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490 added to Jeanneau’s impressive range
BY ADMIN • APRIL 27, 2018 • OLDER, YACHTS • COMMENTS OFF • 183
This new French design has the same super innovations on deck as the Sun Odyssey 440 that was launched in the autumn of 2017, while offering significantly more space all round. The inclined walkways that lead from the helm positions up to the side decks are very well executed, and will make a huge difference to the ease of moving around, especially when handling lazy lines while docking.
At the same time this arrangement also makes deckwork and sail handling easier for older owners who are perhaps no longer as agile as they were in the past. The 490 is also offered with the same optional conversion as the 440 that turns the cockpit seats into a pair of huge double sunbeds, without interfering with the cockpit table, or impeding the access from the transom to the main companionway.
In the saloon, in addition to the spacious main seating area, there is an unusual but useful mini dinette with seating for three people. It’s clear the primary purpose of this area is a navigation station, but in port it could equally be used by children to draw, write or play cards. Alternatively, an additional heads compartment can be fitted in this area. A big u-shaped galley takes up the whole of the port side of the saloon – it’s a great place for preparing food, with ample worktop space and good stowage.
The aft cabins feel spacious and light, with the latter enhanced by a hull window and large glazed panels in the bulkhead at the aft end of the coach roof. On the downside easily accessed stowage is limited in these cabins compared to some other yachts of a similar size.
The well fitted forward cabin is of an impressive size and benefits from a separate washroom. In all, this owner’s suite therefore has two washbasins, one in toilet, the other opposite the shower. This is an indication of the extent to which boat builders and designers are catering for owners whose key priorities are comfort on board. Optional layouts include two double cabins in place of the owner’s suite, plus a small crew cabin right forward that’s accessed solely from the deck.
Length overall 14.42m
Hull length 14.0m
Waterline length 13.24m
Beam 4.49m
Draught 1.65 or 2.24m
Standard sail area 110.4sq m
Performance rig 122sq m
Displacement 11,290kg
Fuel capacity 240 litres
Water capacity 640 litres