Beneteau First 35 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i at 10.93m (35.9ft) with a 3.59m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is 0.25m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i displaces approximately 13% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 35 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i