Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS

French production yacht builder Jeanneau is part of the giant Beneteau conglomerate, but operates separately and has taken on the deck saloon market in a very interesting fashion. It has introduced two new hull designs by well-known French designer Daniel Andrieu, and fully tooled up for production of three separate models of each size.

The larger of these two hulls is offered as the Sun Odyssey 43, a conventional aft-cockpit version for cruising, club racing or charter; the Sun Fast 43 with deeper appendages and a bigger rig for more racing performance; and the Sun Odyssey 43 Deck Saloon, with the same appendages and rig and sail area as the standard Sun Odyssey 43, but with a different deck offering a new take on cruising or charter. The same alternatives are offered with the new 40 hull (the deck saloon model of which is tested on the following pages).

IT CAN SAIL
The first thing that needs to be said about the Sun Odyssey 43 DS is that it can sail. Any initial thoughts I had that the inclusion of the raised deck might have been at the expense of sailing performance were simply blown away by the brisk breeze of our test sail.

This was one of those rare test days where everything comes together: sun, wind, and easy access to both smooth and rough water for a real appraisal of a yacht's handling characteristics.

It seems that Andrieu has come up with a full-bodied hull which is capable of carrying a cruising interior and deck saloon superstructure, and also handles well. Sailing to windward through the nasty slop that characterises the waters between Sydney Heads in a 15-20kt south-easterly, the 43 DS actually felt more like a racer than a cruiser when the sails were trimmed up, requiring only small helm movements to dodge the steepest crests and holding way through the really messy patches of broken water. I was impressed.

A BIGGER RIG
European market demands are evidently quite different to those of Australia, because the standard specification for this yacht includes in-mast furling as well as roller-furling for the headsail. In-mast furling has never been a popular choice here, probably as much due to suspicions about what it would be like to have a malfunction in the system during storm conditions, as the thought of extra weight and windage aloft. Modern in-boom reefing is certainly a more popular option, although it is still expensive enough to prevent wide usage.

It's probably not a surprise, then, that the test yacht has instead been set up with the optional 'classic' mast, a conventional aluminium spar (with slab-reefing and boom-mounted sail bag); this rig is approximately one metre taller than the standard spar and allows an extra 6-7sqm of working sail area, no doubt contributing to the decent sailing performance upwind and down.

PROTECTED COCKPIT
Short-handed sailing is an easy option, with the primary winches located close to the comfortable helmstation, and electric winch-power and autopilot offered as options.

Teak-laid cockpit floor and seats come as standard issue, as does the substantial dodger which provides excellent protection to the cockpit, without unduly impairing vision from the helm. The mainsheet traveller, halyards and control lines are all situated on the coachhouse.

LAYOUT OPTIONS
Jeanneau's huge production lines allow a variety of interior options for most of its models, in this case including two, three and four cabin layouts.

Standard on all models in the saloon area are a U-shaped settee and dining table to starboard and twin seats divided by a smaller table to port. This doubles as the navigation station, to allow the incorporation of a large bathroom with separate shower stall on the port side of the companionway. There is a second, smaller ensuite bathroom in the forward cabin area.

The L-shaped galley is on the starboard side of the companionway, and is very well-equipped with a twin sink supplied with pressurised hot and cold water, a huge 230lt refrigerator, two burner stove/oven and a nifty storage area for crockery.

The test yacht featured a very large, open aft area which can be subdivided into two separate quarter cabins, each with double berths. The subdivision involves a 10 minute juggle with the removable dividing panels, which store under the bunks when not in use. Without the panels in place, you have a huge bunk which could be a play den for the kids or a comfy master cabin at anchor, but would be hard to use in a seaway.

The forward area can also be subdivided into two separate sleeping cabins, but in the factory rather than at the mooring. The two/three cabin version includes a double V-berth forward, with plenty of storage and hanging space and a desk/vanity unit in the starboard aft corner which could be used as an office during extended cruising. The four cabin version allocates this space instead to a small separate compartment with two single bunk beds for the kids or guests.

Jeanneau has opted for a traditional nautical look right across its range, with teak timberwork, teak and holly floorboards and rich blue soft furnishings. The result is a handsome interior which is light and airy thanks to the deck saloon.

Attention to detail is lacking in some of the nooks and crannies, where untreated edges of plywood can be found, but I was assured that these details are picked up when the yachts are commissioned in Australia.