Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 is "Family Cruiser" 2018 European Yacht of the Year

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey won Family Cruiser!

The five 2018 European Yacht of the Year winners were announced on the first evening of the Dusseldorf Boat show, on January 20th. Scroll down for video tour!

Jeanneau and Philippe Briand have announced their latest collaboration, the 44-feet (13.4-metre) SO 440, the new model in the Sun Odyssey cruising boat range that Briand has been designing for the French builder since 2012.

Briand’s work has unveiled three distinct ways in which the SO 440’s layout and naval architecture will make life onboard the boat easier and more comfortable for owners and guests.

Firstly, the hull form’s inspiration from scow-hulled working boats, which have squared-off forward sections, offers an unparalleled beam towards the bow of the vessel. This provides the owner’s cabin with a generous and luxurious volume.

Secondly, thanks to a lack of barriers between the cockpit and the deck, movement is unimpeded by steps or obstacles. This improves circulation in day-to-day use as well as improves safety.

Thirdly, a “transformer” cockpit backrest has been developed for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440, offering protection within the cockpit as well as an elevated vantage point from the helm. This backrest can be pivoted 90 degrees from vertical to a horizontal position, so lying flat to offer a full-beam 330% extension of the overall cockpit zone to the rear.

For more information on the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44o click here!

FAMILY CRUISER

Nominees: Beneteau Oceanis 51, Hanse 548, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

Winner: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 European Yacht of the Year 2018

Credit to the large-scale production yards for the innovation going into their latest models. Nevertheless, the new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey range is hands-down the most impressive for its forward thinking in terms of hull shape, cockpit design and interior layout.

The realization of the volume gained from a full bow is shrewd, while the sloping side decks that make for a walk around cockpit is one of those game-changing ideas that you can expect to see copied by others in the future.