2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Cal |
| Year | 2010–2016 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.34 m (40.5 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,100 kg (17,857 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 71.5 m² (770 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 measures 12.34m (40.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 is 0.45m longer than the 1979 Cal 39. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.01 and 71.5 m² of sail area. The 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.