Beneteau First 47.7 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 460 L (121.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 47.7 measures 14.69m (48.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 at 14.42m (47.3ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Beneteau First 47.7 is 0.27m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 47.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.93 and 105.0 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 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 47.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 47.7 provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L 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 47.7 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 47.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 47.7 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490