1993 Beneteau First 42 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 11.86 m (38.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS at 11.86m (38.9ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 0.91m longer than the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 16% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). 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 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 31.6% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 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: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS