Storm (Jeanneau) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The creation of the Jeanneau Storm in 1966 coincided with Jeanneau's expansion into sailboat manufacturing, just two years after their initial foray into the sailing market in 1964. At this time, Jeanneau, founded by Henri Jeanneau in 1957, was a pioneer in embracing fiberglass, having produced its first full-production fiberglass boat, the "Sea-bird" speed boat, in 1960. E. G. Van de Stadt's design philosophy for the Storm clearly prioritized comfort and practicality, aiming to provide "as much accommodation as feasible". This directive translated into a vessel featuring impressive internal volume for its size, including a reported 1.85 meters (6.07 feet) of headroom, a notable feature for a boat of this length from its era. While specific variations like a MkI or MkII are not noted, early production models were given a distinct window design. The Storm's development predates Jeanneau's later mass-market success with models like the Sangria, yet it established Jeanneau's commitment to comfortable sailing cruisers.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Jeanneau Storm, with its reported sail area of 336 square feet and a displacement of 3,527 pounds, exhibits a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 22.93. This relatively high ratio suggests that the Storm is well-powered for its displacement, indicating good performance, particularly in lighter air conditions where it should be able to move efficiently. Its ballast to displacement ratio (B/D) stands at around 0.375. While not indicating an extremely stiff, heavy-weather racer, this figure suggests a moderate level of stability suitable for comfortable cruising.

With a waterline length of 21.49 feet and a displacement of 3,527 pounds, the Storm's displacement to length ratio (D/L) calculates to approximately 158.4. This places it in the lighter to moderate displacement category for a cruising sailboat, suggesting a design that prioritizes a balance between performance and the ability to carry a reasonable load. Equipped with a centerboard keel, offering a variable draft from 2.46 feet to 6.07 feet, the Storm provides flexibility for exploring shallow anchorages while still offering improved upwind performance with the board down. Anecdotal descriptions characterize the Storm as a "wheel steered pocket cruiser", implying a focus on ease of handling and a comfortable motion for its size.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its modest length overall of 27.23 feet, the Jeanneau Storm was designed with a strong emphasis on interior volume and liveability, offering a surprising amount of space for a boat of its generation. Key to this is its generous maximum headroom of 1.85 meters (approximately 6 feet 0.7 inches), which significantly enhances the feeling of spaciousness below deck. The layout is typically arranged to provide six berths across two cabins, making it suitable for family cruising or accommodating guests. The main salon features a folding table, designed to comfortably seat up to six people for meals or socializing. Essential amenities include a plumbed-in head, a crucial feature for extended cruising comfort. While specific details on the finish quality and materials are not extensively documented in available reviews, Jeanneau's general ethos during this period involved a pragmatic approach to construction, often utilizing durable fiberglass with functional, if not luxurious, interior finishes, typical of production cruisers of the era.