Jeanneau NC 895
Fast and Fun Family Cruiser
By John Armstrong and Andy Adams
Jeanneau’s new NC 895 is designed for cruising, and it is a proper cabin boat with full cabin roof, glass all around and an incomparably bright interior. With twin Yamaha 200 outboards, it’s fast with a 44 mph top speed and a quick cruising speed of 26 or 27 mph. You can really go places on a weekend with this boat!
Perhaps the most exciting thing is that it has wonderful cruising accommodations considering it’s manageable size and affordable price tag. Especially for a young family, this boat can deliver a lifestyle that few families ever get to enjoy. With so many clever details, the NC 895 makes unforgettable cruises possible; perfect for sharing those unique moments together as a family.
Approaching the boat at the dock, you will notice first the high bow rail that extends from the bow anchor locker all the way back to the cockpit, with a lifeline middle rail all the way through. This rail combines with the opening starboard side door at the helm position, to make it easy for people to walk outside on the deck and use the forward sun lounge when you’re moored. The layout is asymmetrical giving you wide side decks on starboard while maximizing interior volume on the port side. The foredeck sun lounge folds up to make a recliner or lies flat for tanning. Handholds on the cabin roof and good grip on the side decks make it safe and convenient to get around, especially for young people.
Opening hatches on the cabin roof slide back in two sections to bring in lots of light and ventilation on sunny days, or you can close them down securely for inclement weather.
the very versatile cockpit seating can be configured as an L-shaped area for several people to set or suntan.
The aft cockpit is a main living space and it features versatile convertible seating and generous storage space too.
On the starboard side, there is a transom step through along with a rail between you and the engines for safety and the test boat had beautiful teak decking in this area. It’s elegant and comfortable to use. A four-step swing down boarding ladder makes it easy to go swimming at the anchorage. A particularly cool feature is that the aft bench seat is on a track and can slide about a foot fore or aft, giving you more swim platform room or more cockpit room.
There’s also a removable picnic table that can move into the cockpit area for alfresco dining. Our well-optioned test boat had a sunshade over the cockpit – an option that is well worth having after a day in the sun.
The forward cabin is also very bright thanks to the hull side glazing and the overhead deck hatch.
Jeanneau has cleverly opened up the folding aft cabin doors to extend the living space right back to the end of the cockpit at the transom.
Extremely versatile seat designs enable you to convert the aft bench seat into an L-shaped lounge area with room for family and friends. Thoughtfully placed handholds and rails make it safe for everyone while drink holders are conveniently located in the seating areas to help keep everyone well hydrated.
The main cabin features a very clever layout with the helm station on the starboard side. The driver enjoys a single multiway adjustable captain seat. The tilt wheel accommodates standing or seated operation and in addition to the instruments on the dashboard, there’s an overhead console for radios and other equipment, keeping things well organized and tidy. But, the best feature is the opening side door we mentioned earlier. This is perfect for bringing in lots of fresh air moored or underway, communicating while docking and also, for accessing the front deck.
Aft of the helm station on the starboard side is the galley unit. The cabinet lid lifts up to reveal a two-burnerstovetop, the cover has a stainless steel backsplash and there is a single sink as well. A Waeco refrigerator freezer is mounted under the helm seat and there is a Danby microwave. For the young cruising family, there will be sufficient storage for a weekend of provisions without an issue. I suspect most buyers will add a rail-mounted BBQ to add to the enjoyment.
The galley unit is compact but very complete and includes the refrigerator freezer under the helm seat, two burner stove, stainless steel sink and microwave as well as provision space.
Opposite the galley is the convertible dinette. Again, the very clever design accommodates four people at the dining table beside the big expanse of cabin glass. This will be a bright comfortable spot for dinner if rain appears on your weekend.
Then, when it’s time to get underway, the front seatbackflips and the forward seat becomes a two-person companion seat beside the captain; a perfect spot for the kids to ride facing forward.
An unexpected featuring in a boat this size and price is the excellent opening starboard side door by the helm. This brings in lots of fresh air and allows the captain to communicate while docking.
In addition, the table drops, there is a filler cushion and it easily becomes a double berth. The NC 895 includes curtains all around the windows for privacy and there are speakers located where everyone can enjoy the sound system.
Down below, the clever ideas continue. In the bow area is a circular bed to make the most of the space and it has storage underneath, three side storage lockers per side for smaller items and the cabin enjoys light pouring in from the hull side glazing. An overhead escape hatch in the deck will generally be covered by the forward sun lounge but removing the lounge pad brings in even more light and ventilation too.
This is probably the parents berth. Then, under the main cabin and the dinette, there is another sleeping area with generous accommodations for two and with sitting headroom. Above the entrance to this space is a glass panel on the companion side dashboard to bring in more light and open the area visually.
The main cabin also has a head equipped with a pump type MSD under a cover plus a vessel sink in a vanity cabinet. This includes a hand-held shower. An opening porthole is built into the hull side glazing for ventilation.
This view from the starboard side shows the attractive helm layout, excellent sightlines and also the double wide companion seat which is part of the dinette. You just change the seat back position. Very clever!
For readers who are not as familiar with the Beneteau Group, this venerable French builder has 10 marine brands with 200 different models, and North America represents 30 % of its market. Their Jeanneau Outboard line includes runabouts, family cruisers, plus sport models include fishing boats under the Leader and NC brands.
We think you are going to see a lot more NC models on the water in the coming years as the new outboard engines continue to gain market share and buyers realize how much performance and convenience they offer. Captain John Armstrong had the pleasure of testing the NC 895 and he was as impressed by the performance as he was by the design and layout.
The saloon is remarkably bright especially with the overhead sunroof sections open.
The NC 895 is being branded as a pocket cruiser and the twin engines deliver easy dockside handling, assisted by the optional bow thruster. He wrote, “The NC 895 with twin Yamaha F200 engines cruised effortlessly and economically at 26-27 knots (about 30 mph) and trimmed up to hit 44 knots top speed which is just over 50 mph. We were out of hole in 8 seconds with three aboard and we found that the NC 895 was a stable platform, carved secure flat turns and was an all around fun boat to run.
The test boat was loaded up with smart options including cabin air conditioning and a generator. Soon, the NC 895 will be built in their newly expanded facilities in Cadillac, Michigan saving the import duties and putting this versatile and handsome
Familycruiser on the market at a base price of $132,000 USD, and with the fully optioned version like our test boat at approximately $180,000 USD, including the genset and A/C, FOB Annapolis.
The convertible dinette includes storage underneath the aft seat, a high low table and two seat back positions. Notice the side glass opens. Then, when the dinette is in the lowered position with the filler cushion added, it makes an additional berth.
‘Pretty neat rig for that money!
SPECIFICATIONS
Engines: Twin Yamaha F200, 200 hp inline 4 cylinder, DOHC, multi-point EFI, 2785 cc / 170 cubic inch, stainless steel props.
ENGINE RPM MPH
Idle
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
4,750
Length overall: 29’2” / 8.84 m
Beam: 9’9” / 2.74 M
Displacement:6746 Lbs / 3060 kg
Fuel capacity:53 x 2 gal / 2 x 200 L
Fresh water capacity:42 gal / 160 L
Waste holding:
Maximum power: 2 x 200 hp
Price: approx. $180,000 USD FOB Annapolis, MD
Test boat, performance data and pricing supplied by:Jeanneau America, www.jeanneauamerica.com
