Design and Construction
Berret’s hull is rounded in section. In the fin-keel version, 735 kg of cast-iron ballast is fixed beneath the floors—an indication of how seriously the design treats stability despite its 6.55 m length. The centerboard version instead carries cast-iron ballast in the board itself. The pivoting foil hangs from two galvanized-steel triangular supports that land on the well rim and are secured with stainless screws.
A Teflon ring around the pivot tube allows the board to swing freely while protecting the joint. From inside the cabin, two strong crew can raise the board using a textile tackle, which also sets its angle. At rest, a pin dropped into holes in the well takes the load off the lifting gear. The 735 kg of cast-iron ballast fixed beneath the floors indicates how seriously the fin-keel design treats stability despite its 6.55 m length.
Above deck, the 680 has an elegant coachroof with refined portholes. Its rounded hull is a deliberate Berret gesture toward seaworthy volume, rather than a flat-panel production shortcut.
Rig and Handling
The 680 carries a 7/8 fractional sloop rig with a single set of spreaders and no running backstays—a straightforward arrangement for a short-handed crew. The mainsail and genoa each have a 7.40 m luff, while the genoa’s perpendicular measures 3.52 m. A 7.41 m spinnaker completes the light-air sail plan.
The design has a National Handicap rating of 8.0, dropping to 7.5 with a genoa furler, and theoretical speeds of 4.25 and 4.22 knots respectively. The fixed-keel version has a light-wind coefficient of 3.7, compared with 4.2 for the centerboard model.
Period reviews found the boat stiff to the canvas for a dinghy, with reassuring web stiffness and genuine wandering ability. With the board raised, it can even take the ground flat and without crutches.
Accommodations
For a boat under 23 feet, the 680 is genuinely roomy. Four large berths surround a saloon table, and there’s a proper galley block. The cabin feels large for the boat’s modest footprint, while the cockpit is welcoming rather than cramped.
This is a true cruising interior, with four good berths, somewhere to cook, and a table to sit around—not the bare minimum often expected in this class. The manufacturer’s description of a “real galley” is consistent with period press reports, which praised the same interior volume.
Known Issues
The centerboard lifting system is the main weak point. If it fails, the board can pivot forward on its axis and jam in the lowered position. That effectively turns the dinghy into a fixed-keel boat with about 1.20 m draft, and the board can’t then be retracted.
The rudder also draws criticism. Many regard it as the boat’s soft spot, and one owner’s builder noted that the original plywood had strength through only half its thickness. Giving the blade forward rake creates a compensated surface, but a shoal strike may then prevent it from lifting automatically.
Period reviews also mention a simple sheet-metal drift profile of limited effectiveness, undersized rigging, and a weak interior finish.
Refits and Ownership
Owners have developed practical remedies for some of these weaknesses. One common suggestion is to rake the lower rudder blade forward to provide compensation, limited to about 20 percent—roughly 6 cm on the relevant dimension. One owner rebuilt the blade using exotic wood sandwiched between thin plywood, preserving the original appearance.
Another member recommends making a new lifting ear from 5 mm 316L stainless steel to combat corrosion at the centerboard pivot.
The iron ballast and fiberglass hull are forgiving, but the boat’s towing weight is noticeable behind a car. That’s a small penalty for the ballast that makes the 680 so steady.
The Verdict
The Jouët 680 is a Berret-designed pocket cruiser that punches above its 22-foot length. It’s stiff, roomy, and available either with a fixed fin keel or as a beachable centerboard dinghy. Its principal weaknesses lie in the centerboard gear and rudder, but both are well understood and have prompted practical owner-developed fixes.
Pros
- Exceptional initial stability and stiffness under sail for its size
- Genuine four-berth cruising interior with galley and saloon
- Centerboard version can take the ground flat and explore shallow water
- Simple fractional rig with no running backstays to manage
Cons
- A centerboard lifting failure can leave the board stuck down, creating an effective 1.20 m fixed keel
- Rudder is a known weak point, with original plywood reported to have strength through only half its thickness
- Period reviews noted undersized rigging and a modest interior finish
