1984 J/29 vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 J/29 | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | J/Boats | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Rod Johnstone | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.99 m (29.5 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 41.1 m² (442 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 J/29 and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 J/29 is a 1980s design by J/Boats from USA, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1984 J/29 was penned by Rod Johnstone. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1984 J/29 measures 8.99m (29.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i at 9.30m (30.5ft) with a 2.98m beam. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is 0.31m longer than the 1984 J/29. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 J/29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.97 and 41.1 m² of sail area. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, with an SA/D of 14.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1984 J/29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 J/29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 45.8% for the 1984 J/29 and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 J/29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 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 1984 J/29 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: 1984 J/29 · 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i