This is a substantial monohull: 56ft 8in long, with a 50ft 2in waterline, a 16ft 4in beam, and a lightship displacement of 45,415lb balanced by 13,448lb of iron ballast.
Design and Construction
The deck avoids the contentious DS bubble, yet the companionway still provides a view outside from below. Its huge opening has curved plexiglass doors that recess into each side.
The trip below is a long way down five steep steps, markedly different from the Beneteau Oceanis 58. Non-slip covers only the leading edges, and a tester found the steps too easy to slip on. Most of the sole panels lift on gas struts to reveal stowage beneath.
The interior finish combines satin-look Alpi with blonde teak soleboards, helping to lighten the decor. Details intended to make ownership quieter include greatly improved engine and genset insulation, pumps mounted on rubber feet, and keel-cooled fridges.
The standard keel is a 2.5m long-chord fin, with a 2.1m shoal-draught option. A fully balanced rudder and twin helms help free up the cockpit plan.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The mast is stepped well forward and carries a 125 per cent genoa. This arrangement keeps the mainsheet clear of the social cockpit. A Sparcraft mast and boom can be ordered with an optional painted finish.
Standard sails are Mylar Taffeta, but Jeanneau selected Incidences Sails’ Hydronet—Dyneema thread woven with Dacron—to avoid trapping moisture. Handling is eased by in-mast furling roller reefing, while a fully battened mainsail with lazyjacks is offered as an alternative.
The in-boom mainsheet also simplifies handling. An 18-month collaboration with Harken produced an electric sheeting system that uses a worm gear moving along the track. The helmsman has powered primary winches and an optional powered mainsheet. Backstay and engine controls sit by the helmsman’s feet, while the genoa-car adjusters run through clutches to the primaries.
A tester noted nasty play and delayed response in the wire-linked steering, which uses a chain sprocket. Even so, the cockpit benefits of the twin helms made this a forgivable shortcoming.
Under sail, the Jeanneau Yachts 57 threatened 8 knots in 10 knots of breeze on a close reach. Coaxing her closer than 55° true cost a knot. In a Force 4, she reached the mid-7s close-hauled and lost half a knot while punching into the swell. Under power, the 140hp VW drove her at 8 knots at 2,000rpm.
Cockpit and Accommodation
The exceptionally comfortable cockpit lounging benches keep the sail-handling systems separate from the social area. The flat sundeck/helm seat is less successful, becoming uncomfortable over long periods without cushions.
Below, the design feels like a cross between the Odyssey and DS ranges. It uses a modular cabin system originally developed for the 54DS, with enough layout flexibility to earn a European Yacht of the Year nomination.
The test boat had five cabins and three heads, but three- and four-cabin arrangements were also available. Just forward of the saloon, the passageway cabins divide 60:40, with a Pullman cabin to port and a double to starboard. A removable dividing bulkhead separates them, and both have ensuites.
The aft master cabin is very spacious, with headroom provided by the bridgedeck and a separate shower. Twin-aft-cabin versions have single berths that convert into doubles. Fifty per cent of sales were for forward-master layouts; Mediterranean buyers preferred the greater distance from the dock.
Equipment and Tankage
Bowthrusters are mandatory on this model and are built into the hull mould. Nearly all clients also chose in-mast furling.
The standard tankage is 205gal of water and 96gal of fuel. One of the three water tanks holds 310 litres and may be reconfigured to provide additional fuel capacity when a watermaker is fitted.
The 140hp VW TDI uses shaft drive. Together with the improved insulation and convertible tankage, the arrangement makes docking and living aboard more tractable, while supporting extended cruising or charter use.
Known Issues
The principal handling caveat is the play and delayed response in the wire-linked steering. The steep companionway, with non-slip only on the leading edges of its five steps, also calls for care.
During testing, the in-mast tri-radial mainsail—with its negative roach—proved shapeless and gutless. Some owners may therefore prefer the fully battened alternative with lazyjacks.
The Verdict
The Jeanneau Yachts 57 is a considered step away from Jeanneau’s volume ranges. This Briand-designed 58-footer combines a real turn of speed with a configurable interior and owner-focused quieting.
It rewards a buyer who specifies the battened mainsail and treats the steep companionway with care. Its mandatory bowthruster and forward-stepped mast also make this large yacht comparatively undemanding to handle.
Pros
- Versatile three-, four-, and five-cabin layouts using modular, DS-derived systems
- Improved insulation for the engine, genset, and pumps
- Forward-stepped mast and 125 per cent genoa keep the mainsheet out of the social cockpit
- Mandatory, hull-moulded bowthruster helps with close-quarters control
Cons
- Wire-linked steering has play and delayed response
- Steep companionway steps have non-slip only on their leading edges
- In testing, the in-mast furling mainsail proved shapeless and gutless
