If you are looking for a displacement boat made of plastic, you won't find it so quickly - boats made of this material are usually gliders or at least semi-gliders. Our test boat, the Janmor 700, is one of these rare specimens. It can be motorised with a maximum of 60 hp. We also travelled with this power with a Suzuki outboard. This enabled us to reach 8.7 knots, which is not exactly what you would call a speedy trip.
Driving and manoeuvring
In terms of motorisation, there is not only a choice of outboards, but also diesel inboard engines (Yanmar) with reversing gear. The range here extends from 14 to 29 hp. Instead of the inboard with shaft and co, there is a huge storage space on our test boat. However, it was not empty either; we found numerous sandbags in the bilge. When we asked about their purpose, the general importer Thalmann Boote und Yachten replied:
"This means the boat is lower and better trimmed in the water, which has a positive effect on sailing stability."
The high superstructure naturally makes the Janmor particularly susceptible to being blown off course by the wind. However, we didn't notice any of this on the boat on the test day with a good two forces of wind; after a short levelling phase, the Janmor 700 tracks true, regardless of whether you are chugging along or travelling at a fast pace.
The high superstructure naturally makes the Janmor particularly susceptible to being blown off course by the wind. However, we didn't notice any of this on the boat on the test day with a good two forces of wind; after a short levelling phase, the Janmor 700 tracks true, regardless of whether you are chugging along or travelling at a fast pace. Of course, if you want to make distance, you must not always go uphill, i.e. faster than the theoretical hull speed, which is around 6.3 knots for the test boat.
Up to this speed, the generated wave also remains at a reasonable level, beyond this mark it increases strongly and the bow lifts significantly from 4000 rpm. If you don't go faster than the cruising speed mentioned above, you can cover a good 100 nm - at least if you have the optional 90-litre tank on board that was installed in the test boat. An acceptable range for this type of boat.
In fast bends, the Janmor shows two faces: at first, the boat lies on the inside of the bend, then the propeller draws air, the hull brakes and then lies on the outside of the bend. During the slalom manoeuvre, the hull swings easily from one "cheek" to the other, and the cable steering is sufficiently smooth. Harbour manoeuvres are tight and precise with the outboard. However, if there is wind, especially from the side, the bow thruster installed on our test boat (at an extra cost of just under €2000) is recommended for safe mooring and casting off. This is done from a well-padded sports seat, which can be swivelled and pushed forwards and backwards.
However, the 1.80 metre tall rider - even when the seat is pushed all the way to the driving position - still has to lean forwards slightly to reach the rudder. On the other hand, he can reach the Suzuki single-lever gearstick without restriction and can operate it precisely and smoothly. The view through the untinted safety glass windscreen is unclouded, while two windscreen wipers (available at an extra charge of 572 euros) ensure a clear view in rain and splash water. Apart from slight reflections, the instruments are easy to read. Shortcoming: All navigation instruments are on the list of accessories. Most of the rocker switches (with indicator lamps and circuit breakers) are located underneath the steering wheel, where they are easy to operate.
If you look behind the scenes at the driving position, you can see plenty of "cables", which we would like to see arranged more clearly and attached more frequently. The same picture can be seen in the large storage space under the rear bench seat, where the shipyard has also accommodated the main switch, the battery strapped into a plastic box, the 230 V charger and the fuel filter. The petrol tank is on the port side, although it was not attached. The importer explains: "Our test boat is the prototype, so to speak, and some things, including the tank attachment, will be changed on future boats." We were able to see for ourselves that this is indeed the case on a new boat that was standing on the dry dock in the hall next to the jetty.
Living and equipment
We also notice that the mounting angle of the marine toilet in the new boat is much more favourable than in our prototype, where you get your left leg trapped. The shipyard has also equipped the wet room with a porthole that can be opened, a washbasin and a pull-out shower hose. A corresponding drain and waste water pump are installed in the floor.
The bow berth is asymmetrical (shorter on the port side); its cushions are firm, but we miss the ventilation. The same applies to the centre cabin, which is designed for children. Above this, in the saloon, there is a seating area that can be converted into another berth. Two people can sit really comfortably there. If you want to eat with the family, you have to place the children on the slightly wider rear bench and the second adult on the driver's seat, which is turned into a table. Good idea: the latter can be folded forwards using a hinge to create a work surface next to the pantry block with sink and two-burner hob.
There are large glass doors with vibration-proof catches for easy access to the cockpit from the saloon. There is an L-shaped bench with integrated lockers in the cockpit. Unfavourable: the lids of the stowage compartments have no catches and therefore tend to fall shut on their own. A table for the cockpit costs just under 300 euros extra.
If you want to go to the foredeck, you should do this via the starboard side deck, as it is much wider than the one on the port side and also offers better holding options. Non-slip floor structures provide additional safety when moving around the entire boat.
The bilge system consists of an exemplary electric bilge pump and a manual bilge pump. The standard fire extinguisher is also suitable for outboard motor boats. The latter also applies to the size of the installed bathing ladder; however, it is on the accessories list, and the locking mechanism with a simple rubber band is not exactly a durable solution - especially if the ladder serves as a kind of railing in the stern passage, as on the test boat, and blocks the passage, especially for children, which is actually a good idea.
The Janmor can be ordered in three different versions. This starts with the standard version for 25,747 euros, which, however, lacks important accessories such as a rubbing strake, anchor locker, roof hatches, driver's seat, furniture, electrical consumers and handrails. In other words, a boat for the talented do-it-yourselfer who can
and is able to customise it according to their own ideas. The Plus version with a price of 32,563 euros and the Prestige version we drove offer more equipment.
CONCLUSION
The Janmor 700 can comfortably take two people on a cruise; the headroom is particularly impressive. With children on board, there is still enough space, but then the seats on the dinette become cramped. All in all, a great cruising boat if speed is not an issue.
