1987 Beneteau First 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2009–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 13.75 m (45.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 12.10 m (39.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.25 m (13.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i at 13.75m (45.1ft) with a 4.25m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i is 2.17m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 38. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i displaces approximately 45% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i, with an SA/D of 18.36 and 85.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 31.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i 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 44i 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 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i