1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, 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 0.15m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.69 and 40.0 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). 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 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 90L of water capacity and 50L 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic 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: 1997 Dufour 30 Classic · 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i