1988 Valiant Esprit 37 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2007–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Bob Perry | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.50 m (27.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 132 L (34.9 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 246 L (65.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s design by Valiant from USA, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was penned by Bob Perry. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i at 9.72m (31.9ft) with a 3.12m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 1.56m longer than the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of sail area. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i has a comfort ratio of 19.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 29.4% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L of water capacity and 132L of fuel. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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 Valiant Esprit 37 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 Valiant Esprit 37 · 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i