1981 Pearson 303 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 2008–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.96 m (32.7 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.05 m (29.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i at 9.96m (32.7ft) with a 3.34m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i is 0.82m longer than the 1981 Pearson 303. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i, with an SA/D of 16.46 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 29.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 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 33i 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 33i 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: 1981 Pearson 303 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i