Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i vs Catalina 28 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i
Catalina 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i | Catalina 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.96 m (32.7 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.05 m (29.7 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i and Catalina 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 28 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i was penned by Marc Lombard. The Catalina 28 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i measures 9.96m (32.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.34m, compared to the Catalina 28 at 8.69m (28.5ft) with a 2.90m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i is 1.27m longer than the Catalina 28. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i displaces approximately 81% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.46 and 48.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 28, with an SA/D of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 28 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 29.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i and 40.3% for the Catalina 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Catalina 28 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i 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 28 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.