Catalina 36 MkII vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
Catalina 36 MkII
2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the Catalina 36 MkII measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i at 9.30m (30.5ft) with a 2.98m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 1.67m longer than the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 64% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 36 MkII has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.35 and 56.5 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 Catalina 36 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 36 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) 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 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 36 MkII provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 95L 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 Catalina 36 MkII has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 36 MkII offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.