Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 vs Bavaria 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 | Bavaria 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2019 | 2002–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 460 L (121.5 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and Bavaria 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Bavaria 44 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was penned by Philippe Briand. The Bavaria 44 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 measures 14.42m (47.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the Bavaria 44 at 13.55m (44.5ft) with a 4.18m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is 0.87m longer than the Bavaria 44. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.99 and 98.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Bavaria 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and 31.4% for the Bavaria 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Bavaria 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 230L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 44 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 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: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 · Bavaria 44