Beneteau First 29 vs 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1999–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.17 m (36.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 is a 1990s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 at 11.17m (36.6ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 is 2.27m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 displaces approximately 110% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, with an SA/D of 16.63 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 33.9% for the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 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 Beneteau First 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 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: Beneteau First 29 · 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37