Jouet 680 Buyer's Guide
The Jouët 680 is a Jean Berret design built by Yachting France from 1978, a 22-foot coastal cruiser that still changes hands as a practical small boat. Offered in centerboard and fixed-fin versions, it rewards a careful shopper with real cabin volume and a simple rig, but the known failure points are mechanical rather than cosmetic.
Layouts on the Used Market
Two keel configurations appear among used Jouët 680s. The centerboard dinghy is by far the most widespread version and draws as little as 0.30 m loaded, letting it dry out on a beach or slip; the fin-keel alternative sits at roughly 1.10–1.20 m and still enters shallow marinas. Both share the same round fiberglass hull and a cabin that sleeps four around a saloon table with a galley block. The cockpit is welcoming and the house carries elegant portholes, so the interior feels larger than the modest length suggests.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Used boats commonly carry a heating system, an autopilot, and a short-handed setup suited to single or couple sailing. For a buyer, heating extends the season in cooler climates, while an autopilot and simplified sheet handling reduce crew workload on short coastal hops. Beyond those, expect the standard running rig — jib and genoa sheets around 6.5 m of 10 mm line, a 16.4 m mainsheet, and 14.4 m spinnaker sheets — to be present but age-dependent.
What to Inspect
The centerboard lifting system is the headline concern: breakage leaves the board jammed down and the boat effectively a fixed keel drawing about 1.20 m anchor. The pivot rides on galvanized steel supports with a Teflon ring, and corrosion at the lifting ear is a known path, so a stainless 316L replacement ear is a wise upgrade. The rudder is frequently called the boat's weak point anchor; original plywood blades may have strength through only half their thickness, and a forward-raked compensated blade can hang up if it strikes a shoal. Check the board pivot, the lifting tackle, and the blade core before committing.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats typically appear in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For a buyer, the checklist is short and mechanical:
- Confirm keel type and whether the centerboard lifts freely
- Inspect rudder blade construction and rake compensation
- Look for corrosion at galvanized supports and lifting ear
- Verify heating, autopilot, and short-handed rigging function
- Expect a simple fractional sloop needing only routine rig care
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Jouet 680. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 25 | 1 | $6,763 | — |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $7,418 | +9.7% |
Where they're listed
Jouet 680 listings appear across 2 countries. Switzerland has the most listings with 1 (50.0%), followed by United Kingdom.
Country view
2 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $7,418 | 1 | 0 | 50.0% |
| United Kingdom | $6,763 | 1 | 0 | 50.0% |