Jeanneau fishing boats selling in Australia

French juggernaut Jeanneau’s best-selling powerboats in Australia are the Merry Fishers. While the little 605 is a tad small for our coastal waters, the 695, 795 and new 895 have resonated with the market. They rate as comfortable, capable, cost-effective cabin cruisers for family boating.

With outboard power, these are also low-maintenance boats. You can keep them in the water with the motor tilted up, trailer them, or go with rack-and-stack storage. On the water, the controls are simple and the operation is care-free. Newbies can’t really go wrong.

You can get aboard a Merry Fisher 695 from around $120k and, well, that may be all the boat you ever need. Unless you like the idea of a marlin that is...

In the last few years, the Marlin variants of these same Merry Fishers have been catching on. As the name implies, these fishing versions offer more amenities for anglers, but without displacing the family on the fun-day Sundays.

The Marlins have the same hull and outboard pairings, and very similar performance, but the cabin and cockpit are different. So, too, the equipment list. You can order more rod storage, plumbed fish boxes and live well, and so on. The fishing space, walkaround decks and vision from the helm is also superior.

The net result is more of an offshore boating feel about the Marlins. Designed and built in Europe, they’re not afraid of heading out in the North Sea or angry Atlantic. And, for that matter, diverse Australian waterways.

JEANNEAU MARLIN 695 AND 795
We recently had the opportunity to cast the lines on a Jeanneau Marlin 695 with an upgraded 175hp Mercury Verado four-stroke outboard, and a Marlin 795 with a 200hp Yamaha four-stroke.

While this pair of Marlin was heading to Pittwater and Sydney Harbour, the boats have been popular in Melbourne with snapper anglers, the Gold Coast for reef fishos, and even as far north as Dampier, WA, where a Marlin 755 (previous model) called French Maid has made a name for itself catching, well, marlin (and sailfish).

When you spend a little time aboard, it all adds up. There are walkaround decks, weather protection, and a roomy cockpit with live bait tank. The optional fishing packages add plumbing to that live well, underfloor fish storage, a deck wash, more rod holders and, still, the family comforts needed to get a boat purchase over the line these days.

Both boats had marine toilets in separate enclosed head spaces in their cabins, sleeping for two down below (or the kiddie naps), upgraded 12V fridges, and plenty of seating indoors and back outside. With a table for doing lunch, you can entertain the family when not entertaining your fishing ambitions.

OFFSHORE PERFORMANCE
Charging around Sydney Heads, it was clear the bigger 795 won out in the ride department. But our early morning rendezvous left no questions as to the appeal of these functional French fishing boats.

Jeanneau dealer Matt Willett at the Spit, Sydney, says the boats sell themselves due to the practicality of outboard power and the cost benefits of the big French yard’s production facilities.

"We’ve sold three of the 795 and two of the 695 Merry Fisher Marlins since the Sydney boat show (late-July 2017). They’re proving popular for families with a dad who wants to fish that little bit harder."

Jeanneau has now released a restyled and remodelled Merry Fisher Marlin 875, which replaces the 855, as part of its
2018 Jeanneau line-up. This news is so new it's yet to be announced. But that 2018 Jeanneau story also include news on the walkaround range making waves Down Under.

Meantime, the Merry Fisher Marlin 695 with upgraded 175hp Mercury Verado and options including Fish Kit, teak swim steps, cockpit cushions, pressurised freshwater, shore power, fridge, marine toilet, Lowrance electronics, Fusion audio, windlass and more was selling for about $124k.

The Merry Fisher Marlin 795 with 200hp Yamaha F200, Raymarine 12in Axiom, teak swim platforms, fridge, windlass, Premiere Trim Level, marine toilet, fridge, cushions and more was selling for about $147k.

More on these Jeanneau Merry Fisher Marlins from Matt Willett Marine.