Beneteau First 30 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is 2.90m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i displaces approximately 117% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 30.1% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 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 Beneteau First 30 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 39i 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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