Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Hunter |
| Year | 2005–2011 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,250 kg (7,165 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 was penned by Philippe Briand. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 measures 13.72m (45.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 is 2.90m longer than the Hunter 356. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 displaces approximately 93% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.22 and 86.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 31.0% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 356 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 45 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 45 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: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 · Hunter 356