1998 Catalina 42 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 — Comparison
1998 Catalina 42
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Catalina 42 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.75 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.5 m² (780 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Catalina 42 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Catalina 42 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1998 Catalina 42 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 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 389 at 11.75m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1998 Catalina 42 is 1.05m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389. The 1998 Catalina 42 displaces approximately 25% 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 389, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 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 389 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.5% for the 1998 Catalina 42 and 30.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, 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 389 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L water and 160L 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 389 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 389