1978 Pearson 30 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i — Comparison
1978 Pearson 30
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Pearson 30 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2008–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.96 m (32.7 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 9.05 m (29.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.3 m² (423 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Pearson 30 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Pearson 30 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1978 Pearson 30 was penned by William Shaw. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1978 Pearson 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i at 9.96m (32.7ft) with a 3.34m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i is 0.82m longer than the 1978 Pearson 30. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i displaces approximately 41% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Pearson 30 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.91 and 39.3 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i, with an SA/D of 16.46 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1978 Pearson 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Pearson 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 1978 Pearson 30 and 29.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Pearson 30 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Pearson 30 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 1978 Pearson 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.