2002 Beneteau First 40.7 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 — Comparison
2002 Beneteau First 40.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 460 L (121.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 at 14.42m (47.3ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is 2.23m longer than the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 displaces approximately 71% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.49 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 160L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490