Beneteau First 36.7 vs 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 at 13.10m (43.0ft) with a 4.08m beam. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 is 1.85m longer than the Beneteau First 36.7. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 displaces approximately 59% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, with an SA/D of 18.05 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 32.6% for the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 36.7 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 Beneteau First 36.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 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: Beneteau First 36.7 · 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43