Beneteau First 44.7 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 460 L (121.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 at 14.42m (47.3ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is 0.94m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 44.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 44.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 44.7 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 44.7 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau First 44.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 44.7 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490