Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Jeanneau staked an early claim to the deck-saloon concept with the Sun Odyssey 50 DS, and its execution reads as a mature interpretation rather than an experiment. The hull is the same Briand design used under the SO 49i, but the key difference is the saloon: in the DS it gains a U-shaped dining area to starboard, a settee to port with a sideboard and nav desk aft of it, and a galley half a step down to starboard that doubles as the passage aft to the owner or twin-double staterooms. Cruising World's tester noted that the designers kept the deckhouse profile over the raised saloon relatively low and elevated the cockpit a little, moves which delivered a surprisingly clear view forward when seated behind the wheel while also enhancing the roominess belowdecks.

Sturdy construction underpins that refinement, and the streamlined keel and appendices were shaped for excellent performance at sea. The comfortable, modern interior belongs to a new generation of Sun Odyssey, and the raised sole amidships opens the primary living spaces while preserving usable stowage beneath.

Rig and Handling

The standard sailplan is electrically assisted and easy to manage: a furling genoa and a Quantum battenless mainsail set on a Facnor in-mast furler, with a hollow-leeched main that trades some boatspeed for convenience, plus a standard 140 percent genoa on a roller-furler. For higher performance, the builder offers a slab-reefed main with a full-roach leech. Two Harken electric genoa winches mounted near the helm handle any headsail, and aided by electric winches an active sailor can comfortably tack the 50 DS single handed while the crew relaxes in the commodious cockpit.

Under power, the standard 75-horsepower Yanmar pushed the boat to more than 9 knots at 3,600 rpm, with 7.2 knots at 2,000 rpm feeling tranquil; the tested optional 100-horsepower diesel drove it to hull speed with throttle to spare. The turning circle was just under one boatlength, and backing down in reverse was straightforward. Sailing in 11 knots of wind produced 6.3 knots on the wind with a steady feel to the helm, while moderately light displacement helps make it fast in light winds.

Accommodations

The Deck Saloon layout caught on with Jeanneau's customers for good reason. The three-part cockpit carries twin steering wheels and an open-air saloon with bench seating around a generously sized cockpit table, plus an additional lounge area for relaxing underway. Below, the builder offers a choice of three interior layouts, including an owner's cabin aft with a double berth forward suited to two couples, and two doubles aft among the options.

Storage is generous for cruising or charter use: numerous on-deck stowage spaces, a big lazaret, and a huge forward sail locker that swallows fenders, sails, and awnings. The nav table holds a chartbook or folded paper chart, with an expansive countertop ahead for spreading documents and space behind the nav seat for a flat-screen monitor, while the chartplotter sits at the helm where it belongs.

Equipment and Cockpit Detail

Large winches and a powerful electric windlass facilitate handling, and the optional bow thruster reduces docking anxiety in a stiff crosswind. The three-part cockpit and twin wheels reflect current trends while keeping the helm station compact and the sightlines open. An optional bow thruster is a convenience worth noting for any owner trading up from a smaller vessel.

The Verdict

The Sun Odyssey 50 DS is a thoughtfully executed deck-saloon cruiser: a proven Briand hull wrapped in a low-profile saloon that delivers light-air speed, single-handed-friendly electric handling, and a convertible interior with serious stowage. It is a boat built to be lived aboard and sailed short-handed without drama.

Pros