Few pocket cruisers have commanded the European and North American coastal waters quite like the Merry Fisher line from French builder Jeanneau. Among their fleet of trailerable wheelhouse powerboats, the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 stands out as the sweet spot for modern recreational boating. It combines practical year-round wheelhouse protection with an open-air modular cockpit, making it equally adept at rainy autumn fishing trips and sun-soaked summer weekends at anchor.

Quick answer: The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 is a highly versatile 26-foot wheelhouse cruiser designed for coastal cruising, family weekend trips, and casual angling. Powered by a single 150 HP to 200 HP outboard engine, it delivers efficient cruising speeds of 20 to 22 knots, a top speed near 33 knots, and comfortable accommodations for up to four people inside a light-filled cabin.

Overview & Technical Specifications of the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795

To understand why the merry fisher 795 remains a benchmark in the sub-30-foot market, you have to look closely at its naval architecture. Designed by Centkowski & Denert Design in collaboration with Jeanneau's internal engineering team, the hull features a deep-V entrance transitioning to a moderate deadrise aft. This hull profile creates rapid planing response while providing stability at rest—an essential metric when entertaining kids or casting lines off the stern.

The construction utilizes hand-laid GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) with a vacuum-bagged resin-infused inner matrix for structural rigidity without adding redundant weight. Weighing approximately 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) without an engine, the boat remains light enough to be towed behind a capable SUV or truck, assuming a heavy-duty twin-axle trailer setup. This mobility expands your cruising grounds beyond a single home marina, allowing you to sample inland lakes or distant coastal estuaries with relative ease.

Below is a quick reference breakdown of the core manufacturer dimensions and performance ratings for the jeanneau merry fisher 795:

Specification Metric Standard Imperial / Metric Value
Length Overall (LOA) 26 ft 1 in / 7.95 m
Hull Length 22 ft 10 in / 6.97 m
Beam (Width) 9 ft 2 in / 2.80 m
Draft (Engine Trimmed Up) 1 ft 11 in / 0.58 m
Dry Weight (No Engine) 4,740 lbs / 2,150 kg
Fuel Capacity 74 US Gal / 280 L
Freshwater Capacity 26 US Gal / 100 L
Max Engine Rating 200 HP Outboard (Yamaha / Mercury)
CE Certification Category C-9 (Coastal waters, winds up to Force 6)

Compared to traditional inboard shaft-drive vessels in this class, the outboard configuration drastically simplifies seasonal lay-up routines and lowers long-term routine maintenance costs. If you are comparing different hull designs for family weekend trips, reviewing our broad guides on power boats and modern boat buying strategies will help put these numbers into clearer context.

Real-World Performance, Engine Options, and Sea Handling

Underway, the Merry Fisher 795 exhibits forgiving and predictable handling characteristics. While smaller 150 HP outboard setups (such as the Yamaha F150) are technically capable of pushing the boat onto plane, most experienced skippers strongly advocate for maxing out the transom with a 200 HP outboard—like a Yamaha F200 or Mercury Verado 200. The additional torque provided by a 200 HP powerplant proves invaluable when running heavily laden with full fuel, fresh water, gear, and five or six adult passengers aboard.

With a 200 HP outboard hanging off the stern, the hull pops cleanly onto plane at around 13 to 15 knots. Sweet-spot cruising sits comfortably between 3,800 and 4,200 RPM, translating to a smooth 20 to 22 knots over the ground. At this velocity, fuel consumption hovers around 32 to 36 liters per hour (roughly 8.5 to 9.5 gallons per hour), giving the boat a safe working range of roughly 140 to 160 nautical miles on its 280-liter fuel tank with a standard 10% reserve.

In head seas up to two feet, the sharp forward entry cuts through chop clean without pounding, provided you make proper use of engine trim and electric trim tabs. Because the cabin superstructure presents a tall profile to crosswinds, installing aftermarket or factory Zipwake interceptors or traditional trim tabs is essentially mandatory for keeping the hull level when running across strong wind angles or uneven passenger weight distributions.

On-the-water tip: Because of the tall wheelhouse structure, the Merry Fisher 795 can catch wind quickly when docking in tight marinas during moderate crosswinds. When approaching a slip, trim the engine fully down to maximize directional thrust, rely on short bursts of power, and don't hesitate to use an optional bow thruster to hold the bow steady while securing your spring lines.

Interior Comfort and Wheelhouse Layout

Steering inside from the aft deck through the heavy-duty triple-sliding glass door reveals where Jeanneau’s interior design shines. The salon features a 360-degree glass enclosure that eliminates blindness at the helm while filling the cabin with natural light. Overhead, an opening roof hatch (available in manual or electric configurations) combines with sliding port and starboard side windows to allow cross-ventilation on warm summer afternoons.

To port, the dinette table seats four adults comfortably around a high-gloss table. For overnighting, this seating area converts into an additional double berth by dropping the table pedestal and rearranging the cushion set. Across from the dinette, the starboard helm station features an adjustable bucket seat with a flip-up bolster, offering comfortable visibility whether you prefer to drive standing or seated. Behind the helm seat sits a compact galley equipped with a stainless steel sink, space for a single-burner gas stove, a top-opening or front-loading 40-liter refrigerator, and dedicated storage drawers for cookware.

Moving forward down two steps leads into the private cabin accommodations:

  • Forward V-Berth: A surprisingly generous double bed suitable for two adults, complete with under-mattress storage lockers and overhead reading lights.
  • Enclosed Marine Head: Located to starboard, featuring a marine toilet (with holding tank), small sink basin, mirror, and opening portlight for ventilation.
  • Natural Daylighting: Hull side windows bring light into the lower cabin area, removing the claustrophobic feel common in older 25-foot cruisers.

Modular Cockpit Design for Fishing and Entertaining

The cockpit of the jeanneau merry fisher 795 functions as a chameleon space that adapts quickly to your agenda. In its standard layout, a broad aft bench seat provides secure seating behind a self-draining fiberglass sole. For those who want maximum lounging space, an optional U-shaped seating package with a removable cockpit table easily converts into a expansive sunpad using drop-in filler cushions.

Practical design details highlight Jeanneau's experience with real-world boating needs. The aft bench seat rests on a sliding track mechanism. When you trim the outboard motor completely out of the water to protect the lower unit while docked, the bench slides forward on its rails to create the necessary clearance without sacrificing usable cockpit space when underway.

For anglers, the wide side decks (notably wider on the starboard side) and secure stainless steel bow rails ensure safe foot travel forward to the anchor locker and bow sunpad. Flush-mounted rod holders, deep storage lockers built into the cockpit floor, and solid mooring cleats round out an exterior layout designed for real marine abuse.

Buying Considerations and Long-Term Ownership

If you are looking at the pre-owned or new market for a 26-foot wheelhouse weekender, the Merry Fisher 795 holds its resale value exceptionally well compared to many open bowriders or center consoles. Its enclosed wheelhouse extends your boating season into early spring and late autumn, making it a favorite in regions like the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, and Northern Europe.

When inspecting a pre-owned vessel or configuring a factory order, pay close attention to optional equipment packages. Features like a bow thruster, electric anchor windlass, shore power circuit with battery charger, and hot water heater turn this compact boat from a simple day boat into a genuinely self-sufficient weekend platform. Keeping up with routine outboard engine maintenance and annual anti-fouling treatments will keep operational costs predictable over years of ownership.

For families step-cycling up from open bowriders, or downsizers coming off larger flybridge yachts who want simplified maintenance, the Merry Fisher 795 delivers an ideal blend of manageable scale, fuel economy, and weather protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you easily tow the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 on a trailer?

Yes, but you need an appropriate towing vehicle. With a dry weight of around 2,150 kg plus engine, fuel, water, and trailer, the total towing weight sits near 3,000 kg (6,600 lbs). A full-size SUV, truck, or heavy-duty 4x4 capable of pulling 3.5 tons is required for highway transport.

What is the top speed of the Merry Fisher 795 with a 200 HP engine?

When powered by a standard 200 HP outboard engine (such as a Yamaha or Mercury), the Merry Fisher 795 reaches a top speed of approximately 32 to 34 knots under light to moderate loads in calm sea conditions.

Is the Merry Fisher 795 safe for coastal sea conditions?

Yes, the boat is CE certified under Category C for up to 9 people. This rating indicates it is engineered and tested to safely handle coastal conditions, bays, and estuaries in winds up to Beaufort Force 6 and wave heights up to 2 meters (6.5 feet).

How many people can comfortably sleep onboard?

The boat comfortably sleeps up to four adults: two in the forward V-berth cabin and two on the converted dinette double berth located inside the main salon wheelhouse.

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