1978 Cape Dory 270 vs 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Cape Dory 270 | 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1978–1985 | 1999–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 11.17 m (36.6 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Cape Dory 270 and 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 is a 1990s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was penned by Carl Alberg. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 at 11.17m (36.6ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 is 2.94m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 displaces approximately 139% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of sail area. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, with an SA/D of 16.63 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270 and 33.9% for the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1978 Cape Dory 270 · 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37