[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] After introduction the boat underwent some style changes prescribed by Andrew Winch, including an interior redesign.
[1][2][7][8][10][11] The Sun Odyssey 51 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim and a cutter rig.
[1][2][8] For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with an asymmetrical spinnaker of 1,600 sq ft (150 m2).
[8] The design has a hull speed of 8.72 kn (16.15 km/h) and a PHRF handicap of 51 for the shoal draft keel mode.
[2][12] The boat has been used in the yacht charter role, in a four-cabin configuration, with two cabins aft and two in the bow.