Jeanneau SO410 review: the lifting keel opens up possibilities

With its lifting keel option, the Jeanneau SO410 has a powerful advantage: it has the draft of a Class 40, but can also slip into shallows. Toby Hodges was intrigued

If you are cruising in tidal ports or shallow water, your choice of new midsize production yachts is more limited than you might think. While most manufacturers offer a shallow draft version of their fixed keels by adding more weight to the bulb to compensate for the reduction in righting moment, this is not a compromise all sailors are willing to make. . Jeanneau, on the other hand, has long offered a lifting keel on its smaller models, but by doing it on something the size of the new Jeanneau SO410, it has established a nifty niche for itself.

The Vendée shipyard certainly did not follow the status quo when it developed its eighth generation Sun Odyssey line three years ago and the Jeanneau SO410 is added to a host of innovations for this latest range.

First, the revolutionary bow and hull shape, as well as the deck design on the SO440 and SO490. Now comes that lifting keel option, which is technically a hinged weighted keel. This is a similar concept to that used by Pogo for its performance yachts, yet Jeanneau is the only large-scale cruising yacht builder to offer such a system.

A powerful hull shape allows for pleasant navigation. Photo: Josh Tarr

Consider the fact that the standard draft of a Jeanneau SO410 is a conservator of 2.25m and the shoal keel version is only 1.6m deep. Alternatively, this lifting keel version reaches 2.97m / 9ft 8in, which is the draft of a Class 40 racing boat and a substantial difference in potential scoring ability. Then, with the push of a button on the helm, it toggles down to just 1.37m / 4’5 ”.

This € 20,000 option is therefore a future game changer for those who wish to sail efficiently upwind. For example, the owner of the test boat, which is the first lifting keel version of this model in the UK, wants to sail regularly from Falmouth to the Isles of Scilly with his large family. He therefore wishes to reduce passage times by sailing against the prevailing westerly winds while being able to enter the coves on arrival.

We had a brief opportunity to sail her new boat with Atlantic Yachts agents in Plymouth before she was delivered the next day.

Jeanneau SO410 under sail

The SO440 and SO490 were the forerunners of this modern trend in hull shapes and the first impressions of the Jeanneau SO410 are of another contemporary, powerful and aggressive design.

This interpretation by Marc Lombard continues and refines that full arch, chamfered and chamfered aspect – elements that help give maximum internal volume while keeping the wet surface narrow. The forefoot and the first 0.5m below the bow of the dreadnought are also noticeably dry.

The chines help create volume and stability, while the double rudders give the wide hull good grip. Photo: Josh Tarr

A bow thruster is an option most owners would have taken and while that seems overkill for this length of boat, I can understand why. The light and bulky bow is easily blown away by the wind when under engine, which makes maneuvering difficult, especially in reverse.

Typical British summer conditions greeted us in Plymouth Sound, with westerly winds of 15-20 knots that were really swelling under the dark clouds. This was the boat’s first time sailing, so I was surprised and impressed by how quickly and easily the Jeanneau SO410 found its rhythm. He never felt rushed and was easy to maintain good speeds (very close to the polars in fact).

We averaged 7 beat knots and 9 reach. It was also a fun yacht to sail against the wind, in depth with the swell, where we pushed 9.5 knots with the Code sail. I wanted more, which is always a good sign.

The bowsprit incorporates the bow davit, an option necessary to keep the anchor clear of the inverted rod. Photo: Josh Tarr

It should be noted the stability of the shape of the hull and the ability that this keel gives you to point high in relation to the wind (70 ° turn). He remained very light at the helm, but with pleasant and direct control. Marc Lombard is a seasoned designer of racing yachts of this length, so the performance and handling of the SO410 should perhaps come as no surprise.

The handling of the twin deep rudders and the deep keel gave me a lot of confidence to navigate around the yachts moored in Cawsand Bay. Sailing by foot and upwind is addicting. The mainsail and genoa sheets are on neat bridle systems and while the latter allows for adjustment to drive the sheets in for a tight tack, the lack of a travel option means it It is almost impossible to cut the mainsail at a similar high angle.

The deep pivoting keel has risen. Photo: Josh Tarr

Managing the sheets of the two rear winches is a bit tricky. You need to pre-plan tacking to ensure the new working genoa sheet will be on the correct winch, swapping it with the German-led mainsheet. A real benefit of the ramped side deck design, however, is the ability to stand outside to operate the winch while still having the safety of over 1 foot of bulwark to lean against.

Both sheets on the test boat had clutches, which allow you to release the winch, but can cause problems for the genoa sheets during tacking if accidentally left in place. We also found that these sheets consistently snagged the front mast base cleat during tacking, so it would be prudent to move or cover this cleat.

Winches and pedestals are positioned just aft to maximize cockpit space, leaving compact space behind the helms. However, you have the option of sitting askew, or assuming the unique position of sitting forward facing with your legs straight on the side deck.

The resulting cockpit size is impressive, as is the protection afforded by the deep coamings and large soft top. There is no storage for the tails of sheets, so bags should be installed to keep things tidy. Elsewhere, deck stowage is sufficient in two shallow bench chests, a quarter locker and a sail locker.

Jeanneau SO490 at the bottom

The SO410 offers plenty of accommodation options, from two cabins and a three-cabin cabin with two cabins, and it’s arguably the excellent proportions and amount of space it offers in all areas that help it to stand out from competition.

Spacious, bright and airy in the main saloon with a practical C-shaped kitchen. Photo credit: Bertrand Duquenne

This space allows for the inclusion of a suitable navigation station, large aft cabins and an impressive owner’s cabin with en-suite bathroom. Slab tops between the upper and lower chines help create beam in the galley, saloon and forward cabin.

Rectangular berth in the huge forward cabin. The lifting keel version tilts this berth. Photo credit: Bertrand Duquenne

The lower decks have a modern apartment feel and I liked the fabric on the bulkheads and the neat storage solutions throughout. One of the main differences from the old SO409 is the configuration of the central kitchen, which has a convenient C shape for working at the heel. It includes a large refrigerator and ample storage space.

The forward cabin door has been shifted to make room for the keel box, eliminating the option of a convertible double berth in the saloon. The central lounge chair is a great feature and makes smart use of the bowling box. Very comfortable seat in the heart of the boat, it also extends flat to make a pretty berth for children. The manual pump for the keel cylinder is mounted below and there is a spy glass to check the position of the cylinder.

The forward cabin also has a smart layout. By tilting the headboard and bunk against the forward bulkhead, this creates room for a suitable rectangular bunk (as opposed to a typical V-shape) as well as a good staggered bathroom and shower compartment to the port side , which is the same size and configuration as the rear heads.

There’s also plenty of space and light in the nearly identical aft cabins, which have low bunks, modest stowage, and large side access panels in the engine room. The curved and tinkered joinery, in particular the central storage between the navigation station and the galley, offer good support when walking at the foot. Shock absorbers and spacers are used on the soles to prevent some cracking, but unfortunately much of the plywood in the plywood was left exposed and unsealed.

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