JEANNEAU LEADER 33

摘要

It's an incongruous sight, Jeanneau's latest Leader 33. It looks a little like someone decided to fit a back-up auxiliary outboard but due to a communications breakdown, a 250hp was mistakenly bolted on instead of a 10hp. And then you notice that there are two of them… Welcome to the future, which for many, is outboard powered. Once the domain of the small runabout, outboard power is big news in the USA where petrol is (comparatively) cheap. They think nothing of adding four engines to boats that stretch past 50ft. And it's a trend that's starting to catch on in Europe as outboards get more powerful yet also quieter and more efficient. Fans cite easy access, compact size, the ability to tilt the entire unit, drive and all, clear of the water (something you certainly cannot do with an outdrive), cheaper servicing, reduced space requirements and the ability to easily swap out a motor if required - simply crane one off and bolt a new one in its place. Even traditional European builders like Azimut are dabbling - its outboard powered Verve 40 having just been joined by the similarly propelled Verve 45. Now it's Jeanneau's turn. What makes this test particularly interesting is that berthed alongside it in Cannes is a Leader 33 inboard. Available with Mercruiser petrol or Volvo Penta diesel, I'm aboard the latter; tucked under the back seat are a pair of D3-220 220hp sterndrive diesels.