Boat Test: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 is the French giant’s ‘entry level’ boat and, as Sam Jefferson discovered, size isn’t everything.
The days when nostalgia seemed passé are gone. Remember when we had weather instead of a series of mini catastrophes? Gone. Remember when a fresh-faced Labour politician told us that things can only get better? Long gone.
Ok, lets have another go – remember when a 35’ yacht was considered large? Yes, long gone. The cold, hard economic truth is that the profit margin on a 35’ yacht is modest to extremely modest. A 50′ boat requires only a small percentage of extra labour and expense in fit out compared to the high mark up on the sale price. Thus, a 35 footer is becoming an endangered species. Yet this endangered species is still on the scene albeit demoted to the title of ‘entry level’ yacht. Big manufacturers are aware that if they cut off the supply line of small boats to get people into sailing, they risk killing the market altogether. True, some new to sailing seem happy to take the plunge and buy a 50’ boat with no experience but we’re not all that crazy. Jeanneau is aware of this, so here we have exhibit 1: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350, a genuine real deal 35 footer that replaces its popular Sun Odyssey 349 which has been running for almost a decade now and proved a big hit.
The concept for the 350 is not wildly different from its predecessor; this Marc Lombard design has precisely the same hull length but is 15cm beamier. As you’d expect given modern, the boat has fuller bow sections than its predecessor which further boosts volume. Taken alongside the old 349, the looks are more aggressive and dramatic – there’s a more defined chine aft and the boat just has a more purposeful feel. The good news is that Jeanneau has retained the option of a hydraulic swing keel – a rarity on smaller boats like this and a real boon for tidal sailors.
This is not a radical boat but it is bang up to date as you’d expect. The boat has a decent sized rig with the mast set slightly further aft than its predecessor. This boosts the size of the foretriangle while moderately reducing the boom length. There is a fixed sprit with integrated anchor roller for your Code 0 or asymmetric and the choice of a self-tacking headsail if you’re feeling particularly lazy. The mast is a twin spreader backstayless affair and it is therefore possible to boost the boat’s performance potential by upgrading to the sports rig, which includes a square topped mainsail for extra power. In terms of running rigging, the mainsheet is set up on a bridle on the coachroof and works on the German mainsheet system, while the halyards are led back to a pair of winches on the coachroof, and there are a pair of winches in reach of the helmsman for the headsails.
In recent years, Jeanneau has been very proud of its clever side deck walkways – this sounds rather a silly thing to be proud of but it is a thing of beauty. Basically the side decks become a very defined walkway as you move aft, sloping down well below the toe rail to create a good waterway when there are sprays and as you get aft, this means that you can actually walk round the side of the wheel into the cockpit instead of clambering across the coamings. It sounds like a small deal but in the world of production yachts, believe me, it becomes a big deal. Anyway, the company has introduced this feature across its Sun Odyssey range and it’s not that difficult on a 49’ yacht with masses of beam aft. In a 35 footer, it becomes a good deal more challenging and it perhaps explains why the 350 is 15cm wider aft than its predecessor, the 349. Anyway, it has been achieved and works very well so, chapeau to the designers presented with that particular challenge. Aside from that, the extra width aft means that there’s plenty more space. The cockpit seats six with ease and there is a nice slope to the cockpit coaming.
The bathing platform is broad and encloses the cockpit when raised, and there are deep lockers beneath the deck aft and a shallow locker under the seat to port. On the two cabin version this becomes the entrance into the workshop.
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 – Down below
Down below on a 35 footer is unlikely to be a wildly innovative space given the constraints of size and what, necessarily, must go into that space. Jeanneau offers you the choice of two or three cabins, the second aft cabin being sacrificed to make way for a workshop space if that’s what you’re after. Aside from that, we’re talking a pretty standard layout.
The descent into the cabin is nicely angled and you find yourself in an open and well lit space with an L-shaped galley to starboard, and forward of this a roomy saloon leading into a forecabin that has double doors to give an open plan feel.
The forecabin feels relatively small and the berth narrows appreciably at the bow but the feeling of light and space is really good and portlights in the bow add to this. There is a heads/shower compartment to port and, on the workshop version, the shower cubicle is separate. The test boat had the two identical double cabins aft which is likely what most will go for but there is much to be said for the two cabin version which opens up a lot of space in the washroom. This is always a boon and the second entrance in the cockpit also allows for better circulation if you have four aboard. Anyway, the aft cabins have plenty of width to the beds and a good amount of light. The galley is a nice size and has a deep fridge and plenty of storage. There is also good access to the storage under the seats.
Under sail
I sailed the 350 on a most docile day. The wind was a truly pathetic 3kts when we started out and eventually filled in to a vaguely more manageable 8kts by the end of the test. Nevertheless, it’s always worth seeing how a boat performs in very light winds and, to give the 350 its due, it was able to get on the move in 3kts of breeze and the helm was responsive. Things picked up marginally and we unrolled the Code 0 while staying relatively hard on the wind. Soon we were close reaching at 5kts in 7kts of wind. The boat felt well balanced and poised. Heading off the wind we unleashed the spinnaker and with this big sail we were making 6.5kts in 8kts maximum of breeze. It’s also worth noting that I sailed the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30OD alongside the 350 in similarly modest 8kts of breeze and upwind she performed very well alongside her lighter, sportier cousin. Admittedly, the 30OD has a shorter waterline length, but it was still a respectable performance.
Sam’s Verdict on the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350
The 350 is a fine successor to the popular 349. For me, the key fact is that Jeanneau has opted to retain the swing keel, which opens up new vistas for sailors in tidal waters. Aside from that, the increased volume compared to her predecessor is a boon, and there does not seem to be any sacrifice in terms of performance. Ultimately, if you’re a cruising couple who don’t want to sail around the world, this boat is likely perfect. You don’t need a 50ft yacht to have fun.
Comfort: 5/5
blue water: 3/5
Looks: 4.5
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350: Spec
LOA: 10.40m (34’1”)
LOA with bowsprit: 10.94m (35’9”)
Hull length: 9.99m (32’8”)
Waterline length: 9.38m (30’9”)
Beam: 3.59m (11’9”)
Displacement: 5,656kg (12,470lbs)
Standard keel draft: 1.98m (6’6”)
Shoal keel draft: 1.49m (4’9”)
Lifting keel draft: 1.28 – 2.54m (4’2” – 8’4”)
Standard sail area: 55sq m (592sq ft)
Engine: Yanmar 29 HP shaft drive
Optional Electric Power: 6Kw Electric Torqeedo Pod
Architect/Designer: Marc Lombard Yacht Design, Piaton Yacht Design, Jeanneau
Base price: €160,295
Ready to sail: €171,335
Contact: jeanneau.com
UK dealers: seaventures.co.uk, boatpoint.co.uk
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