1985 Beneteau First 285 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 2007–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.50 m (27.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i at 9.72m (31.9ft) with a 3.12m beam. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i is 1.07m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i displaces approximately 59% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.99 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i has a comfort ratio of 19.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 29.4% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i 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 1985 Beneteau First 285 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.