2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Ericson |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 14 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i measures 9.30m (30.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.98m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1984 Ericson 38 is 2.28m longer than the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i. The 1984 Ericson 38 displaces approximately 87% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.92 and 37.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 Ericson 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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 1984 Ericson 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 Ericson 38 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: 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i · 1984 Ericson 38