Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49 I Perf. Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Briand gave the Sun Odyssey 49 I Perf. the profile of a modern cruiser. A low, sleek white cabin top sits above a hull with a fine entry, ample freeboard, solid shoulders, and beam carried well aft. The forward-sloping coachroof is also easy to navigate.

The nearly plumb bow has twin bow rollers. Just aft of the anchor locker, the design team incorporated a deep sail locker for ground tackle and sails. At the other end of the boat, a sugar-scoop stern with teak-trimmed steps provides easy access to the cockpit. Easy-to-navigate side decks and good nonskid across the rounded coachroof corners make it safer to move forward in a seaway.

The “i” in the model name denotes the injection-molded deck, a construction step Jeanneau adopted to keep panel consistency and weight down. The standard hull came in white gelcoat, while testers described the optional Kingston Gray finish as an eye-catcher at the dock.

Rig, Machinery, and Handling

The performance package distinguishes the Perf. from the standard 49 I. It includes a mast a couple of feet taller than the standard rig and a 7-foot-9-inch cast-iron keel. The standard boat normally has a 7-foot-1-inch keel, while a 5-foot-7-inch shoal-draft option serves sailors headed for thinner water.

A Sparcraft mast carries a 140-percent genoa on a Facnor furler. All sail-control lines run aft from the mast to rope clutches and winches on the cabin top, and the mainsheet is led there as well. The primary winches sit slightly recessed just ahead of the twin leather-covered wheels.

The standing rigging divides its loads between two attachment points. The upper shrouds lead to chainplates on the hull, while the lowers attach to a fitting beside the cabin house. When the wind fades, a 75-horsepower Yanmar diesel drives the boat’s 27,783-pound displacement comfortably.

Cockpit and Deck Layout

The deck layout is set up for short-handed sailing, with the sail controls led aft. A factory-optional bow thruster assists in tight quarters. An optional teak drop-leaf cockpit table adds useful outdoor living space, while the sugar-scoop stern and teak-trimmed steps simplify access between the water and cockpit.

Accommodations

Below, the boat delivers exceptional liveable space and luxurious comfort, with a large, well-lit saloon. Six opening hatches and long cabin-house side windows bring in plenty of natural light and fresh air.

The in-line galley to port has double sinks, a fridge, and a freezer. A centerline bench gives the cook something to brace against and also serves as seating for the U-shaped dinette to starboard. Also to starboard, the neatly finished navigation station includes a wine locker beside a beautifully detailed chart table.

Jeanneau offered two interior layouts. The three-cabin version has a large forward owner’s stateroom with separate head and shower enclosures, plus two aft double cabins that share a head. The alternative is a four-cabin, four-head arrangement; its forward dividing panel can be removed to create one large cabin.

Used-Boat Ownership

Used-boat shoppers will find a deck layout already suited to short-handed sailing. The injection-molded deck also keeps maintenance predictable for a boat of this size. Factory options included the bow thruster and teak drop-leaf cockpit table.

The Verdict

The Sun Odyssey 49 I Perf. is a thoughtfully arranged cruiser that accepts greater draft in exchange for a taller rig and deeper keel, without giving up the roomy, modern interior around which Jeanneau built the series. Briand’s hull form and the aft-led controls make the boat manageable, while the choice of accommodation plans suits both private cruising and charter-derived resale.

Pros