Design and Construction
Marée Haute builds the entire Django range at its workshops in Trégunc, using infusion on fiberglass. The builder says this process produces extremely light hulls with good finish quality and consistent production.
The hull has an evolving chine line, which Marée Haute credits with providing the best compromise at all points of sail while preserving interior volume for comfort. Yachting Monthly’s tester noted that the broad hull reveals the boat’s Breton heritage and provides good form stability. Heeled to 20° onto her stern chine, she felt stiff and able to withstand gusts, while the twin rudders maintained their grip at greater angles. Beyond 25–30° of heel, the helm loads up to signal that she’s overpowered—a predictable, readable limit rather than a vice.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
Every line on the Django 7.70 is led for short-handed control. The cockpit layout allows all maneuvers to be handled from the stern, and the builder designed each evolution to be carried out alone or by two people.
Yachting Monthly found that the tiller and twin rudders provided excellent control. The jib sheets run through low-friction rings on tweakers rather than car tracks, while the mainsheet leads through a ratchet block ahead of the tiller and has a traveler for fine adjustment. Harken 20ST genoa winches are positioned comfortably inboard. Other lines run aft to the coachroof, where they’re served by a second pair of Harken ST winches.
With a code zero gennaker set from a removable bowsprit, the test boat made an effortless 7 or 8 knots. Under working sail, she nudged over 6 knots close-hauled and pointed just above 35° to the wind during the test. Owners report that she maneuvers single-handed without effort and offers helm sensations close to dinghy sailing—a performant boat that responds to the slightest adjustment.
The twin-keel configuration is central to her character. Marée Haute says its twin-keel models allow easy, safe beaching while retaining excellent sailing performance. The tester confirmed that the Django 7.70 can take the ground in just over a metre of water, allowing her to dry out and cut running costs. Even when pushed hard, the windward keel rarely broke the surface.
The boat has a 13 hp Volvo and a 35-litre diesel tank, along with 50 litres of water. She carries a category A RCD rating with added unsinkability and is certified for offshore use—a fact borne out by owners who describe her as very seaworthy and ultra-versatile. They also say her stability and seakeeping make long voyages and transatlantic passages possible.
Accommodation
The saloon is raised—roughly a foot above the hull sole on the tested boat. This gives seated occupants a view through the coachroof windows and creates locker space underneath. Marée Haute describes Django interiors as simple, functional, and pleasant.
The tested layout had a forward double V-berth, a rectangular double berth aft to port, and a U-shaped settee, allowing the boat to sleep six at a push. Headroom is 1.70 m. The starboard galley has a sink and two-burner gas hob, while a standing chart table is fitted to port.
The heads is cramped and, on the tested boat, lacked a door. At the companionway, foot traffic lands directly on the inner hull, with no sole boards fitted. A chemical toilet is standard, though owners usually replace it with a marine toilet.
Marée Haute’s own “+” specification lists 4 berths and 2 cabins, while the reviewed standard layout had no separate cabins or doors. An enclosed-head version replaces the chart table and gains a starboard berth; couples with children tend to prefer this arrangement.
Ownership and Use
The Django 7.70’s small footprint is a genuine asset. Owners say her sleek appearance doesn’t go unnoticed, while her size makes it easier to find a berth in crowded ports. Marée Haute positions the boat for outings alone, with family, or with friends. The wide, clear deck layout is intended to improve sailing performance while keeping everything within reach.
Two lazarette lockers on deck also house the liferaft. The ability to dry out or beach on the twin keels broadens the range of places where the boat can be kept or explored.
Verdict
The Django 7.70 is an unusual combination: a 25-footer with genuine offshore credentials, a twin-keel hull that can dry out, and a rig manageable by a single sailor. She rewards active helming with a dinghy-like feel and stiff, predictable behavior. Her raised saloon and useful stowage make both coastal cruising and longer voyages possible and pleasant.
The compromises are familiar small-boat ones: limited headroom, a minimal heads compartment, no sole boards at the companionway, and modest tankage. For the right owner, however, she’s a remarkably complete pocket cruiser.
Pros
- Category A certification with unsinkability and documented transatlantic use
- Twin keels allow easy beaching and drying out in just over a metre of water
- Fully led-aft rig and tiller steering make single-handed sailing effortless
- Raised saloon provides good visibility and locker space below
- Light, infusion-built hull with a consistent finish and an evolving chine for form stability
Cons
- Cramped heads with no door in the standard layout
- No sole boards at the companionway; occupants stand on the inner hull
- Limited 1.70 m headroom and a minimalist galley
- Small 50 L water and 35 L fuel capacities for extended voyaging
