One owner, always fresh water, and well taken care! Recent Bottom Paint, Recent Huff Polish.

The Sun Odyssey 40.3 features a sleek-looking hull, low cabinhouse with abundant windows and portholes to flood the interior with light, the comfortable cockpit has been tested, refined and proven to work on countless designs, sailed by thousands of owners. The continuity of the technology is one of the advantages of boats produced by large production boatbuilders such as Jeanneau.

The 40.3 name refers to the design's version rather than its size, which is actually a hull length of about 39 feet.

The hull is hand-laid glass with vinylester and polyester resins. It is the first Jeanneau to have a structural grid built separately and added after the hull is laid up, a more economical process. The mast is deck stepped. The 40.3 has the sturdiness you'd expect from a name like Jeanneau and the comfort of a much larger boat. The standard teak cockpit seats and transom are a very handsome touch, and the optional teak decks will certainly add an air of class to the overall look of the boat.

Down below
Stepping down below and into the spacious salon, the benefit of Jeanneau's experience is immediately apparent. The companionway stairs are curved. The interior is made of Burmese teak, which gives it a rich look. This boat has the more popular two-cabin configuration, which obviously lends itself to more space than the three-cabin version, which compromises space in the aft head and saloon to make way for a second aft cabin and a separate forward head.

At the bottom of the companionway, the large galley is to starboard. A two-burner stove and oven are tucked in the corner, leaving a large amount of counter space. Even more counter space is garnered by handy sink covers. The storage solutions in the galley are ingenious. Behind the counter, cupboards come with pre-drilled peg holes for sturdy dish storage, and a fold-down bin offers a good amount of space. Under the sink, one door opens to expose the garbage bin with a self-opening lid. The other door opens to give access to pull-out plastic bins perfect for storing plates or can goods in a secure spot.

Opposite the galley is a good-sized nav station, with a table big enough to fold out a chart and a curved seat to hold you in when the boat is heeling.

A U-shaped settee is to starboard with ample seating space. As an option, owners can choose to have a dinette that converts to a double berth. Another slightly curved settee is on the port side, divided by a built-in table. The large V-berth forward has tons of storage underneath the bunk and a handy flip-open storage area on the aft end of the bunk and has a vanity in the cabin.

A double bunk is aft, and the head is accessed through a separate door just aft of the nav station. A glass divider separates the vanity from the toilet and shower area. A large door on the back side of the head accesses a handy storage area/workshop in the shallow area under the lazarette, perfect for extra sail storage or other not-frequently-used items. A built-in tool organizer near the front of the storage compartment is a clever addition.

The workshop area houses two of the four batteries and also provides access to the engine, which can also be accessed under the companionway steps and through the aft cabin. The other two batteries are stored under the aft bunk. All of the floor boards lift for bilge access.

On deck
The 56-horsepower Yanmar engine provides plenty of get-up-and-go for the 17,549-pound boat. The engine is remarkably quiet on deck. The engine control panel and throttle are mounted on the starboard steering station, so all maneuvering under power will happen from that side of the boat.

Furling systems have their drawbacks in the form of sail shape and performance but anyone who dreads setting the main because of the inevitable struggle that comes later when they have to take it down will appreciate the ease and peace of mind that comes with the in-mast furling system.

The twin steering wheels are a real plus. There is plenty of space between them to walk to the swim-step transom, which has a separate, offset fold-down ladder. Instruments are found at each steering station and a chartplotter is cleverly mounted on the back of the cockpit table where the helmsman can easily use it. The added dodger makes the cockpit a haven in even the foulest weather.

Harken winches and deck hardware are standard and all control lines are led to the cockpit. On the bow, an electric windlass is standard, and feeds anchor rode into a locker.

The aluminum rig stands 54 feet, 6 inches off the water and features slightly swept-back spreaders and split, fixed backstay. The shrouds are inboard to avoid disturbing the genoa sheeting angle. The main is sheeted at midboom, with a short traveler forward of the companionway.

Under sail
The boat is markedly stable, handling powerboat wakes with ease. The comfortable, slightly angled helmsman seats are perfectly positioned to make steering from either side a pleasure. Tacking is no problem with the convenient cockpit set-up. The 40.3 was designed to be easily sailed short-handed and docking is made easy thanks to the 3-blade Gori Folding prop.

The 40.3 is a nice-sailing boat for summer cruising with all the comforts of home.