Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Serie2 debuts at Boot Dusseldorf
Combing through their popular designs, Jeanneau has been refreshing the entire line and creating second series models at many levels. One sporty motorboat that’s getting a facelift is the previous Merry Fisher 895. Introduced at boot 2024 as the “Merry Fischer 895 Serie 2”, the new edition incorporates dealer and owner feedback and has elevated the latest iteration with upmarket and practical changes.
Dodging the 55,000 people who attended the first weekend of the show, I arrived at Jeanneau’s stand in time for a thorough walkthrough with company representative, Wade Clevenger. “Built in Poland, this design leans on Beneteau’s new process called ‘infujection’ – a melding of infusion and injection where the stringers and hull are one piece,” said Clevenger. “It reduces both production costs and weight.”
The Merry Fisher 895 Serie2 slots into the middle of the line, just below the larger models that are available with flybridges. Its target is broad: from young families, couples, and ex-sailors, to anyone looking to downsize to a more manageable platform. “It’s a great weekender which you can also make somewhat fishy is you’re so inclined,” added Clevenger.
Merry Fisher 895 Serie2: propulsion and extras
Standard power includes twin Yamaha 200-hp outboards but with the 250-hp upgrade comes joystick maneuvering that most boaters can’t resist. Top speed with the larger engines comes in around 43 mph or 69 kph on this deep-V, non-stepped hull. Expect a solid cruise around 25-27 mph or 40-43 kph where fuel consumption will 24 gph or 90 lph.
If acclimatization is needed, you’ll need to spec a Fischer Panda genset which will be popular in the US but not so much in Europe. On the other hand, unlike Americans, Europeans moor bow-in much of the time so a platform with a ladder can be optioned above the anchor roller for easy boarding from a dock or beach.
Exterior and interior living
The cabin house on the Merry Fisher 895 Serie2 is offset to port creating wider side decks on starboard which will be the preferrable way to move forward from the cockpit. Also on starboard is a new hull door for easier boarding for kids and pets. On the bow, the sunpad has been rethought with a flatter surface on the width and incorporated headrests and cupholders aft.
The cockpit gained a moveable forward bench seat that now makes the dinette U-shaped. The bench is actually a box with a drain that can be filled with ice and used as a drinks cooler. The aft bench slides forward to make room for the engines when they’re fully lifted from the water and the portside bench folds up into the hull to create more room when moving about the cockpit.
The roof mold has been made sleeker with a large single-piece windshield that provides great visibility forward. A 12-inch Garmin multifunction display is centered ahead of the driver with the joystick and throttles to the right and the bow thruster control to the left. Outboard is my favorite feature – the opening door which lets the skipper step out and place a spring line on the amidship cleat. Boats much larger than this don’t incorporate a helm door so it’s refreshing to see it here.
The main salon has a U-shaped dinette to port (when the companion seatback is swung into the forward position) and a galley to starboard. The galley is compact but still manages to incorporate a fridge and a two-burner propane or electric stove with a cover that creates added countertop space. I’d like to see two changes here. First, the refrigeration space is tiny, so you’ll need to use the bench outside as added cooler space. Second, the stove cover is heavy and loose and if dropped could easily sever a toe. A hinged cover would solve one problem and the option to add drawer refrigeration under the aft dinette seat (in lieu of an AC unit) would take care of the other.
The Merry Fisher 895 Serie2 has a two-cabin, one-head layout with the master forward near the single wet head and the second cabin aft and low. The master is airy and bright and the berth can slide aft at night to elongate the bed for taller sleepers.
A huge sunroof formed by two overhead hatches in the salon adds light whiole extra fresh air is circulated via the two vents just above the windshield. Options for richer upholstery fabrics have brought an added touch of luxury to this class of boat.
Benefits of Series 2 models
The base price of the Merry Fisher 895 Serie2 is 244,00 euros but fully optioned, that will be closer to 300,00 euros. If a model has been popular enough to warrant a Series 2, it’s a solid design already. However, a refresh brings incremental improvements based on owner and dealer experience. The winner of a revamp always benefits the buyer of the next edition and that could be you.
Merry Fisher 895 Serie2 : technical specs
LOA | 29’ 4” (8.94 m) |
Beam | 9’ 10” (2.99 m) |
Draft | 2’ 3” (.68 m) |
Weight (hull only) | 9,253 lbs (4,197 kg) |
Fuel | 2 x 79 gallons (2x 300 L) |
Water | 42 gallons (160 L) |
Power | 2x 200-hp – 2×250-hp |
