Credit:Jean-Jacques Bernier

Well worth a second look

By John Armstrong and Andy Adams

Sleek design, big sunroof and sparkling performance distinguish the Jeanneau NC 11.
Credit: Jeanneau

It's rare for Canadian Yachting magazine to report on the same boat twice, but that is how important the Jeanneau NC 11 has become – that and there have been many refinements to the 2017 models. This boat is well worth a second look.

We learned from our friends at Jeanneau that since our 2011 reviewof the NC 11, first introduced in 2010,it has become a runaway bestseller.In fact, it is now Jeanneau’s single best-selling inboard powerboat in America. It is a European Powerboat-of-the-Year winneras well,and this boat has a lot to offer you, our dear reader.

Overall, the NC 11 is a 36’6” express cruiser on a generous beam of 12’3” and for the‘well-equipped’ price of about $445,000 (with A/C, generator, electric joystick, etc.) you get a handsome, modern design with a host of features that you would expect on a much larger boat. There is a master stateroom forward, anamidshipscabin with twin or optional queen-size berth, and a convertible dinette that can be curtained off for a third private space.

In relative terms, it’s an amazing value! The NC 11 has twin Volvo Penta D3-200diesels at 200 hp each andDuoprop drives with optionaljoystick docking. It's a real coupe that features the ‘all on one deck level’ living space that so many people want.

Plus, it requires little of its owner when it comes time to put the boat away– there is almost no canvas to deal with. Just lock ‘er up and leave.

Topsides
The Jeanneau NC 11 features a clever sliding glass aft bulkhead that can latch every 18 inches, orslide all the way to starboard or port, depending on how you want to set it up.

Many buyers today are looking for a boat that brings everybody together and the NC 11 achieves this in a way that would normally require a larger boat. Starting at the swim platform, port and starboard side entry gates take you into the cockpit and on into the saloon right up to the windshield - all on one level.

The furniture Jeanneau designed for the NC 11 is remarkable for being so versatile and adaptable. First, the aft bench seat can be slid fore or aft. This allows for a big swim platform, or a bigger cockpit space, depending on what you want. Slide it forward and there is room to carry a dinghy on the swim platform. This also allowsaccess to the full cockpit sole engine hatch, or just the inspection hatches. New for 2017, the seating surface is convertible to a flat sun lounge, to face aft for swimming and relaxing, or forward as an outdoor extension of the saloon.

The dinette table can be removed from the saloon and placed here for “al fresco” dining and there are convenient hassocks to add more outdoor seating. The cabin roof overhangs some of the cockpit and a canvas shade extends out for more protection from sun and rain. The cockpit is an important living space. Jeanneau has made the most of the exterior living areas with an innovative asymmetrical layout. There is a starboard side walkway with several well placed handholds on the cabin trunk and it is a usable width, but then the port side has a very wide, recessed walkway leading forward to the lateral cabin door by the helm and on to the fore deck.

Here you find side-by-side sun lounges,and for 2017, they are reclining with removable cushions and a centre filler cushion over the cabin hatch. This is a big area that can accommodate more than two. Convenient handrails add safety. The bow rails, which include lifelines, have a bow seat that makes it easy to scout a mooring area, and there is a generous anchor locker and electric windlass for easy anchoring.

Because Jeanneau sells this boat globally, there are options for equipment we would not normally see in Canada. For example, a second built-in stern anchor and electric windlass is available.

The test boat had a GPS aerial and Glomax TV on the cabin roof and there is a place where you can mount a broadband radar dome. Other exterior features worth mentioning include the twin 30 amp shore power connections and a built in propane locker in case you choose the full propane oven option. The boat is built to CE specifications as well, another aspect of Jeanneau’s global market.

Main Deck
Another 2017 refinement is the expanded selection of interior finishes, including a walnut wood option, or Moabi, and new interior fabrics, including a ‘linen’ option, which is soft, gives a warmer atmosphere, and has complementary
dark grey carpets. It’s a real nice touch.

Up the starboard side of the saloon is the very versatile convertible dinette. As we mentioned earlier, this can be curtained off for a private sleeping area (and the boat has very attractive new black-out type drapes). The aft seat for the dinette can convert to face aft, creating a larger outdoor entertaining area. Then, the forward dinette seat flips to become a forward-facing companion seat for two adults. The very large glass areas give excellent outward views in all directions.When you open the sun shade, or slide the big electric Webasto glass sunroof all the way open, it’s just like being outside.

The cockpit is a seamless extension of the saloon and the siding doors can move and latch in several different ways. Notice the rear-facing dinette seat becomes part of the cockpit seating.
Credit: Jeanneau

This is a very versatile layout and Jeanneau really makes the most of the space. In the side panel are speakers and a bottle rack. Below that the two hassocks can stow away or quickly come out for extra seating in the saloon or out on the back deck.

Such a clever use of space! The galley becomes the entertainment focus for the cockpit area.
Credit: Jeanneau

Galley
We really like that the designers have located the galley up on the port side. With its cover down, you have a convenient counter area that includes a flat screen television on a lift, making it convenient for people sitting in the dinette.

When it comes time to prepare a meal, lift the counter lid and you’ll discover the sink and two-burner stove, backsplash, and perhaps a Danby microwave (our test boat had one). There is also the option for a proper oven where you can bake a cake, casserole, or even roast a little Thanksgiving turkey. It's surprising that more powerboats aren't equipped with an oven.

Our test boat also featured overhead provisions lockers, a trash area, and drawers for dishes and cutlery.

Head
The spacious head is located down a few steps on the port side and includes a separate enclosed shower with clear door and teak seat - very nice! There are two opening portholes, large sink in a vanity with storage below, and the MSD mounted forward.

The helm enjoys excellent outward views and has a unique and useful port side door for fresh air or docking. The seat flips up for standing operation or to make it easier to exit.
Credit: Jeanneau

Cabins
Located below the saloon is a midships cabin available with twins or a queen-size berth with sitting height. There is a locker and the large sweep of hull-side glazing gives this cabin natural daylight with the added plusof a hatch as well.

The owner’s stateroom forward is spacious and modern with lots of daylight.

Credit: Jean-Jacques Bernier

Mom and Dad are more likely to take the forward stateroom as their own. This is lit bygenerous hull-side glazing as well as an overhead hatch. The shaped queen-size berth has storage drawers underneath as well as a hanging locker on the bulkhead.

The onboard accommodations are surprisingly generous given the NC 11’s size and cost, and Jeanneau offers a generator and reverse cycle heat/AC system or a diesel heater.

This shows the large sunroof open and the clever dinette seat flipped top seat two facing forward as the companion seat. Brilliant!

Helm
A feature that is sure to please the owner is the helm, located on the port side with an opening side doorthat gives the captain fresh air or convenient communicationswhen docking. The tilt wheel and seating facilitate standing or seated operation, the sight lines are excellent, and Jeanneau has included a full set of analog instruments as well as a centre-mounted, multi-function display. The Volvo control box is near the centerline with the optional joystick docking control just above that. All very well organized, as you would want in a cruising boat that can hit 35 mph and still be burning just 0.71US gallons per mile.

What we find really exciting about the NC 11 is the very attractive price point for such a well-equipped boat and the fact that a young couple or family could keep it at a downtown marina or yacht club where it's very handy for frequent use.

The express layout with no tedious canvas to remove and stow makes the Jeanneau NC 11 fast to access and comfortable to use. As we said, this boat is well worth a second look!

Specifications
Engines: Twin Volvo Penta D3-200 diesel stern drives, 200 hp each, Duoprop drives with joystick docking.

ENGINE RPM MPH
Idle 4.3
1,000 5.9
1,500 8.3
2,000 10.1
2,600 15. 1
3,000 21.4
3,600 30.9
4,000 35.2

Length overall: 36'6" [11.15 m]
Beam: 12'3" [3.74 m]
Displacement: 13,062 lbs. [5,925 kg]
Water capacity: 66 gals [250 L]
Waste capacity: 21 gals [80L]
Fuel capacity: 190 gals [720 L]
Base Price: $337,400 USD
Test boat, performance data and pricing supplied by: Jeanneau, www.jeanneau.com