1979 Peterson 44 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 11.86 m (38.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS at 11.86m (38.9ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 1.55m longer than the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1979 Peterson 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 31.6% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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 1979 Peterson 44 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1979 Peterson 44 · 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS