Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 439: Review

In the case of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 439, which was being replaced by the 449, it was the latter option that the French manufacturer was taking. The 449 is actually a modified 439.

The modifications include the great fold-down swim platform you see here as well as a modified companionway, and a bowsprit with a single roller fairlead and provision for running a gennaker or Code Zero, which effectively makes the boat longer and hence the 449 nomenclature.

Which brings us the particular boat on this test. The test boat, as we understand it, was ordered as a standard 439 but as luck would have it, the production team at Jeanneau was gearing up for the launch of the 449 at the time the boat was slotted to be built, so what transpired is this hybrid 439/449 with all the attributes of the 449 save for the bowsprit. And one very happy owner.

PRICING AND EQUIPMENT
- Interesting inclusions… and some deletions
In these days of semi-custom production boats it’s interesting to see how owners set up their boats for their personal sailing needs. Stepping onto this well-specified Jeanneau, we noted a few things instantly, ‘normal’ slab reefing was one.

When I mentioned to him that on a lot of boats of this ilk we see in-mast or in-boom furling, he commented: "I’ve sailed all over the world and haven’t found a need for that fancy stuff so we’re keeping it simple." Fair enough too.

I also noted a full suite of B&G instruments, which got a nod of approval, and an interesting aerial hanging off the port side of the bimini frame – wifi we were to find out later.

Having just installed a TV on my own boat I was interested to see which aerial system he was using. However I was told that he had intentionally not opted to go for TV on this boat. "I’ve got four kids, and when I take them sailing, I don’t want them sitting down there watching tele," he said.

Other options on the boat included the Premiere Trim Level which includes GRP bowsprit with integrated stainless-steel anchor roller, midship cleats, LED navigation lights, Fusion RA2015 with Bluetooth, Bose speaker system in the saloon, cockpit speakers, extra batteries with  charger, shades and screens for hatches and ports.

There was also an electric winch on coach roof for easy raising of the main and lifeline gates. Also ordered were a bow thruster, bimini and dodger and B&G autopilot.

There were some optional inclusions down below as well which all-told brought the price of the 439 up from a base of $370,000 to $434,959.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION
- Three spacious cabins and more
The new Jeanneau 449 can be ordered in either a three-cabin or four-cabin layout. The fourth cabin takes up part of the owner’s cabin forward and has upper and lower bunks. However, our test 439 V2.0 featured the three-cabin two-bathroom layout.

One of the changes made for the 449 was making the companionway easier to traverse. The entry itself is easier with a lower lip on the companionway and the stairs are raked less of an angle it’s less like a ladder more like an easy incline. Once inside, the saloon is light and expansive.

There are a couple of things of interest in the layout and the first is that the cabin sole is flat all the way through. There no steps between the cabins, or anywhere else for that matter, so nothing to trip over while at sea.

Secondly, the cabins are big. The owner’s suite is especially roomy with a huge ensuite with separate shower stall, a vanity table with chair which would double for a little office if you wanted a bit of privacy, and there’s plenty of light and ventilation thanks to the hull ports and big forward hatch.

The aft cabins are similarly generous for a 43 boat. They offer big berths, a cupboard each and once again cabin ports and opening hatches to the cockpit.

The main bathroom is big, once again featuring a separate shower stall and plenty of storage.

The main saloon is dominated by the dining suite which will comfortably seat six and features a lovely dining table that folds over on itself, rather than down, when not fully in use. The table ingeniously drops down by pulling a couple of trip strings and forms a very comfortable double berth or day bed.

Opposite the dining area are a pair of lounges separated by a nav station that would easily double as a his-and-hers laptop computer station.

The galley is to starboard and offers a four-burner gas stove with oven, microwave, twin sinks and decent-sized fridge which the owner has optioned with a front-opening door as well as the top access.

There is plenty of storage in the galley and there’s an opening port above the stove for ventilation.

One thing that is really worth noting is that there are plenty of grab handles throughout the boat. In these beamy modern yachts, it’s a long way to fall from one side to another if you’re in a bit of a blow, and many modern boats don’t offer enough hand-holds. This is an exception. There are hand holds throughout the saloon, in the galley and even in the heads. Well done!

Another big plus is the rounded edges of the interior fitout. Too often we’re seeing sharp edges and angles in the woodwork that can be damaging if your crew falls against them in a sea way.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Good design with reliable components
The 439/449 is designed by renowned French naval architect Phillipe Briande. It’s a thoroughly modern design with a broad beam that is brought aft to maximise internal volume. Hull chines are all the rage these days with Euro production boats and the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey range has caught on. The chines provide a stable angle of heel and again help maximise internal space.

The 439/449 features an L-shaped keep and deep spade rudder for grip in the water and this we proved worked well later in our test sail as the wind picked up.

The rig is a two-spreader aluminium mast with a 106 per cent furling headsail and a fully battened main. All the deck gear is high-quality Harken equipment that will stand the test of time.

Our test boat was powered by a Yanmar 4JH5-CE rated to 54hp and driving a Saildrive with a two-speed Gori prop.

ON THE WATER
- The first sail
I didn’t realise until we got out on the water that this was the new owner’s first sail on the boat. The 439 has just completed its commissioning and we were taking it to its new berth in Melbourne.

The owner had been on board for the hand-over but hadn’t as yet sailed the boat. It was a rare privilege to be on board for his first sail.

Our day started well in a light northerly as we motored out of Sandringham and I noted 5.6 knots at 2000rpm and a healthy 6.2 knots at 2200rpm with plenty more to go.

We set the main with the help of the electric cabin-top winch, and soon had the jib out with  Jeanneau dealer Rohan Veal getting the trim optimised.

She’s a powerful boat, there’s no doubt and we were happily cruising just off the wind at 8.5 knots in 16 knots of breeze.

I was lucky enough to be offered a steer on this maiden voyage and found the 439 to be a really responsive boat and light on the helm. The sheets come right back to the helm making it easy to sail short-handed. As the breeze picked up, the 439 picked up her skirts and really started to get going (as the photos will attest).

We pushed up into the wind I jumped down onto the big swim platform and jumped on the chase boat to get some photos as the wind increased.

As my Nikon whirred, we could hear the owner hooting with delight as his new yacht hit 10 knots and Rohan called for a tuck in the main. I looked further down the track to see more white caps heading our way, and before I could get some shots of the boat in trim with the reef in the wind topped 30 knots and the boys called it quits and furled the headie.

Our test sail was cut short after only a bit over and hour but it was enough get the idea that this boat will do all its owner bought it for. Cruising the around Port Phillip with his kid, mid-week racing with his mates and maybe even a circumnavigation of Tassie in a year or two.

VERDICT
- A well-found production yacht that’s safe and comfy
Jeanneau has been building production boats for over half a century. They are sold all over the world through over 150 dealers. The reputation is hard to beat. But it’s not just about reputation and longevity, the boat are well designed and well built.

They are solid and dependable and this dealer and his owner had no hesitation taking this boat out on its maiden voyage with strong-wind warning current.

In the conditions, the boat handled brilliantly, it’s light responsive and the running rigging is easy to handle.

Down below it’s certainly a comfortable boat and one that it is easy to see has been designed by people who sail, not interior designers who give scant thought to the practicalities of boating.

Practical, predicable, yet powerful. Well done Jeanneau.

WHAT WE LIKED
>> Easy to sail short-handed
>> Clean, neat deck layout
>> Roomy and light interior
>> Lots of hand holds
>> Roomy cockpit leading to big swim platform

NOT SO MUCH
>> Some hinges and cupboard latches could be beefed up
>> Not much room around the engine
>> Could have more storage for larger items

Specifications:
Price: $434,959
Priced from: $370,000
Length overall: 13.76m (45'1")
Hull length: 12.99m (42'7")
Beam: 4.24m (13'10")
Light displacement: 9640kg
Standard keel draught: 2.2m
Fuel: 200 litres
Water: 330 litres (plus opt 200 litres)
Cabins: Three
Engine: Yanmar 54hp
CE Category A10 / B11
Total standard sail area: 91sqm