Amares is not just another Sun Odyssey 409 — she is a thoughtfully specified, meticulously maintained and extensively upgraded example of Philippe Briand’s celebrated 40 footer. Lying in Torquay Marina, she blends the easy handling and performance that define the Sun Odyssey line with a rare level of private owner care. Low engine hours (~775h), a comprehensive factory options pack, significant recent maintenance, and intelligently chosen upgrades (lithium domestic bank, solar, Victron energy system, improved rig hardware) make Amares a genuinely turnkey yacht for a discerning new custodian.
2024–25 upgrades & maintenance: Saildrive diaphragm, new feathering prop + Ambassador rope cutter, full engine/gearbox service, new bow thruster batteries, new Jabsco toilet pumps, new Sunbrella Plus sprayhood, new forestay with Harken MKIV Furler Unit 2
Energy system upgrade: 340Ah Renogy lithium domestic bank, 320W solar, Victron charging & monitoring with onboard display and app integration
Upgraded folding saloon table (solid wood centre section with storage / drinks cabinet) — also lowers to form a fourth double berth
Teak cockpit sole, deep performance keel, Harken traveller and self tailing winches
Her UK VAT paid status removes the 20% import VAT exposure faced with many similar EU based boats, while her condition and inventory set her apart. The result is a yacht that feels modern, efficient and ready for serious cruising from day one.
Remarks on Design & Style
Conceived as a step change for the range, the Sun Odyssey 409 refines every element of the performance cruiser: a powerful Briand hull form for stability and pace, a fractional rig sized for easy, short handed control, and twin wheels with a wide, ergonomic cockpit for comfort underway and at anchor. The flush deck arrangement and clean control lines keep movements safe and simple; the drop down swim platform transforms life at anchor. Below, large hull ports and overhead hatches flood the interior with light; upgraded flooring and quality joinery lend warmth and durability. It’s a boat that rewards experienced sailors with precise feel on the helm, yet remains welcoming for family and guests.
Key Selling Points
When you compare the price to a boat listed outside the UK you would be advised to check that boats UK VAT Status. The reason is that when a boat is permanently imported into the UK from the EU or abroad, UK VAT is payable — even if EU VAT has been paid — unless it is sold VAT-free for export by an EU VAT-registered business. Private sellers and their agents cannot sell VAT-exempt, so UK VAT will still become due. Amares’ UK VAT-paid status avoids this extra 20% cost entirely.
Sought after 3 cabin / 2 heads layout with master cabin forward
Low hours (~775) and excellent cosmetic presentation inside & out
High factory spec (Trim Level “Preference”), bow thruster, full Simrad electronics suite (dual plotters)
Inventory & Equipment
Navigation & Communications (Simrad network)
Cockpit MFD: Simrad NSS 8 GPS multifunction display
Nav station MFD: Simrad NSS evo3 chart plotter
Autopilot: Simrad AP24 control with below decks drive (Simrad system)
AIS: Simrad NAIS 400 Class B AIS with AIS/VHF splitter (integrated to VHF)
VHF: Simrad RS25 DSC VHF with external cockpit speaker
Instruments: Simrad wind/speed/depth on the Simrad network; GPS data repeated in cockpit
Radar reflector: Firdell Blipper
Navigation lights; twin Plastimo deck compasses
Note: Both plotters can control/navigation share via the upgraded Simrad ethernet/NMEA network; charts shared across the network.
Mechanical
Engine: Yanmar 3JH5 CE, 40hp, serviced annually (latest full service May 2025)
Saildrive: Yanmar SD50 — diaphragm replaced 2025
Propeller: FeatherStream 3 blade feathering propeller (new 2025) with Ambassador Stripper rope cutter & adaptor
Bow thruster: Vetus (new thruster batteries 2025)
Heating: Webasto diesel cabin heating (6 outlets)
Hot/cold pressurised water; stainless anchor fitting with provision for twin rollers
Electrical & Energy
Shore power: 230V shore connection & lead; 230V outlets throughout
Domestic batteries: 2 × Renogy Lithium 170Ah (340Ah total; ≈600Ah lead acid equivalent)
Engine start battery: 1 × dedicated lead acid
Bow thruster batteries: 2 × Exide Spiral Cell (new 2025)
Solar: 4 × Sunbeam panels, ~320W total (fixed/coachroof array)
Victron Energy charging & monitoring
Victron mains charger for bow thruster/engine start bank — 60A / 230V
Victron mains charger for domestic bank — 60A / 230V
Victron auxiliary charger — 40A / 12V
Victron SmartSolar MPPT solar charge controller — ~20A 100/20
Victron battery monitoring with onboard display (500A SmartShunt/BMV 712) with Bluetooth app integration
LED interior lighting with low level red night lights; 12V sockets at chart table (×2) plus one uprated 12V outlet
Electrical panel with digital display.
Rigging & Deck Gear
Rig: Fractional sloop; deep keel
Forestay & Furler: New forestay with Harken MKIV Furler Unit 2 (2024), a significant upgrade over the original unit
Traveller: Long Harken mainsheet traveller enhances upwind trim
Winches: Harken self tailing primaries by the helm; electric coach roof winch plus second manual coach roof winch
Lines: Boom topping lift (10mm) led aft with jammer; spinnaker pole uphaul rigged & led aft with jammer
Hardware: 2 × pad eyes in cockpit for safety lines; outboard engine bracket; mid ship cleats
Windlass: Electric anchor windlass with cockpit control and secondary control in cockpit
Sprayhood: Sunbrella Plus (new 2025); wheel covers
Cockpit table: Folding solid wood table with handrails and three storage compartments (cover included)
Teak cockpit flooring; drop down swim platform with ladder
Deck lockers: Dedicated liferaft locker at the stern; Zodiac Airdeck 230 dinghy shown to fit in port deck locker (dinghy not included unless stated)
Ground tackle: Primary anchor with chain; second roller fitted; mooring lines & fenders
Sails
Mainsail with lazy bag & jacks
Furling genoa on Harken furler
Interior & Accommodation
Layout: 3 cabins / 2 heads (optional factory configuration)
Forward owner’s cabin: Central double berth, reading lights, hanging wardrobe, lockers; en suite heads with Jabsco toilet (new pump 2025), sink & shower; deck hatch
Saloon: U shaped starboard seating; upgraded folding saloon table (solid wood centre, storage & drinks cabinet) converting to an additional double berth; downlights & floor lights; chart table with twin seats
Galley: Eno hob & oven; twin stainless sinks; refrigerator; Jabsco under sink water filter; ample stowage
Aft cabins (port & starboard): Large double berths, hanging wardrobes, lockers; battery isolator switches in starboard cabin
Second heads: Jabsco toilet (new pump 2025), sink & shower
Upholstery: Ambience Metrom fabric; upgraded factory flooring; blinds and insect screens to hatches/ports
Safety
CO₂ and carbon monoxide alarms
External cockpit VHF speaker; pad eyes for jackstays/safety lines
Technical Specifications
Builder: Jeanneau
Designer: Philippe Briand
Built: 2011
Launched: 2012
Hull: Fibreglass/GRP monohull; fin keel with bulb; spade rudder
Ballast: Iron
LOA: 12.34 m (40.49 ft)
LWL: 11.00 m (36.09 ft)
Beam: 3.99 m (13.09 ft)
Max draft: 2.10 m (6.89 ft)
Displacement: 7,450 kg (16,424 lb)
Sail area: 71.81 m² (773 ft²)
Air draft: 18.9 m
Engine: Yanmar 3JH5 CE (40 hp)
Saildrive: Yanmar SD50
Propeller: FeatherStream 3 blade feathering (new 2025) with Ambassador rope cutter
Fuel: 201 L (53 gal)
Fresh water: 329 L forward + 200 L aft (529 L total)
Holding tanks: 2 × 80 L
Sail number: GBR4198L
YTC rating: 897
Maintenance & Upgrades (Recent Highlights) 2025
Yanmar SD50 Saildrive diaphragm replaced
New 3 blade feathering propeller + Ambassador Stripper rope cutter/adaptor fitted
Full engine & Saildrive service (May 2025)
New Jabsco toilet pumps (both heads)
New bow thruster batteries (Exide Spiral Cell)
New sprayhood (Sunbrella Plus)
Previously
Seacocks replaced
New forestay with Harken MKIV Furler Unit 2
Documentation
Original purchase VAT invoice
Builder’s certificate
Declaration of Conformity (RCD/CE)
Bill of sale into current ownership
Previous bill of sale
Viewing & Contact
Lying: Torquay Marina, Devon, UK — viewing by appointment.