1987 Beneteau First 345 vs 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 — Comparison
1987 Beneteau First 345
1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1988–1993 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 85 L (22.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 is a 1980s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 at 10.60m (34.8ft) with a 3.45m beam. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 is 0.15m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 345. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35, with an SA/D of 17.57 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 38.8% for the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 85L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 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.