Jeanneau Leader 33

In the golden afternoon sun and light winds of Cannes, this craft is a tempting prospect.

- Jack Haines

Basking in the sheer pleasure that is a spring day in Cannes, Jeanneau’s new Leader 33 is hard to resist. Sunroof and throttles wide open, the Michael Peters hull is gamely skipping across the light chop that the late afternoon breeze has brought along with it. The pair of Volvo Penta D3-220s are spinning along happily, achieving 30 knots without a sweat, the twin sterndrives carving brilliant white lines into the deep blue canvas.

It’s the sort of day made for a 30ft sportscruiser, and reinforces why this size and style of boat is so popular. For those upgrading from an open RIB or dayboat, the 30ft sportscruiser retains the element of fun in the driving experience but delivers a level of comfort and accommodation that allows for extended overnight cruises. The question is, with rivals from Bavaria, Sealine and Galeon to name a few yards in Europe, and heaps of competition from the US, does the French boat stand out?

A STRONG LOOK

In the style stakes, yes. This is an awkward-sized boat to make look pretty due to the fact that you are fighting length against height to provide as much internal volume as possible. Add a hardtop into the mix and the lines can get horribly out of proportion, but the Jeanneau is a sweet-looking thing. The Garroni design is clean and attractive, providing adequate on-board living space without totally destroying the aesthetics. The Leader 33 is available as an open boat as well, but it was designed from the off to wear a hardtop, which is why it is incorporated so well.