Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Elan |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.38 m (50.5 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 13.45 m (44.1 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.58 m (15.0 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 104.0 m² (1,119 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS was penned by Philippe Briand. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS measures 15.38m (50.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.58m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS is 1.53m longer than the 2015 Elan 450. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS displaces approximately 34% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.77 and 104.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 29.0% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS 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 2015 Elan 450 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: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS · 2015 Elan 450