We have a wind of 12-15 knots, rare in a Sydney winter; usually there's flat calm or a hulking 25 knots out of the west, though who can predict these days? The Jeanneau reaches along happily at 8.6 knots, a speed it also does under motor. Standard engine is a 75hp Yanmar, but on this boat the owner had chosen the optional 110hp. Performance Boating has replaced the standard fixed-blade prop with a folding three-blader.
I bring her hard on the wind and she thunders along. I have no trouble keeping her straight in the gusts, and she doesn't put her gunwale under when hard pressed. Can't fault her behaviour. I trim the headsail by pressing a button.
The helm position seats are curved for support when heeled, and so is the deck beneath the helmsman's feet. Those mighty sheet winches are immediately ahead of the steering positions, so the skipper can reach around the wheel and perform sheeting duties, another reason for having powered winches.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS
"So many of our owners go long-distance sailing," says Ron Jacobs, "but they also like taking their mates for a fun day out. Entertainment is big."
Which is why designers these days have to produce boats with split personalities. The Jeanneau 50 DS has the ingredients for successful cruising but the cockpit, which should be a good place in a seaway, also has the infrastructure for a good day of social sailing.

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You would be happy on a long cruise. There is good performance, good ventilation, a comfortable and seaworthy interior. And room for all the stuff people insist on taking with them when pretending they are getting away from it all.

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