Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2017 | 2005–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,250 kg (7,165 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 is 2.22m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 displaces approximately 47% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45, with an SA/D of 18.22 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 31.0% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 45 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 45 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: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45