SAIL REVIEW Jeanneau Yachts 55 Throw away the box, this is some fresh thinking By | Zuzana Prochazka S eemingly part sailboat and part spaceship, the new Jeanneau Yachts 55 just busted through the boundaries of traditional yacht design. I couldn't take my eyes off the bubble hardtop that met me at the dock and I stepped aboard with trepidation. A few hours later, I was planning how to spend my not-yet-won lottery winnings. With this new Philippe Briand design, Jeanneau is after a growing market segment. Too many times they've watched their clients trade in a Jeanneau for a catamaran despite a multihull's suboptimal sailing and pointing abilities, so they created a cat killer - of sorts. The multihull-sized deck space of the new Yachts 55 combined with the enhanced privacy of the separated cabins makes wouldbe-cat converts take another look at this monohull that also sails well to weather and fits into a conventional slip. A hard chine runs from bow to stern and the max beam is pulled both forward and aft adding interior volume. Below the waterline the hull is kept narrow for The domed forward cockpit defines this unique and very functional new design. better pointing ability and the bow clears the water for snappier maneuvering. An L-shaped keel with a bulb keeps this design on her feet while twin rudders ensure she has plenty of bite regardless of the angle of the heel. 16 CANADIAN BOATING | JUNE 2024 DAZZLING DECK Beneteau targeted the cat buyer a few years ago with their Sense line which was dubbed the " monomaran " . The attempt was met with mixed reviews. Now with the Jeanneau Yachts 55, the French builder