The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 Of Helm Yachting it's a real party machine, but at the same time elegant and functional: it was designed with 5+1 cabins and to sail in large groups of friends or large families. It can accommodate up to 12 people, all sleeping in the cabin and none in the dinette.
LIVING AREA
In the 490 there is a forward facing chart table/Nav station is set to port and forward There is the galley. The galley itself has a beautiful island with three burners and oven, double sink, freezer and refrigerator. There is an additional under floor wine cooler.
To starboard, there is a generous folding dining table with a central bench seat and plenty of storage under the seats. The table can also fold down to form an extra double berth and the light below is outstanding, with hull and deck portholes complemented by more hatches.
OUTDOOR AREA
The new 'walk around' side deck gently slopes towards the helm station on each side so there's no more scrambling over contrasts and coamings to get from the cockpit to the side deck – just simply walk around the helm. And the helm itself has forward-facing seats so you can helm without having to twist your body and crane your neck.
The coamers are now hinged so they can be folded back to create sunbeds on either side. In the case of the starboard pad, it can extend all the way to the cockpit table (with filler cushion). The cockpit table is also slightly offset allowing a straight passage even when one table leaf is open.
The twin wheels, large split backstay and extra large swim platform provide easy boarding and unobstructed access through the companionway.
The engine start panel is incorporated into the center cockpit mold along with the autopilot, steering compass, table/transom, and light controls. Add in Harken electric winches operated right from the cockpit and short-sea sailing is easy, safe and stress-free.
The prevailing winds around the Aeolian Islands during the summer tend to be from the NW or NE, although, in calm weather, light sea breezes from any direction can be encountered blowing between the islands.
While rare, storms are not unheard of during the spring and early summer and careful forward planning is required as there are only two harbors that offer adequate shelter.
