Jeanneau 55 Boat Review

This recent sailboat from Jeanneau may as well be a spaceship. They’ve taken all the time-honored designs of a monohull aft cockpit and turned them completely on their head. If you’re into massive bedrooms and private cabins for three couples, more than one cockpit, and gull-wing doors, you’re in the right place.

We’ve been focusing on Jeanneau a lot in the last few months, and that’s for a few reasons.

First, when we went to the Miami Boat show, Jeanneau had all their new boats lined up right at the front gate of the show. I don’t know if they paid more for this privilege, but they, by far, had the best display of boats. So, we got on all their boats and brought them back here to share with you.

Second, we’ve been accused of covering too many Catalinas. So, there’s that.

And third, Jeanneau just can’t be bothered with trends. Back in 2017 they started this sloping side deck design, taking wild chances in design changes, and never looked back. We respect that. Jeanneau is pushing on the edges of what a monohull can be, taking shots at catamarans. We haven’t seen anything that kind of crazy in innovation in a long time.

Transom

Speaking of crazy innovations, this is the Jeanneau Yachts 55. First, of course, it has one of the electric fold-down transoms that doesn’t hide a dinghy garage. I’ve criticized the tender garage on other similar boat because you couldn’t fit a 10-ft. rib fully inflated inside. The manufacturer said “No worries, there’s an electric air pump inside. Deflate your rib to make it fit. Or buy a specific model of dinghy that does fit in our tender garage.” I don’t want to do that. When the manufacturer designs something that limits my choices, that goes against cruiser laws.

As cruisers we should be given every option possible for which dinghy we want, or anchor for that matter. On the Jeanneau 55 they haven’t fallen into the dinghy garage trap. This doesn’t have a tender garage, just a huge wet locker for sailing gear and water toys. For the dinghy, Jeanneau has cool retractable, telescoping davits. I know—one more thing to break. And that’s just the start of unique innovations—the Jeanneau 55 is ridiculous when it comes to breaking the monohull mold.

Cockpit

From the swim grid we step onto a full, beam-wide, massive cockpit with convertible tables and tons of cushions for hanging out on. These tables can be electrically lowered to form a huge sunbathing area. This area is protected by an optional massive hardtop that can be retracted. Note: this is aft of the helm, which is new for a monohull, yet common for a catamaran. Is Jeanneau taking another shot at catamarans? I think so.

Forward of this area are the twin helms with the massive electric winches right at the helm station and large screens to control this big boat. Bow and stern thrusters are standard. And once again, unfortunately and typical of wide monohulls, electronic engine controls are limited to the inboard edge of the starboard helm station, a long way from where you’ll be standing when docking either starboard or port. Duplicating these controls on the opposite helm station shouldn’t be a problem.

On-Deck Salon

Forward of the helms, under the massive hardtop and spray hood with fixed windows, is the main saloon. Yes, the main salon is outside. Jeanneau has re-imagined the monohull layout here with the idea to create an owners’ version of a big boat, specifically designed to give the owners the lion’s share of the interior space.

These two outdoor spaces are designed for everyone to use. The far aft cockpit to hang out in the sun. The forward cockpit, under the cover of the enclosure, with seating and tables that can be converted into a sunbed to socialize. The navigation station is part of this area on the port side, under the hardtop and protected from the weather, with optional navigation hardware and room for charts. This thing is wild! And don’t get me started on the gullwing doors. If we’re going back to the future, this is what the future looks like.

Aft Cabins

Just forward of the helm stations, on either side of the cockpit under supported acrylic gullwings, are the private cabins with large beds and private heads with shower. One even has a fridge. The port cabin is larger, but both are large enough for a couple, or perhaps your teenage kids, to have some private space in their own gullwing enclosure. Now, hopefully they considered how these would work with the boat upside down. Not that that’s likely to happen here, but safety first. I can imagine this boat’s owner having friends and guests come visit them and offering up these cabins as private staterooms. You wouldn’t put young kids in here because they would have to go outside to get back inside to the main saloon, but adult or teenage guests, absolutely.

Specifications

While this layout is admittedly not for everyone, Jeanneau is selling these as fast as they can make them, about 15 boats a year. The 55-ft. 9-in. (17 m) length with a 16-ft. 4-in. (5 m) beam and 10,803 lb. of ballast (4,900 kg) make this ocean-rated vessel a whopping 40,878 lb. (18,542 kg), 20.4 tons, in all. Heavier still with the hard top and solid dodger.

She comes with two keels, the performance 8 ft. (2.45 m) and a more Bahamas-friendly 6 ft. (1.90 m). Twin rudders allow the boat to maintain control while heeling.

The Yanmar 110 drives a shaft—no vulnerable saildrive here—and is accessed through the cockpit sole in a compartment that is tight but manageable for maintenance. The gen-set is located in a separate compartment, also accessible through the cockpit sole.

Now, I won’t lie to you, this is a million-dollar boat with an options checklist that can easily run it towards a million and a half. But the Jeanneau 55 wasn’t built for mass production sale or even a charter fleet. This was made for a sailor-owner that wants private yacht space that they can tailor to their needs. This boat is built around those owners and their comfort and lifestyle.

Rig

The rig options, like everything on this boat, is extensive. The double spreader aluminum mast supports in-mast furling with a fully battened main as a factory option. A self-tacking jib on the forestay is standard, or the optional self-tacking jib on a jack stay with an overlapping genoa on the forestay to provide real power. Both headsails are on furlers. There is room for a Code 0 forward of the forestay.

On Deck

Unfortunately, like many modern designs, the anchor platform is molded into the deck and has room for only one anchor. A strike against her ocean cruising capabilities.

Just aft of the jack stay is a massive hatch leading into a cavernous “sail locker.” But this is also set up as a “captain’s cabin,” complete with its own head. Not that any captain I know would sleep up in the bow, but there is a bed up there.

The teak decks look fabulous when new, but you know what teak decks can do over the years. All sail controls lead back from the base of the mast, under the deck cover, to jam cleats and electric self-tailing winches just forward of either helm station. Handy for the single-handed helmsperson.

Below Decks

The space outside is important because owners will be using this boat in hot climates. Instead of making the main living area inside, like almost all other monohulls, most of it is outdoors under the big spray hood. You’ll be spending most of your time outside on the Jeanneau 55 and, when the sun sets and it’s time to head inside for the evening, the main section of the hull is all for the owners.

Galley

Down the stairs you’re greeted with a massive expanse of space. A proper handrail is to starboard of the stairs and a handhold on the galley island provides security when entering this space. Once clear of these two handholds, it’s a wide-open space, not conducive to walking around when underway in any kind of a seaway.

To starboard is the massive longitudinal galley with every appliance one could ever wish for. Freezers, microwaves, dishwashers, the option list is extensive. A center island allows the person in the galley to brace while preparing meals underway.

On the port side is a wrap-around convertible dinette with a large, disappearing television against the forward bulkhead. Two electrically controlled tables can be joined and lowered for additional berth space. Light comes in from windows everywhere. Indirect lighting is hidden around every edge and panel to give it a very high-end feel as evening falls.

Owner’s Cabin

The pillar between the double doors forward of the main salon may make you think that it’s intended to have two forward cabins. But it isn’t. The double, electrically operated, disappearing pocket doors are there because this is your private area. Guests won’t be down here much of the time and the bedroom doors will probably stay open. The large bed is to port with a couch and desk area to starboard. The bed even has a headboard, not a luxury we often get in a boat. There is plenty of storage tucked away everywhere.

Forward is the massive owners’ head, beam to beam, with a separate, spacious shower area. Totally private and hidden away from the main living area outside.  The space in here is like a small apartment. Or a big apartment if you’re in New York.

Performance

In test sails this boat wasn’t exactly high performance, enjoying about 55 degrees to windward. Happy in bigger winds and set up with a standard self-tacking jib and optional downwind sails. All the electrics make it easy for a couple to handle her at sea. And the weight will keep you comfortable in just about any Caribbean or Mediterranean conditions. But she is ocean rated so if you plan to do an ARC rally or some other crossing, this boat will be happy to do it.

Not Ideal for Offshore Conditions

While you can cross an ocean, it’s not exactly well equipped for that kind of work. Hand holds are limited inside and out. The bow pulpit isn’t full and the lifelines are slung too low for offshore safety. Also, the spacious interior and exterior isn’t exactly designed to have good footing or bracing positions. I’d expect many who buy this boat to forego that ocean passage and rather hire a delivery team to take the boat where they want it for the cruising season.

Unique Layout

What a wild design and layout—I, for one, like it. I know it’s not for everyone, but for me the outside living area makes a lot of sense in the warmer climates. I spend most of my time outside and would really enjoy the hardtop version with all the sunbathing areas to hang out in with friends on board. Then I like the option of retreating to my private half of the boat stateroom saloon and galley area at night. My friends or kids or guests can stay up late hanging out on the expanse of the aft cockpit area before retreating to their private rooms under the gull wings. What a cool new way to lay out a monohull. And yes, I think this will steal a few more catamaran customers back over to the monohull camp, which is always fun.

Bottom Line

What do you think? Will this new design be able to steal a few catamaran customers back over to the monohull side? What did you like about the boat? What did you not like?

If you enjoyed this review leave a comment. Even if you didn’t, leave a comment anyway to let us know if this kind of review is of interest or not.