Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Oyster |
| Year | 2019 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 460 L (121.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 measures 14.42m (47.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is 0.40m longer than the 2004 Oyster 46. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.99 and 98.0 m² of sail area. The 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 46 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: 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.