Andy Adams

The reinvention of the family cabin cruiser

We will probably look back on 2018 and 2019 as the years when power boats were reinvented by the combined forces of a booming U.S. economy and the wide-spread development and introduction of so many amazing new outboard engines. The result has been the development of many remarkable new designs!

One of the most inventive designers and builders is Jeanneau, and the NC 1095 is their new flagship outboard cruiser by Centkowski & Denert Design. The NC 1095 is a traditionally styled express cruiser, but in its 34’5” length and 10’11” beam, you find two enclosed double cabins, an optional third cabin with single berth, and the dinette in the salon can convert to another double berth!

The designers have done a masterful job of endowing the NC 1095 with surprising sleeping accommodations and a host of other features that buyers would not expect in a cruiser of this size or price. For example, the comfortable head even has a separate shower stall!

Hull and Exterior
Certainly, one of the key features, and one of the first things you notice coming on-board, is the sliding aft bench seat. The test boat had twin 300 hp Yamaha outboards with swim platforms on either side, and as we approached at dockside the engines were tilted up clear of the water. To accommodate this, the aft bench seat is on tracks. Sliding it forward allows you to tilt the engines clear of the water. With the engines lowered into running position, you can slide the bench seat back to maximize the cockpit space by about a foot.

Boarding from the stern, the starboard side has a step-through gate and the NC 1095 also has a starboard side door for boarding from a higher pier; an unexpected and appreciated feature.

The cockpit is a key living area and is equipped with several cupholders, a propane locker for the optional propane galley, and, addressing the North American market, they even offer an optional heater for our coastal cruising readers.

There's an optional sunshade that shelters the cockpit and the settee is a classic NC feature; it can be made into a sunbed with a filler cushion that stores in the cabin. A pair of table mounts allow the removable cockpit table to facilitate dining in two different directions, again maximizing versatility.

A nice feature is the available hot and cold cockpit shower. Beside that are the shore power and water inlets and a hand bilge pump system, which is required for CE certification. The cockpit is self-draining. There's also a large storage locker.

Jeanneau has used an asymmetrical cabin layout to great advantage. The side deck walkway is quite a bit wider on starboard, has the previously mentioned side boarding door, and the bow rails are mounted outboard to maximize foot space. Cabin roof rails add to the security when moving to the forward deck.

In this photo, the raised dinette is set up for dining but this versatile space can also be forward-facing seating or a sleeping berth at night.

You will want to go forward often as the bow features a full sunbed in several sections. There are two filler cushions over the vee berth deck hatch that you can remove to bring more light into the forward cabin. Those stow in a bow compartment. Then, the deck-mounted cushions tilt up with braces to be lounge chairs or to lie flat for tanning. Also, there are two drink holders and the cushions have mesh backs for drainage.

In the bow is a big anchor locker with a Lewmar windlass, remote control, and an anchor chute. The split bow rail has safety cables on pelican hooks; all very usable and family friendly.

Another great feature made possible by the asymmetrical layout is a sliding cabin side door by the helm. This is handy when docking, can be left open for more fresh air when running or cooking, and is a pleasant feature you will use all the time.

 With the dinette set up as a berth, you can also use the space as a spot to relax and read or for small kids to play.

Main Deck Salon
In addition to the sliding side door, there’s a three-section sliding glass aft bulkhead door like some bigger express boats have, and this opens up about a four-foot wide entrance to the cabin.

Inside to port is a traditional convertible dinette with a fold-up leaf and the seats are forward and aft facing. The leaf drops for space to convert the front seat to be forward facing so it does double duty as a companion seat. The hi-low table drops and turns into a berth using a cushion and telescopic table leg.

All the controls are well-located and the outward vision is excellent.The opening side door is an unexpected feature that owners will love.

The battery system is here and includes parallel switching in case the batteries are low, so you can use the house battery plus the engine battery for starting.

There's a generous galley storage area, a Kenyon cooktop, overhead storage plus a refrigerator in the galley, and a second refrigerator in the cabin below to increase your food capacity for cruising. Another great feature is the slide-out bottle rack for wine and there is a single, stainless steel sink. There's a floor hatch for storage and access to the optional air-conditioning system. If you select not to have the air-conditioning, you get a huge storage space; however, we learned that 98% of buyers get air-conditioning and a generator, so it's good to plan for that.

Imagine; this boat can sleep up to eight people in the cabins. It could be a real family explorer, floating cottage, or it could accommodate two couples. Lots of opportunity for fun!

Helm
The bucket-style helm seat adjusts and includes a flip up bolster for standing operation. There's a tilt steering wheel and our test boat had a Lowrance MFD screen, but Garmin was introduced for Jeanneau Outboards (Leader and NC) with the 2019 model year.

 It’s impressive to see how bright and open the salon is with large areas of side glass and overhead glass hatches that open to bring in the breezes.

Forward Cabin
The forward or vee berth cabin is pretty impressive with a round berth for best access, hull-side glazing, overhead hatches, and there is a huge storage space under the berth as well as in the side lockers. The cabins all feature indirect LED lighting and Oceanair blinds. The hanging locker in the forward cabin is also home to the air-conditioning system.

Head
Incredible as this may seem, the NC 1095 has a full shower! It's a dry head and a really good size for a vessel of these dimensions. There's a vessel sink on a vanity with storage under, opening port hole, and more.

This may be the coolest forward cabin of any boat in this size range!

Performance
Even with six adults on board, the boat was quick to plane off and rides nice and level with great sightlines at 30 mph. An economical cruising speed would be between 24 and 26 mph doing about 3,800 rpm. It took under 10 seconds to plane off. The Lenco trim tabs have LED indicators, which we really appreciate, and the tabs help to hold her level in a side wind. The NC 1095 has a regular deep vee hull design, not a stepped hull, and we found that it rode high and dry.

Handling was impressive too – a full-tilt hard overturn still felt secure with no drama and this evasive maneuverability is part of the CE certification. At 6,000 rpm we were traveling 43.3 mph. At a silent 1,500 rpm, you could experience the Rideau Canal or the Trent Severn in great comfort.

The location of the galley on the main deck at the same level as the cockpit will make this a much appreciated feature. The chef will be in plenty of daylight, near the party and with a grand view.

Given the convenient size, remarkable accommodations, and impressive performance, we think Jeanneau has pulled off the reinvention of the family cabin cruiser in their new NC 1095.

A great feature is the separate shower stall with a folding seat. The complete head has a vessel sink, porthole, storage and curtains but you may want to add a shaving/make-up mirror.

SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINES: Twin Yamaha F300 outboards, 300 hp each, 24 valve DOHC V6 design with variable camshaft timing, 4,169 cc / 254.4 ci displacement, multi-point EFI, stainless steel props.

ENGINE RPM MPH
1,000 5.0
1,500 7.4
2,000 9.0
2,500 10.6
3,000 11.0
3,500 13.5
4,000 20.9
4,500 26.8
5,000 37.2
5,500 41.5
5,600 43.3

Length overall: 34’5” / 9.75 m
Beam: 10’11’’ / 3.35 m
Displacement (without engines): 10,225 lbs. / 4,638 kg
Fuel capacity: 2 x 106 gal / 2 x 400 L
Fresh water capacity: 69 gal / 261 L
Waste holding: 21 gal / 110 L
Maximum power: 2 x 300 hp
Price: USD $ 216,000 with base engine option

Test boat, performance data, and pricing supplied by: Jeanneau America, www.jeanneauamerica.com