When the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 made her World Debut, she turned heads with innovative walk-around decks, modern styling, and a performance-oriented hull. Part of Groupe Beneteau’s Jeanneau brand, the Sun Odyssey line aims to blend comfort, ease of handling, and respectable sailing performance in packages that appeal to both private owners and charter fleets.
Today, we’ll take a detailed look at the Sun Odyssey 440’s strengths, weaknesses, design philosophy, years built, notable reviews, and awards, helping you evaluate if this model is the right fit for your cruising ambitions.
Quick Facts
- Years Built: 2017 – Present
- LOA: ~44’ 11” (13.39 m)
- Beam: 14’ (4.29 m)
- Draft: 5’ 2” (shoal) to 7’ 1” (deep)
- Displacement: ~18,874 lbs (8,566 kg)
- Sail area: 972sq ft (90.30m2)
- SA/D ratio: 22
- Diesel: 44 gal (200 litres)
- Water: 73 gal (330 litres)
- Engine: 57hp
- Transmission: Shaft
- RCD category: A
Designer: Philippe Briand (hull), Jean-Marc Piaton (interior)
Builder: Jeanneau (part of Groupe Beneteau)
Strengths of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440
Deck & Cockpit Ergonomics: The 440 introduced a true walk-around deck concept, with side decks that slope down toward the cockpit level, allowing crew to move from bow to stern without climbing over coamings. This makes sail handling, docking, and moving about under way much safer and easier, especially for shorthanded cruisers.
Comfortable, Modern Interior: The boat offers a bright, airy interior with modern European styling, large hull windows, and multiple layout options (2- or 3-cabin). The forward owner’s cabin is spacious, with an island berth and good storage.
Sailing Performance: Designed by Philippe Briand, the 440 features a chined hull and hard-bilged design for stability and performance. Owners report the boat is lively under sail, especially in moderate breezes, while remaining manageable for couples.
Easy Singlehanding: With in-mast furling, well-laid-out lines led aft, and twin helms, the 440 is designed for easy handling by a couple or sole sailor.
The Groupe Beneteau Advantage
Jeanneau has been part of Groupe Beneteau since 1995, giving it access to shared design talent, advanced production processes, and a vast dealer network. This means:
- Parts availability worldwide.
- Strong resale value.
- Consistent support and service.
- Modern production techniques keep boats affordable without sacrificing quality.
Notable Compromises To Consider
Wave Splashback at Helm: While the sloped, walk-around decks are a major advantage for easy movement, one commonly noted trade-off is water management when a wave comes aboard. Because the decks slope aft toward the cockpit, if a wave splashes high onto the side decks, water can run aft and end up at the skipper’s feet at the helm before it finds the drains or flows out the transom gap.
Light Air Performance: As with many modern cruisers, the 440’s design prioritizes interior volume, which can result in slower speeds in very light air, even when equipped with a code zero and light-air sails.
Systems Access: Some owners report that accessing certain systems, like the water heater and fuel filters, can be tight depending on the layout.
Docking Visibility: While visibility from the twin helms is good under sail, docking in crosswinds may require a bow thruster for ease, especially for newer skippers. Luckily, most of the 440’s are equipped with said thruster.
Reviews and Awards
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 has received significant praise in the industry:
- Sail Magazine’s Best Monohull Cruising Boat 40-50 Feet (2018)
- Cruising World’s Boat of the Year 2018 (Most Innovative)
Cruising World reviewed both the 440 and 490, and had the following to say:
So what, exactly, is this revolutionary innovation? The deck layout and, especially, the cockpit configuration. Really? That’s it? Yes, and anyone who’s ever clambered over a coaming in a nasty seaway and felt the world had just become a very dangerous and unforgiving place will certainly understand this once they’ve experienced the ingenious arrangement both models share.
Much of the praise on her way to receiving the Sail Magazine award regarded ease of movement aboard:
With this latest model, Jeanneau has gone to great lengths to improve deck and cockpit ergonomics. The most striking new feature is the side deck arrangement, in which they slope downward as they move aft, eventually merging with the cockpit sole to create a pair of great walk-through spaces around each of the twin helm stations. This, in turn, makes it possible for crew to move fluidly from the cockpit to the deck without ever having to climb over anything, and for the helmsman to stand comfortably outboard of either wheel while steering.
48° North noted the following in their 2018 Boat Test:
The Jeanneau 440 is a bold, forward-thinking design. It’ll intrigue you at the dock, impress you on deck, and wow you under sail. Combine all that with luxurious cruising amenities – it really is the total package.
Boating New Zealand rated her a 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars, citing:
This is an easy boat to sail – even single-handed – and I’m confident she’ll become a significant factor in Jeanneau’s sales figures. Since the 2017 debut, the factory has secured orders for more than a hundred 440s. And it’s easy to understand the interest – she’s very comfortable and a sharp performer, with loads of innovative features that contribute to her distinctiveness.
Who should sail the 440? According to Yachting Monthly:
If you enjoy coastal cruising and a few longer passages thrown in, there are many features on the 440 that you won’t find on other yachts in her class: the full-length volume giving chine, fold down coamings, central galley, the rectangular berth and the innovative walkway from the helm to the deck.
✅ Comfortable liveaboard and coastal cruising qualities
✅ Thoughtful cockpit ergonomics
✅ Solid upwind and reaching performance
✅ Quality construction and finishes for the price point
Equipment & Options
- Engine: Standard Yanmar 45hp or Upgraded Yanmar 57hp
- 2 Cabin / 3 Cabin / 4 Cabin
- Mast: Standard Rig, In-Mast Furling, or Performance Rig
- Headsails: Overlapping 135% Genoa, Self Tacking Jib, Asymetrical Spinnaker, Code 0
Optional Workshop
On the owner’s version (2 Cabin) you have the option of either 2 heads or a converted “Workshop” which gives owner a flexible space for working, doing laundry, or keeping extra storage for long journeys. The workshop also gives you great acccess to the tanks and storage, and as a bonus, you get an even larger berth.
Final Thoughts & Why Consider the Sun Odyssey 440 for Your Cruising Plans?
The Sun Odyssey 440 is a modern, innovative cruiser that has earned its spot among the best-selling 40-foot sailboats in recent years. It’s perfect for families and couples looking for comfortable coastal and island cruising – with just enough performance to remind you why you love sailing in the first place.
If you’d like to explore current listings, schedule a showing, or get advice on options and upgrades, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your Gulf Coast Yachting Experts are always here to help you find the perfect boat for your next adventure.