Having just spent three days showing the yachting public over the Jeanneau Yachts 60 at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, my time on board reiterated what a true luxury cruising yacht this really is.
The term ‘luxury’ is bandied about a lot in the marine industry, even for many mediocre craft, but there is absolutely no doubt that it is appropriate for this design, and this example in particular.
The owners are very experienced long term yachties who previously owned a Jeanneau 50 Deck Saloon for a decade and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. They have been getting to know their new yacht over the last six months, and in between short trips have been enjoying twilight racing it at RQYS and doing very well. They are now planning a circumnavigation of Australia.
Their yacht is equipped with an in-mast furling mainsail, all electric winches, an electric genoa furler, bow and stern thrusters, gen-set and solar, washing machine/dryer, dishwasher, additional refrigeration and freezer, and an electric cooker in the galley and electric BBQ in the cockpit galley.
An electric step-on walkway opens on the starboard side of the transom with a remote to provide access from the water, and the large swim platform opens electrically to reveal a tender garage with inflation pump.
The helm stations have all the controls including the switches for the electric and rewind winches, and twin thrusters, so all controls are immediately adjacent to the helms. Between the helms are access hatches to the tender garage and aft across the transom is a broad bench with lid that reveals a cockpit galley (BBQ, sink and fridge) that raises electrically to the appropriate height for the cook.
The Jeanneau Yachts 60 features the patented walkaround side decks, so you can step around the helms to gently walk forward up the wide side-decks with bulwark to an expansive foredeck with sun lounge and a huge storage bow-compartment. This yacht has been equipped with a mast mounted pole for poling out the headsail.
Forward of the helms are long bench seats each side with cockpit tables, the port side telescopic allowing it to be lowered to form a sun lounger, and then there are the forward nooks under the spray dodger, ideal for reading while enjoying a glass of your favourite beverage.
Stepping down the wide companionway four steps to the saloon the first impression is a feeling of true luxury with a perfect blend of materials and finishes by the talented Andrew Winch Design team. Their 30 plus years of the interior design of superyachts is very evident!
Throughout the boat show the comments from absolutely everyone that came onboard was highly complementary of the fit out and finish and described by many as a cut above the rest.
To starboard is a forward facing nav station in front of which is a comfortable bench seat, with a retractable TV outboard of it. Opposite is a counter with the electrical control panel hidden and a cupboard that reveals the washing machine/dryer. Forward of that is the dinette with a table that rotates and folds as an occasional drink table or lowers on telescopic legs to form a lounger.
You then step down to a full width galley which has three fridges, one which can also be a freezer, and also another dedicated freezer. There is abundant storage space, a dishwasher, 3-burner electric cooker with oven, and twin deep sinks.
Forward of the galley is a full width owners’ cabin with bench seat to starboard and double bed to port. There is a great feeling of space and comfort in this carpeted area, which of course has an appropriate ensuite head and shower.
The owners are delighted with the performance and handling of the yacht, which being a shoal draft example at 2.2 metres is very modest for a yacht of this size. Combined with the high stability, chined hull and twin rudders the yacht has well exceeded the owners’ expectations and they are very much looking forward to their future adventures.
I look forward to giving you a personal tour of the Jeanneau Yachts 60 at the 2024 Sydney International Boat Show.
Lee Condell
lee@performanceboating.com.au / 0408 784 000