Designed by the renowned Bruce Farr in collaboration with J&J Design, this substantial cruising yacht represents Jeanneau's commitment to combining performance with comfort during the early 1990s production run. Built from 1989 to 1992, the Sun Odyssey 51 showcases the French builder's expertise in creating versatile bluewater cruisers suitable for both coastal adventures and offshore passages. The yacht's wing keel configuration provides excellent stability while reducing draft to just 6 feet, making it accessible to shallow anchorages and harbors that might challenge deeper-draft vessels. With a displacement of 30,860 pounds and nearly 10,000 pounds of ballast, this fiberglass construction offers the substantial feel that serious cruisers appreciate for long-distance sailing. The cutter rig configuration enhances sailing versatility, allowing crews to adjust sail combinations for varying wind conditions—particularly valuable during extended offshore passages. A generous sail area of 1,340 square feet provides ample power in light conditions, while the hull's theoretical speed of 8.72 knots suggests respectable performance potential. The comfort ratio of 26.48 indicates a motion that favors stability over quick response, making this yacht particularly well-suited for cruising couples or families planning extended voyages where onboard comfort takes precedence over racing performance.
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What is the Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 21.88. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau's comfort ratio?
The Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 26.48. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau safe for offshore sailing?
The Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.04. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau?
The theoretical hull speed of the Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau is 8.72 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau weigh?
The Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau has a displacement of 30,860.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 50.83 ft.
Who designed the Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau?
The Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau was designed by Bruce Farr/J&J Design, first built in 1989.