Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 wins the “European Yacht of the Year” in the “Family Cruiser” category

After USA, Europe, too, crowns the Sun Odyssey 440. The new Jeanneau‘s boat, awarded as “Best Boat of 2018” in the States, has been named “European Yacht of the Year 2018” in the “Family Cruiser” category by the jury of Boot Düsseldorf. The new year could not start better for the French brand, which decided to renovate its product line during 2017.

The prize was judged by a dozen of specialist yachting journalists and boat testers from across Europe. A feature that was deemed particularly noteworthy by the awards’ judges was the welcoming, seaworthy character of this boat, charming in both interiors and exteriors. The unimpeded deck surface, the lack of obstacles or steps and the improved safety on board (especially for kids) played a very important role for the final result.

The Sun Odyssey 440 was indeed designed by Jeanneau to make passengers share sporty performances and comfortable spaces. Compared with her predecessors, the new entry of the line features a forward displacement of volumes, clearly inspired by modern offshore cruisers.

More specifically, deck lines, with their gentle sloping from bow to stern, are enhanced by the total absence of steps along side-decks. Movement about the deck is facilitated by the separation of the shrouds with the vertical quartered shrouds located on the outside of the hull and the inner diagonal one inboard for an easy passage forward.

The traditional gunwale is now replaced by a raised border with soft shock-proof edges, which forms another innovative feature of this beautiful boat.

The pursuit of exclusive confort can be found in the backrests of the cockpit sette benches, which, higher than the average, can be extended outward to form a large sunbed that covers nearly half the width of the boat, creating a massive sun pad.

In the cockpit, designer Philippe Briand has created an asymmetric development: the left bench is indeed linear and gives direct access to the companion, while the starboard one is L-shaped and partially envelops the central table. The latter is supported by a cabinet which provides the owner with an electric push-botton panel to open the stern bathing platform and create additional storage space aboard.

The low location of the mast gooseneck enables crew members to work comfortably when collecting the mainsail on the boom. The whole sail plan has been specifically designed to ensure easy handling even with small crew. All the sheets are lead back to the twin helm stations which remain uncluttered. The bowsprit hosts an integrated anchor roller and offers the possibility to install a Code-0 or a gennaker, too.

As for interiors, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 houses clear-coloured woods that, together with walls, beds, clear fabrics and numerous windows, contribute to flood every environment with great brightness.

Refined details, including a watch and a barometer specially designed by Jeanneau, enhance the interior design.

The French brand has also focused on the chart table, which almost serves as a real bureau. The central zone is home to the galley, efficiently equipped with burners, an oven and a refrigerator. The central table can seat up to 8 adults and can even become a double berth.

Furnished with a rectangular double bed and side wardrobes, the master cabin is one the main strengths of this boat. The Sun Odyssey is offered in three different versions with two, three or four cabins in order to best suit the owner’s needs. The four-cabin version is offered for sale at € 191,300.00, VAT excluded.