JEANNEAU YACHTS 65 is one of the models I have wanted to test since I first saw it at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Finally, I have the opportunity because the boat needs to be present at the Venice Boat Show.
The transfer to reach the Arsenal starts from the Marina of the Beneteau Group Shipyard in Monfalcone, a distance of just over 50 miles, but enough to test this flagship model of the French shipyard at sea, which is renewed in style and design every year.
We depart from the shipyard dock around 8 in the morning. The weather is not entirely favorable as a sunny day is expected, but with wind around 5/6 knots. On board with me are two people who know the boat inside out as they are responsible for the delivery and testing of the JEANNEAU YACHTS 65.
We exit the channel and start preparing the maneuvers to open the mainsail and Code Zero. Unfortunately, the wind does not arrive, and we are forced to continue on our route by motor. This model is equipped with a Volvo D4 175 hp engine, which is very quiet and has low fuel consumption despite the JEANNEAU YACHTS 65 having an empty displacement of 31 tons.
We are at 2000 RPM, and the instrument reads a speed of 9 knots with a consumption of just 8 l/h. The boat glides on the water, the wake is clean, and the hull caresses the surface. The instrumentation is symmetrically arranged on the two helm stations, with the exception of the engine controls, which are located on the starboard side, along with the bow and stern thrusters.
Around 10:30, a light breeze picks up, and we try to open the Code sail prepared earlier. The mainsail is sheeted to the cockpit, and thanks to the electric winch, we have no difficulty opening the sail, which on this JEANNEAU YACHTS 65 is furling.
The true wind is of seven knots at 40°, allowing us to sail on a broad reach. We trim the sails, and in no time, we’re at 6.5 knots. With the apparent wind, we manage to tighten our course, and for a good half hour, we enjoy this marvel. The JEANNEAU YACHTS 65 reveals its character, sailing without heeling, almost as if it wants to show us what it’s capable of. The helm is soft and responds without delay. The speed increases, and we manage to point up to 30°, reaching 8.7 knots.
Unfortunately, the course we are on is too tight for Venice, and the wind is again decreasing in intensity. We’re down to 4 knots of true wind, and as we bear away to get back on the right track, we realize we need to restart the engine. We leave the mainsail open to give us some lift, 1650 RPM, fuel consumption is 5.4 L/h, and the SOG reads 8.8 knots.