Dufour 36 Classic vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
Dufour 36 Classic
2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i at 9.30m (30.5ft) with a 2.98m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 1.60m longer than the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 55% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 36 Classic has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, with an SA/D of 14.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Dufour 36 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 36 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 36 Classic provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 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 Dufour 36 Classic has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 36 Classic offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.