1977 Bristol 29.9 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) — Comparison
1977 Bristol 29.9
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019)
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Bristol 29.9 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1977–1984 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.12 m (29.9 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 9.44 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.44 m (11.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Bristol 29.9 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 measures 9.12m (29.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) at 10.34m (33.9ft) with a 3.44m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) is 1.22m longer than the 1977 Bristol 29.9. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) displaces approximately 48% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.41 and 39.7 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019), with an SA/D of 17.51 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) has a comfort ratio of 17.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019), reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.