Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i measures 10.93m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.59m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is 2.70m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i displaces approximately 128% 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 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, 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 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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.
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Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i · 1978 Cape Dory 270