BoatsJeanneau Cap 540

Jeanneau Cap 540

Fractional Sloop · Long Keel w/trans. Hung Rudder · First built 1986

A 1986 fractional sloop with a long keel and shallow draft, designed for stable, shoal-water coastal cruising

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Long Keel w/trans. Hung Rudder

See her sail

The Jeanneau Cap 540, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Leading the Escapade

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

TrailerableBeam 2.35 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 680 kg of hull, so roughly 1,300 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 680 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draught shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draughtDraws 0.64 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a beamy beam gives 9 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 9
CoastalBluewater

At 2.70 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.70
LightHeavy

152 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 152

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Draws less than ~77% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~89% of boats her size on file

Compared with 53 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 2 times across 2 channels of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Jeanneau Cap 540 on video

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
Displacement / length
151.7
Comfort ratio
9.1
Capsize screening
2.70
Hull speed
5.4 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
452
Hull
Hull type
Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1986
Builder
Jeanneau

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Jeanneau Cap 450A lightweight fractional sloop with a shallow 0.45m draft and long keel, designed for easy handling in shoal watersJeanneau CaptainA 1968 fractional sloop with a keel-centreboard hull, uniquely offered in power-only, sail-only, or hybrid versionsJeanneau Cape BretonA lightweight 1970 fractional sloop with a centerboard, designed for nimble performance in shoal water

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