Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i vs Catalina 36 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i | Catalina 36 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 1999–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i and Catalina 36 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i was penned by Philippe Briand. The Catalina 36 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i measures 12.04m (39.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the Catalina 36 MkII at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is 1.07m longer than the Catalina 36 MkII. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 36 MkII, with an SA/D of 16.35 and 56.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 36 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.1% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i and 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 160L of fuel. The Catalina 36 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 36 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i 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 39i 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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