1998 Catalina 42 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i — Comparison
1998 Catalina 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Catalina 42 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.5 m² (780 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Catalina 42 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Catalina 42 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1998 Catalina 42 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1998 Catalina 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i at 10.93m (35.9ft) with a 3.59m beam. The 1998 Catalina 42 is 1.87m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. The 1998 Catalina 42 displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Catalina 42 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.39 and 72.5 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 1998 Catalina 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.5% for the 1998 Catalina 42 and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Catalina 42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 303L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Catalina 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 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 1998 Catalina 42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1998 Catalina 42 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i