Beneteau First 35 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i — Comparison
Beneteau First 35
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 160 L (42.3 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i was designed by Philippe Briand.
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 39i at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is 1.36m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i displaces approximately 42% 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 39i, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 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 39i has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 30.1% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i, 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 39i offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.