Here we break down these two iconic lines, and discuss their strengths

Of the many, many boats that Jeanneau makes, perhaps their two most iconic powerboat lines are the Jeanneau Merry Fisher and the Jeanneau Cap Camarat. These two have been featured prominently by us on many occasions, and, despite our familiarity with them, we also often find ourselves veering between either when we are asked to choose a favourite. This article will dive into the various models across the line-ups, as well as the vocation that suits them the most.

Jeanneau Merry Fisher – 2 body styles, 10 variants in total

The Jeanneau Merry Fisher is available in two body styles, and the first one is simply known as the Jeanneau Merry Fisher. She excels at being the absolute jack-of-all-trades out on the water, so much so that many have called this line of boats the SUV of the seas. Paddleboards can be fastened to the racks on her roof, generous storage spaces can be used to stow snorkeling or diving equipment, and both the interior and exterior of the wheelhouse are flush with the deck, which facilitates fluidity of movement on board as well makes the entire space more conducive to socialising.

There are 7 variants in this body style, with differing lengths that ultimately decide how much space for toys and guests are available on board, with the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295 Fly being the new flagship op the line.

The other body style is known as the Jeanneau Merry Fisher Sport. Unlike the more versatile Merry Fisher, the Sport focuses on, you guessed it, sporty activities out on the water. The aft cockpit is equipped with a removable bench that can transform into a big and open exterior space that can be used to hold more equipment, or have a larger fighting platform during fishing expeditions. Besides that, the Merry Fisher Sport’s inverted windscreen design sets this line apart from the Merry Fisher.

There are three boats in the Merry Fisher Sport line, with the largest one being the 895, which is almost 4 metres shorter than the Merry Fisher 1295 Fly, as this line of boats does not need the extra length to accommodate as many overnight guests.

That’s the real difference between the two body styles – the Merry Fisher is the better all-rounder, while the Merry Fisher Sport is the more adventurous one.

Jeanneau Cap Camarat – 11 boats across 2 body styles

With over 40 models in its history and more than 20,000 boats across the world’s oceans, it’s safe to say that boaters love Jeanneau’s Cap Camarat. Many body styles were on sale through the years, but today there are only two, and they are the Centre Console, or CC for short, and the Walk Around, or WA. Unlike the two styles of the Merry Fisher, the CC and WA are, by and large, quite similar from the aft to the helm stations, with the major difference being the foredeck lounge/social area.

In the CC, the floor of the deck from aft to the helm station to the foredeck is a continuous flat floor, which gives the helm station an appearance of being in the centre of the boat, hence the term Centre Console. In the WA, boaters will step up from the helm station to the foredeck, and it also usually has a cabin that offers more protection from the elements.

Merry Fisher versus Cap Camarat – major difference

The main difference between the two is in the wheelhouse, or cabin; the Merry Fisher features a fully enclosed cabin with sliding doors and windows for ventilation, but the Cap Camarat has a cabin that is mostly open to the elements. This distinct difference, then, totally changes the utility of the vessels. The Merry Fisher would be the one that is more suited to round-the-year cruising, while the Cap Camarat is more suited to boaters who want to be out in the open amongst the elements.

Let’s end it here

Sure we’ve highlighted the Jeanneau Merry Fisher and Cap Camarat’s individual strengths, but truth be told, they both excel at the one of the most important aspects of boating: having fun. As for ourselves, we are in love with the sleek and sporty design of the Cap Camarat, but are equally enamored with the versatility of the Merry Fisher. What about you?