Sun Odyssey 490 Review: The Big Boat That Still Sails (2026)
The Sun Odyssey 490 is Jeanneau's large cruiser — 49 feet with up to 4 cabins, 3 heads, and a sail plan that moves 12 tonnes with grace. The twin-helm setup and Philippe Briand performance hull deliver a big yacht that still feels like a sailboat, not a motorhome with a mast. Charter: €3,500-5,500/week. New from €301,800; used 2018–2026 examples run €230k–€470k depending on year and survey.
Quick Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 490 is the boat you choose when your crew has outgrown the 44-footers but you refuse to hand the tiller to a floating apartment block. At 14.74 metres and 12,270 kg, this is genuinely big-boat territory. Philippe Briand's hull and 108 m² of working sail area mean she still responds to trim changes, still points respectably, and still rewards the helmsman who pays attention. That combination is harder to find than you'd think at this size.
She sits at the top of Jeanneau's cruising lineup as the flagship monohull, above the Sun Odyssey 440 and below the Sun Odyssey 519. If you're chartering with eight adults who expect private cabins, proper heads, and a galley that can produce a real meal, the 490 delivers without making you feel like you've booked a houseboat. She's a proper yacht. She just happens to be a large one.
14.74m
LOA
Length (48ft)
4.59m
beam
Width
3-4
cabins
Sleeps 6-8
€3,500-5,500
/week
Charter price
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| LOA | 14.74 m (48 ft) |
| Beam | 4.59 m |
| Draft | 2.28 m |
| Displacement | 12,270 kg |
| Engine | 57 hp Yanmar 4JH57 |
| Sail area (main + genoa) | 108 m² |
| Water tank | 530 L |
| Fuel tank | 240 L |
| Cabins | 3 or 4 |
| Berths | 6–8 |
| Heads | 2 or 3 |
| New price (approx.) | €350,000–480,000 |
| Charter price per week | €3,500–5,500 |
Under Sail
This is where the 490 earns her keep. Many production yachts above 45 feet turn docile: wide, flat-bottomed hulls built for interior volume that sail like a barn door until you fire the engine. The 490 doesn't. Briand's hull carries its beam well aft but retains enough deadrise to grip when heeled, and the 2.28 m cast-iron keel provides a genuine righting moment rather than cosmetic ballast.
A 2.28 m keel on 12,270 kg of displacement gives the 490 a genuine righting moment, and the 108 m² sail plan is sized to move that weight without requiring exceptional conditions. A boat with this keel depth and ballast ratio will point closer than a shallower charter cruiser; the physics follow from the design. The acceleration through the gears tends to be progressive on hulls that carry beam well aft with adequate deadrise, which suits a loaded crew better than a sudden lurch.
The twin-helm setup with the mainsheet on a German-system traveller keeps the cockpit open while giving both helms clean wind information. Helm feel through the twin wheels is lighter than the Oceanis 51.1 and more connected than you'd expect at this displacement. You can feel the rudder load building, feel the boat asking for a reef before the instruments tell you. That feedback disappears on many big production cruisers. Here it's preserved.
In stronger conditions, 20 knots and above, the 490 wants her first reef early. With 108 m² of working canvas she's generously pressed, and the wide beam provides the stability, but helm loads build quickly once she's overpowered. Reef at 18 knots apparent and she stays balanced, fast, and comfortable. Wait until 22 and you'll be wrestling. The self-tacking jib option, available on some charter versions, simplifies short-handed sailing considerably but sacrifices upwind area compared to the overlapping genoa.
Living Aboard
The three-cabin, three-head layout is the one most charter fleets specify, and it's the right call. The forward owner's suite has a genuine island double berth: you can access it from both sides without gymnastic effort, with an en-suite head that includes a separate shower stall. Headroom is 2.0 m throughout. The cabin feels like a cabin, not a cave.
The two aft quarters are similarly proportioned, each with proper double berths oriented fore-and-aft, dedicated heads, and enough hanging locker space for a week's clothing. Neither aft cabin feels like a compromise. They're real rooms with real doors and hatches that pull enough air through to keep things tolerable in a Greek anchorage.
The saloon is where the 4.59 m beam pays off. The U-shaped settee to port seats six for dinner without anyone perching awkwardly on a corner. Natural light comes through the coachroof windows and hull ports, and Jeanneau's designers used the freeboard well here. Materials are the standard Jeanneau mix of light oak laminate and moulded surfaces. It won't win design awards, but it's robust, easy to wipe down, and ages better than some competitors' darker interiors. If interior design weighs heavily in your decision, Dufour's approach may speak to you more.
The galley runs along the starboard side in a linear layout: three-burner stove with oven, double stainless sink, and enough counter space to produce a proper meal for eight. The top-loading fridge and front-opening cool box together offer around 200 litres of cold storage. That's enough for a week if you provision with a plan. Our provisioning guide covers the quantities. The four-cabin version converts the port-side settee area into an additional double, which works for families with children but turns the saloon into more of a corridor. For charter, three cabins is the better choice.
Looking for a Sun Odyssey 490?
We know this market and where the good ones are — new or used, wherever she happens to be. Tell us what you're after and we'll find you the best option.
On Deck
The 490's deck layout follows Jeanneau's modern philosophy: twin helms positioned well aft, a wide-open cockpit between them, and a fold-down transom that creates a swim platform large enough for four adults to sit with their feet in the water. The cockpit table seats eight, and the area between the helms doubles as a decent sunbathing platform when the table is lowered.
Sail handling runs through two primary Harken 50.2 self-tailing winches at the helm stations and two secondary winches on the coachroof for halyards. The genoa sheets lead cleanly to the primaries, though the angle on a tight beat with the overlapping genoa creates some friction at the turning blocks. It's manageable, not ideal. The rigid bimini option, standard on most charter versions, provides genuine shade over both helms and the cockpit, but it restricts boom clearance during gybes. You learn to duck.
Side decks run to around 450 mm wide: adequate, not generous. At this beam, Jeanneau could have given more, but the interior volume won the argument. Jackstay attachment points are well placed. The bow carries a large anchor locker with an electric windlass, and the bowsprit adds a Code 0 attachment point that transforms light-air performance if the charter company has fitted one. Side gates port and starboard make marina boarding civilised stern-to. You'll be Med mooring frequently at this size, so that's not a trivial detail.
The Engine Room
The standard Yanmar 4JH57 produces 57 hp. That's adequate, not abundant, for 12,270 kg. The 240-litre fuel tank is the relevant number for passage planning. In a 20-knot headwind with chop, 57 hp against 12,270 kg asks for realistic expectations. A 75 hp upgrade was available as a factory option and is worth seeking out on the used market.
A bow thruster is essentially mandatory at this size, and most charter and private boats carry one. In a crosswind Med mooring situation, you'll want it. Engine access is through the companionway steps, which lift on gas struts. It's well designed and genuinely practical. You can reach the primary filters, impeller, and oil drain without contortion.
The electrical system runs dual battery banks with a 125A alternator. Shore power is 230V, 50A. A watermaker was a factory option at 60 to 80 litres per hour, and boats specified for bluewater work often have one fitted. The 530-litre water tank is generous for coastal cruising: enough for a week with a disciplined crew. A watermaker turns the 490 into a genuine offshore passage maker. LED lighting throughout and a smart battery monitor are standard on post-2019 builds.
✓ Strengths
- •Sailing feel preserved at 49 feet , Briand hull genuinely performs
- •108 m² sail plan moves 12 tonnes with authority
- •Owner suite with island bed and separate shower stall
- •Twin-helm feedback that connects you to the yacht
- •530-litre water tank supports extended cruising
✕ Trade-offs
- •Charter premium of €3,500-5,500/week puts it beyond many budgets
- •4.59m beam restricts some Mediterranean marinas and slips
- •Limited charter fleet numbers , book months ahead
- •Overkill for crews of 4-6 people , too much boat, too much cost
- •57hp engine is adequate not powerful for 12 tonnes in a headwind
Charter Market
The 490 sits at the premium end of Mediterranean charter fleets. You'll find her primarily in Croatia, Greece, and the French Riviera, but fleet numbers are thin compared to the SO 440 or the Oceanis 46.1. Charter companies order fewer big monohulls because the market is narrower: most charter groups gravitate toward the 40 to 44-foot range, where the sweet spot of price and space lives.
Expect to pay €3,500 to €4,200 per week in shoulder season (May, early June, late September) and €4,500 to €5,500 in peak weeks through July and August. For context on what those numbers mean once you add provisioning, marina fees, and fuel, our real charter costs breakdown and hidden costs guide have the detail. Split among eight people, the per-person cost is competitive with a decent hotel. Split among four, it's a significant premium over the SO 410.
Book early. Limited fleet numbers mean peak-season slots disappear by January. On the Beneteau side, the Oceanis 51.1 offers more interior volume at similar charter rates but with less sailing feedback. It's the classic Jeanneau versus Beneteau trade-off. Always work through the handover checklist carefully on a boat this size. There's more to inspect and more to go wrong.
Used Market
The Sun Odyssey 490 was built from 2018 to approximately 2023, replacing the earlier Sun Odyssey 49 and 49i lineage. On the used market, expect the following ranges:
- SO 490 (2018–2023): €260,000–380,000, depending on equipment level and engine hours. Charter-used boats with 1,500 or more engine hours sit at the lower end. Privately owned examples with watermakers, code zeros, and low hours command the top.
- SO 49 / 49i (2004–2010): €120,000–180,000. Solid predecessors, but the interior design and hull form show their age. Check keel bolts, standing rigging, and rudder bearings carefully.
When inspecting a used 490, focus on three areas: rudder bearings (high loads at this displacement), chainplates (stress cracking in early builds has been reported), and engine hours against service history. A boat with 1,200 hours and full Yanmar service stamps is worth more than one with 600 hours and vague records. Check the electric winches if fitted: replacement costs are steep. Our ownership guide has the broader numbers on buying and running costs.
The SO 440 vs 410 vs 490 size comparison is worth reading before you commit. The 490 only makes financial sense if you'll regularly fill the extra cabin or plan genuine bluewater passages where the tankage and displacement earn their place.
The Verdict
Choose the Sun Odyssey 490 if you have 6-8 crew who want private cabins, genuine sailing performance, and a yacht capable of coastal cruising or offshore passages without apology
Best for: Large crews, bluewater ambitions, experienced sailors who want a big yacht that still sails
Choose something else if your crew is 4-6 people (the SO 440 does everything you need for less money and easier handling), or your weekly charter budget is under €4,000
Best for: Smaller crews, tighter budgets, first-time charterers who should start at 40-44 feet
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 price: new, used by year, and what moves it
New from €301,800 (2026, base price ex-VAT). Used prices below run by year and build era — the spread inside each band comes down to spec, charter history and how the boat surveys.
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 Used Market Snapshot (2026)
| Years | Typical price (used) | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–2026 | €420,000–€470,000 | Stock and near-new boats; upgraded Yanmar 4JH57CR (57 hp) or 4JH80 (80 hp) options; SEANAPPS connectivity standard on 2025+ hulls; confirm bow thruster recall remediation has been completed (all 490s equipped with optional Sleipner-Sidepower retractable thruster were subject to the 2023–2024 EU Safety Gate recall for flange-glueing defect). |
| 2022–2023 | €340,000–€430,000 | Peak of ex-charter fleet supply from Croatia/Mediterranean; Sleipner-Sidepower retractable bow thruster recall (2020–2022 build years, flange de-bonding risk of flooding) — verify repair record before purchase; 5-cabin charter layout (LOA listed as 14.42 m on some HINs vs 14.80 m on later hulls — check build sheet); high engine hours likely on Croatian-registered boats. |
| 2020–2021 | €280,000–€360,000 | Core of the recall window: 2020 and 2021 hulls with optional Sleipner-Sidepower retractable bow thruster were subject to the EU recall initiated March 2023; require written evidence of Jeanneau-authorised flange reinforcement; balsa-cored hull and Prisma-process deck — moisture-meter survey essential at chainplate areas, mast step and deck hardware penetrations; Yanmar 57 hp standard, 80 hp upgrade common on charter spec. |
| 2018–2019 | €230,000–€290,000 | First-generation hulls (introduced 2018 model year, Cruising World Boat of the Year 2018/2019); LOA on some early hulls listed as 14.42 m; double-spreader aluminium mast with 1×19 wire rigging and double backstay — inspect wire for fatigue at spreader tips; cathedral rig chainplates (one outboard, one on coachroof) — check for leak staining; retractable bow thruster reportedly fitted from 2020 onward as option, so 2018–2019 without thruster are unaffected by the glueing recall; early interior joinery quality reports mixed; survey for osmotic blistering on barrier coat. |
| New | from €301,800 | Base price ex-VAT — ask us for current delivery slots |
The SO 490 retains value comparatively well for a production cruiser — a lightly used 2020 example lists around €300,000–€324,000 against a then-new price in the €310,000–€340,000 range (ex-VAT), implying roughly 10–20% real depreciation over 4–5 years on private boats. Ex-charter boats (heavy use, Mediterranean) show steeper discounts of 25–40% off new price, pulling the wider used market average down; the strongest residuals are seen on privately owned, lightly used boats with full service histories and all recall remediation documented.
The SO 490 is one of the most widely deployed charter monohulls in the Mediterranean (Greece, Croatia, BVI), and ex-charter examples — identifiable by 5- or 6-cabin layouts and Croatian/EU registration — typically trade at a 25–40% discount to comparable privately owned boats, reflecting high engine hours, accelerated soft-furnishing wear, and the cost of post-charter refit (sails, standing rigging, upholstery, dinghy davits); buyers should budget €15,000–€30,000 for post-purchase refurbishment on a typical 3–4 year ex-charter boat.
How these prices compare across sizes and types → · Could this boat pay for itself in charter? → · What to check on a used Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 →
Looking for a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490?
We know this market and where the good ones are — new or used, wherever she happens to be. Tell us what you're after and we'll find you the best option.
FAQ
How many cabins does the Sun Odyssey 490 have?
The SO 490 is available in 3-cabin and 4-cabin layouts. The 3-cabin, 3-head version is most common in charter fleets and offers the best balance of private accommodation and saloon space. The 4-cabin version adds a port-side cabin but reduces the saloon to more of a corridor.
Is the Sun Odyssey 490 good for a sailing holiday with 8 people?
Yes, this is exactly what the 490 is designed for. The 3-cabin version sleeps 6 in cabins plus 2 in the saloon conversion, while the 4-cabin version provides 8 proper berths. With 530 litres of water and a full-size galley, she's well equipped for a week with a large crew.
How much does it cost to charter a Sun Odyssey 490?
Charter rates range from €3,500 per week in shoulder season (May, early June, late September) to €5,500 per week in peak summer. Add approximately €1,000-1,500 for provisioning, marina fees, fuel, and other extras for a realistic total cost.
How does the Sun Odyssey 490 compare to the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1?
The Oceanis 51.1 offers more interior volume and a slightly larger platform at 51 feet, but the SO 490 provides noticeably better sailing feel and helm feedback. The Beneteau prioritises comfort, the Jeanneau prioritises sailing character. Charter prices are similar for both.
What engine does the Sun Odyssey 490 have?
The standard engine is a 57 hp Yanmar 4JH57 diesel. It cruises at 6.5 knots at 2,400 rpm with fuel consumption of approximately 4.5 litres per hour. A 75 hp upgrade was optionally available and is worth seeking on the used market for better performance in headwinds.
Can you sail the Sun Odyssey 490 short-handed?
Yes, with the self-tacking jib option and German-system mainsheet, two experienced sailors can handle the 490 in moderate conditions. A bow thruster is essential for marina work, and the electric windlass handles the anchor. In strong winds, a third pair of hands makes reefing safer and easier.
