Jeanneau Velasco 37F back to normality

If the first Jeanneau Velasco surprised for the original look, the 37F goes back to “déja-vu”

Some could say she lacks personality, but the first Velasco 43, a “boat like no other”, was quickly flanked by the 43F which looks pretty much like this 37F. This is an unmistakable signal that what the market wants in this segment of boats is tradition, not originality. A hull with bulb and a vertical windshield probably reminded of a trawler, displeasing boaters fond of slow cruising and the ones into motoryachts. But this is our opinion.

That said, the Velasco 37F is an excellent boat, livable and well finished, and a true champion in the price/quality ratio. The hull is designed by Tony Castro for shaft transmissions, propulsion is on two Volvo Penta 300HP, and on this no-frills basis all the layout is traditional: the salon galley is on the left and serves the cockpit, the pilothouse is accessible through a door on the side deck, a large storage bay opens under the floor and contains food, gear or washer/dryer.

Outside the same linearity is found in the cockpit, protected by the flybridge overhang, which hosts a second dinette. The swim platform is partially occupied by the gangway, which could have been mounted on a side, while the huge flybridge only lacks a wet bar: the aft dinette quickly turns into solarium, while the second piloting station is flanked by a front facing seat and can feature all the desired electronics, according to the owner’s budget.

On the lower deck two double cabins are served by a single heads, still pretty spacious and with separate shower box. The master room is abow, while the guest one is amidships and sports two single berths.

The test

First thing we appreciate is the visibility granted by the large windows and the side door. As soon as we get out of the harbor and into plane, though, I have the feeling that something’s wrong: the boat heels over the port side and we have to trim the starboard tab to get her straight. The only explanation I can find is an incorrect tuning of the trim tabs indicator. Navigation is a very pleasant matter, despite the sea out of Cannes port is not properly calm. The Jeanneau Velasco 37F enters smoothly into waves, even when is irregular wakes crossing our way. The turning radius is very large and there’s no way to tighten it, although this doesn’t seem to be a problem during navigation. Even the relaxed performance is not an issue on this kind of boat, more keen to please slow boaters who look for comfort and economy. At 3000 rpm the speed reads 20 knots and the fuel need is 70 liters per hour, down to 50 lph at the minimum plane of 13 knots and 2600 revs.

Technical features

Length overall 11,43 mt (37ft 6in)

Length Hull LH 9,98 mt (32ft 9in)

Beam 3,84 mt (12ft 7in)

Displacement 8271 Kg

Draft 0.83 mt (33 in)

Engines 2×300HP

Fuel reserve 800 lt (211 US gal)

Fresh water reserve 330 lt (87 US gal)

Cabins 2

Berths 6

Passengers 10 (C) -12 (B)

CE design category B-C

Performance

Test conditions
Moderate sea, temperature 22° C (72* F), clean hull, fuel 400 lt (106 US gal), no fresh water, passengers 7

Indicative price€ 251.400 euro + taxes