Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
2008 Contest 50CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2019 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 460 L (121.5 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 measures 14.42m (47.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 2008 Contest 50CS is 0.83m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490. The 2008 Contest 50CS displaces approximately 38% 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 2008 Contest 50CS, with an SA/D of 16.92 and 108.0 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 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, 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 2008 Contest 50CS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L water and 450L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Contest 50CS 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.