Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Cal |
| Year | 2019 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 460 L (121.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 measures 14.42m (47.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is 2.53m longer than the 1979 Cal 39. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 displaces approximately 47% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.99 and 98.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L of water capacity and 250L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 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 490 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 490 · 1979 Cal 39