Jeanneau Yacht 55 vs 1996 MacGregor 65 — Comparison
Jeanneau Yacht 55
1996 MacGregor 65
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Yacht 55 | 1996 MacGregor 65 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | MacGregor |
| Year | 2018 | 1996–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Roger MacGregor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.14 m (56.2 ft) | 19.81 m (65.0 ft) |
| LWL | 15.10 m (49.5 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.86 m (15.9 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,000 kg (39,683 lbs) | 15,876 kg (35,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 130.0 m² (1,399 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 660 L (174.4 gal) | 760 L (200.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Yacht 55 and 1996 MacGregor 65 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Yacht 55 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1996 MacGregor 65 is a 1990s offering from MacGregor from USA. The Jeanneau Yacht 55 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 1996 MacGregor 65 was designed by Roger MacGregor.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Yacht 55 measures 17.14m (56.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.86m, compared to the 1996 MacGregor 65 at 19.81m (65.0ft) with a 5.18m beam. The 1996 MacGregor 65 is 2.67m longer than the Jeanneau Yacht 55. The Jeanneau Yacht 55 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Yacht 55 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.22 and 130.0 m² of sail area. The 1996 MacGregor 65, with an SA/D of 19.30 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1996 MacGregor 65 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Yacht 55 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1996 MacGregor 65 has a comfort ratio of 9.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 32.2% for the Jeanneau Yacht 55 and 34.3% for the 1996 MacGregor 65, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Yacht 55 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 660L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 1996 MacGregor 65 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 760L water and 380L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Yacht 55 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1996 MacGregor 65 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Yacht 55 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Yacht 55 · 1996 MacGregor 65