1989 Catalina 36 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 — Comparison
1989 Catalina 36
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1989 Catalina 36 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1989–1994 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 11.75 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.3 m² (606 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1989 Catalina 36 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1989 Catalina 36 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1989 Catalina 36 was penned by Frank Butler. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1989 Catalina 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.65m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 at 11.75m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is 0.78m longer than the 1989 Catalina 36. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1989 Catalina 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.93 and 56.3 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 1989 Catalina 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1989 Catalina 36 and 30.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1989 Catalina 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1989 Catalina 36 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: The 1989 Catalina 36 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: 1989 Catalina 36 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389