The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i, an aft cockpit sloop, was designed by Philippe Briand and built in France by Jeanneau.

A Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i sailboat preparing to anchorA Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i

Published Specification for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i

Underwater Profile: Bulb fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 45'11" (13.8m)

Waterline Length: 37'7" (11.5m)

Beam: 14'3" (4.4m)

Draft: 6'9" (2.1m)

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 21,892lb (9,930kg)

Designer: Philippe Briand

Builder: Jeanneau (France)

Year First Built: 2009

Design Ratios: The Key Performance Indicators

  • Looking at the vessel's design ratios, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 exhibits a remarkable sail area/displacement ratio. With a ratio of approximately 17, it is well within the ideal range, promising excellent speed potential and stability across various wind conditions, enabling it to handle both gentle breezes and stiff winds effectively.
  • The ballast/displacement ratio of a sailboat is crucial for its stability, balance, and overall performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44's ratio is presented at approximately 36%, which is quite impressive. This proportion is a good indicator of the boat's stability and its ability to right itself after heeling over.
  • The displacement/length ratio of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 averages about 178, giving an indication of the boat's speed potential due to the corresponding waterline length. A low D/L ratio often implies a lighter, faster vessel but in essence, this moderate value promises a balanced performance where speed and comfort coexist.
  • One vital ratio, the comfort ratio, is instrumental in determining the motion comfort of the vessel under different sea states. With the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44's comfort ratio in the good cruising range of around 30, this boat promises a comfortable experience while sailing, majorly reducing the effects of pounding waves and the vessel's roll.
  • Another essential factor to consider is the capsize screening formula. For the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44, this ratio is around 2.08. The industry standard suggests that any vessel with a capsize ratio of less than 2 is preferable. However, this value hints at this vessel's suitability for ocean cruising, while maintaining decent performance levels in rough seas.

Just what are these design ratios, and how are they derived?

Interior Layout & Design

The design of the interior of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 is exemplary in its standard offering. Inside, you will find three cabins capable of accommodating six to eight people and two heads, giving ample room for those long cruises.

The master cabin in the Sun Odyssey 44's bow allows room for a queen-sized bed, copious storage space, and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. The other two aft cabins exhibit double berths and share a spacious head also equipped with a shower.

The vessel's saloon area aligns with Jeanneau's commitment to comfort and elegance. It features a U-shaped seating area set around a large dining table. The inviting area also includes a well-equipped galley and a dedicated chart table. The galley of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 comes outfitted with a refrigerator, stove, oven, and ample countertop space.

The alternative layout is the four-cabin configuration, often favored for charter operations. This layout carefully subdivides the space into four symmetrical cabins, two fore and two aft, providing ample space for eight people while maintaining the two heads.

On Deck

On the exterior, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 encapsulates smart design decisions. The deck layout has been skillfully designed for easy manoeuvrability, with most control lines leading back to the spacious cockpit.

The rigging of the Sun Odyssey 44 is exceptional. It features a masthead sloop configuration with a furling genoa and a semi-full-batten mainsail, allowing for easy handling even when short-handed.

The hull design of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 exhibits a fine entry and wide aft sections, promising a good turn of speed and stability. With a deep draft fin keel and spade rudder, this vessel comfortably mixes performance and control.

Real-life Experiences & Stories from Owners

A page on the Jeanneau website features stories from owners of the Sun Odyssey 44 where they share their favourite memories aboard their Jeanneau powerboats or sailboats. Here are some of the highlights:

  • One owner has owned their Sun Odyssey 44 since 2004 and has made thousands of memories because of it. They have had the freedom to explore wild Alaska and have taken friends and family on many of their adventures.
  • Another owner lives aboard their Sun Odyssey 440 ‘Sea Rose,’ during the summer months, and this past summer were able to experience Croatian and Greek life up-close and personal. They love the walk-around design for the ease and safety it provides, and their living room is their cockpit.
  • A third owner has owned their Sun Odyssey 409 for five years now. The joy that it’s brought, as a place to get away, can only be shown with a big smile. Even their Golden Retriever, Hudson, enjoys his time on the boat. Life on their boat has to be the best move since they retired. The sunrises and sunsets that they have seen have been breathtaking, they tell us.

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44: A Few FAQs

Is the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

The Sun Odyssey 44 is no longer in production. It was first introduced in 1987 and was produced until 1995. During this time, approximately 200 boats were built.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 were built and what are the differences between them?

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 DS (Deck Saloon) is an alternative version of the Sun Odyssey 44. It features a raised deckhouse that provides panoramic views and increased headroom below deck. The DS version also has a different sail plan and rigging than the standard version.

How many people can sleep on board a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44?

The Sun Odyssey 44 can accommodate up to eight people in three cabins plus a convertible saloon.

What keel options, if any, are available for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44?

The standard keel for the Sun Odyssey 44 has a draft of 2.1 meters (6'11''). A shoal draft keel with a draft of 1.65 meters (5'5'') is also available as an option.

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com

Other sailboats in the Jeanneau range include:


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