Sun Odyssey 36i or Beneteau 37?

[Sailingwife]

We’re looking to change from a 32’ to get more storage and a bigger forecabin because rear cabin inaccessible when nature calls at 2am! Sail as a couple so 37’ should be ideal. Going for deep fin keel. Usually S Coast and Brittany. Does anyone have a (sensible) opinion or experience of either of these - we’ve narrowed the choices this far. Thanks

 

[Dunx]

If you have plans around Brittany draft maybe be a significant consider. It’s that offset of how much better sailing performance do I get against the ability to get in and out of places including getting need’d in some harbours. We draw 1.8 and it presents challenges in some places.

 

[Tranona]

Welcome.

Personal choice as both boats are aimed at the same market. If course there are detailed differences and arguably the Jeanneau is a better performer under sail. Also consider the Bavaria equivalents. Presumably you are not buying new, in which case condition and equipment are usually far more important factors in the choice, although often the final decision is made on gut feel.

 

[Sailingwife]

Tx, We know N Brittany to Gironde well and altho current boat draws 1.5 we’re prepared to forfeit some ease of access for a bit more comfort. Priority is sailing performance, so interesting to hear yr views on SO v B37. As you say, maybe just gut feeling; problem currently is finding a SO36i - rare as hen’s teeth.

 

[yoda]

Why not think about a Hanse370? May be harder to find but you never know - I was lucky to find one at the right kind of price.

Yoda

 

[Sailingwife]

Why not think about a Hanse370? May be harder to find but you never know - I was lucky to find one at the right kind of price.

Yoda

Thank you but after much research we have ruled out a Hanse, in fact we are limiting our search to Bene 37 or SO36i

 

[choppy]

We’re looking to change from a 32’ to get more storage and a bigger forecabin because rear cabin inaccessible when nature calls at 2am! Sail as a couple so 37’ should be ideal. Going for deep fin keel. Usually S Coast and Brittany. Does anyone have a (sensible) opinion or experience of either of these - we’ve narrowed the choices this far. Thanks

We have had a So36i since 2017 - bought to cruise & also operate as a light use charter boat so the 3 cabin version. Both functions she did/does very well. we could also offer 2 teenagers their own cabins. We had another 36i 2 cabin version on the fleet that was immaculate both were very easy boats to live with. I tend towards the racer /cruiser end of the spectrum and enjoy sailing her, they sail well for what they are & OK when it picks up -handles well under power and in tight spaces so all round I have been really quite impressed pretty good AWB by Marc Lombard.
Layout works well, modern enough below as well as the hull / sleek modern no bling styling uptop. A very reasonable solid production build quality in my opinion(not Swedish of course but decent) we've had to change most bits by now but generally everything has been straightforward. She has a sweet Yanmar 30 that pushes her along quietly, well & without fuss. Life raft sits under helm seat just enough room for everything substantial anchor locker & windlass. Have ended up undertaking major refit this year following covid (watch that inner tray / hull arrangement) but hull & rudder (& now keel join!) have worn the years well according to surveyors, I believe they were using advanced layup methods which look to have worked!

Shes probably up for sale come January
Anyway good luck on your choice

 

[Tranona]

Tx, We know N Brittany to Gironde well and altho current boat draws 1.5 we’re prepared to forfeit some ease of access for a bit more comfort. Priority is sailing performance, so interesting to hear yr views on SO v B37. As you say, maybe just gut feeling; problem currently is finding a SO36i - rare as hen’s teeth.

Suspect very few people will have sufficient direct experience of both boats to the point that they can give an honest unbiased opinion of relative "sailing" performance (however defined!) Jeanneau like to position their boats as better performers, and Hanse as even better. Most people buying in this sector of the market - mass produced basic cruisers tend not to have sailing performance in the sense of quick round the cans, responsive to sail trim etc high o the list of priorities and the designs reflect this. High on simplicity and ease of handling. These 2 builders offer different ranges for those looking for performance, often based on the same hulls. If you want an "involving" sailing boat, then perhaps you are looking at the wrong type of boat. Either will do the job of family type cruising - get you safely and comfortably where you want to go - that is why they sell in the hundreds.

Having been in a similar position, although buying new and slightly smaller (33') my short list was very predictable. Beneteau 31, Jeanneau 32, Bavaria 33 and Hanse 325. The final choice (Bavaria) was made on which gave me the overall best bang for my buck (and it was not the cheapest). All would have done the job, but inevitably had different pros and cons. More difficult in a way buying used as there is a much wider variation in what is on offer and at any given time not the same range of choice.

Agree with yoda about the Hanse 370. It is a step above the others and was priced accordingly so relatively few were sold. One has just sold in our club (2007 boat), admittedly as good as you could get, one owner and pampered as well as extensively used for cruising and racing. Selling price was around 25-30% higher than a Ben/Jenn/Bav of similar age/size.

 

[Sailingwife]

Many thanks for replies and opinions.

 

[Skylark]

@Sailingwife Welcome to the forum. I don’t have direct experience of either. My only Jeanneau experience is the smaller 32i. I’ve owned a Beneteau 361 and currently have a 41. I’m very familiar with the Bene F40, the 411 and the 473. Many 37s were used as school boats, some still are, testament to their longevity.

We are cruisers and prefer comfort to hardship. As a YMI, I also sail other Beneteaus, generally speaking they are very predictable and vice free.

The deeper keel is the better option. I’d go Beneteau, personally.

 

[Sailingwife]

Many thanks, Skylark. Your experience on various Benes is worth knowing, we’re tending towards the B 37. Now we have to find one.

 

[wully1]

Many thanks, Skylark. Your experience on various Benes is worth knowing, we’re tending towards the B 37. Now we have to find one.

The problem will be if you can only find one…I like to see as many examples as possible to see what the standard is - some brokers are very ambitious in their pricing of some shoddy , well worn boats. Nothing worse than driving miles to find the well maintained example a damp, smelly heap of worn, scuffed and damp stained woodwork..