Design and Construction
The Sun Odyssey 49 I Perf. reflects Briand's eye for a modern cruiser profile: a low, sleek white cabin top sits over a hull with a fine entry, ample freeboard, solid shoulders, and beam carried well aft forward-sloping coachroof is also easy to navigate. The nearly plumb bow carries twin bow rollers, and just aft of the anchor locker the design team worked in a deep sail locker for ground tackle and sails. Aft, a sugar-scoop stern with teak-trimmed steps eases the path to the cockpit, while easy-to-navigate side decks and good nonskid across the rounded coachroof corners make moving forward safe 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, with a Kingston Gray option that testers found an eye-catcher on the dock.
Rig and Handling
The performance package is what separates the Perf. from the standard 49 I: a cast-iron keel of 7 feet 9 inches and a mast a couple of feet taller than the standard rig performance package, which includes a 7-foot-9-inch cast-iron keel. The standard boat normally carries a 7-foot-1-inch keel, with a 5-foot-7-inch shoal-draft option for thinner water. Up top, a Sparcraft mast steps a 140-percent genoa on a Facnor furler, and all sail-control lines lead aft from the mast to rope clutches and winches on the cabin top, with the main sheet likewise led there. Primary winches sit slightly recessed just ahead of the twin leather-covered wheels. The standing rigging splits its loads sensibly: upper shrouds go to chainplates on the hull, while the lowers attach to a fitting beside the cabin house. A 75-horsepower Yanmar diesel moves the 27,783-pound displacement comfortably when the breeze fades.
Accommodations
Below, the boat earns its cruising credentials with exceptional liveable space and a large, well-lit saloon the interior of the Sun Odyssey 49i offers exceptional liveable space and luxurious comfort.. Six opening hatches and long cabin-house side windows flood the space with natural light and fresh air. The in-line galley to port pairs double sinks with fridge and freezer, and a centerline bench braces the cook while doubling as seating for the starboard U-shaped dinette. To starboard, the nav station is finished neatly and combined with a wine locker, beside a beautifully detailed chart table. Two interior layouts were offered: a three-cabin version with a large forward owner's stateroom that has separate head and shower enclosures, plus twin aft double cabins sharing a head; and a four-cabin, four-head arrangement whose forward panel removes to make one big cabin.
Refits and Ownership
Owners shopping a used example will find the deck layout already oriented to short-handed sailing, with all lines leading aft and an optional bow thruster available from the factory for tight quarters. An optional teak drop-leaf cockpit table extends the outdoor living space, and the injection-molded deck keeps maintenance predictable for a boat of this size.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 49 I Perf. is a thoughtfully laid-out cruiser that trades some draft for a taller rig and a deeper keel, without giving up the roomy, modern interior Jeanneau built the series around. Briand's hull form and the aft-led controls make her manageable, while the accommodation plans suit both private cruising and charter-derived resale.
Pros
- Performance rig with taller mast and 7'9" cast-iron keel over the standard 49 I
- All sail controls led aft to the cabin top for short-handed handling
- Bright, roomy three- or four-cabin interior with separate owner's head and shower
- Injection-molded deck for consistent construction and easy upkeep
Cons
- Deeper performance keel limits shallow anchorage access versus the shoal-draft option
