1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS at 13.10m (43.0ft) with a 4.08m beam. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS is 1.52m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 38. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS, with an SA/D of 18.12 and 80.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS has a comfort ratio of 15.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 32.6% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 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 43 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS 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 38 · 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS