The Jeanneau SO 319 was introduced a couple of years ago but we haven’t had the chance to do a review until now. Given the state of the economy, it makes some sense to have a look at a cruising boat that might meet a wide range of sailing-family’s budgets. As Lin and Larry Pardey used to say, “Go small and go now.”
The thing about the 319, though it is a huge 31-footer, with a large comfortable cockpit, wide side decks and open deck space forward, it’s hard to see just how Jeanneau managed this. But they did. Two design features certainly enable this result. First, the chine in the aft section of the hull adds volume as well as enhanced sailing capability. And, second, the 319’s maximum beam is carried well aft so the boat has a very broad transom, broad enough to make twin rudders a necessity. Read More
