Beneteau First 40 vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 5 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i at 9.30m (30.5ft) with a 2.98m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 2.86m longer than the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, with an SA/D of 14.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 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 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 40 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 40 · 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i