1988 Swan 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i at 10.93m (35.9ft) with a 3.59m beam. The 1988 Swan 38 is 0.62m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 21% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Swan 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 63.2 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Swan 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Swan 38 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Swan 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 36i has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.