Design and Construction
The hull uses solid, hand-laid fiberglass construction, while the resin-infused deck has a balsa core, with high-density plywood inserts wherever hardware is mounted. Two outer layers of vinylester help stave off blistering. Bulkheads are bonded to the hull and deck with polyurethane adhesives, and a molded structural grid handles rig and keel loads.
Jeanneau builds the cored deck in a two-part injection mold using its proprietary Prism Process, which produces an optimal resin-to-glass ratio and a smooth finish above and below.
The canoe body follows current French cruising practice, with a plumb bow that maximizes sailing length and hard chines aft. Those chines dig in under sail and lead into an angled reverse transom. Both available keels are cast iron and encapsulated in epoxy. Draft is either 7 feet 5 inches or 5 feet 8 inches.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The deck-stepped, slightly fractional double-spreader rig has a Z-Spar aluminum mast, wire rigging, and mid-boom sheeting. Chainplates sit outboard, while the genoa tracks run close alongside the cabintrunk to provide tight sheeting angles.
Winches normally mounted on the cabintop have moved to the coamings. The double-ended mainsheet and jib sheets run under the deck to stoppers and a winch just forward of each wheel, allowing a shorthanded crew to manage the boat easily. The twin helm stations sit well outboard of the split backstay and offer excellent sightlines, while a large single rudder provides authority.
Test sailors found the boat unstressed with a four-person crew even as the wind built. She made 7.5 to 8 knots while beating in 15 knots and powered through waves rather than vaulting over them. Maneuvering into a fuel dock was a snap with the bow thruster and rudder. Motorsailing under the mainsail alone produced 7.3 knots at 1,800 rpm, with acceptable engine noise.
Accommodations
Below, the interior is refined and elegant, with an ergonomic layout intended for longer cruises. Thanks to CNC-cut parts, the joinery is outstanding for a modern production boat.
The owner’s cabin forward is vast and filled with light. It has a nearly 7-foot double berth, a generous hanging locker, copious storage, and two overhead hatches for ventilation.
In the saloon, four opening hatches add light and air. The layout includes a forward-facing navigation station, a port settee, and a U-shaped table with seating for six. To starboard, the C-shaped galley has an Eno stove and deep storage.
Aft, owners can choose either one VIP cabin or two guest cabins, both arrangements offering good headroom. In the standard layout, the starboard quarter space serves as a workshop accessible from the cockpit. Just forward is a utility room that can accommodate either a washing machine or a day head.
The cockpit gains space through cutouts in the cabintrunk bulkhead. It seats six to eight around a table with a refrigerated well. At the stern, the aft-deck “terrace” folds down with the swim step to create a waterside lounge.
Equipment and Layout Options
The Jeanneau Yachts 51 is available with two or three cabins and heads. Interior options include Alpi oak or teak finishes, while equipment choices include a washing machine or wine fridge, along with increased tank and battery autonomy.
At the transom, a massive articulated, split-level swim step provides access to the water. The helm seats hinge out of the way at anchor, and the cockpit table contains a life-raft locker.
Several sail-plan options are available. The standard arrangement includes an in-mast furling mainsail and a 110 percent genoa on a Facnor furler. There’s also provision for a self-tending jib track or a removable inner forestay, plus a fitting on the double anchor roller for downwind sails.
The Verdict
The Jeanneau Yachts 51 is a thoughtfully engineered modern cruiser that combines serious shorthanded capability with a bright, well-built interior and a versatile aft-deck social space. She suits couples who want to live aboard for extended periods without giving up performance or guest comfort.
Pros
- Hand-laid solid hull with blister-resistant vinylester outer layers and a structural grid
- Easy to sail shorthanded, thanks to relocated winches, under-deck sheet runs, a large rudder, and a bow thruster
- Refined, ergonomic interior with copious storage and flexible two- or three-cabin layouts
- Innovative folding terrace and articulated swim step for living at anchor
Cons
- The deep-draft version, at 7 feet 5 inches, limits access to some shallow cruising grounds
- Complex cockpit and deck equipment add systems that require maintenance
