Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295 Fly Review: A 40ft Flybridge with Sports-Cruiser DNA

Though recently eclipsed by the launch of the MF1295 Coupe, the Merry Fisher 1295 Flybridge model rightly sits at the top of the range. Jeanneau have certainly pulled out all the stops with this boat, as space management and practicality stand out. Though its coupé sibling will prove popular for northern climates, this boat sacrifices little in providing a flybridge dimension.

Deck access and safety have always been good with this brand – evident going forward. The asymmetrical wheelhouse design provides a wide starboard side deck, enclosed by deep toe rails and tall guard rails. The foredeck has a big triple sunbed, with a deep forepeak section providing perfect access to the cavernous twin-hatch anchor locker. The pulpit has the benefit of a teak platform sitting over the anchor, which fitted with a telescopic ladder can provide beach access, as well as the ability to disembark dockside. In Merry Fisher fashion, the windscreen is equipped with a pair of substantial twin-shaft windscreen wipers, and all deck hardware is suitably hardcore. Side deck space on the port side is slimmer but still reasonable, though it suffers from the absence of a roof rail.

You get a portside bulwark gate, and opposite sits a fold-down balcony – something any self-respecting 40-footer can’t be seen without, especially for a boat that otherwise only has a small bathing platform. What is not immediately apparent is that the aft bench seat can slide forward, enabling the triple outboards to trim clear of the water when berthed. Underfoot lies a large lazarette, while the sliding patio door opens up the saloon and galley to the alfresco dining space. This aspect is catered for with a pretty substantial twin-leg table, while the L-shaped sofa is large enough for six.

The saloon, in particular the galley, scores highly. Located in two parts, the aft section of the galley comprises a double hob, twin sinks, and a top-opening ice box – with direct access to the cockpit once the patio door is open. To facilitate serving, a fold-out worktop sits next to the hob, while a large twin-drawer fridge sits in the starboard section of the galley – with cupboards and wine storage located forward of it. Internal dining can be accommodated at the portside dinette, complemented by the helm seat swivelling 90 degrees to face it – though whoever sits in it will find themselves looking down from an elevated perch. With just a single forward helm seat, albeit a large one, any crew members will find themselves lounging in the dinette when under way.

Below decks is a typical three-cabin, twin-heads design. The owner’s fore cabin is suitably spacious with plenty of headroom and good access around the large island bed. There is plenty of storage, and a full-height hanging locker on the port side. It enjoys en-suite access to a large heads compartment to starboard, which with full headroom has a separate shower compartment. A day heads – also with a separate shower – is located opposite which is barely any smaller than the owner’s en-suite. Both mid cabins are fitted with convertible single berths – each has full standing head room in the doorway, a hanging locker, and plenty of natural light from a long hull window.

Going topside involves a steep set of steps – not ideal for young children, but aft deck space is limited on a 40-footer so a gentle ‘staircase’ is not an option. Jeanneau have not fallen into the trap of overdoing the flybridge, by stretching and fitting it out to the limits. That said it has the crucial creature comforts, in the form of a compact galley with grill, sink, and drawer fridge, sitting next to a four-person dinette. The forward section of the dinette can rotate its backrest – transforming it into forward-facing seating, which with the adjacent helm looks over a not ungenerous sunbed.

The helm is well designed with good ergonomics – no stretching to reach the throttles or wheel. The seat is wide and comfy for those long cruises, and the fold-down bolster gives a good standing position. You have the bonus of a wide side door that you can step through quickly – good for single-crewed skippers. The non-glare black dash on our test boat had just one 12-inch Garmin MFD, but there is the option of two. A Zipwake auto trim tab system is an extra many will want, plus there is the option of a bow thruster, as well as the all-important joystick to make berthing with three outboards a breeze.

When talking on the subject of a flybridge boat’s performance and handling, I generally find myself initially focusing on the boat’s cruising aspects. However with the MF1295 when you push the throttle forward for the first time, you realise this boat has a different dimension to many of its contemporaries. It is quick off the mark having three 300hp outboards to get it on its way. That said a pair of diesel 440hp Volvo D6s on shafts or stern drives, would hardly make this a lazy performer. The grip that three props provide, and the initial grunt of petrol power, is not to be underestimated. A point to note is that outboards are rated at the propeller, not the crankshaft as in the case of stern drives. Also my experience of the F300 is that it likely puts out a bit more than 300hp, and its low-down power delivery has always been impressive.

Zero to 30 knots in seven seconds, and the response at sub-20 knots is very different to the power delivery of a diesel boat. Sound levels are good – around 70dB at speeds of 25 knots. However if you leave the back saloon door open you will have the roar of three big V6s. On a flat day the ride was not surprisingly smooth, but the odd bit of ferry wake gave us a chance to see how she hangs together. I will say that the MF1295 is noticeably quieter than the MF1095 I tested some years back, when hitting ridges of water… and she cuts well. Her natural fore and aft trim is good, so if you want to keep the speed down she can happily plane at 16 knots, ably assisted by the Zipwake auto trim system.

Though not a sports boat I soon found myself driving her as such. Three outboards have the ability to turn ten tonnes of boat pretty quickly, and the hull certainly hangs on as you cut ever tighter corners. The ‘tippy effect’ often experienced in stern-driven/outboard flybridge boats when turning fast was not really evident, but then she does have a 3.80m beam. Like any wheelhouse/flybridge vessel when you turn hard to port the top of the window line cuts out your view over that beam, but with the MF1295 the windows are fairly tall so this effect is relatively minimal.

FUEL FIGURES (Yamaha fuel flow meter)

0 – 30 knots in 7 seconds. All figures a two-way average.

• Fuel: 70%
• Sea Conditions: F2
• Crew: 2

This is a flybridge boat that has not been built primarily for use in southern sunny waters. Subsequently there is a good focus on lower deck use, while providing a decent topside setup, and plenty of sunbathing space on the main deck. It drives like a sports cruiser, while retaining the ability to drive at low planing speeds when needed – thanks to good hull design and weight distribution. For some the elephant in the room will be three petrol outboards, however below 30 knots it has a ‘reasonable thirst’ providing you cruise in waters where it can be quenched.