1996 Hunter 290 vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, 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 0.46m longer than the 1996 Hunter 290. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Hunter 290 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 38.9 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 1996 Hunter 290 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Hunter 290 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) 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 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Hunter 290 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L 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 1996 Hunter 290 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 1996 Hunter 290 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1996 Hunter 290 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1996 Hunter 290 · 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i