1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 vs 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461
2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 | 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.37 m (14.3 ft) | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.3 m² (951 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.37m, compared to the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 at 13.10m (43.0ft) with a 4.08m beam. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is 0.92m longer than the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 displaces approximately 23% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.77 and 88.3 m² of sail area. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, with an SA/D of 18.05 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.0% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and 32.6% for the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 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 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 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.