Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA an elegant and spacious cruiser with a hull designed for performance. But in our test condition we went a bit too far…our bad.
The Cap Camarat range from the French boatyard is a success thanks to many qualities. The new Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA debuts then with a good burden of expectations, and the manufacturer has been working on several aspects to make it even more interesting.
Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA: the deck
The main advantage of the external design is the balance, thanks to perfect proportions and many sporty details. The tinted side windows and the descending toerail contrast with the graphic pattern crossing the waterline, creating a reversed wedge ending into the swim platform. But the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA looks good even on dry: the hull features a double redan which simply means performance.
The deck layout is traditional, with a long swim platform (split into two parts by the engines which leads to the cockpit on the port side. Here a C-shaped sofa is part of the dinette, with a table that can be lowered to make a solarium (an optional feature) or hide into the floor. Talking of tan, guests will find their spot on the foredeck, where the large cushions has tilting backseats to find the perfect position. The mid-section of the cushion can be removed to free the manhole, and by the windshield there’s even a quadruple cup holder.
The core of the cockpit aboard this Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA is the cabinet located in the center: on one side, the kitchenette features sink and (optional) grill, refrigerator and live-well for anglers, all protected by a thick, double-molded lid with stainless steel handle. On the front side, three seats serve the helm station. The dashboard is on the starboard side, but the steering wheel is almost aligned with the mid longitudinal axis of the boat, which is a plus considering the potential performance of the boat.
Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA: the interiors
Despite being a 10-meter sporty cruiser, there’s a whole “underworld”. The partially tinted companion door leads to the galley, to port, which sports a propane stove, sink and fridge. On the opposite side the head is large enough, with separate shower box housing the WC: close the cover and there you have a comfy seat under the shower. Below the cockpit, to aft, the double bed turns into a twin bed by removing the center cushion. The headroom is reduced, of course, but the amount of light entering through the side portholes cancels any feeling of claustrophobia.
To bow the usual V-dinette is very bright thanks to the mentioned side windows, well hidden by the dark stripe outside. Closets and lockers house all the equipment while the lowering table and a sliding curtain make the space a second cabin. Our final judgment is definitely good for the usage of available space, the practical solutions, the roomy and bright feeling. The only flaw we found is the amount of fiberglass uncovered by fabric or any kind of finishing. At least it’s perfectly smooth and even, to testify a skilled craftsmanship.
Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA: the test
Let’s say it immediately: Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA is a well-designed boat, capable of weekend cruises but also (especially) for speed&fun.
It doesn’t come by chance that the double-stepped hull design is from the “guru” Michael Peters. The piloting position is comfortable and the visibility flawless, at least while standing. When seated, we appreciate the ergonomic design but can’t help thinking that the view over the horizon is not the best. The windshield, on the other hand, is very well protective.
It is pure pleasure to grab the wheel, but even more so it’s the throttle levers: at the tap there’s two V8, 350 HP Yamaha engines, two units displacing 5.3 liters with a quick (if not raging) response to the inputs. Maybe this is the real limit: a boat measuring around 8 by 2.5 meters (at waterline), powered by 700 horsepower, is probably too much. And let’s take into consideration also our test conditions: not the swell, as for this hull “chewing” 1.5-meter waves is not a big deal, but because it was seven of us, all sitting in the cockpit, and still we went to reach top performance. Hence the feeling of floating a bit too much on the water surface, losing sensibility on the rudder and hindering the response to the inputs on the wheel.
We’re not discussing an excellent hull design which we tested already (I tested many Cap Camarats myself before this one, and all the times I was exhilarated), but we realized that it’s not the case to push the limits in multiple directions at the same time. When cruising with many friends on chopped sea it’s not the time to look for top speed, while when you really want to feel the thrill…well you should balance the loads better than we did and leave on land who doesn’t like this kind of emotion. Also because at the maximum pace you will burn a full tank of gas in around three hours…
In conclusion, Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA has several aces to play, in different games: it can host 10 passengers for fast day cruises, it can be the perfect weekender for four guests, and finally it can give you the adrenaline of safe performance when you want to squeeze all the power and take advantage of the sporty design.
In my humble opinion, going for the 300HP engines (which, by the way, save 200 Kg resting on the aft) is the best choice in order to best exploit this very good balance.
Read the test of Cap Camarat 7.5 WA
The numbers of Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 WA
Length overall 10.57 m (34ft 8in)
Length hull 9.34 m (30ft 8in)
Beam 3.21 m (10ft 6in)
Displacement 4250 Kg
Draught 0.86 m (2ft 10in)
Engines Yamaha F350 5.3 V8 2x350HP
Cabins 1 + 1
Berths 2 + 2
Fuel reserve 2×400 l (2×105 US gal)
Fresh water reserve 160 l (42 US gal)
CE design category B-8/C-10
Design Sarrazin Design – Michael Peters Design – Jeanneau Design
Performance
Test conditions
Moderate sea, temperature 18°C (64°F), clean hull, fuel 550 l (145US gal), water 100 l (26US gal), 9 passengers.
Indicative price (VAT not included)
Jeanneau Cap Cammarat 10.5 WA with no engines 70.000 €
