The big sister of the Sun Odyssey 41 DS, and later superseded by the 44 DS, the 45 DS remains a competent, well-rounded and homely cruiser. Its priorities are stability, comfort at sea, easy handling and ample living space.
Design and Construction
The 45 DS has a voluminous hull of solid fiberglass laminate, with a liner that spreads the loads from the keel and rig. Dockside, its raised coachroof gave testers an impression of vast interior volume.
Its overall lines are leaner and lower than those of many earlier deck-saloon boats, particularly where the cabin roof flows into the cockpit coaming. The design has also lost the “bubble” effect seen on older Jeanneaus. Its cat’s-eye windows are larger than those on the bigger 54 DS, while the low-profile coachroof leaves a large working area on the foredeck.
Moulded GRP decks provide good grip, and a teak toerail helps keep feet securely on deck. The joinery remained in good condition after several years of use.
The aft cockpit has a raised floor, creating headroom for either a generous aft owner’s cabin or two double cabins. Inside, the elevated saloon floor provides excellent eye-level visibility, with copious storage bins beneath the floorboards.
Rig, Sailing and Engine Performance
The 45 DS carries a 9/10 fractional Z-Spars rig with two sets of swept-back spreaders and a hydraulically adjustable split backstay. The sail plan includes a powerful, fully battened mainsail and a large overlapping genoa.
All lines are led aft, including the single-line slab reefs. The mainsheet is forward of the companionway, keeping the cockpit clear. However, the high boom means a couple of mast steps are needed to reach the head of the sail.
During testing off Les Sables, Cruising World recorded the boat coursing upwind at an effortless 7 knots in a moderate breeze. At 15–20 degrees of heel, she was very well mannered. Beyond that, some weather helm developed, and when pushed hard in stronger gusts she showed a slight tendency to round up into the wind.
Off the wind, the boat sat up and accelerated while remaining well controlled. In light conditions, she handled like a much smaller boat. One owner welcomed the performance rig and deeper-keel option, and the test boat had that configuration, providing plenty of power even in light airs.
Under power, a 54hp Yanmar drove the boat at 6 knots at 2,000rpm and 7.5 knots flat out.
Cockpit and Deck Handling
The forward mainsheet helps keep the cockpit clear, but leading every line aft results in a great deal of rope on deck. With no dedicated storage, this became something of a snakes’ wedding. Rope bags would have helped; the later 41 DS and 44 DS gained rope bins in the cockpit sole.
Some sailors may find the cockpit exposed, and getting to the pontoon while berthing could be difficult for anyone with limited flexibility or speed. A narrow ledge outside the cockpit coaming also calls for caution.
The high boom and forward mainsheet create another practical drawback: mast steps are needed to zip up the sail cover.
Accommodation
Large windows and pale woodwork make the interior feel bright and spacious. Hull ports provide views from the saloon table, while recessed grabrails run the length of the saloon.
Jeanneau offered the 45 DS with either two or three cabins. In the two-cabin version, a full-width owner’s cabin aft creates a palatial hideaway, although total berths are limited to four. The three-cabin layout instead has a pleasant, private forward owner’s cabin with an en-suite heads and a separate shower. Its two aft cabins are rather cave-like, though hatches opening into the cockpit bring in daylight.
The L-shaped galley is tucked out of the way and includes two fridges, a double sink and a freezer. This arrangement lets the cook work without blocking the main thoroughfare, while the companionway steps provide useful bracing.
The forward-facing chart table has a comfortable seat, but it lacks adequate bracing for offshore navigation on port tack. Its contoured surface also restricts the space available for paper charts.
The saloon table seats at least six. Beside the chart table, a “juke box” locker conceals a mirror-lined drinks cabinet.
Access and Practical Details
Curved companionway steps lift on gas struts to provide engine access. Although the seacocks are tucked away, each has its own access hatch, and the hinged electrical switch panel is easy to reach. The batteries are stowed in the aft cabins.
Overall, the boat is very well thought out for a couple to handle easily. It is more than capable of cruising UK waters, the Mediterranean or the trade winds.
Known Issues
The main drawbacks are practical rather than fundamental. With every line led aft but no rope bins, the deck can become cluttered. The high boom and forward mainsheet require mast steps for managing the sail cover and reaching the sail’s head.
Some sailors may also find the cockpit exposed and the handling too tender in a real blow. Beyond 20 degrees of heel, weather helm increases, and the boat may round up when pressed in strong gusts. Berthing access can be awkward for less agile crew, the narrow ledge outside the cockpit coaming warrants care, and the chart-table seat lacks offshore bracing.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 45 DS is a high-volume cruiser with ample room for living aboard. It combines the brightness and eye-level views of a deck-saloon layout with a responsive hull that performs well in light airs.
Competent, well-rounded and homely, it should suit couples who want open visibility, useful storage and generous accommodation in a monohull.
Pros
- Elevated saloon floor provides eye-level visibility and copious storage beneath the floorboards
- Lean, low deck-saloon profile, with larger cat’s-eye windows than the 54 DS
- Effortless 7-knot upwind performance and well-mannered handling at up to 20 degrees of heel
- Bright, spacious interior, with a practical three-cabin layout and L-shaped galley
- Easy engine access through gas-strut companionway steps and good access to the hinged switch panel
Cons
- Lines led aft without rope bins create deck clutter
- Tender beyond 20 degrees of heel, with increasing weather helm and a tendency to round up in gusts
- Chart table lacks offshore bracing, and the cockpit can feel exposed
- High boom and forward mainsheet require mast steps for sail handling
