Jeanneau releases Leader 30

French boatbuilding giant Jeanneau has expanded its popular Leader sportscruiser range with a new entry-level model, the Leader 30, which is due to be officially launched at the Yachting Festival of Cannes opening September 6-11, 2016.

With the DNA of the Leader line-up, including a sporty hull by Michael Peters Yacht Design and a svelte profile from the European Garroni Design team, the new Leader is a decent weekender of a size that can be stored out of the water on a dry dock or in a rack and
stack.

The Leader 30 is said to deliver keen performance and seakeeping using single or twin petrol or diesel inboards. With a 6.2L 350hp DTS Mercruiser, well optioned including
full covers, thruster, electric winch, LED lights and more, the package price is
$299,000 locally. Top spec will be twin 4.5L MerCruisers adds $37k, but twin
D4 260hp are a $9600 premium — so it's not hard to see why you would go diesel.

Poised to launch at the Yachting Festival of Cannes, the Leader 30 was designed to meet the needs of weekend cruisers by combining natural light, comfort and performance in a high-volume twin-engine package.

Externally, the long, continuous windows in the hull lengthen the profile, while the generously sized swim platform affords access to a large storage locker. There is a lot if design innovation in the decks.

The cockpit has been fashioned for enhanced comfort and life on board, Jeanneau says, with an adjustable co-pilot bench seat for a choice between a cruising position and a saloon/sundeck position. Then the aft and side seat-backs then recline to transform the space into one large, longitudinal sundeck.

Below decks, large windows in the hull are said to bathe the interior in natural light and offer an broad view of the sea. The elegant interior has bulkheads in the new straight-grain walnut (optional), furniture with lacquered finish (optional), a large hanging locker to the starboard, and numerous storage compartments (optional wall cabinets).

The saloon dinette transforms into a double berth and, along with the main aft transverse full-beam cabin, you can sleep a family of four aboard. There is a separate bathroom and lower galley alongside the dinette in the bow when it's not converted to a forward berth.

The Leader 30 should do 28-34 knots and be especially frugal as a diesel variant. Worth a look in the small family cruiser market for a rack-and-stack storage option.

Specifications: Leader 30
Overall Length: 9.23m
Hull Length: 7.76m
Overall Beam: 2.98m
Weight without Engine: 3702kg
Fuel Capacity: 300lt
Water Capacity: 100lt
Cabins: 1/2
Berths: 2/4
Engine: Volvo Penta D4-260, MerCruiser 6.2L/8.2L
CE Category: B7/C9
Designers, Michael Peters/Garroni/Jeanneau
More from local Jeanneau dealers.