Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 vs 1985 Contest 36 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 | 1985 Contest 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2019 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.75 m (38.5 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 and 1985 Contest 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1985 Contest 36 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 measures 11.75m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1985 Contest 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is 0.78m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.82 and 64.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Contest 36, with an SA/D of 15.75 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1985 Contest 36 has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 and 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 160L of fuel. The 1985 Contest 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 36 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 · 1985 Contest 36