by BOATTEST.COM
SEE THE NC14 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AUSTRALIA AT THE 2013 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
Jeanneau’s NC Series is intended to be an affordable, practical boat for a family and its guests to enjoy the pleasures of the water and sun. At 45′ this model can do a bigger and better job of both of these things than can her two smaller sisters. The builder envisions the boat as an “apartment on the water.”
Distinguishing Features
●Hull Design. This boat has an underwater wedge shape which is a bit more exaggerated than usual. The builder tells us that this design enables the boat to have a lower bow rise in a wider range of speed.
The NC14 is sharp and shallow forward, then the bottom shape extends out to have wide, relatively shallow stern sections. The wide stern has the advantage of added buoyancy aft where it is needed to support the Volvo Penta D4 IPS400 or optional D6 IPS500 diesels, and the shallow V means that the hull will be easier to push. The beam will also add stability and helps keep the draft to just 3’5″ which is an ideal depth for places like the Bahamas, the west coast of Florida and the Baltic Sea.
●Plumb Bow. Plumb bows have been in fashion lately in large motoryachts and some cruising boats and specialty boats like the Wally series. Because of it the hull length is essentially the same as the waterline length (LWL). With this design there is no wasted space inside the boat due to long overhangs at the bow and stern. This design saves weight in addition to being distinctive.
●Lightweight. When we compare the NC14 to other express cruisers her length we find that she is lighter than many of them. This helps with her draft and also means that she will be easier to power.
●Low Horsepower. Boats that are lightweight require less horsepower to achieve the desired cruising speeds. That means that the NC14 can have smaller, lighter engines such as its twin Volvo Penta 300-hp D4s.
●Convertible Features. There are few boats this size that can convert so many aspects of the boat to a secondary use. Some examples: her U-shaped seating on the aft deck converts into a large sun pad, the booth seating in the wheelhouse on the main deck can become an aft-facing lounger, and the queen bed in the forward cabin can be split into two single berths.
Here Comes The Sun
The NC14 was designed to appeal to people interested in taking advantage of the sun. She has three sunning areas plus a swim platform that can also be used for laying out. On the bow is a long, wide sun pad, the aft deck seating coverts into a sun pad, and the booth seating to port of the helm also makes into a lounge and is right below the sun roof.
Teak Beach. The swim platform is just over 3′ (.91 m+) fore-and-aft, which means that it makes an ideal “teak beach” for swimmers. Everyone will love sitting on the platform when it is in the lowered position. This platform is also ideal for scuba divers, making it easier to get gear on and to get out of the water. An hydraulic swim platform is optional.