Spotlight: Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2

The Series 2 version of the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 has the same 18-degree deadrise hull as the original model, but with a re-designed, updated interior.

The new version is the second to smallest boat in the Merry Fisher range, sitting just above the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 605.

Other Merry Fisher models include the long-standing Merry Fisher 795, the 895, 1095, new 1095 Flybridge, and the flagship 38 Fly due in Australia next year. All but the range-topping model are outboard-powered.

Jeanneau is a French boat maker. It is owned by the Beneteau Group, the parent company for a range of boat brands around the globe.

Jeanneau is arguably best known for its first-class sailing yachts, but this western France (Vendee region)-based company branched into power cruisers some years ago and is now highly regarded for its innovative craft.

The seven-strong Merry Fisher range is just one of several lines of production fibreglass powerboats. Others include the Cap Camarat day boats, Leader and NC inboard and sterndrive cruisers, and the Merry Fisher Marlin cabin fishing models.

All models are available in Australia through a nationwide dealer network.

Jeanneau's all-weather, enclosed cabin Merry Fisher models are designed for Europe's cool climate, but work equally well in the warmer parts of the world including Australia.

The smaller, trailerable boats have taken a while to gain traction locally, but are now hitting their stride with dealers reporting solid sales of most models in recent years.

Of the seven models in the Merry Fisher range, the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 is arguably the Goldilocks model. It has more space and features than the entry 605 series boat but is just that bit smaller and easier to tow than the Merry Fisher 795, weighing in at less than 3000kg on a dual-axle trailer with electric-hydraulic brakes.

With its sub-3000kg towing weight, the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 can hitch up behind most SUVs and dual-cab utes; you don't need to stretch the budget for a big Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado or Ford F-350.

You do need to check overwidth restrictions in your state or territory, though, given it is over the maximum 2.5-metre width.

The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 also has space and features to accommodate a family of four for a long weekend away, with a permanent vee berth forward, and the dinette table inside the enclosed wheelhouse that converts easily into a double bed.

This port side dinette seating area can seat two comfortably, and three at a pinch. Cleverly, the forward seat has an optional reversible back-rest so you can sit facing forward when the boat is underway.

Another option is the 42-litre Isotherm fridge situated beneath the rear dinette seat box.

Opposite, behind the helm station, an option is a single-burner gas stove, a sink with mixer tap (fed by a 50-litre freshwater tank) and a pair of cup holders.

Underneath there is storage space behind opening timber trimmed doors, along with provision for the gas bottle.

The bucket-style helm chair is mounted on the forward edge of the galley box. It is designed so that it can fold forward to yield extra bench space for food preparation.

The helm station is relatively compact, equipped with a blacked-out (anti-glare) dash and fascia with sufficient space to accommodate a 12-inch electronics display, switch-panel, engine instrumentation and more.

The steering wheel and side-mounted throttle are comfortably within reach of the skipper, while the view forward through the single-piece front glass windscreen is excellent.

Large sliding glass windows flank the wheelhouse, stretching aft to the full-height, three-piece sliding door aft that separates the saloon/wheelhouse from the rear cockpit.

An optional opening skylight hatch overhead further ventilates the saloon and provides plenty of ambient light.

Further forward there is a step-down to reach the expandable vee berth and the optional starboard side head compartment.

If you order the toilet and holding tank, the toilet compartment is enclosed behind a timber door. It also comes with a moulded sink with freshwater tap and a porthole window.

The aft cockpit is large and comes with the option to fit a modular style box seating area with vinyl cushions and removable dinette table.

Cleverly, the table and the seat boxes on the port side can be removed to create more open floor space for fishing and moving about.

With the seat boxes in place, the aft seating area can accommodate about six people, but is best suited to four adults, or two adults and a bunch of kids.

Drop the dinette table down and you can quickly create a spacious day bed/sun lounge.

Remove all the seat cushions and you have a series of storage boxes for everything from clothing to safety gear, fenders to fishing tackle.

There's also a large lazarette-style storage compartment under the floor.

Interestingly, the transom bench seat slides forward to allow the outboard engine to tilt up for trailering.

Other features include a port side transom door, external boarding platforms with small storage/bait bins, a telescopic boarding ladder, rod holders, and stern cleats.

In Europe the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 is rated for a single extra-longshaft outboard engine up to 175hp.

Australian-delivered models have been re-rated to accept a maximum 200hp engine. This makes sense as the hull and transom can easily handle the extra power.

Our test rig was fitted with a Yamaha 175hp motor and it runs to a top speed of around 33 knots. This is not super quick, so there is scope to fit the larger engine to gain a little more performance.

That said, the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 is an SUV-style cruiser, not a high-speed sports boat; a single 150-175hp provides better than adequate performance, combined with economy and efficiency underway.

Conditions were calm during our brief run on Brisbane's Moreton Bay, but we were able to establish that the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 is a safe, smooth, well-mannered boat with excellent stability at rest and underway.

The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2's moderate vee hull is easy to handle at speed, and manoeuvrable when pottering about at displacement speeds.

Remarkably, for a boat of its relatively small size, the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 can be optioned with a bow thruster to make it even easier to jockey the boat into a marina pen or launching ramp.

Brisbane's Northside Marine has package prices for the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 starting from $128,000 with a Yamaha 150hp extra-longshaft four-stroke outboard engine, a dual-axle galvanised steel trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes, open water safety gear pack, and 12 months Queensland boat and trailer registrations.

The price of our test rig is substantially higher at $161,815 as it was fitted with the more powerful 175hp Yamaha outboard engine and a broad range of options.

Some of the extra gear included the Premiere Trim pack (co-pilot reversible backrest, overhead wheel-house hatch, second windscreen wiper); Garmin EchoMap Ultra 125sv MFD; Fusion RA70 audio pack; electric windlass; anchoring kit; U-shaped cockpit benches, table and sun-pad option; cockpit seat cushions; paddleboard storage rack on roof; extended swim platforms; pressured freshwater system; cockpit shower; enclosed head compartment with toilet, holding tank, port-hole sink and tap; gas stove, black benchtop finish and glass holders to galley; and more.

Specifications
Model: Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Series 2
Length overall: 7.45 m
Hull length: 6.45m
Beam: 2.54m
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Hull weight: 1625kg
Weight on trailer: 2750kg (est)
Maximum power: 200hp
Fuel capacity: 170L
Water tank: 50L
Passengers: Eight