1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 85 L (22.5 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 is a 1980s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 measures 10.60m (34.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 is 2.29m longer than the Catalina 270. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 displaces approximately 145% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.57 and 55.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 270, with an SA/D of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 38.8% for the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 160L of water capacity and 85L of fuel. The Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 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 Catalina 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 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: 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 · Catalina 270