Beneteau First 27 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 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 | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i at 10.93m (35.9ft) with a 3.59m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is 2.74m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i displaces approximately 158% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i 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 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i