1979 Peterson 44 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 11.75 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 was designed by Marc Lombard.
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 389 at 11.75m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 1.66m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389. 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 64.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 30.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, 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 389 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L water and 160L 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: The 1979 Peterson 44 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1979 Peterson 44 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389