Jeanneau Leader 30: Quick Video Tour

The Jeanneau Leader range has provided cruisers in the 36’ to 46’ segment for years, but that changes in 2017. This year Jeanneau has introduced two smaller Leaders, the 33 and the topic of today’s Quick Video Tour, the Leader 30. Join our UK reviewer Alex Smith, as he gives us a brief bow-to-stern look at this new model.

As you may have noticed, Alex discovered that the Leader 30 packs a whole lot of cabin into a relatively small package. That mid-cabin is particularly noteworthy, since on most 30-footers the mid-cabin is a small cave you can barely crawl into. And it’s also exceedingly rare to have a full stand-up entry with a door for this cabin, which greatly enhances privacy belowdecks when you have guests or kids aboard. The V-berth also deserves some extra attention. It really is more of a U than a V, and won’t force a couple to cram themselves together at the top.

As Alex mentioned, there are several propulsion packages available for this boat, in both single and twin engine arrangements. All are stern-drives, but one interesting addition you can make is the option for Axius controls if you get the twin MerCruiser 4.5L MPI engines with DTS and Bravo III drives. Axius is joystick control for stern drives, and as is true with pod drive and outboard joystick control, it greatly enhances dockside maneuverability. If pulling into the slip is a stressor for you, this system will be some serious relief.

Even with the expanded cabin, the Leader 30 doesn’t cut you out from the sunshine and salt spray. This is a pitfall of some small mid-cabin cruisers, which may try to shoe-horn in more boat than the LOA can handle. Luckily, however, on the 30 there’s plenty of space in the cockpit. Jeanneau keeps the open, airy feeling by equipping the boat with an open helm and an arch, instead of the hard-top and enclosed helm you’ll find on all of the larger Leader models.

Visit Jeanneau for more information. Or, see these Jeanneau Leader 30 listings.

Written by: Lenny Rudow

With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.