5 October 2026
At eight years old, Alberto discovered the joys of cruising and sailboat racing, first aboard an Optimist, then a 420, and then a 470. Throughout his youth, every weekend was dedicated to sailing.
Over 40 years later, Alberto is still passionately committed to sailing. He has evolved over his 15 years of cruising aboard Jeanneau Sun Odyssey sailboats. For three years, he has sailed with his family and friends aboard a Sun Odyssey 410, on the Côte d’Azur and on the Mediterranean, enjoying a pleasure “that he finds nowhere else.”
In this article, Alberto shares his story. What was his path? What led him to purchase his first Jeanneau sailboat? Then, what qualities led him to renew the experience?
Since Childhood, a Life Turned Toward Sailing
Early Offshore Sailing Experience in Optimist Racing
For Alberto, sailing has been a part of his life since the beginning. Like many passionate sailors, he discovered sailing while very young, in Optimist racing, then aboard a 420, then aboard a 470. For over a decade, sailboat racing has punctuated his daily life. Weekends spent on the water have enabled him to acquire a solid foundation in sailing.
But over the years, his priorities evolved: work assumed a larger place and regattas became less frequent. Still, his connection to the sea remains intact: Alberto continues to take great pleasure in windsurfing and kitesurfing, and sailing remains an essential element in his work-life balance.
Meeting his future spouse marked an important step: sharing the same love for the sea, they would discover cruising sailboats and offshore cruising together.
From then on, Alberto no longer takes pleasure solely in sailing performance and competition, but also in crossings, anchorages, stopovers, and time spent on board with family.
A Jeanneau Sun Odyssey as His First Cruising Sailboat
A Local Jeanneau Dealer
In 2009, when the couple decided to purchase their first cruising sailboat – a sailboat for cruising as a family – the project was clearly defined: “Our objective was twofold. We wanted to take advantage of the boat for cruising along the Côte d’Azur and to Corsica, then offer it for charter the rest of the time to optimise its use.”
Alberto and his wife had multiple criteria, like the size of the boat, which must be coherent with the available budget. But the dealer’s proximity was a determining factor: in Menton, where the couple lives, a Jeanneau dealer is located near the port. According to Alberto, “This is a real advantage, to easily be able to order a piece, obtain advice, or plan an intervention. That brings you considerable peace of mind when you are the owner of a sailboat.”
Value for Money Makes the Difference
Before the purchase, Alberto and his wife visited boat shows and chartered various Jeanneau sailboats. A cruise between Hyères and Corsica confirmed the versatility of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey line, corresponding perfectly with their cruising plans.
“Value for money, the reputation of the brand, the dealers’ experience... all this meant that I never hesitated. I always knew that Jeanneau represented the right balance,” the owner recalls.
Purchasing a New Jeanneau: What Steps to Take?
The couple decided on a new Sun Odyssey 36i, which would be christened, “Seb.” Still today, Alberto considers the purchase of this first Jeanneau sailboat the right choice.
From a Sun Odyssey 36i to a Sun Odyssey 410: Renewed Confidence
In 2012, Alberto and his wife sold the first Sun Odyssey to finance a family real estate project. Then, in 2023, the desire returned to sail aboard a Sun Odyssey again. So, convinced that the Sun Odyssey was well suited to the family’s cruising plans, Alberto turned once more to Jeanneau.
For the purchase of their second sailboat, the family would choose a Sun Odyssey 410. This would be a family boat, aboard which Alberto’s family still sails, also named Seb.
A Shared Passion for Cruising
The two Sun Odyssey sailboats have always been an integral part of family life: “Our son, Thomas, learned to walk aboard Sun Odyssey 36i. He grabbed onto everything to help him move forward,” recalls Alberto with emotion.
Since the first purchase, their cruising plans blend day outings, extended weekends with friends, and cruising for several weeks, each year, on the Mediterranean. Every summer, the family dedicates nearly a month to cruising in Corsica and Sardinia:
“Leaving on vacation with family aboard the Sun Odyssey became obvious,” explains Alberto. “The Sun Odyssey 410 which we sail aboard today enables us to bring everything that each of us needs aboard to fully enjoy cruising.” Thomas is 14 years old, now, and he enjoys wing foiling: his equipment has its place on board, and at each stopover, we look for spots where he can practice it. “Even our dog, a labrador, regularly joins us on our summer cruises!”
His enjoyment is not limited to sailing, but also extends to anchorages and stopovers. Alberto confides: “I like leaving home with friends and family, with all our things and sports equipment. Crossings under sail are a pleasure for me, one that I find nowhere else.”
A Sun Odyssey Owner’s Opinion, After Over 15 Years of Experience with Jeanneau
Practical Solutions and Equipment for Daily Life
From the owner’s point of view, multiple design choices aboard Sun Odyssey models facilitate life on board. Designed with real use in mind, these features naturally enhance the quality of daily life for all on board.
Notably, the recessed sidedecks figure among Alberto’s preferred features: “For me, they are very well designed. When manoeuvring or simply moving about the boat, this configuration gives you a real feeling of security, which is considerable. This significantly facilitates movement about the deck.”
At anchor aboard the Sun Odyssey 410, the swim platform is also among the features most appreciated by the family.
Sailboats That Inspire Confidence at Sea
“We often make the crossing to Corsica. This semi-offshore crossing is one of the cruises I enjoy most,” explains Alberto.
While the family has had the chance to encounter various sailing conditions, they have no memories of major discomfort or worrying situations on board: “Aboard Seb, we were never too worried by the wind and the waves. In over 15 years of sailing aboard Sun Odyssey sailboats, we have always felt confident: we never felt that we were in discomfort or that we were unsafe.”
Alberto also appreciates the boat’s seaworthiness and lively character. From the owner’s point of view, “Sun Odyssey sailboats have not been designed for racing, but they are very solid, reassuring, and energetic under sail. They deliver great sensations under sail. So, of course, I can only recommend the line to other sailing families like ours.”