Merry Fisher 895 vs Cap Camarat 9.0 WA

Jeanneau has launched two very different motorboats of a similar size. Rupert Holmes put both through their paces

A family driving the Merry Fisher 895 S2 boat

The Merry Fisher 895 S2 appeals to the UK market due to its enclosed areas to keep out the elements. Credit: Jeanneau

There are few brands in the boating world with the success or confidence to keep the same model names across different design generations, in the manner that’s customary for BMW, Volkswagen, Ford and other large car manufacturers.

But that’s exactly what Jeanneau has done with the second generation of its extremely successful Cap Camarat 9.0 WA and Merry Fisher 895, the original versions of which sold a huge 1,500 and 2,000 units respectively.

Merry Fishers have been selling increasingly well in the UK, thanks in part to having combined living and helm areas that are fully protected from the elements, yet offer a full view of the outside.

Cap Camarat 9.0 WA S2 boat being driven by a man

The Cap Camarat 9.0 WA S2 boasts larger open decks and can still sleep four on board. Credit: Jeanneau

The Cap Camarat, by contrast, has much larger open deck areas, with more limited interior accommodation, though there is still space to sleep four people, as well as a separate heads compartment.

Given the two boats have such different characters it should come as no surprise that the Cap Camarat range sells less well in the UK, with only around half the number of sales compared to the Merry Fisher.

Yet it also clearly has a place in the market, particularly among those people who have no intention of going afloat other than in the very best of summer weather.

Merry Fisher 895 S2

This is an all-new design with a completely different hull shape that promotes more lively and sportier handling, while being quicker to get on the plane.

It can also maintain planing speeds with less power than the heavier series one boat, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

My test boat was fitted with the optional larger twin 250hp Yamaha outboard motors, as well as electric steering and throttles, automatic trim tabs and optional joystick control for docking.

As standard, 200hp Yamaha motors are fitted, also with the electric steering, but without the joystick control option.

Although our laden displacement with full fuel tanks and four people on board was around five tonnes, the Merry Fisher 895 S2 proved to be quick to accelerate and capable of surprisingly high speeds.

A Merry Fisher 895 2 moored by the coast with people eating on deck

The removable table and fold-out seating make the aft cockpit a versatile space on the Merry Fisher 895. Credit: Jeanneau

Opening the throttle fully from a standing start propelled us onto the plane within eight seconds and we hit full speed of around 38 knots after only 18 seconds.

Even at speed, we were able to take tight turns with confidence, a factor of both the hull shape and the electric steering.

This changes the feel of the helm at different speeds, with fewer turns of the wheel needed to achieve a big course change at slow speeds, whereas at high speeds more turns are required.

This makes for intuitive and easy handling, without the risk of oversteering at speed.

When we hit the wake of the ferry to the off-lying island of Ile Sante Marguerite at 28 knots there was no dramatic slamming and the decks remained impressively dry.

However, in the light airs of the test day, I had no opportunity to try the boat in a more testing sea state, which may have created more motion upwind, or interesting rolling in a beam sea.

Electric steering wheel on the Merry Fisher 895 S2 boat

Electric steering is fitting as standard on the Merry Fisher 895 S2. Credit: Jeanneau

Cruising speed is around 26 to 27 knots at 4,000rpm, when the boat uses about 3.4 litres of petrol per mile.

That’s roughly the same consumption per mile as at a maximum hull speed of just under 8 knots and 2,000rpm, while at full speed and 6,000rpm, it increases to 5 litres per mile.

The smaller 200hp motors offer an overall fuel saving of around 20% and are cheaper to buy, yet cruising speed is reduced by only 1 knot and they still manage a top speed of 35 knots.

Fuel savings at displacement speeds with these engines are even greater than this – at 7.2 knots, for instance, with the smaller engines the boat consumes only 2.3 litres per mile, representing approximately 30% better fuel economy.

Space saving on the Merry Fisher 895 S2

In times gone by most vessels of this size would almost certainly have been fitted with twin diesel engines.

However, these take up quite a lot of space and now that leisure boats can no longer use red diesel, and outboards have become a lot more efficient, much of the difference in running costs has disappeared.

In any case, ever larger boats are now being designed for outboard power and it’s no longer unusual to see them on a recent 40ft craft, even on this side of the Atlantic.

A woman and child sitting on the bow of a boat

Sunbeds forward create a second social area on the new Merry Fisher 895. Credit: Jeanneau

A boat with outboard engines is also intrinsically quieter inside than one with inboard diesels and Jeanneau has worked hard to suppress noise levels in the new Merry Fisher 895.

With doors and windows closed it was possible to maintain ordinary conversation in the saloon even at high speed, and the sliding sunroof panels can still be left open to provide very effective ventilation without a large increase in noise levels.

This makes a boat with an enclosed wheelhouse/deck saloon, like the Merry Fisher 895, a much more attractive proposition than a more open one like the Cap Camarat.

Clever design

In developing the Merry Fisher 895 S2, Jeanneau put a lot of work into making the circulation of people on board easier, so there’s less of an “excuse me” factor when moving around the boat.

It also benefits from a big improvement in interior trim, including Corian worktops, more use of lacquered joinery, and even carbon fibre detailing.

The aft cockpit has a large removable table, with a bench seat across the back, fold-out seating to the side, plus a further two-person seat against the forward bulkhead.

It’s very comfortable for four to sit around the table and there’s space for six if necessary.

Asymmetric side decks are a neat idea that allows for a wider saloon and wheelhouse without compromising access to the foredeck.

To port, the deck is relatively narrow, but still wide enough to shimmy along while holding the substantial coachroof handrails.

The Merry Fisher 895’s wheelhouse/saloon has all-round glazing, providing plenty of light. Credit: Jeanneau

The starboard side deck is much wider and lower, giving easy access from the cockpit to the foredeck.

This side of the boat can also be accessed from the helm station via a sliding door, which makes mooring easier when short-handed.

Sunbeds are fitted to the coachroof forward and there’s also access to the windlass and chain locker from a small forward cockpit.

This is a new feature that improves safety on the foredeck and means you don’t need to kneel down when anchoring.

It also has the benefit of effectively creating a small second socialising area for use in fair weather, as well as introducing a window in the front of the coachroof that improves natural light in the forecabin.

The saloon/wheelhouse is accessed via a wider sliding door than in the original version and has a bright and open feel, with an all-round view and generous headroom for a boat of this size of 1.93m (6ft 3in).

Extensive all-round glazing, including in the top of the coachroof, means there’s loads of natural light and the almost 360° visibility is disrupted only by narrow mullions.

At first sight, this looks as though it could be a heat trap in bright sunny weather, but there are plenty of opening windows and overhead hatches, as well as the sliding helm station door and aft patio door.

The 5-10 knot breeze during my test therefore provided more than ample ventilation even in midday sun on a glorious spring day in Cannes.

A four-person dinette to port has a great view outside and also converts to an additional double berth.

Aft to starboard is a compact galley with sink, two-burner cooker, front opening fridge under the helm seat and well-thought-out stowage.

Fixed worktop space is limited, but an additional fold-out worktop area helps solve this and, in any case, the dining table is within easy reach.

A master cabin on the Merry Fisher 895 boat

The master cabin has a large peninsula bed and headroom is improved from the original Merry
Fisher 895. Credit: Jeanneau

Two steps lead down to the toilet/shower and sleeping accommodation.

The latter is in two double cabins, including a master forward with a large, almost rectangular peninsula bed that has just enough floor space to walk around it.

This is larger than in the original boat, with markedly better headroom above the bed.

This cabin also has a reasonable amount of easily accessed stowage, while the foot of the bed lifts on gas struts to reveal a large storage volume, along with the calorifier for the hot water system underneath.

The smaller midships cabin is accessed to port and has a large transverse double berth at a low level under the saloon and natural light is primarily provided by the big hull windows.

It’s a good use of the more limited space here, though some may find it a little claustrophobic.

On the other hand, it could make a great den for children. To starboard is a good size, well-appointed toilet and shower compartment with Corian countertops, though there’s not enough space for a separate shower stall.

Overall Jeanneau has done a good job with the accommodation, focusing primarily on the areas that will be used most – the saloon/wheelhouse, aft cockpit and deck, as well as the main cabin, but without undue sacrifices elsewhere.

Cap Camarat 9.0 WA S2

The latest version of Jeanneau’s mid-size walk-around “open” motorboat packs in enough below deck accommodation for four people, but the main focus is on the outdoor areas.

This is a very different interpretation of this size of motorboat to the Merry Fisher, but this boat is part of an iconic range in France and the open walk-around concept means it feels like a much larger boat on deck than the hull length suggests.

Changes for the S2 version include a different hull shape that creates more interior volume, as well as more coherent styling with the larger boats in the range.

A motor boat with people lying on the bow and in the cockpit

The cockpit area of the Cap Camarat 9.0 WA S2 is increased at anchor with a drop-down topside. Credit: Jeanneau

In the UK and elsewhere in northern Europe we have yet to see many boats where a section of the topsides of the hull folds out to create a wide horizontal platform next to the water.

However, it’s increasingly common on motorboats bought for use in the Mediterranean, where it both increases the cockpit area when at anchor, as well as, in effect, giving a much larger bathing platform that’s well clear of the engines.

Even without this platform in position, the cockpit has space for up to eight people around a big table that is easily lowered to create a huge sunpad.

The galley facilities are basic on the Cap Camarat 9.0 WA S2 but will certainly do the job while day-sailing. Credit: Jeanneau

Seating aft also converts to sunbeds, making for a very flexible layout that can work even with a large number of people on board.

There’s also an optional outside galley that makes absolute sense for a boat of this style.

Three steps lead up to the walk-around side decks, offering easy access forward on both sides to a further three sunbeds and a small seating area, similar to that of the Merry Fisher, near the bow.

There are two very secure bucket seats at the helm station, while the aft bench is sufficiently far back in the boat to avoid the bulk of any motion and is therefore comfortable even at speed.

On the plane

For my test, we had four people on board and full fuel tanks, but the boat was otherwise empty.

We achieved a top speed of 43 knots at 5,700rpm, though at that speed we were burning a whopping 190 litres of fuel an hour.

Once on the plane easing back to around 3,300rpm gave 20 to 22 knots of boat speed, with consumption of around 55 litres per hour.

These figures might sound scary, but for most owners, a day or even weekend of use is unlikely to involve much more than an hour on the plane at an economical cruising speed.

A small motorboat sailing along the coast

Bucket seats in the helm station of the Cap Camarat 9.0 WA S2 add to passenger comfort at speed. Credit: Jeanneau

That’s more or less enough to get from the entrance of Portsmouth to Lymington or Yarmouth, or Plymouth to Looe, or from the Crouch to Brightlingsea on the East Coast.

The test boat was also equipped with the full fly-by-wire setup, including throttles, automatic trim control and steering.

As on the Merry Fisher 895,, the latter felt precise and direct at all speeds while, even in the relatively flat seas of my test, speeds above 30 knots felt fast, though there was no sign of handling issues even flat-out at more than 40 knots.

Nevertheless, few owners are likely to want to spend much time at speeds over 25 knots, for which the 200hp engines will be more than ample.

The heads and shower on the Cap Camarat 9.0 WA S2 make good use of the space. Credit: Jeanneau

Even when the breeze built to 10 to 12 knots as the afternoon wore on and white horses started to form, along with 0.4m waves, the boat handled them well at speed, though with a more lively motion than earlier.

In bigger sea states playing the throttles will give a smoother ride, but we encountered little spray above the windscreen and when falling off a wave the boat landed more softly than the rather bluff bow shape might suggest.

At displacement speeds the engines give only a low hum, though once fully planing the noise is intrusive and, unlike the Merry Fisher, there’s nowhere to hide from it.

This boat isn’t offered with the joystick docking option but proved easy to handle in tight spaces.

Changes in the hull shape on the Cap Camarat 9.0 WA S2 means there is more space down below. Credit: Jeanneau

With one engine running forward and the other reverse at around 1,000rpm, the boat will spin in little more than its own length, without recourse to the bow thruster.

My test boat was fitted with the optional hardtop, which makes sense wherever the boat is kept. A comprehensive canvas enclosure is available.

The compact interior accommodation has been redesigned to make better use of the space available, which makes it feasible to use the boat for weekends away, even out of season.

The inviting, largely open-plan layout has 6ft headroom, a large double berth forward that converts into a dining saloon, further basic galley facilities, a well-appointed heads with shower and a permanent double berth under the cockpit.

The latter is a benefit of the outboard installation and is in space that might otherwise be taken up with inboard motors.

Verdict

Both these boats are of a size that offers a sweet spot with enough space to be comfortable on board with family and friends, without the wildly excessive fuel costs associated with larger boats.

The series two Merry Fisher 895, has the feel of a grown-up small motor yacht with far more space than the hull length suggests and an effective indoor/outdoor living arrangement that works both in fine weather and rain.

The original version was already a well-developed and honed concept and the latest updates further improve this, making it ideal for those who want to spend a lot of time on board, but don’t want the hassle and expense of a larger yacht.

There’s also a Sport version of the Merry Fisher 895, which features less accommodation but has a second full-size forward cockpit.

While the Cap Camarat is primarily conceived for warm weather use the format offers a lot of appeal for those who want to maximise time spent outdoors.

It’s also different to the smaller boats in the Cap Camarat range in that it has the additional advantage of shelter below decks, making it a more comfortable and civilised boat to spend time afloat, with space to escape inclement weather in port.

It’s also a lighter and quicker boat when fitted with the same engines and is somewhat more economical to run and buy.