Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i vs Bavaria 37 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i
Bavaria 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i | Bavaria 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 2000–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i and Bavaria 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Bavaria 37 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i was penned by Philippe Briand. The Bavaria 37 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i measures 12.04m (39.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the Bavaria 37 at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.61m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is 0.66m longer than the Bavaria 37. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i displaces approximately 13% 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 Bavaria 37, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Bavaria 37 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.1% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i and 31.9% for the Bavaria 37, 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 Bavaria 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 37 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.