1979 Peterson 44 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 — Comparison
1979 Peterson 44
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.39 m (43.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.09 m (39.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.29 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 9,900 kg (21,826 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 at 13.39m (43.9ft) with a 4.29m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 0.02m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 1% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440, with an SA/D of 18.07 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 31.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 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 440 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.