2013 Beneteau Sense 50 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 — Comparison
2013 Beneteau Sense 50
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2013–2018 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.42 m (50.6 ft) | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) |
| LWL | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.70 m (15.4 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 460 L (121.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 measures 15.42m (50.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.70m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 at 14.42m (47.3ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 is 1.00m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.36 and 105.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 28.6% for the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 and 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.