2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS vs 1984 Pearson 34 — Comparison
1984 Pearson 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS | 1984 Pearson 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Pearson |
| Year | 2006–2011 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.85 m (42.2 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 77.0 m² (829 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 54 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS and 1984 Pearson 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1984 Pearson 34 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS was penned by Philippe Briand. The 1984 Pearson 34 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS measures 12.85m (42.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 1984 Pearson 34 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS is 2.49m longer than the 1984 Pearson 34. The 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.41 and 77.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Pearson 34, with an SA/D of 15.11 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1984 Pearson 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS and 41.7% for the 1984 Pearson 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 170L of fuel. The 1984 Pearson 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 152L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Pearson 34 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 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 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
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Or view individual specs: 2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS · 1984 Pearson 34