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Fjord 490 Open Video Review: Side Terraces and Seating for 12

By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough7 min read

Watch on YouTube

The Fjord 490 Open is Fjord's new 49 ft walkaround, shown at its world premiere at the Palma International Boat Show. This one has twin Volvo Penta IPS 800 pods. The swim deck has an aft-facing bench, the side terraces fold down and the cockpit tables seat up to 12. Fjord designed its own helm seats for this boat after asking owners. Below deck there is a forward cabin, a full-beam aft cabin with a 2 m by 2 m bed and two dry heads.

Built from what owners asked for

Fjord listened to its owners when it designed the 490 Open, and it shows in the details. Winches hide inside the cleats, the gates fit into cutouts in the terraces and the fenders drop into place in seconds. The cockpit can be a dining room for 12, a lounge or one big sunbed. Even the helm seats are new, built by Fjord for this lineup.

The vibeSocial, clever and well finished

The power2x Volvo Penta IPS 800 (as filmed)

Best forBig groups on day trips, weekends for four

What stood out on board

An aft-facing bench
A real bench on the swim deck, so you can sit and watch the water instead of dangling off a sunbed.
Side terraces
They fold down to widen the deck, and integrated gates fit into cutouts when they are up.
Seating for 12
Two tables fold out for a sit-down dinner, drop to coffee tables or become a second sunbed.
Winches inside the cleats
The rollers sit in the cleat itself, with a control next to it.
Fenders in seconds
They drop from a locker in the side deck, already at the right height.
Two dry heads
Rare on a sub-50 ft dayboat, with a 2 m by 2 m bed in the aft cabin.

Fjord 490 Open cockpit dining tables and seating, filmed by YachtWay in Palma — The cockpit, set up for dinner. 03:50

Aft-facing bench on the swim deck of the Fjord 490 Open — The aft-facing bench on the swim deck. 00:35

Bow sunbed on the Fjord 490 Open — The bow sunbed, slightly angled. 12:30

Forward cabin with queen bed on the Fjord 490 Open — The forward cabin, with a queen bed. 16:00

Full-beam aft cabin with large bed on the Fjord 490 Open — The full-beam aft cabin, with a 2 m by 2 m bed. 19:20

Spec sheet at a glance

Feature	What you get	The benefit
Length overall	49 ft 3 in (15.01 m)	A big deck that is still easy to handle
Beam	15 ft (4.57 m)	Wider still with the terraces down
Draft	3 ft 1 in (0.94 m)	Shallow enough for most coves
Tanks	396 gal fuel, 103 gal water	Long days out
Power (as filmed)	2x Volvo Penta IPS 800, 1,200 hp	IPS 700 also offered
Quoted top speed	32 to 34 kn (as quoted on board)	Not measured, we did not sea trial her
Layout	Forward cabin, full-beam aft cabin, two dry heads	Two couples can share easily
Cockpit	Two tables that seat up to 12	Dining, lounging or a big sunbed
Helm	Simrad screens, joystick, Seakeeper	Steady and easy to drive
Galley	Two-burner cooktop, sink, four fridges on deck	Plenty of cold drinks
Windshield	Full glass, optional to the top	A clear view with no wobble
Design	Marco Casali	Clean lines and flush decks

Swim deck and side terraces

Swim deck and side terrace area of the Fjord 490 Open — The aft deck, next to the side terraces. 02:05

The swim platform lowers about a foot and a half into the water, and steps fold out of it. A passerelle makes it easy to get on and off in port.

Aft bench.
Faces the water from the swim deck.
Storage.
Under the sunbed, for water toys.
Shower.
A handheld wand on the port side.
Terraces.
Fold down, with gates that fit into cutouts.
Cleats.
With winches built in.

Cockpit

Cockpit seating with tables folded on the Fjord 490 Open — The cockpit, with the tables folded. 04:50

Two tables fold out to seat up to 12, drop to coffee table height or go all the way down for a second sunbed. Tall backrests and armrests make it comfortable.

Hardtop.
Wide and long, with an electric Bimini aft.
Terraces.
Make you feel closer to the water.
Sunbed.
The backrests fold to extend it.
Fridges.
Two drawers under the lounge bed.

Galley

Cockpit galley with cooktop and sink on the Fjord 490 Open — The galley, under two fold-up panels. 07:10

The galley sits right behind the seating, under the wide hardtop. Two panels fold up and the equipment can be set up the way you like.

Cooking.
A two-burner cooktop, or a grill instead.
Sink.
Large enough to fill with ice.
Lighting.
Pop-up lights for evenings.
Fridges.
Four on deck in total.
Storage.
A coffee machine bay and bottle racks under the helm.

Helm

Helm with Simrad screens on the Fjord 490 Open — The helm, with oversized Simrad screens. 10:30

Fjord designed its own helm seats for this lineup. They are more angled, with deep bolsters and tall backs, and they slide forward or back.

Ergonomics.
Wheel and throttle fall right where your hands rest.
Controls.
A joystick, chain counter and Volvo engine panel.
Stability.
A Seakeeper on board.
Windshield.
Full glass, with an option to the hardtop.
Next boats.
Armrests will be added from hull two.

Bow

Bow seating and sunbed on the Fjord 490 Open — The bow, with a sunbed and an aft-facing bench. 14:10

The deck is flush all the way forward. Magnetic side steps fold out of the hull for a high dock.

Fenders.
Drop from a locker in seconds.
Sunbed.
Angled forward, with a raised backrest.
Shade.
Poles hold a canvas out to the hardtop.
Bench.
Aft-facing, with thick cushions and armrests.

Below deck

Dry head with shower on the Fjord 490 Open — One of the two dry heads. 17:20

A see-through sliding door closes the companionway, and a skylight brings light in. There are two cabins and two dry heads.

Forward cabin

Bed.
A queen with marble and silk-like finishes.
Light.
Side windows and water-level windows.
TV.
A large screen above the bed.

Aft cabin

Bed.
Full beam, 2 m by 2 m.
Storage.
Cabinets on both sides.
Light.
Large windows and opening portholes.

Heads

Forward head.
A dry shower with a rain head and pressure control.
Second head.
Also dry, with a handheld wand.

The verdict

The 490 Open is packed with ideas that come straight from Fjord owners. The aft-facing bench, the side terraces and the cockpit that seats 12 make the deck work for a big group. Small things like the winches in the cleats and the drop-down fenders make life on board easier. Below, a full-beam aft cabin with a 2 m by 2 m bed and two dry heads are rare at this size. We did not sea trial her, so we cannot speak to the ride.

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In this video

Presented by: Heigo Paartalu; YachtWay Spotlight host
Filmed by: YachtWay Studios