Boat test – Jeanneau Sun Fast 30 OD
Jeanneau Yachts has a proud history of racing going back to 1976 when a Jeanneau Melody battled against the Atlantic greybeards to complete the OSTAR. Since then the company has been one of the leading forces in making racing more accessible by producing genuinely rapid mass produced racing yachts. Models such as the Rush Royale, Selection 37 and the JOD 35 when they came out in the ’80s and ’90s, while the latest iterations of the Sun Fast range have been at the forefront of the offshore racing scene.
It was therefore welcome news when the French manufacturer announced that it was going to bolster its Sun Fast range – already represented by the excellent and successful Sun Fast 3300 – with a smaller 30’ offshore racer. Just to add a bit of extra spice into the mix, it also stated it would be the first recyclable composite production yacht. This is big news because Jeanneau, being part of the Beneteau Group, is the biggest yacht manufacturer in the world and when they lead, others follow. If they can demonstrate that a production yacht can be made cost effectively using recyclable materials, it opens the doors to other smaller manufacturers. By the same token, by mass producing an affordable, fun offshore racer the company can also do much to broaden the appeal of the sport. Because be in no doubt, that is
