Beneteau First 27 vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 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 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i at 9.30m (30.5ft) with a 2.98m beam. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is 1.11m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i displaces approximately 67% 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 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 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 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, 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 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 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: 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: Beneteau First 27 · 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i