Beneteau First 35 vs 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 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 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, 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 2.42m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 displaces approximately 67% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 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 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). 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 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 32.6% for the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L 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 35 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 35 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 35 · 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43