Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was penned by Marc Lombard. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i measures 10.93m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.59m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is 2.62m longer than the Catalina 270. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i displaces approximately 168% 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 Catalina 270, with an SA/D of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 270 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 Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 39.2% for the Catalina 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 Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i 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 Catalina 270 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.