PCUK
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking about one of these and wondered if anyone has a report on them. A kind soul provided a copy of the Beneteau Ombrine report so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Anyone got a boat report on the Jeanneau Leader 805
- Thread starter PCUK
- Start date
Got an old one here I can let you read. It was done by Robert Avis in Sports Boat & Rib in about 2002/03
Send me a PM with your email address.
I sold them for 8 years and IMHO it's by far the best 25 ft (27 with platform) diesel sports cruiser on the market.
I've probably spent a collective 100 hours driving them so as a non owner I would guess I have as much experience as most.
Immensely stable, powerful enough for watersports, economical enough for real cruising, the most social cockpit in it's class and acres of downstairs space for when you do stay onboard.
Newer vessels have bow thrusters although this isn't strictly needed.
The worst things about the boat?
The first couple of times you fit them, the covers need you to have won the Krypton Factor, but it gets easier and easier... just remember to start at the windscreen and work aft.
The boat has a slightly off tendancy to lean, just enough to be perceptible, into the wind. It has never bothered me, but if it does you then trim tabs will instantly solve this, but the boat is so stable and forward / aft trim is so good you won't need them for any other reason.
Happy to email a PDF of the report and so long on I would hope the magazine wouldn't mind!
Tom
Send me a PM with your email address.
I sold them for 8 years and IMHO it's by far the best 25 ft (27 with platform) diesel sports cruiser on the market.
I've probably spent a collective 100 hours driving them so as a non owner I would guess I have as much experience as most.
Immensely stable, powerful enough for watersports, economical enough for real cruising, the most social cockpit in it's class and acres of downstairs space for when you do stay onboard.
Newer vessels have bow thrusters although this isn't strictly needed.
The worst things about the boat?
The first couple of times you fit them, the covers need you to have won the Krypton Factor, but it gets easier and easier... just remember to start at the windscreen and work aft.
The boat has a slightly off tendancy to lean, just enough to be perceptible, into the wind. It has never bothered me, but if it does you then trim tabs will instantly solve this, but the boat is so stable and forward / aft trim is so good you won't need them for any other reason.
Happy to email a PDF of the report and so long on I would hope the magazine wouldn't mind!
Tom
wakeup
Well-Known Member
Ditto , I have a report somewhere and if you need it PM me. I also bought this boat, have had it for four years and it is superb, the stability is amazing for a boat of this size and lots more room down below than say a sealine S25 and a way bigger cockpit space than the S25, there is seating for 8 comfortably on this boat and I don't often see that much cockpit space on most boats until you get to 40ft. The only problems I've have had have all been volvo related but all sorted now.
I have made quite a few mods to mine e.g. that battery set up in stupid on this boat, by default it is wired up as a single battery boat and if you order the extra battery Jeanneau wire this in parallel so effectively still one big battery that drives fridge etc and then is the starter battery. I've rewired to split the batteries and there is room for an extra battery in the battery bay if you ditch the battery boxes (it is dry and covered anyway) I replaced the 85ah batteries x2 with 115ah x3 and have one dedicated starter and 2 domestic. The Cristec charger Jeanneau supply is very good, however it doesn't tell you anything about the battery state so you can obtain an additional LCD display which I've fitted in the cabin next to the stereo and that now shows charging draw on mains and shows battery state when off mains. This is a Cristec part and connect to the charger through a simple rj45 connection. This charger is also man enough to deliver a DC circuit and charge the batteries when on shorepower so that you can have all you applicances running full tilt and the charger can still deliver enough to charge. I've converted the cool box under the pilot seat into a fridge by adding the waeco compressor kit. Plenty of room for that under and behind the pilot seats now giving the boat two fridges. The shorepower connection is in a dumb place also as it is inboard under the cockpit seats and is always in the way of people or kit. I've moved this to the rear of the boat near the stbd cleat and fitted a proper marinco connector and done away with the caravan type one.
Other positives, two full seat on the bench seat for driver and nav plus the sun lounger means you can have three people up at the front facing the direction you wanna go whilst 4 or 5 sit at the back, (this is quite unusual on a boat below 35ft). Back cockpit seating converts into massive sun bed.
The bow is very fine at the front and never get any noticeable slamming when hitting waves or wake (most of the US boats i've tried fall way short here) and the steering is very positive.
The diesel tank is pretty big for its category (spec says 330 litres but mine seems to hold 350) Hops onto the plane no problems with full fuel and water, very flat transition also no big hump climb. Very meaty, looks almost over-specced windlass installed as default.
The surprise when other boaters come on board is that they hadn't reckoned on there being a separate double berth with its own door and little changing area. Blows people away when they see it in what looks like a small boat.
The loo is big enough for me and I am 6'2" and well rounded, I have used the shower in there but that is a bit tight.
The fit out is ok for this end of the market and no worse than a Sealine but no better.
Engine bay is pretty large although with the D4 access to the belts at front is a bit tight but there is enough space else where for me to fit a 2.85m zodiac rolled up plus a 4hp yam out board (just)
In the cockpit there is enough space for a good liferaft under the rear seats and the seating is flexible so you can take the U part out to have side to side access for fishing etc. I have also waterskied behind this boat no problems except huge wake. I have added the Ql trim tabs to this boat to correct slight lean mentioned when on a long transit with wind across one side and this has solved the problem although I very rarely need to use the tabs as the boat is so stable. (probably because it is quite wide relative to its length).
Overall I wouldn't part with this boat unless I was going much much bigger as most other boats e.g. Sealine 28 and even 34 don't have this much or much more cockpit space which is the most important factor for me. I have made lots of other little mods, some essential some personal choice. PM me if you need further info.
Oh and forgot to mention will do 30knots with full load of fuel and water, I have had her doing 35.1knots when lightly loaded and fully trimmed.
I have made quite a few mods to mine e.g. that battery set up in stupid on this boat, by default it is wired up as a single battery boat and if you order the extra battery Jeanneau wire this in parallel so effectively still one big battery that drives fridge etc and then is the starter battery. I've rewired to split the batteries and there is room for an extra battery in the battery bay if you ditch the battery boxes (it is dry and covered anyway) I replaced the 85ah batteries x2 with 115ah x3 and have one dedicated starter and 2 domestic. The Cristec charger Jeanneau supply is very good, however it doesn't tell you anything about the battery state so you can obtain an additional LCD display which I've fitted in the cabin next to the stereo and that now shows charging draw on mains and shows battery state when off mains. This is a Cristec part and connect to the charger through a simple rj45 connection. This charger is also man enough to deliver a DC circuit and charge the batteries when on shorepower so that you can have all you applicances running full tilt and the charger can still deliver enough to charge. I've converted the cool box under the pilot seat into a fridge by adding the waeco compressor kit. Plenty of room for that under and behind the pilot seats now giving the boat two fridges. The shorepower connection is in a dumb place also as it is inboard under the cockpit seats and is always in the way of people or kit. I've moved this to the rear of the boat near the stbd cleat and fitted a proper marinco connector and done away with the caravan type one.
Other positives, two full seat on the bench seat for driver and nav plus the sun lounger means you can have three people up at the front facing the direction you wanna go whilst 4 or 5 sit at the back, (this is quite unusual on a boat below 35ft). Back cockpit seating converts into massive sun bed.
The bow is very fine at the front and never get any noticeable slamming when hitting waves or wake (most of the US boats i've tried fall way short here) and the steering is very positive.
The diesel tank is pretty big for its category (spec says 330 litres but mine seems to hold 350) Hops onto the plane no problems with full fuel and water, very flat transition also no big hump climb. Very meaty, looks almost over-specced windlass installed as default.
The surprise when other boaters come on board is that they hadn't reckoned on there being a separate double berth with its own door and little changing area. Blows people away when they see it in what looks like a small boat.
The loo is big enough for me and I am 6'2" and well rounded, I have used the shower in there but that is a bit tight.
The fit out is ok for this end of the market and no worse than a Sealine but no better.
Engine bay is pretty large although with the D4 access to the belts at front is a bit tight but there is enough space else where for me to fit a 2.85m zodiac rolled up plus a 4hp yam out board (just)
In the cockpit there is enough space for a good liferaft under the rear seats and the seating is flexible so you can take the U part out to have side to side access for fishing etc. I have also waterskied behind this boat no problems except huge wake. I have added the Ql trim tabs to this boat to correct slight lean mentioned when on a long transit with wind across one side and this has solved the problem although I very rarely need to use the tabs as the boat is so stable. (probably because it is quite wide relative to its length).
Overall I wouldn't part with this boat unless I was going much much bigger as most other boats e.g. Sealine 28 and even 34 don't have this much or much more cockpit space which is the most important factor for me. I have made lots of other little mods, some essential some personal choice. PM me if you need further info.
Oh and forgot to mention will do 30knots with full load of fuel and water, I have had her doing 35.1knots when lightly loaded and fully trimmed.
Last edited:
Great owners report there Wakeup!
Good reading and interesting to see what someone who "lives with" the boat has done rather than my own thoughts as someone who just drives them.
Thanks for the detail
Tom
Good reading and interesting to see what someone who "lives with" the boat has done rather than my own thoughts as someone who just drives them.
Thanks for the detail
Tom
PCUK
Well-Known Member
Thanks to both of you. As I'm downsizing from a 12m flybridge the space will make the transition less painful. I'll get both reports if I may in case they are different.
PMs to both of you and thanks again.
PMs to both of you and thanks again.
Ripster
Well-Known Member
When we looked at this size of boat, the Leader was our favourite. As has been said, the accommdn is very good, they are fast quiet and handle well. The only reason we did not buy one was the price! They commanded 10-15k over the equivalent US boats at the time. The access to the bow via the walkway is an excellent idea - this was one of our compromises - going through the screen. I think you have made a very good choice. If we were downsizing again (we have a 10m FB) the 805 would be top of our list too.
Just thought - if you are in Devon - there is one just down the Pontoon from us in Brixham.
Good luck with your search.
Just thought - if you are in Devon - there is one just down the Pontoon from us in Brixham.
Good luck with your search.
Hi PCUK
Scanned report emailed over.
Scanned report emailed over.
Quincey
New Member
Good morning Wakeup,
I enjoyed reading your review of living with an 805. I am currently looking at 2 x 805's one with the KAD43 and the other has a D4 and is newer and in better condition.
I would like your view on living with the D4, has it given trouble and if so what are the main issues I shoudl be looking out for ?. I am also 6.2 so how do you find access to the engine bay, for servicing and access to the impeller? I feel I will miss not having trim tabs for stability and also not having a proper Electrical Master Panel in the galley area with easy access.
Would welcome you views
Regards
Quincey
I enjoyed reading your review of living with an 805. I am currently looking at 2 x 805's one with the KAD43 and the other has a D4 and is newer and in better condition.
I would like your view on living with the D4, has it given trouble and if so what are the main issues I shoudl be looking out for ?. I am also 6.2 so how do you find access to the engine bay, for servicing and access to the impeller? I feel I will miss not having trim tabs for stability and also not having a proper Electrical Master Panel in the galley area with easy access.
Would welcome you views
Regards
Quincey
FrankCornel
New Member
Hello Tom, I recently found your post about the Leader 805. I live in the Netherlands and I am negotiating about a leader 805 petrol GXI. Would you be so kind as to send me the report. I cannot find the magazine overhere. Thanks in advance. Beste regards; Frank Cornelese mailadres; fcornel@ziggo.nl
ari
Well-Known Member
You may already be aware of this, but there is a huge amount of Jeanneau 805 Leader content on the YouTube channel Aquaholic.
alt
Well-Known Member
If you're looking for a boat in that size, they're a great boat, IMHO.
I wouldn't be keen on petrol, but thats personal choice.
Trim tabs, while not essential, are beneficial.
The only nuisance is the canopy - not very user friendly.
Serious amount of boat (volume wise) for its size.
I wouldn't be keen on petrol, but thats personal choice.
Trim tabs, while not essential, are beneficial.
The only nuisance is the canopy - not very user friendly.
Serious amount of boat (volume wise) for its size.
ontheplane
Well-Known Member
I fear Aquaholic might have added about £10k to the price of these boats with his reviews tho!!!
They do look amazing for the size though - far better accommodation than an American 24/26ft cruiser.
They do look amazing for the size though - far better accommodation than an American 24/26ft cruiser.
Cbritz
New Member
Good day Tom, we have just bought a Leader 805 and have it in the Christchurch area. I realise the thread above is old, but would you have a copy still of your old Leader 805 report and willing to share it?
Neil
PCUK
Well-Known Member
If you PM me your email address I will send you a copy.
Sianna
Well-Known Member
Love our 805. cheap to run, tops out at 32knts cruises at 24 with the KAD43, everyone bemoans the canopy but it's just getting used to starting at the front and working backwards, it takes 15 mins to drop and put up, good sized aft cabin, super stable boat and pulls our toys easily, it's been worth every penny
Any specific questions please ask away
CaptainWoodsy
New Member
Hi,
Like others I’m new to the forum and have a pre purchase survey booked for the 3rd Dec on a leader 805 petrol. Any chance of having a peek at your survey please. Happy to share mine with you after it’s done . Many thanks
ari
Well-Known Member
I think it was a magazine boat test report that was being shared, not a survey. Which would be more useful to you anyway, a survey report on a different boat to the one you are buying wouldn't be a lot of help.
PCUK
Well-Known Member
Yep, Just the magazine article.