2004 Bavaria 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 460 L (121.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Bavaria 38 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 at 14.42m (47.3ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is 2.70m longer than the 2004 Bavaria 38. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2004 Bavaria 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.70 and 63.0 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2004 Bavaria 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2004 Bavaria 38 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Bavaria 38 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 490 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 490 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 2004 Bavaria 38 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490