1990 Morgan 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i — Comparison
1990 Morgan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Morgan 38 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Morgan | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–1996 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Brewer | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.8 m² (665 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Morgan 38 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Morgan 38 is a 1990s design by Morgan from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1990 Morgan 38 was penned by Ted Brewer. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1990 Morgan 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is 0.46m longer than the 1990 Morgan 38. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Morgan 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.41 and 61.8 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Morgan 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1990 Morgan 38 and 30.1% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Morgan 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Morgan 38 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 39i 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 39i 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: 1990 Morgan 38 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i