With a displacement of roughly 68,343 pounds and a standard-keel draught of 2.95 meters, the yacht carries CE Category A certification for offshore service. It was conceived to be secure, fast, and enjoyable under sail.
Design and Construction
Philippe Briand’s modern hull incorporates a hard chine intended to increase speed, stability, and interior volume. The structure reflects a serious production-engineering effort. The vacuum-infused hull and deck are cored with discontinuous end-grain balsa set in polyester resin. Solid laminate is used around the keel root, while high-load deck hardware is installed over plywood coring.
The hull exterior is finished in isophthalic NG gelcoat, and the bottom is barrier-coated to thwart osmotic blistering. A bonded structural grid, with laminate tabs in high-load areas, forms the foundation. Vacuum-infused structural bulkheads are tabbed into the deck and grid, and the saloon sub-floor has an aluminum frame.
Buyers can choose between a deep L-shaped keel and a shoal wing keel. Both use cast iron encapsulated in epoxy. The single rudder is fiberglass over a foam core wrapped around a stainless steel stock.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The standard rig is a 9/10ths fractional aluminum Sparcraft setup with line-controlled in-mast furling, three sets of swept-back spreaders, and discontinuous Dyform wire standing rigging. Standard SRPC Spectra/Carbon sails come from North.
A cockpit arch forward carries a bridle for the mainsheet. On the test boat, the sheet was controlled by an optional belowdeck Harken electric captive-reel winch. All halyards lead to mast-mounted tensioning tracks with removable tails.
The sail plan allows several headsail arrangements. A self-tacking blade jib or staysail on an optional inner forestay sheets to an athwartship track forward of the mast. An overlapping genoa uses side-deck tracks, while an A-sail or Code 0 attaches forward of the headstay.
In 7-to-9-knot true wind, the test boat was responsive for its size. It topped 7 knots on close or beam reaches and exceeded 8 knots in 13-knot apparent puffs at 42 degrees. It could pinch to about 38 degrees apparent. At 120 degrees off the wind, without downwind sails, it managed 4 to 5 knots.
Deck and Cockpit
The cockpit follows the best superyacht style, with working and social areas kept strictly separate. Aft, the working cockpit wraps around twin helm stations fitted with Raymarine electronics, Harken Rewind winches, deck organizers, and Spinlock clutches.
Forward, a power-lounging pit has high-backed bench seats arranged around two cockpit tables. Their electrically controlled collapsible pedestals lower the tables to create sun-lounges or double berths. Between the two zones, the test boat had an optional wet-bar sink, drinks fridge, and collapsible barbecue stowed under the starboard helm seat.
Behind the fold-down transom, a tender garage uses an articulating rail and electric reel winch to launch heavy RIBs. Its forward bulkhead and floor are integral to the molded deck. A standard Quick bow thruster and an optional retractable stern thruster assist with close-quarters control.
Dedicated deck areas are provided for relaxation, reading, cooking, dining, and sunbathing.
Interior and Accommodations
Andrew Winch’s interior shows meticulous attention to detail, including subtle leather trim and wooden sinks in every head. All owners so far chose blonde oak, although teak remains available.
This is a semi-custom yacht, with several thousand possible combinations of fabrics, woods, and layouts. However, Jeanneau doesn’t allow fully custom interior features. Only the port galley and starboard saloon dinette are fixed; six other zones can be configured with optional modules.
A full-width owner’s stateroom can be placed either forward or aft, with two additional ensuite staterooms opposite. A port cabin can become a pantry-workshop or day head, while a starboard cabin can have bunks or serve as a navigation office. The forepeak can be arranged as either a sail locker or crew quarters with berths and a toilet.
Machinery and Systems
The systems installations are well organized, neatly executed, and clearly labeled. They’re accessed through a full-sized engine and systems space with full headroom behind the companionway.
Under power, however, the test boat pulled hard to starboard going forward and to port when backing down. This was presumably caused by maladjustment of the standard four-bladed Flexofold folding propeller.
The Volvo D4-180 reached only 2,940 rpm during the test. It delivered a maximum speed of 10.4 knots and cruised at 8.3 knots at 1,960 rpm.
The Verdict
The Jeanneau Yachts 64 fits superyacht ambience and volume into a production framework without giving up real sailing ability. Its modular interior and hard-chine hull make it a compelling flagship for couples looking for space and style. However, the strong directional pull observed under power on the test boat—and the yacht’s dependence on automated systems—deserve an owner’s attention.
Pros
- Hard-chine hull adds speed, stability, and interior volume
- Segregated cockpit keeps guests clear of working lines
- Broadly modular interior, with only the galley and dinette fixed
- Responsive performance in the light-air test conditions
Cons
- Standard folding propeller showed strong directional pull under power on the test boat
- Not a true custom builder; interior choices are bounded by modules
