This 40-foot-5-inch deck-saloon cruiser uses the proven hull of the earlier Sun Odyssey 409, while its looks and concept closely follow the larger 44 DS. Philippe Briand shaped the architecture and hull lineage. Franck Darnet, Flahault Design, and Jeanneau’s own design office developed the deck-saloon styling and interior. The result was a boat Jeanneau never offered in any other version.
Design and Construction
On a 40-foot-5-inch hull, the 41 DS carries a 13-foot-1-inch beam, giving it a high beam-to-length ratio. An idiosyncratic gray stripe runs above the coachroof windows and looks a little like an eyebrow.
Large windows and a slightly elevated saloon bring plenty of light below. Even so, this isn’t a true deck saloon: when seated in the saloon, you can’t see out. That distinction separates the 41 DS conceptually from the pure deck-saloon breed.
The folding transom remains secure at sea and opens into a large bathing platform at anchor, albeit a small one even with the fold-out ladder deployed. In the cockpit, curved handholds forward of the wheels and a moulded table with grabrails on top provide real security in a seaway. Each helm position is contained by the wheel forward, the coaming outboard, and the pushpit seating rail aft.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
Buyers could choose between a self-tacking jib and a 108-percent genoa. Test sailors found the boat very easy to sail short-handed or even singlehanded.
Everything needed is immediately at hand beside the twin wheels: mainsheet, jibsheet, backstay, instruments, plotter, and engine controls. The feel at the wheel wasn’t sensational, but testers attributed that to the hydraulic autopilot ram, which is a useful addition on a cruising boat.
Performance was respectable above a beam reach. Below that angle, a Code Zero or cruising chute would help maintain passage speeds without resorting to the engine. The builder describes the boat as combining responsive sailing with relaxation. Its 25.89 ballast-displacement ratio, with 5,005 pounds of iron ballast in a 19,335-pound hull, gives it a sure footing.
Accommodations
The two-cabin, two-head layout sleeps four in comfort. A spacious owner’s cabin aft has a private head and shower, along with plenty of stowage. Forward, the comfortable VIP guest cabin has its own head compartment.
The saloon is large and bathed in light from the huge coachroof windows, while the galley also provides plenty of stowage. Jeanneau positioned the boat as offering the luxury of a 45-foot sailboat. The elevated saloon, generous cockpit, and two en suite cabins with very decent stowage make a convincing case for a couple—or two couples—who want to cruise without a charter-style compromise.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 41 DS is a thoughtfully executed, deck-saloon-style cruiser. It trades true saloon sightlines for a lighter, more open interior, all built over a proven hull. Easy handling, comfortable accommodations for four, and a successful underlying platform make it a sensible used-market target for couples who want volume without needing a crew.
Pros
- Proven Sun Odyssey 409 hull with a responsive sailing character
- Huge aft owner’s cabin and forward VIP cabin, both en suite
- Easy short-handed handling, with all controls at the wheels
- Folding transom and light-filled, elevated saloon
Cons
- Not a true deck saloon: there’s no outward view when seated in the saloon
- Small bathing platform, even with the ladder deployed
- According to testers, the hydraulic autopilot ram dulls the feel at the wheel
