Designed for longer crossings, the 490 combines seaworthy qualities with a high quality of life aboard.
Design and Construction
The hull is an infused sandwich with a balsa core and has a protective barrier coat to stave off blistering. The deck is injection-molded using Jeanneau’s proprietary Prisma process. It also has a balsa core, producing an exceptionally light structure while maintaining the necessary strength.
Full-length chines run along the topsides roughly 40 centimeters above the waterline. Above them, near-vertical surfaces meet the deck at a broad chamfer. The bow section is visibly wide, and the maximum beam of 4.5 meters carries all the way aft to the transom.
Interior weight has been kept low and within 1.5 meters of the keel, while storage sits close to the centerline. Fabric panels on the bulkheads and countertops help deaden noise, and the forward cabin has additional sound insulation. Removable inspection hatches in the floorboards use stainless steel pins to wedge them tightly in place and prevent rattling.
Rig, Deck and Handling
The 490’s walk-around deck concept lets a crew member leave the cockpit and reach the foredeck without stepping over coamings. From amidships, the side decks slope down to transom level, where they meet the cockpit sole. This arrangement provides the security of a bulwark when leaving the cockpit and lowers the deck to reduce the risk of a boom strike. When the boat sails to windward, large deck drains handle water that collects in the enclosed aft quarters.
The rig has a double-spreader aluminum mast, stainless steel 1x19 wire and a double backstay. The lower D1 and cap shrouds terminate at separate chainplates, leaving an unobstructed route forward along the wide side decks. A Code 0 flies from a composite sprit, which also carries the anchor forward of the plumb bow.
In testing, the boat pointed as high as 35 degrees. With the in-mast furling mainsail, it settled at 8.1 knots in 15 knots of breeze at 60 degrees. Rolling out the Code 0 produced 9.1 knots with a finger on the helm.
Twin rudders with self-aligning bearings contribute to responsive, easy handling despite the boat’s size. A 57-horsepower Yanmar is standard, with an 80-horsepower engine available.
Accommodations and Cockpit
The 490 feels remarkably spacious throughout. Layouts range from two to five cabins, with two or three heads. The stateroom arrangements change, but the saloon, galley and navigation desk remain the same.
The standard owner’s cabin forward is a true parental suite. It has a 2.0 by 1.6 meter island berth, copious storage, hanging lockers and private access to separate shower and heads compartments. Centrally positioned bookshelves incorporate a television, while plenty of light and ventilation keep the cabin open and airy.
Aft, the two double cabins are roomy and receive plenty of light. The spacious saloon seats six around its table, with a pull-out bench that stows securely below while sailing. The fully equipped galley wraps around the cook and includes a huge refrigerator accessible from both the top and side.
Under way, the cockpit is well protected and secure. It also converts into a lounge: the collapsible coamings lift out to form sun pads, and a filler cushion bridges the space to the offset drop-leaf table.
Equipment and Ownership
Buyers can specify in-mast furling, electric winches and a performance package with tri-radial Mylar sails and an adjustable high-modulus backstay. The sub-100-horsepower engine choice also keeps 360-Degree Joystick Docking available.
The forward sail locker in the bow can hold an inflatable dinghy and extra sails. A swim platform, built-in liferaft stowage aft and SEANAPPS technology complete the modern cruising package.
Known Issues
One test sailor noted that the fixed wooden brace on the cockpit sole would be better as a retractable unit, reducing the risk of tripping over it when it isn’t needed.
On another trial, a small rigging issue prevented the boom from being sheeted onto the centerline—a reminder that rig tuning deserves attention.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 490 is a thoughtfully engineered flagship that reworks the cruising deck around secure, coaming-free movement and a convertible cockpit without sacrificing a roomy, light-filled interior. Its handling under sail and power is forgiving for a boat of this size, while modern infusion and molding methods keep the structure light yet stiff.
Pros
- Walk-around side decks without coaming steps improve foredeck access and safety
- Spacious flagship interior with a true owner’s suite
- Saloon and galley remain consistent across the available layouts
- Infused balsa-sandwich hull with a barrier coat, plus a Prisma-molded deck, provides a light, strong structure
- Twin rudders and responsive handling make this 49-footer easy to handle
Cons
- Fixed cockpit-sole brace presents a tripping hazard when the cockpit is used for lounging
- Small rigging issues can prevent the boom from being sheeted onto the centerline until corrected
