Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Ericson |
| Year | 2018 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.39 m (43.9 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.09 m (39.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.29 m (14.1 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,900 kg (21,826 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 measures 13.39m (43.9ft) overall with a beam of 4.29m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 is 1.81m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.07 and 82.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L of water capacity and 200L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 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 440 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: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 · 1984 Ericson 38