat has the optional Harken electric winches. Ron approves. "People like the sailing performance of the big headsails," he reasons, "so why spoil a $550,000 boat for the sake of a few thousand dollars extra?" Actually, it is quite a few thousand dollars extra, but it should be regarded as essential by a prospective buyer.
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As with many deck saloon boats, the saloon floor is raised amidships, so there is a step to negotiate when stepping down into the galley. The step riser has a red light to remind you there's a step at night. The handholds are great in the saloon, mounted low so kids can reach them.
ON DECK
The cockpit is a gem. There are two helm positions and a big, big table, which has a moulded base with teak top, large drop leaves and great grab rails. The table has plenty of bottle and glass stowage, and a big bin in the centre.
The cockpit has the world's best cushion system: backrests and bases in small pieces so they can be stowed easily.
The boat we trialled had a dodger and a bimini, the latter with clear panels so you can see the masthead and the mainsail leech. Before we sailed we unzipped a panel that connects the two; you can sail with it in place. You can also have clears that will enclose the cockpit.
The life raft fits beneath a teak grating in a locker between the helm positions. There's a huge garage behind the transom; the generator lives beneath the garage floor. There's also a locker each side, aft. The tender's outboard goes in the portside locker.
read on below advertisement
Down in the bow is the best thing, however. The greatest luxury of all: a full-depth lazarette for sails or whatever you want. A full-height ladder provides access.
SAILING
I never tire of watching a modern yacht get underway. Ron Jacobs?of Performance Boating Sales?motors the Jeanneau out, switches on the autopilot, then hoists the mainsail from its boom bag using the powered winch on the port side on the coachroof. He then unrolls the headsail and sheets on. Back to the cockpit, switch off the Yanmar, sail. How long does it all take? Two minutes?
For cruising, a short mast is a good idea?the shorter the mast, the more secure. So to get enough sail area, the headsail must be long on the foot with a lot of overlap (the distance it extends aft of the mast when sheeted on).
Big headsails mean a lot of winching. This boat has the optional Harken electric winches. Ron approves. "People like the sailing performance of the big headsails," he reasons, "so why spoil a $550,000 boat for the sake of a few thousand dollars extra?" Actually, it is quite a few thousand dollars extra, but it should be regarded as essential by a prospective buyer.
next page »
« go back
