We love fishing from center consoles, but as the market shifted in that direction many manufacturers ceased building walkarounds and cuddy cabin boats altogether. These days they’re few and far between, which can make it tough to find the ideal fishing machine if you also need it to be the ideal family boat and overnighter. So, what’s an angler with ankle-biters or aspirations for weekending at foreign ports to do? Check out the Jeanneau Leader 6.5 WA.
Wait a sec, doesn’t Jeanneau build snailbotes?! Well, yes, they do. They also happen to have been building fiberglass powerboats since 1960, have set several powerboat speed and endurance records through the years, and are part of the massive Groupe Beneteau — which also builds Wellcraft, Scarab, Four Winns, and Prestige. Considering that they offer six lines of motorized marine machines including 25 different models, we can forgive them for knocking out a few hulls that are incapable of supporting internal combustion, right? Besides, once you take a look at the Leader 6.5 WA you might have a tough time turning away.
Since that cuddy cabin is going to be the main attraction for a lot of folks, let’s take a peek in there first. Most of it is dedicated to what technically is a V-berth, but the term sells it short. The cabin retains most of the boat’s beam relatively far forward and berths extend aft to either side, so it’s really more of a U-berth with a point at the front. A lift-out center section houses the head. Tall anglers will be happy to note that while the forward section is tucked under a flush foredeck — awesome on the angling front as compared to trying to fish from a foot-wide walkaround — the aft section rises up with the helm and entry so you won’t have to imitate Napoleon to get inside. And Jeanneau uses a windshield frame that rises above the windshield itself and incorporates a grab rail, so you’ll always have a good handhold when going in and out.
The gunwales house a pair of flush-mount rodholders, which can be complemented by adding rail-mounts on the ski mast or vertical racks on the transom. Cockpit seating can be either L- or U-shaped, though on fishing days you’ll want to leave the drop-in extension in the garage to maximize deck space. Same goes for the bow cushion; it may be great having a big sunpad up on the bow when you’re family boating, but when it’s time to fish you’ll want a casting deck with firm fiberglass underfoot.
The Leader 6.5 WA is the smallest boat in the Leader lineup, yet there are some other important features to note that give it a leg up over the average rough-and-tumble center console. It has a 13-gallon freshwater system with a cockpit shower, which will work equally well for rinsing off rods and reels or rinsing off the kids after a dip in the Bay. There are extended swim platforms on either side of the outboard. And speaking of outboards, even with the smaller powerplant option (you can choose 150 or 200 horses) you’ll see top-end speeds in the 40-mph range and a cruise of over 30.
Sure, we love those center consoles. But for some fishing families the lack of a cabin can be a deal-killer. And in this case a fishable flush bow and a castable cockpit make the Jeanneau Leader 6.5 WA a killer deal.
Jeanneau Leader 6.5 WA Specifications
- LOA – 22’6”
- Beam – 8’2”
- Displacement – 2650 lbs.
- Draft – 1’8”
- Transom Deadrise – 17 degrees
- Fuel Capacity – 45 gal.
- Max. Power – 200 hp
- Area Dealers – Rudy Marine, Dagsboro DE, (302) 945-2254