1987 Beneteau First 345 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 13.39 m (43.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 12.09 m (39.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 4.29 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 9,900 kg (21,826 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 at 13.39m (43.9ft) with a 4.29m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 is 2.94m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 345. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 displaces approximately 82% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440, with an SA/D of 18.07 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 31.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 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 440 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: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440