Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44DS

Jeanneau’s Deck Saloons have many followers (the discontinued 54DS reputedly sold around 370 units, which is quite staggering) and the current range comprises the DS42, DS45, DS50 along with the all-new DS44. Attaining the Deck Saloon configuration involves raising the cabin sole to allow views from the portlights while the raised cockpit gives a huge owner’s stern cabin.

Another feature the new boat carries on from its best-selling larger sibling is the long cockpit, and combined with the stepped swim platform it makes for a great entertainment area. Other positives include a versatile sail plan with roller mainsail while handling under power has been revolutionised with the pod-driven 360 Docking.

The signature teardrop Sun Odyssey cabin profile has been enhanced with distinctive dual-tone deck coamings that nicely break up the acres of white GRP. With beam carried right back to the transom, it allows the twin helms to be far apart, allowing easy access to the stepped swim platform.

A fully-clad teak finish looks an option worth having as it set the review boat off beautifully (although our Australian sun can challenge this) with swim platform, side decks and cockpit sole benefiting from the warm touch off hardwood. Here at the transom, a handy locker stores the ladder with room for snorkelling gear, while a wide window ensures the owner’s cabin can keep a weather eye on swimmers.

Turning to the business end of sailing, a brace of two-way Harken 46.2 winches near the helm -- maybe too near -- handle the headsail sheets while atop the cabin another set of H40.2s, draw the lines smoothly through the guttering. The starboard-side one is electric for speedy main halyard hoists.

Weather protection is also good thanks to a track for a sprayhood with overhead bimini while a bulkhead raises the approach to the main hatch. Here a sliding washboard is adjustable with positive locks for a halfway open position and adjoining sheet box on the sole tidies lines up nicely.

Helm controls are conventionally laid out with the exception of the Simrad NSS8 plotter which swivels between the helms. On the port binnacle sits the optional 360 Docking joystick with Maxpower bow thruster. Jeanneau’s patented 360 Docking with ZF technology is available for boats larger than 40ft with the POD 90 model fitted on the 44 DS, powered by the 54hp Yanmar.

Surprisingly the POD gearbox is actually smaller than a conventional one as it doesn’t require a reverse gear, which helps engine access. Available on eight Jeanneau models now, the company has been surprised by the uptake rate with 70-80 per cent of new owners opting for the easy docking option.
Accessing the engine means simply lifting the companionway steps, done easily on gas struts, to reveal the Yanmar. Most service points -- impellor, oil and filter, along with water filters at the rear – are accessible.

Another useful option for serious cruisers is a generator and the review boat came with the optional 4kW Onan. It’s tucked away in the port stern quarter and maybe a wee bit near the owner’s suite, however.

“Many of the boats we sell become second homes in the Med so they have to be liveable,” explained my host Erik Stromberg, Director of Sailboat Product Development at Jeanneau.

In the saloon, elongated windows bathe the interior in light while solid walnut edges and polished stainless add lustre. Definitely a notch up from the style interiors of some competitors thanks to materials including lacquered cabinets and Corian surfaces. Matching wood grain and a neat finish to the compression post box show good detail attention as well in the stylish saloon.

Other highlights include the chaise-lounge-style angled back cushions, a dinette table that swivels then unfolds and electrically descends to create another berth. The area seats six comfortably on its comfy fabric cushions.

The port navigation station also works well with full-size chart table and movable stool that slots into a gap while at sea.

Cleverly combining entertainment with practical use, the flat-screen television integrates with the Simrad plotter and smart controller handset. Bulkhead space is a bit miserly for extras (like separate AIS or dedicated radar display) but at a push there’s a locker that could be converted. Entertainment on the review boat came from New Zealand’s Fusion iPod docking system which finishes off a comprehensive electronics suite.

Last but not least, the galley is up the high standard set by the rest of this boat with Corian slide-back shelf above the dual sinks which have an extendable tap/hose setup. Tankage is a bit light on though, with only 330 litres.

White lacquered lockers look neat with no protrusions as they are push-to-open, giving a smooth overall look to their exteriors. A two-burner Eno stove/oven along with microwave should satisfy most cooks, especially when they can lean over to the wine chiller to grab that special bottle for the gourmet sauce. More conventionally a 185-litre top-opening fridge can house a slab of tinnies.

The signature feature of this yacht is the owner’s cabin, taking up the entire stern section of the beamy hull. A king-size bed dominates, only marred by the head-height protrusions which limit freedom to walk around. Nevertheless, at rest the area is fantastic with acres of two-ply foam mattress to stretch out on, plus seats either side. Elsewhere there’s plenty wardrobe space for your ashore outfits.

Other features include quality finishings, with polished stainless steel bulkhead edgings which nicely contrast with leather-topped desk lids on either side of this enormous suite -- easily as big as any 50 footer’s equivalent space. The ensuite bathroom continues the spacious theme thanks to oodles of lacquered bench top and optional electric head fitted, plus functional shower area. Here, a second door gives access to the saloon for day use.

The guests aren’t exactly slumming it either up in the forepeak. Here the island queen-sized bed has more overhead space than the stern while a large vanity/desk area also works well, along with an adequate wardrobe. Ablutions shouldn’t be a chore either with equally well laid out bathroom adjoining.

For a mass-production boat the attention to detail throughout is excellent -- ranging from the quality of the headboard material and joinery to all the brushed stainless fixings. Buying power is something the Beneteau/Jeanneau group is not short of as can be seen from the favourable quality-to-price ratio of this family cruiser. Other commendable areas include the flush hatches with sliding covers and these open at different directions throughout the boat so catch any breezes at anchor.

Dropping the pick shouldn’t be a drama either thanks to the Quick 1000W windlass with manual over-ride (always a handy backup) while the twin rollers permit a second anchor to be deployed and the deep locker has plenty of volume for this.

The 44DS came with factory sails -- Technique Voile -- but with no UV strip on the lightweight Code O which probably would be left hoisted anyway. Jeanneau is a late adopter of self-tacking jibs but the setup looks good with Harken track factory fitted as an option on the review boat. The saloon top genoa track also worked well, allowing the slot to be closed well upwind and all lines ran through gutters with sturdy pad eyes.

The Philippe Briand hull hides its tall topsides and beam pretty well. Build is traditional hand laid with solid GRP -- not the lightest, but cost effective and rigid, especially with the inclusion of a liner grid to anchor the tie rods.

Another bonus with deck saloons is a bilge to hold serious amounts of water without fatally damaging stability so the 44DS gets my vote there as well. Keeping things upright is a conventional cast-iron T-keel with reasonably deep spade rudder and I noted oversized keel bolts when the wooden floor boards were removed.

Tucked comfortably behind the starboard helm I loaded up the mainsheet while crewmate Erik unfurled the mainsail with a few presses of the electric Harken 40 on the cabin top. Without further ado we were sailing. I ducked down to port to unfurl the big Code 0 via its deck-based pulley -- slightly awkward angle to toil it, as it proved when both furling and dousing -- before I loaded up the primary Harken to bring us on the wind.

Thanks to the double-ended mainsheet, both sails can be controlled from the primary winches, which is handy for the short-handed sailor.

The diameter of the stainless Lewmar wheel was just right for sitting out on the teak coamings to scrutinise the headsail telltales and the DS44 powered away despite the light conditions. Settling into a groove, hard on the wind at 55 degrees in the light (6.8 knot) breeze the 44DS slid along at a very respectable 5.1 knots.

With the Simrad readout showing shallowing water we prepared to throw a tack in and had the only drama of the afternoon -- when the friction between the furled genoa and outer Code 0 hampered its passage through the slot during the tack. Unquestionably in slightly heavier conditions we would have furled and unfurled during tacking to avoid this.

Undeterred and on a new tack I eased off the sheets to run in the falling pressure (5 knots) which understandably slowed things a lot -- to 3.5 knots on the 140 degree heading. Spotting some isolated pressure on the bay we headed for it to try out the genoa -- it rolled out and nicely closed the slot with the mainsail thanks to the inboard Harken track. Tacking the genoa proved much easier than the Code 0.

As I noted at the time, everything pretty much in the right place. In serious cruising mode all I would have done at this juncture was to click the Simrad AP24 Autopilot on, unfurl the large bimini and grab a beer from the cockpit table icebox.

Sadly, my sojourn wasn’t that long and with the dying breeze the engine was kicked into life as I approached the harbour -- a busy port with lots of commercial traffic. Close manoeuvring is something that even the most seasoned skippers can occasionally come unstuck with in congested marinas, so the introduction of the 360 Docking last year has given Jeanneau an added edge.

Taking a mere 1.6 seconds to swivel the propeller into the desired direction, the joystick is moved, then twisted to increase the revs; the system is very intuitive. Just add a dash of bow thruster going sideways and no dramas will ensue for that windswept visit to the fuel dock. Using the system I swept past multi-million dollar superyacht topsides in Cannes with impunity, held station in the cross wind while a large ferry zipped past, then spun around to nudge the DS44 into her tight berth.

Having done this I can see why the vast majority of new owners opt for this system, and I can see why they’d opt for the new DS44. She’s a boat that continues the DS tradition while moving it up a level with a fantastic layout below and a functional deck layout above. Très bon.

Elan 494 -- A new deck saloon yacht that launches in May with four cabin layout standard and twin rudder Rob Humphreys hull.

Bavaria Vision 46 -- New deck saloon with owner-friendly layout thanks to large forepeak stateroom and versatile sail plan.

Specifications:
Price: TBA
Overall length: 13.34m
Full length: 12.99m
Waterline length: 12m
Beam: 4.24m
Displacement (light): 9750kg
Draft cast-iron fin keel: 2.20m
Draft shallow cast-iron fin keel: 1.60m
Engine Yanmar: 54hp/40kW -- plus POD drive
Cabins: 2/3
Berths: 4/6 (+2 in saloon)
Fuel: 200 litres
Water: 330 litres
CE category (in progress) A8/B10/C12
Design: Philippe Briand hull/ Franck Darnet & Flahault Design layout
SAILS
Furling mainsail : 40sqm; tri-radial construction in Mylar/taffeta X-Grid grey
Furling genoa 106 per cent: 41.5sqm; tri-radial construction in Mylar/taffeta X-Grid grey 
Self-tacking jib: 35.3sqm; tri-radial construction in Mylar/taffeta X-Grid grey,
Code 0: 76.4sqm;  tri-radial construction in Mylar/Aramid X-Grid grey

Australian distributors:
www.jeanneauaustralia.com