1988 Valiant Esprit 37 vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Bob Perry | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 132 L (34.9 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 246 L (65.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s design by Valiant from USA, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was penned by Bob Perry. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 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 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i at 9.30m (30.5ft) with a 2.98m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 1.98m longer than the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 81% 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 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, with an SA/D of 14.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, 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 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L 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: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i