Jeanneau 57 and Jeanneau 53

Both the 53 and 57 use the same varnished Alpi teak-veneer furniture modules, so there's quite a bit of similarity there. The 57 provides another cabinet, or a bit more elbowroom in spots where there's more interior space with which to work. The fact that these two boats use similar furniture elements is a prime example of how Jeanneau has exploited production-line efficiencies to trim cost. Sure, there aren't as many wood or layout choices as you'll find on a custom boat, but if you like what you see, does it really matter?

Courtesy of the Manufacturer

The elegantly modern hull lines and offshore-ready systems aboard both the 53 strike a good  balance between form and function.

Under sail, I was surprised to see how the 53, a 33,000-pound cruising boat that was equipped with an in-mast furling main and 135-percent genoa, performed in 8 to 10 knots of wind. With the sails slightly cracked off upwind, we cut a clean wake, and boat speed hovered in the 5.5- to 6-knot range. Not too shabby. I found the steering to be a little stiff, but the boat tracked well and fell into a nice, wide upwind groove. Both helm stations provide solid brace points, and visibility, both of the telltales and to leeward, was excellent. Speed and handling were similar when we reached off. The larger genoa provided a bit more punch than a nonoverlapping headsail would and helped to compensate for the adequate and easy in-mast furling main that's necessarily smaller than a conventional main. The Philippe Briand-designed hull was easily driven through the water, and the ability to fine-tune jib shape with the adjustable jib cars rewarded minimal effort with good light-air performance.

Under power, it maneuvered like a yacht. The large three-bladed folding prop and powerful bow thruster made backing out of the slip a highly controlled affair. The boat motored easily at 8 to 8.5 knots at 2,500 rpm, and thanks to considerable engine-room insulation, engine noise was nothing more than an unobtrusive hum.

I think Jeanneau is on to something with its new line of yachts. The 53 is spacious, stylish, and sails well. The 57 has even more elbowroom, more sophisticated systems, larger battery capacity, and the dinghy "garage," but both boats are designed to do the same thing: provide all the luxury of a big boat without the relatively big big-boat price tag. Granted, a well-equipped, circumnavigation-ready 53 will run you about $500,000, but you'll get a lot of boat for hundreds of thousands of dollars less than you'd pay for some similarly sized custom yachts. And that kind of savings will bolster any cruising kitty.

Bill Springer is CW's senior editor.

Specs

Jeanneau 57
LOA     58' 4"    (17.78 m.)
LWL    50' 4"    (15.35 m.)
Beam    16' 4"    (5.00 m.)
Draft (std./opt.)    8' 2"/6' 10"    (2.50/2.10 m.)
Sail Area (100%)    1,421 sq. ft.    ( 132.00 sq. m.)
Ballast (std./opt.)    13,448/14,330 lb.    (6,100/6,500 kg.)
Displacement    45,415 lb.    (20,600 kg.)
Ballast/D (std.)    .29
D/L (std.)    159
SA/D    17.86
Water    246 gal.    (930 l.)
Fuel    115 gal.    (435 l.)
Holding    60 gal.    (227 l.)
Mast Height    79' 4"    (24.20 m.)
Engine    140-hp. VW TDI
Designer    Philippe Briand Yacht Design
Sailaway Price     approximately $750,000
Jeanneau America
(410) 280-9400
www.jeanneauamerica.com

Jeanneau 53
LOA     52' 8"    (16.06 m.)
LWL    45' 9"    (13.96 m.)
Beam    15' 7"    (4.77 m.)
Draft (std./opt.)    7' 5"/5' 10"    (2.28/1.80 m.)
Sail Area (100%)    1,200 sq. ft.    (111.50 sq. m.)    
Ballast (std./opt.)    10,990/11,852 lb.    (4,985/5,376 kg.)
Displacement    32,926 lb.    (14,935 kg.)
Ballast/D (std.)    .33
D/L (std.)    154
SA/D    18.7
Water    251 gal.    (950 l.)
Fuel    63 gal.    (240 l.)
Holding    60 gal.    (227 l.)
Mast Height    71' 2"    (21.70 m.)
Engine    110-hp. Yanmar
Designer    Philippe Briand Yacht Design
Sailaway Price    approximately $500,000
Jeanneau America
(410) 280-9400
www.jeanneauamerica.com