The Carbonautica composite wheels felt good in hand, and the steering was tight enough for excellent control. There was good visibility from the helm after I became accustomed to looking through the cabinhouse window. The test boat came with the optional hard-top and a clever center bimini panel that manually accordion folds to allow a good view of the mainsail. It took a step outboard to get a decent view of the headsail.

It was a fickle day on the Chesapeake Bay, and we chased the wind. When we found a nice 14-knot moment, the boat sailed at 67 degrees apparent at a pleasant 7 to 8 knots. Unfortunately, the wind petered out before we could get the code 0 set. 

“While the 55 blurs the lines between monohull and multihull in terms of comfort and features, it sails as fast as any Briand design,” Fenn said.

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 is a innovative mix of both worlds—the excellent sailing that comes with a monohull combined with the comfort and ease of living on a multihull. I get it now. I’d love to take off across the Caribbean in style and never come back.

LOA 55’8”; LOD 52’11”; LWL 52’7”; Beam 16’4”; Draft 8”; shoal 6’2”; Displ. 40,878 lb.; Sail area 1,539 sq. ft.; Water 201 gal.; Fuel 61 gal.; Auxiliary 110 hp.

Sailaway price: $1.3 million

www.jeanneau.com

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