Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2017 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i 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 36i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was designed by Marc Lombard.
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 36i at 10.93m (35.9ft) with a 3.59m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 0.57m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 15% 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 36i, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i 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 36i has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, 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 36i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i 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 36i 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.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i