Here we have another review of the Jeanneau range for your reading pleasure, looking at the new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 41DS offered by Jeanneau and how it incorporates and builds on the rest of its hugely successful deck saloon range.

What’s the big idea?

The general principle of the new Sun Odyssey 41DS, designed by Flahault & Jeanneau design, is based on the same ideals and concepts as its larger stablemates in the rest of the DS range including features such as a large cockpit, huge amounts of ventilation and light and plenty of storage on board.

The boat is setup with 2 cabin 2 heads, offering a spacious and intelligently designed owners cabin at the stern featuring a transom window and large centre cabin double bed, for guests there is a large vip guest cabin at the forepeak.

The Sun Odyssey 41DS is deigned by Jeanneau’s principle naval architect, Phillipe Briand, is based on the same hull as the very popular Sun Odyssey 409, with the same rudder and keel configuration offering great responsiveness and rigidity.  Offered with in-mast furling main sail as standard for ease of cruising sailing with 106% genoa, or the option of a classic mast with fully battened mainsail in mylar taffeta and the same 106% genoa also in mylar.

The boat is also offered in two different keel configurations, a standard keel at 2.10m or a shoal draft keel at 1.55m

So let’s discuss the exterior….

Cockpit – The cockpit of the 41Ds is one of the key features on this and all the deck saloon boats, this is where you spend the majority of your time on board so it is setup as one of the key living spaces aboard the boat.

“the German sheeting system means all

control is returned to the helm”

At the aft of the cockpit you find the working area of the boat with twin helms and sheet winches at each station meaning all the sail handling can be done by those at the helm leaving the rest of the cockpit area open to lounging and relaxing.

The cockpit boasts two large cockpit lockers, one on either side, offering plenty of room for gear, sheets, lines, fenders and more.  Under both helm seats are two very deep lockers and a further wet locker in the transom.

The German sheeting system means all the control is returned to the helm and to the outside of each helm there are purpose designed lockers to hold rope tails from these winches, these lockers also incorporate the fuel and shore power hook-ups for the boat, keeping the deck and cockpit clean and tidy.

At the centre of the cockpit is the main cockpit table, with folding leaves either side and detachable table lamp this provides a great entertaining and lounging space whilst toward the helm end of the table a pivotable pod allows for a screen to be mounted and pivoted to face either helm or towards anybody else who may be navigating aboard.

There are yet more clever ideas at the front of the cockpit with the coachroof winches all being setup to incorporate the generally less used lines of the boat which again tuck away neatly into their own storage compartment allowing you to keep the deck and backrest areas clear whilst sailing for comfort, or the book/map holders built into the sprayhood which make the yacht really stand out.

“the pullout gangway hatch can be locked at a number

of different heights allowing you to ventilate the

cabin easily”

A further innovative feature to be found here is the gangway hatch which pulls up from the floor panel, negating the need to stow it whilst underway, its also possible to lock it at a number of different heights allowing you to ventilate the cabin without having the full panel removed.

Deck – Once on deck of the 41DS you will be immediately struck by the clever ergonomic design features and overall space which she offers allowing for the variety of different sail configurations and setups which are specified for this boat.

Looking over the deck you will notice the lack of lines as the vast majority all run under the coming and with the flush windlass, flush hatches making this boat is both stylish and safe in all conditions, in addition to the side stays returning to the inside of the walkway making it even easier when moving forward aboard the boat.

A quick word on the powerplant…

The companion way covering the engine has very wide stairs which curve up to either side for safety and is made from fiberglass to alleviate any issues with the more regular water this part of the interior tends to see, with handrails coming down both sides the boat, the engine access is very straightforward with gas lifting rods opening the hatch upwards. The engine itself is the well proven and very capable Yanmar 40HP/29kW and has been designed in such a way that all your daily checks can be easily done from the front or through the panels from each side or from the rear, giving this engine fantastic access all around.

Like much of the Jeanneau range it is now possible to get this in the innovative 360 docking option.

Moving inside….

Below decks the boat is split up into the various sections used whilst living aboard, meaning the flow of people throughout the boat is always free and easy, allowing maximum space for the individual activities.

Galley area – The galley is a large compartmentalised space, with all surface hatches folding away flush after use, the sink tap mounted over the Belfast style sink comes with inbuilt hose to make washing easy and straightforward. Plenty of stowage in the cupboard compartments to the side of the galley finished in white lacquer give very high quality finish to the galley and a very large 185L fridge freezer compartment makes it possible to keep all your supplies even for longer voyages.

“the white laquer finish provides a

very high quality finish to the galley”

To the side of the double burner cooker is a large pullout spice rack unit and hooks for hanging towels and other galley equipment, in addition to this under the sink you will find extra drawers and accessible from the saloon the pull out rubbish bin.

Saloon area – The main saloon serves as the primary relaxation area inside the boat and one of the things which Jeanneau wanted to emphasise within the boat, permitting superb visibility through the portholes and ample seating around the large and spacious folding table which converts to a cockpit table with an optional electrical leg allowing the table to drop into place to convert to a double berth.

On the port side of the saloon a large chaise lounging area is designed to be extra deep to allow for a maximum comfort whilst relaxing in this area, at the foot of the this chaise lounger you find the optional stool which extends the chaise area or otherwise pulls out to offer additional seating around the table.

Navigation station – The very large navigation area has plenty of stowage and space for a TV which can act as a repeater for the navigation instruments, underneath which you will find a very large stowage area which can incorporate the optional fridge/bar cabinet or just be used for extra storage. Above the nav table itself you will find yet further storage finished in the same high gloss white lacquer as found on many of the kitchen cabinets adding to the quality feel and finish of the boat.

The accommodation…

Forward cabin – The forward cabin serves as a fully equipped VIP guest cabin, which if not for the aft would lay good claim to being the owners cabin,  with a private heads compartment, a very large double berth and large hanging locker this really is a great berth.

The berth itself has a great lifting headrest feature and offers independent reading lights to both sides of the bed on movable stalks to optimize reading comfort and, like the rest of the boat, is very well lit through side windows and the large curved roof hatch with integral shades and insect screen.

“the berth has a great lifting headrest feature

and offers independent reading lights”

The private heads compartment features good storage all around, a mixer shower with independent head rest on the wall and large sink making this a very enjoyable private space for your guests.

Aft Cabin – The aft cabin is the standout feature of this boat and serves as the true owners cabin aboard the boat using the full width of the boat and going right to the transom of the vessel where you can find the unique transom window providing a brilliant view out. The bed itself is a very large double and as with the rest of the boat the storage options here are endless, offering great options such as individual bedside lockers, a large hanging locker and individual storage lockers/shelving to the sides.

Again its the little tricks in here that make it stand out, from the beautiful table lamps to the measured walkways ensuring ease of movement and flow all around this cabin which make it a real winner, as with the rest of the boat this cabin has been designed in such a way to take advantage of the light and space concept meaning the cabin is both light and airy at all times.

“it’s the little tricks in here that make it stand out,

from beautiful table lamps to measured walkways”

The large aft heads is accessible both from the saloon and from the owners cabin, making it the main heads aboard the boat offering great shower space in a fully enclosable area of the bathroom covered by the custom shower unit. The heads itself is neatly tucked away under a fold up counter-top and the rest of the compartment offers plenty of storage wherever you look.

To summarise…

This is a wonderful addition to the Jeanneau deck saloon range, building on many of the features the rest of the range offers this new yacht really takes advantage of the deck saloon concept creating a boat which is at once both a cruising sailors dream and a very luxurious and comfy living space.

If you have any questions about this boat we haven’t covered then just get in touch