Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was penned by Marc Lombard. The Catalina 42 MkII 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 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 1.87m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 54% 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 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 42 MkII 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 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, 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 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 42 MkII 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 42 MkII has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 42 MkII 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 · Catalina 42 MkII