1988 Swan 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2008–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 9.96 m (32.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.05 m (29.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i 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 33i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i 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 33i at 9.96m (32.7ft) with a 3.34m beam. The 1988 Swan 38 is 1.59m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 47% 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 33i, with an SA/D of 16.46 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Swan 38 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 33i has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 29.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i, 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 33i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 100L 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 1988 Swan 38 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Swan 38 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i