Jeanneau 53

Shipyard note

Key Characteristics
The 53 looks good, sails fast, and offers a choice of interiors that rivals most custom boatbuilders. The construction quality places these boats into the serious bluewater cruiser realm. The 53 is built in a two-part mold with a fiberglass structural grid tabbed to the hull and a reinforcing aluminum grid below the saloon sole for additional strength and stiffness. A full-length liner is then placed in the hull and is topped by a balsa-cored deck. Below the waterline is a cast iron keel with a bulb, available with a draft of 7’5” or 5’10” for the shoal version. She displaces 33,000 pounds and sports a beam of 15’7”, which makes her moderately light and not too beamy – read “fast.”

The 19/20ths fractional rig by Z-Spar is deck-stepped, with two sets of swept-back spreaders. In-mast furling or a fully battened traditional mainsail are offered. The total standard sail area is 1,420 square feet with a 135-percent genoa. The mast is just over 70 feet, which might be a challenge with some fixed bridges along the East Coast. Unlike the high, bulbous look of the 54, the 53 has a low, more angular deck that is nearly flush. So it’s easy to get around and affords good visibility forward, while still providing ample headroom below. And there’s still plenty of light in the saloon via hull ports and the three large overhead hatches.

The cockpit is well-arranged, with the forward section designed for lounging. The aft section includes twin wheels with a central pod for electronics and two primary winches. Two more winches and a set of rope clutches on the cabintop manage the rest of the lines, all of which are led aft. The molded-in sheet and halyard boxes situated between the winches and clutches will keep the cockpit uncluttered. A dedicated compartment aft allows the liferaft to be launched without leaving the cockpit. 

The L-shaped galley to port is well-appointed, with lots of countertop space, a microwave, and a top- and side-loading reefer/freezer. Two or four heads are available depending on the layout option. The straight settee to port in the saloon has a fold-down back/arm rest that forms a small game or cocktail table with hidden wine glass storage behind. A U-shaped dinette to starboard will seat eight when using the two additional chairs inboard. The interior uses Alpi teak veneer, stainless handholds, intimate LED lighting, and plenty of leather accents. It’s just as sleek in design as the exterior, with lots of clean lines and minimal décor.

The Jeanneau 53 is a good-looking, well-built boat that can go offshore at a fraction of the price of many custom cruisers. It looks sleek and slippery but it definitely gives off a tough vibe too. The shape of the deck and the plumb bow provide an aggressive element that suggests speed. The great cockpit will seat six for dinner, but will also allow a couple to manage sails with little effort. This is a comfortable boat that provides so many interior options that no matter the size or makeup of the family, there will be a good configuration for anything from weekend getaways to far more extended adventures.

Performance
Due to its relatively low displacement, the Jeanneau 53 picks up and goes even in light winds. At about 50 degrees of apparent wind angle in eight to ten knots, she’ll do six knots in flat water. Off the wind at about 150 degrees, five to six knots can be expected, and the boat tacks well within 90 degrees. Under power, the big 100-hp Yanmar will push the boat at eight to nine knots at 2500 rpm with little noise or vibration.

Tankage

Fuel: 2 tanks total 500 lt

2 tanks total Lt 630
Desalinator 110lt/h

Additional Information

Bow Thruster
3 Electric Winches + 1 Manual
Battery Capacity 24 V: 4x 50 Ah/12 V
Battery Capacity 12 V:
Engine 2 x 110 Ah
Services 6x 110Ah/12V

Accommodations

Version Cabins 4 bathrooms 4:
3 Guest cabins
3 Electric bathrooms
1 Double Crew cabin with bathroom in the sail locker tanks

Navigation instruments

VHF DSC Raymarine external/internal
Ais Raymarine 650
Navitex Furuno
Cartografico Axiom 12
Radar Raymarine 48M
Wind station
Autopilot

Additional Information

Safety equipment (even if expired)
Interior furnishings (chairs and paintings)
EPIRB (transfer fee paid by the buyer)
Code "0"
Dinghy and outboard motor

Disclaimer

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith, but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor guarantee the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct their agents, or their inspectors, to investigate the details that the buyer wishes to validate. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.