Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Hunter |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was penned by Marc Lombard. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i measures 10.93m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.59m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is 1.68m longer than the Hunter 306. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i displaces approximately 55% 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 Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 306 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 Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 Hunter 306 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.