Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 vs Bavaria 50 Cruiser — Comparison
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 | Bavaria 50 Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2019 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 460 L (121.5 gal) | 530 L (140.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and Bavaria 50 Cruiser represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Bavaria 50 Cruiser is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was penned by Philippe Briand. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser was designed by Farr Yacht 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 50 Cruiser at 15.40m (50.5ft) with a 4.55m beam. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser is 0.98m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser displaces approximately 17% 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 50 Cruiser, with an SA/D of 18.89 and 108.0 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 50 Cruiser has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and 32.1% for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser, 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 50 Cruiser offers 10 berths in 5 cabins with 530L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 50 Cruiser 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: 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 490 · Bavaria 50 Cruiser