1981 Pearson 36 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS — Comparison
1981 Pearson 36
2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 36 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1981–1985 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.86 m (38.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.6 m² (555 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 36 and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 36 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1981 Pearson 36 was penned by William Shaw. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 36 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS at 11.86m (38.9ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS is 1.19m longer than the 1981 Pearson 36. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS displaces approximately 24% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.66 and 51.6 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). 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 40.7% for the 1981 Pearson 36 and 31.6% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L 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 1981 Pearson 36 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS 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.