2020 Jeanneau vs 2018 Catalina

[Flapjack]

Trying to decide which boat will get me the best bang for my buck.

2020 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349
-or-
2018 Catalina 385

Wife and I finally want to pursue our sailing dreams, and these are the models we've been eyeing. Any others we should consider? My budget is 300k. I should not she grew up sailing Catalinas with her father so we're a bit partial to those. Thanks!

[daletournier]

For that sort of money you could get a slightly older but much bigger catalina in excellent condition.... Just a thought.

[S/V Illusion]

For $300k, you can buy far better boats than either of those.

[ohdrinkboy]

I would look a bit older and let someone take the depreciation hit. Also, it's hard to beat a long waterline for comfort in cruising. A 34' and a 38' are just really not comparable.

Go to yachtworld>advanced search and put in 2010 to 2019, $0 to $200,000 , 34 to 40 ft, and see what you get......it will be a ton of hits.

[Ken Z]

Where are you located? check fl. sailboats by owner for sale, many choices for your budget.

[Mooseboat]

Go with Jeanneau. If you want a boat that sails like a dream.

[Tetepare]

The Catalina has more space and a lead keel. I presume also it’s more depreciated.

[FabioC]

Does the new 349 have the new flush deck design (like the new 409)? If so, go with the Jeanneau, the new deck design truly makes a difference. Also, the new chime design in the Jeanneau makes for a noticeable improvement over older designs.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Flapjack

Trying to decide which boat will get me the best bang for my buck.

2020 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349
-or-
2018 Catalina 385

Wife and I finally want to pursue our sailing dreams, and these are the models we've been eyeing. Any others we should consider? My budget is 300k. I should not she grew up sailing Catalinas with her father so we're a bit partial to those. Thanks!

well if that's all the choices, get the bigger boat

BUT

if you were to look for a 5 year old old you could get an even bigger more comfortable boat that has been more fit out and be way ahead money wise

[Username25]

Check Elan E4 https://www.sailmagazine.com/boats/boat-review-elan-e4

From my perspective much better than Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349. For 300k you may even get new Elan E5.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by Flapjack

Trying to decide which boat will get me the best bang for my buck.

2020 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349
-or-
2018 Catalina 385

Wife and I finally want to pursue our sailing dreams, and these are the models we've been eyeing. Any others we should consider? My budget is 300k. I should not she grew up sailing Catalinas with her father so we're a bit partial to those. Thanks!

You don't specify what those dreams are, i.e. where you will be using this boat, coastal or offshore. I see these boats for coastal use as their CAPSIZE RISK is higher and their COMFORT is lower than they should be for offshore. The ratios are reasonable close for these two boats. With a longer LWL, more tankage, and a lead keel the Catalina is a better choice between the two although I think you could do better with more research into other boats/models for the money you have to spend. Both boats come with fin/shoal keel options; the below ratios are for the keel option boats.

MAKE/MODEL, *SA/DISP, DISP/LWL, COMFORT, CAPSIZE RISK, VHULL
Catalina 385, 17.42, 170, 21.7, 2.11, 7.86
Jeanneau S.O. 349, 16.89, 180, 22.7, 1.99, 7.44

*Sail area based on I, J, P, E computations, not brochure statements.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[jrbogie]

Originally Posted by Flapjack

Trying to decide which boat will get me the best bang for my buck.

2020 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349
-or-
2018 Catalina 385

Wife and I finally want to pursue our sailing dreams, and these are the models we've been eyeing. Any others we should consider? My budget is 300k. I should not she grew up sailing Catalinas with her father so we're a bit partial to those. Thanks!

there's an old saying regarding sailboats: "For that kinda cash you coulda bought a swan."

[dakno]

My wife and I moved up from a 30' to a 41' for 200k. Even though we love our new to us boat we both wish we had put up a few more $$ and go a 45 - 50' boat. You are looking at really small boats that will be outgrown very quickly.

[letsgetsailing3]

Get the bigger boat.

[Peeew]

I don’t know a lot of boats but I enjoyed my offshore trip and months on my 2013 Jeanneau 469. Less than you are spending.