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Sailboat JEANNEAU SUN ODYSSEY 490 15.07m review
Sailing yacht · 49 ft (15 m) · Portisco
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- JEANNEAU
- Model
- SUN ODYSSEY 490
- Length
- 49 ft (15 m)
- Guests
- 10
- Cabins
- 4
Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 490 is a well-balanced cruiser with modern styling, strong charter appeal, and a practical 4-cabin layout. Its sail plan and wide beam favor comfort and space, while the 80 hp engine and 63-gallon fuel tank suit coastal cruising and marina handling. It is less about sporty edge than easy, spacious passa
Pros
- +Spacious 4-cabin, 4-bath charter layout
- +Modern cockpit and bright interior volume
- +80 hp engine provides better low-speed power than the standard unit
- +Good equipment fit for cruising: autopilot, GPS, radar
Cons
- −The listed 49 ft length is overstated; the model is about 47 ft 3 in LOA
- −Wide, beamy cruiser is more comfort-focused than performance-oriented
- −Fuel capacity is adequate but not especially large for extended motoring
- −Big-boat systems and size can feel less nimble in tight harbors
Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern production cruiser designed around easy sailing, a large cockpit, and strong living space below. The verified LOA is about 47 ft 3 in, not 49 ft, and that size, plus the broad beam, gives it a substantial platform without pushing it into full-performance territory.
Under sail, the 490 is generally praised as a stable, user-friendly cruiser with a generous sail plan and good balance for coastal and bluewater passages. The 80 hp Yanmar installed on this unit is a meaningful upgrade from the standard 57 hp, especially for maneuvering, motoring in light air, and handling heavier charter loads.
Comfort is one of its main strengths: a 4-cabin, 4-bath configuration for 10 guests is well matched to charter use, and the air conditioning and Wi-Fi further support short-term rental appeal. The layout is best judged as practical and spacious rather than luxurious in a superyacht sense.
On value, the Sun Odyssey 490 makes sense for buyers or charter operators who want a proven, adaptable family cruiser with strong resale and broad market recognition. It is not the sharpest-handling boat in its class, but it offers a very solid blend of space, equipment, and manageable sailing qualities.
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