The Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Sailboat
(aka the Sun Odyssey 44)
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Jeanneau Sun Magic 44, an aft cockpit cruising sloop, was designed by Daniel Andrieu and built in France by Jeanneau.

The Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 sailboat, also known as the Sun Odyssey 44The Jeanneau Sun Magic 44

Published Specification for the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44

Underwater Profile: Fin keel with spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 43'9" (13.3m)

Waterline Length: 34'9" (10.6m)

Beam: 13'11" (4.2m)

Draft: 7'0" (2.1m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 22,050lb (10,002kg)

Designer: Daniel Andrieu

Builder: Jeanneau (France)

Year First Built: 1987

Published Design Ratios for the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44

Based on the published design ratios provided for the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 sailboat, these are the theoretical sailing characteristics:

  • The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio indicates the power-to-weight ratio of the sailboat. With a value of 17.4, the Sun Magic 44 falls into the category of reasonably good performance. It suggests that the boat has enough sail area to perform well in a variety of wind conditions, making it suitable for both cruising and some level of competitive sailing.
  • A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 37.4 indicates that the boat has a moderate level of stiffness and power to stand up to the wind. While it is not as stiff as boats with a ratio of 40 or more, it still provides a good balance between stability and performance. However, this ratio does not account for the location of the ballast. If the ballast is concentrated lower in the keel, the boat will be stiffer compared to a boat with a higher ballast but distributed higher up.
  • With a Displacement/Length Ratio of 201, the Sun Magic 44 is classified as a moderate displacement boat. This means it strikes a balance between being light enough to be easily driven by its sail area and heavy enough to provide a comfortable ride. It will require a moderate amount of sail area to reach its hull speed, making it suitable for both coastal cruising and longer passages.
  • The Comfort Ratio of 29.8 suggests that the Sun Magic 44 offers a moderate level of comfort, typical of a coastal cruiser. It indicates that the boat will have a relatively stable motion in moderate sea conditions, making it comfortable for extended cruising but not necessarily ideal for very rough ocean conditions.
  • A Capsize Screening Formula of 1.9 indicates that the Sun Magic 44 is well-suited for bluewater sailing. This low value suggests that the boat has a low risk of capsizing in rough seas, making it a safe choice for ocean passages.

While these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance and characteristics of the sailboat, they have limitations. Foe example:

  • Ballast/Displacement Ratio: This ratio does not consider the distribution of the ballast. A boat with a lower ballast concentrated at the bottom of the keel can be stiffer than a boat with a higher ballast distributed higher up. Therefore, the actual stiffness and stability can vary significantly based on the design of the keel and ballast placement.
  • Comfort Ratio: Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio tends to favor heavy displacement, narrow-beamed vessels with long overhangs. Modern light-displacement, beamy cruisers with plumb bows may not score well on this ratio, even though they can offer good comfort and bluewater capability. The ratio does not fully account for advancements in hull design and construction that can enhance comfort in newer boats.

Overall, while these ratios provide a useful starting point for understanding the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44's sailing characteristics, they should be considered alongside other factors such as hull design, keel configuration, and overall build quality to get a complete picture of the boat's performance and suitability for different sailing conditions.

A Few FAQs...

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

The Sun Magic 44 is no longer in production. It was built by Jeanneau in France between 1987 and 1993, with about 700 boats completed. The design was also licensed for production to Olympic Marine of Greece as the Atlantic 44 and was first built in 1990. The exact number of Atlantic 44s built is unknown, but it is likely much lower than the Sun Magic 44.

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

The Sun Magic 44 was also sold as the Sun Odyssey 44 by Jeanneau, with minor cosmetic differences such as a different deck layout and interior design. The Atlantic 44 by Olympic Marine was a licensed version of the Sun Magic 44, with some modifications such as a taller mast, a deeper keel, and a larger cockpit.

What is the history of the builders of the Sun Magic 44 and is the company still in business?

The Sun Magic 44 was built by Jeanneau, a French company that was founded in 1957 by Henri Jeanneau. Jeanneau started as a manufacturer of wooden powerboats, but soon expanded to fibreglass and sailboats. Jeanneau became one of the leading sailboat builders in Europe, producing a range of models from dinghies to yachts. Jeanneau was acquired by Groupe Beneteau in 1995, but continues to operate as a separate brand. Jeanneau is still in business and produces a variety of sailboats and powerboats.

The Atlantic 44 was built by Olympic Marine, a Greek company that was established in 1974 by George Andreadis. Olympic Marine specialized in building sailing yachts based on designs from renowned naval architects. Olympic Marine also offered charter, brokerage, and maintenance services. Olympic Marine ceased operations in 2010 due to the economic crisis in Greece.

What sailplan and rig options, if any, are available for the Sun Magic 44?

The Sun Magic 44 has a masthead sloop rig, with a deck-stepped mast, two sets of unswept spreaders and aluminium spars with discontinuous stainless steel wire rigging. The standard sailplan consists of a mainsail with slab reefing and a furling genoa. The optional sailplan includes a furling mainsail and a self-tacking jib. The Sun Magic 44 can also carry a spinnaker or a gennaker for downwind sailing.

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

The Sun Magic 44 has two keel options: a fixed fin keel or a stub keel and centreboard. The fin keel version has a draft of 6.96 ft (2.12 m) and carries 8,155 lb (3,699 kg) of iron ballast. The centreboard version has a draft of 8.40 ft (2.56 m) with the centreboard extended and 4.90 ft (1.49 m) with it retracted, and carries 9,149 lb (4,150 kg) of ballast, consisting of exterior cast iron ballast and a steel centreboard. The fin keel version offers better performance and stability, while the centreboard version offers more versatility and shallow water access.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge, we believe them to be accurate.

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