The Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 measures 50,6 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 at 43,8 feet (1987). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 tips the scales at 30 644 lbs — 8 598 lbs less than the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 at 22 046 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 has a 31-hp advantage over the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987's 44-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 carries 63 gallons versus 58 gallons in the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 displaces 30 644 lbs — a 8 598-lb difference over the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 at 22 046 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 7,0 ft and 7,6 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 uses a 1 wheel versus a 2 wheels on the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. For auxiliary power the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 carries a 75-hp engine against 44 hp on the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 9,1 knots for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 and 7,9 knots for the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 carries 163 gallons versus 127 gallons on the Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 2011 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 30 644 lbs displacement and 51 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Fin keel 1987 at 22 046 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.