1990 Catalina 34 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS — Comparison
1990 Catalina 34
2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Catalina 34 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–2004 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.86 m (38.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.8 m² (536 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Catalina 34 and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Catalina 34 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1990 Catalina 34 was penned by Frank Butler. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1990 Catalina 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS at 11.86m (38.9ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS is 1.50m longer than the 1990 Catalina 34. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS displaces approximately 34% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Catalina 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 49.8 m² of sail area. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Catalina 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Catalina 34 and 31.6% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Catalina 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Catalina 34 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS 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.