Beneteau First 29 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.44 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.44 m (11.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) at 10.34m (33.9ft) with a 3.44m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) is 1.44m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) displaces approximately 84% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019), with an SA/D of 17.51 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) has a comfort ratio of 17.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019), 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019) 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 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 (2019)