Beneteau First 27 vs 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 1999–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 11.17 m (36.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 is a 1990s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 at 11.17m (36.6ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 is 2.98m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 displaces approximately 171% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of sail area. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, with an SA/D of 16.63 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 33.9% for the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 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 Beneteau First 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 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: Beneteau First 27 · 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37