Jeanneau Sun Fast 36 (1993) • Sailboat • 37 ft • 12 pers • Hyères

Come aboard my Jeanneau Sun Fast 36, a racer-cruiser just over 11 metres that has the rare quality of never making you choose between fun and performance. Built by Jeanneau, the Sun Fast belongs to the yard's "performance" line: a seaworthy hull, a generous sail plan, and a well-balanced, forgiving character that makes every leg feel alive without ever becoming demanding. Under spinnaker in a steady 15 knots of mistral, she takes off with a real touch of madness; on an easy downwind run toward the islands, she turns back into a gentle, reassuring cruiser. Below decks, the bright, light-filled layout lets several people live comfortably on board: a welcoming saloon, cabins for family or friends, a functional galley, and a heads. It's a boat I chose precisely for that — sporty enough to enjoy at the helm, comfortable enough to head off for several days with the family in complete peace of mind. The boat is carefully maintained and fully equipped for safety (offshore/coastal safety gear, VHF, tender). Bareboat charter (without skipper): I entrust her to experienced sailors who hold the required licence and are comfortable with a yacht of this type. Optional extras: GPS tablet with up-to-date charts Spinnaker (asymmetric, symmetric, or both) 2 paddleboards Bed linen + towels About the area — the Giens peninsula and the Îles d'Or (Golden Isles). You cast off and, in less than an hour's sailing, you're already in paradise. Porquerolles is just a stone's throw away — anchor in the Bay of La Courtade or off Plage d'Argent, turquoise water, a quiet sundowner, then dinner in the village. A little further out, Port-Cros and its national park offer stunning underwater scenery (mask and snorkel recommended), and the Île du Levant completes the trio of the Îles d'Or. Insider tips: an end-of-day stop at the Langoustier anchorage off Porquerolles, the light over the bay of Hyères, and — for the food lovers — the restaurants in Porquerolles village. Watersports enthusiasts will also recognise l'Almanarre right nearby.