1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 vs 1994 Najad 343 — Comparison
1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35
1994 Najad 343
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 | 1994 Najad 343 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Najad |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 47.5 m² (511 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 85 L (22.5 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 and 1994 Najad 343 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 is a 1980s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1994 Najad 343 is a 1990s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1994 Najad 343 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
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 1994 Najad 343 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 is 0.24m longer than the 1994 Najad 343. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 displaces approximately 5% 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 1994 Najad 343, with an SA/D of 15.68 and 47.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 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 1994 Najad 343 has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 38.8% for the 1988 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 and 40.7% for the 1994 Najad 343, 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 1994 Najad 343 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1994 Najad 343 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: 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.