1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i — Comparison
1997 Dufour 30 Classic
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i at 10.93m (35.9ft) with a 3.59m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is 1.78m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i displaces approximately 63% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.69 and 40.0 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 90L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic 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 36i 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 36i offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.