6 minutes read
06 Oct, 2026
Boating
Jeanneau EX 34: the new everyday motorboat that debuted at Cannes
The Jeanneau EX 34 is a new 10.4 metre outboard motorboat and the first model in Jeanneau’s all-new EX range, with the Hardtop version shown at the Cannes Yachting Festival from 8 to 13 September 2026. It comes as a Hardtop or a Cabin, and both versions have two cabins, a separate head and twin outboard engines. Jeanneau quotes speeds of up to around 40 knots. Burton Waters lists both versions among its new Jeanneau boats, with prices on application. In plain terms, this is Jeanneau’s attempt at a simpler, lighter and more open way to go boating. It is neither a Merry Fisher nor a Cap Camarat, and it sits somewhere between a fast day boat and a small weekender. Here is how it works, who it suits and what to ask before you order one.Jeanneau EX 34 at a glance
| Detail | EX 34 |
|---|---|
| Length overall | 10.40 m, or 10.66 m with options |
| Hull length | 9.95 m |
| Beam | 3.27 m |
| Versions | Hardtop and Cabin |
| Engines | Twin outboards; Burton Waters lists 2 x 300 hp for the Cabin and 2 x 300 hp or 2 x 350 hp for the Hardtop |
| Cruising speed quoted | 23 to 30 knots, depending on version and set-up |
| Top speed quoted | Up to around 40 knots |
| Range quoted | 150 to 180 nautical miles |
| Accommodation | Two cabins and a separate head; 4 berths on the Cabin and 4+2 on the Hardtop |
| Price at Burton Waters | On application |
What makes the EX 34 different from other Jeanneau motorboats
The EX 34 sits on its own deep-V hull rather than being a stretched version of an existing boat. Jeanneau describes Cap Camarat as sporty, Merry Fisher as liveable and versatile, TH as a spacious motor catamaran and DB as premium day boating, while EX is positioned around everyday, real-world use. That makes it a distinct choice within the range. Both versions share the same deck platform and a five-area layout. You have aft platforms, an aft cockpit, a central saloon with an integrated galley, a helm station and a forward lounge. The idea is that you move through the boat easily and use all of it, rather than living in one corner and treating the rest as storage. If you are new to the way Jeanneau has expanded its motor range, our guide to new powerboat models gives some useful background. You can also read the manufacturer’s own overview on the Jeanneau UK website.Hardtop or Cabin, which should you choose?
Choose the EX 34 Hardtop if you want open-air boating with a soft enclosure you can deploy when the weather turns. Choose the EX 34 Cabin if you want a fully glazed rigid wheelhouse, with heating and air conditioning available, and you plan to keep boating well into autumn. Both share the same hull, deck platform and two-cabin layout below. Picture a bright April morning running down the Deben from Woodbridge. On the EX 34 Hardtop you have the sun on the cockpit and the wind in your face, with a quick-deploy soft enclosure ready if a shower comes through. On the EX 34 Cabin you slide the large glass door closed behind you and stay warm, with a wheelhouse that turns the helm area into an indoor lounge once you stop. Neither is the better boat in absolute terms, and the right one depends on how you actually use your time on the water. If you are still working that out, our piece on whether a boat is right for you is a sensible place to start. It also helps to understand the different types of motorboats before you compare an open boat with an enclosed one.Performance, engines and what to treat with caution
The EX 34 uses a compact, lightweight deep-V hull designed to give confident seakeeping, and Jeanneau quotes speeds of up to around 40 knots. Burton Waters lists a cruising speed of 23 to 30 knots and a range of 150 to 180 nautical miles. That is a useful working envelope for coastal passages such as a run from the Orwell to a neighbouring East Coast harbour. A note of scepticism is sensible here. These are manufacturer and dealer figures for a boat that has only recently launched, and real numbers depend on load, sea state, trim, engine package and propeller choice. Treat them as a guide until you have been aboard and, ideally, seen the boat running. Twin 300 or 350 horsepower outboards also mean real fuel use, so build that into your budget. Our guide to the ongoing costs of owning a boat covers fuel, mooring, insurance and servicing in more detail. If you plan to use the Cabin well into the colder months, it is also worth reading the beginner’s guide to winterising your boat.Living aboard and overnight capability
Below deck you get two cabins and a separate head, with a fixed double berth forward and storage beneath it. The Hardtop is listed with 4+2 berths because the saloon can convert, while the Cabin is listed with 4. That is genuine overnight capability for a couple, or for a family with children, but it is not the accommodation of a larger weekender. If space for longer stays matters more than speed and open air, you may be better looking at the Merry Fisher range. The Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 shows how that range approaches practicality, and our beginner’s quick guide to boating is useful if you are stepping up from something much smaller.How much does the EX 34 cost in the UK?
Burton Waters lists the EX 34 Hardtop and Cabin with prices on application, because the final figure depends on engine choice, trim level and options. As a new pleasure craft bought in the UK to keep in the UK, VAT will normally be part of the purchase question, and GOV.UK guidance on sailing a pleasure craft within UK waters explains why VAT status matters. Always ask whether a quoted figure includes VAT. Options can move the price a long way, which is why a like-for-like quote matters. Ask for a written specification so you can compare two dealers honestly. These are the questions worth asking before you commit.| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does the price include VAT? | The headline figure can look very different once VAT is added |
| Which engines and electronics are included? | Engine choice changes both price and performance |
| What are delivery and commissioning costs? | These are often quoted separately |
| What is the build slot and delivery timing? | A 2027 model year boat may not arrive when you expect |
| What is the CE design category? | Confirm it suits the waters where you plan to cruise |
| What warranty applies? | Burton Waters describes Jeanneau's warranty as three years general cover and 10 years structural cover |