Catalina 34 MkII vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS — Comparison
Catalina 34 MkII
2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the Catalina 34 MkII measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS at 13.10m (43.0ft) with a 4.08m beam. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS is 2.74m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 34 MkII has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.08 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS, with an SA/D of 18.12 and 80.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 34 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS has a comfort ratio of 15.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 32.6% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 34 MkII provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 34 MkII 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 43 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.