1990 Catalina 34 vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
1990 Catalina 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Catalina 34 | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–2004 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.8 m² (536 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Catalina 34 and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Catalina 34 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1990 Catalina 34 was penned by Frank Butler. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1990 Catalina 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i at 9.30m (30.5ft) with a 2.98m beam. The 1990 Catalina 34 is 1.06m longer than the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i. The 1990 Catalina 34 displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Catalina 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 49.8 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 1990 Catalina 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Catalina 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). 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 40.0% for the 1990 Catalina 34 and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Catalina 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L 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 1990 Catalina 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Catalina 34 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: 1990 Catalina 34 · 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i