1988 Swan 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 11.75 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 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 389 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 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 389 at 11.75m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is 0.20m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 displaces approximately 2% 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 389, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 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 389 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 30.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, 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 389 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L water and 160L 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 389 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1988 Swan 38 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389