Produced by Jeanneau along with French naval architect Jacques Fauroux, Italian designer Vittorio Garroni,  they conjured up a striking Sailing Yacht – 54DS. High freeboard and a maximum beam of nearly 16 feet created the volume necessary for a truly spacious interior. The result is an elegant performance cruiser, just what you are looking for to charter in Croatia.

There is ample cockpit storage, including a dedicated life-raft locker that houses a lightweight valise-type raft and a propane locker that holds two bottles. Additional locker space is under each seat, and these lockers also provide access to the steering systems.

Interior is an airy, spacious saloon with sumptuous settees and elegant chairs rimming a lovely teak table to starboard and a minibar to port. The trade-off is in storage; for a 54-foot boat, storage is only adequate, especially considering the bulky items that passagemaking requires. Nice touches including foldaway shades, recessed halogen lights, superb ventilation with 12 opening hatches, lateral overhead windows for natural light, and even a handy coffee table contribute to the overall ambiance. The C-shaped galley is to port of the companionway, but beware of the step down. There’s plenty of counter space, more than in most small apartments, and it’s encircled by a handsome fiddle. You can access the large 12-volt refrigeration/freezer from the top or through a front-loading door. There’s a stainless-steel microwave and a four-burner stove/oven with a crash bar that can also support a harness. Food storage is outboard, in decent-sized lockers, while the cutlery is housed in drawers below the sink.

The nav station is opposite the galley. The curved seat keeps the navigator on an even keel when heeled. A once-folded chart can be spread on the wraparound nav table that also has a cutout for a laptop. The electrical panel is outboard, and there’s room for repeaters. A deep wet locker is located behind the nav seat. Access to the house batteries is beneath the floorboards between the galley and nav station. The electrical system includes both 12- and 24-volt systems (for the bow thruster and if the headsail furling is powered up) and 220-volt shore power as well.