Jeanneau Velasco 43

Visitors to "boot 2013" in Düsseldorf were able to take a closer look at our test boat at the time: However, it was there under the name "Voyage 42". It was not renamed "Velasco 43" until the middle of 2013; the reason for this was marketing in the USA, which would not have been possible with the old name.

Our test area was the Baltic Sea off Neustadt in Holstein, where the dealer of "our Jeanneau", Gründl Bootsimport, has a branch. The sea was "relaxed" on the test day with a good 3 Beaufort and only built up moderate waves, which the boat travelled through smoothly and dryly.

If you turn the rudder fully in such a situation, the Jeanneau Velasco smoothly rounds its laps in radii of around 3-4 boat lengths without a hitch. Slalom courses and steering bumps hardly cause any reactions due to the low gear ratio. Apart from a pressure point in the steering wheel, which occurs at the narrowest point of fast circling, the steering is consistently smooth, and you don't necessarily have to use it for harbour manoeuvres, because with the installed bow and stern thruster and the manoeuvrability with oppositely engaged gears, tight manoeuvres are easily possible. At slow speeds of between 5 and 8 knots, the Velasco 43 does not get hectic even in the aforementioned waves, as it also offers good course stability.

If you want to change from a slow speed to a fast gear, you can do without trim tabs. From around 1400 rpm, the bow rises, but not so much that it restricts the view for seated drivers. Planing starts at 2300 rpm, but the nose of the boat only lowers again later at 2600 rpm. Trim tabs can be ordered to lower the bow a little from the outset or to compensate for crosswinds, but as already mentioned, they are not absolutely necessary. The Velasco glides economically with its two Cummins diesels (380 hp) around 2500 rpm at a good 21 knots. With a tank capacity of 1200 litres, the range is almost 300 nm. A result that easily fulfils the requirement of 270 nm for the "fast motor yacht" type of boat - which, at 246 nm, almost still applies at full throttle (28 kn).

The engines are child's play to operate via electronic SmartCraft controls, which are conveniently located at both driving positions. The same applies to the sports steering wheel. On the flybridge, the driver will find a firmly upholstered sports seat that can be moved forwards and backwards on rails. This means that the skipper always has a seat position with plenty of knee room, a good view of the instruments and safe access to the switches. The wind deflector is a half-height, forward-facing plexiglass screen.

If the ride on the Fly becomes too uncomfortable, you can move to the driving position in the saloon, where there is a double bench (also well upholstered). From there, the driver has everything firmly under control and a good view. If the driver steers the boat upright, the upper edge of the roof obstructs the view when travelling slowly. Although the driving position is white, reflections in the safety glass windscreen are limited. In rainy weather, three two-arm wipers with a washer system ensure a clear view. Three defroster nozzles in front of the windscreen also deserve praise.

Further operational safety is provided by two fuel filters with sight glass, drain cock and e-alarm. The remote-controlled stopcocks, the fire extinguishing system and the electric bilge and hand bilge pumps are exemplary. Non-slip floor structures, low, wide side decks, a side door by the driver, plenty of handrails and the railing on the foredeck and fly ensure safe movement. The flybridge is accessed via a ladder with handrails and deep steps.

If you are looking for the engines, open the flap (with gas damper) in the cockpit floor and climb into the engine compartment, which is lined with self-extinguishing sound insulation. The headroom of around 1.15 metres provides moderate space for service work. To access the V-gearboxes, the route via the saloon floor storage compartment is chosen. The installations are clearly laid out and fixed. The same applies to the batteries, which are located in plastic boxes under the saloon stowage compartment.

Power relays controlled by rocker switches act as main switches; a "booster switch" for emergency starting is located on the control stand, and fuse modules are located in the storage box under the cockpit floor. The batteries are powered via the standard 230 V shore connection using a 40 A charger. The boiler is heated by engine cooling water or a 230 V heating rod.

The stern shower, galley and two heads are tapped for hot water. One bathroom is reserved for the owner and, like the day toilet, offers suitable equipment and an appealing amount of space. The latter also applies to the two cabins with practically distributed storage space. In the owner's cabin there is a double bed (1.40 x 2.00 m) with firm cushions on a slatted frame (extra). There is also a suitable bedroom in the centre cabin. The saloon with a convertible seating area and a couch (emergency berth) offers further accommodation options. Large windows create a bright ambience and the galley at the same height provides a cosy atmosphere.

A four-part sliding door with sturdy locking options leads to the cockpit with a well-padded rear bench. One level higher is the "open-air existence". The Fly is superbly equipped with a large sunbed, spacious seating area and wet bar. Bathing enthusiasts can get into the water from the huge bathing platform with folding bathing ladder (under cover) and emergency rope ladder.

Conclusion: a well thought-out and successful boat that offers a high level of safety equipment and comfort in the standard version.