The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 is a new design replacing the previous 39i model. Featured at the Annapolis Boat Show, the new design, starting at $195,000, already has 28 on order. This new review on Boats.com gives a detailed overview of the exterior and interior, but did not subject the boat to a test sail. Overall, the review is positive – excerpts below.

On Deck
Focusing on safety when moving about, the 409 is all about uncluttered decks and few toe stubbers. Forward is a single-compartment, draining anchor locker that houses (and completely covers) an electric windlass. The hatches are flush-mounted, and all the control lines are led back from the mast in a channel under the deck that keeps them protected. Teak decks are an option.

There’s a nice flow when moving from the deck to the large cockpit where a centerline table with two leaves and a draining ice box separates two long benches with shallow storage lockers below. At the end of the table is a swiveling mount for a plotter/radar display, and there’s room for wind instruments, autopilot controls and two compasses on the twin wheel pedestals. One transom locker is deep to store such items as fenders; the other holds the propane. A liferaft locker is below the cockpit sole and just aft of the emergency tiller connection. It’s a very functional cockpit that might be found on a much larger boat.

Rig & Performance

Jeff Jorgensen, commercial product specialist at Jenneau America, describes the 409 as “really spirited under sail.” The fractional rig offers configuration choices including a self-tacking or overlapping jib (105%) and a regular or in-mast furling main. The performance sail plan offers an additional 150 square feet of sail area for a total of nearly 1,000 square feet, with a full-battened main and a large overlapping jib (140%). The jib sheet winches are within reach of each of the helms and the genoa tracks are either on the cabintop for the standard rig configuration or on deck for the performance option. A choice of standard (6’ 10”) or shoal (5’ 1”) keels is also available.

Layout & Accommodations

The Sun Odyssey 409 is available with two or three cabins and one or two heads. Of the 28 on order now, the vast majority of new owners have requested the two cabin, single head layout which affords them a large interior storage space aft on the port side. Accessed via a door in the head, this area can hold gear, tools or an optional genset. Because there is a cockpit locker above, this space is a weatherproof storage area and not accessible from the cockpit. Alternatively, this area forms the third cabin and matches the one on the starboard side.

To starboard is a well-laid out, L-shaped galley with twin sinks, a 12V refrigerator with a freezer compartment, a two-burner stove and oven, and ample drawers and storage. The table at the U-shaped settee in the saloon is the first of its kind, and it was a real point of conversation at the show. It can fold out at full height for dining, fold in half and lower for cocktails, or lower even farther to form a lounge area or berth. It glides on two tracks and is pushed up by a spring so making up the bed is just a matter of leaning on it and locking it. It’s a very clever and tidy design which will probably make it onto other Sun Odyssey models soon.

Read the full review at Boats.com.

Boats.com