Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Ericson |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i measures 10.93m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.59m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is 2.09m longer than the 1976 Ericson 29. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i displaces approximately 95% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 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 36i 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 36i offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.