Emerging from Groupe Beneteau’s Island Cruising Concept and conceived as a ‘floating villa’, Jeanneau’s Sea Loft 480 represents a completely new range for the French shipyard.

Targeted at private owners, charter companies, seaside resorts and waterfront hotels, the two-level CE Category B yacht drawn by Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group has an overall length of 48ft 9in, a 14ft 9in beam and a shallow draft of just 21 inches (53cm). It’s based on a ‘monomaran’ platform, with twin hulls aft merging into a monohull design for the forward third of the boat.

Designed for slow cruising, the yacht can be powered by either two 45hp Yanmar diesel engines or 10kW Fischer Panda pod electric motors. A dozen Marlex solar panels covering the roof can generate up to 4.8kW, assisting with propulsion and powering onboard systems.

The shoebox-shaped interior starts almost from the aft end of the boat, save for a narrow, full-beam swim platform spanning the hulls and tunnel. A full-beam, widebody superstructure occupies the aft half of the boat, which can be completely enclosed. Conversely, all the side and aft windows can be opened, while the aft bulwarks can fold down to create waterside balconies and further open the interior to the elements.

The interior layout includes an aft saloon with facing sofas that can be fixed in different positions, while forward is a lengthways dining table to port that aligns parallel to a long galley on the starboard side.

Forward of the galley is a helm station that offers the skipper views through a central, three-sided windscreen zone, which includes a small daybed port side of the stairs to the accommodation. The lower deck has a symmetrical design and includes four double-berth cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom, or a three-cabin layout featuring a full-beam master suite forward.

On the main deck, each side passage starts with three steps up to a foredeck that includes a large central sunpad featuring a horizontal panel that can be angled upwards to create a forward-facing sofa. In the bow is an aft-facing sofa, with a central section that can be lifted to allow access to the crew cabin below.

The Sea Loft 480 features Groupe Beneteau’s Seanapps connected technology, which allows owners to monitor the condition of the boat and receive alerts and maintenance recommendations via the app. Seanapps can collect safety indicators including GPS, engine and battery status, and tank levels, navigation data such as speed, depth and distance, plus other information such as cabin temperature and humidity.

“From the moment you step aboard, the pace slows. Silent, environmentally respectful cruising, reassuring stability, open living spaces bathed in light … every detail invites you to unplug and relax, to reconnect with yourself, others and nature,” Jeanneau states.

“The Sea Loft embodies a new generation of silent, environmentally respectful cruising. With electric power and clever energy management, you can enjoy the sea without noise, without hassle, and without stress. In short: you can fully experience each moment of your vacation.”

jeanneau.com