Sailboat Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 for sale

Nimble, spacious and easy to handle: Sun Odyssey 350

The Sun Odyssey 350 follows on from the highly successful Sun Odyssey 349, of which over 1,000 are said to have been built. The shoes to fill are correspondingly big, as are the expectations of both the shipyard and its customers. For Jeanneau, the Sun Odyssey 350 is currently the smallest boat in its range and thus the gateway to the world of French cruisers. The yacht offers a modern design with a number of special features that the shipyard is proud of: the much-touted walkaround cockpit is also a feature here. We’ll explore what this entails and what benefits it offers you as we go through this article.

The concept behind the Sun Odyssey 350: Above all, the price has to be right

When it comes to small yachts, the mass-production manufacturers in particular are all facing a major problem: due to inflation, but above all the sharp rises in energy and labour costs, boats have become up to 50 per cent more expensive in recent years. At the same time, incomes have barely risen. Particularly in the small and medium-sized sailing yacht sector, many people are now suddenly unable (or unwilling) to afford boats that were previously perfectly affordable. According to industry reports, sales in the mid-range segment have therefore fallen dramatically at all shipyards, with some suggesting figures as low as half the pre-crisis level. So how should the industry respond?

Jeanneau is giving innovation a go: at least as far as advertising is concerned. The Sun Odyssey 350 has been given a hull completely redesigned by the Marc Lombard Design Group, whilst Marc Piaton has designed the interior. Nevertheless – and this is evident in the latest yachts across all brands, almost without exception – the focus was actually more on simplifying the yacht. Cutting costs without compromising on quality and design is the motto of the day. We believe this has been successfully achieved on board the Sun Odyssey 350. The boat comes fully equipped, offers a number of customisation options and will find many fans in both its 2-cabin and 3-cabin versions. The optional swivel keel in particular is likely to appeal to sailors in tidal waters such as the North Sea and the English Channel, with its ports along the British and French coasts, as Beneteau is currently the only other manufacturer to offer this feature.

So? Is the price right in the end? At around €200,000 net (excluding transport, antifouling and handover) for a well-equipped yacht, the shipyard is in line with the industry average. So, as a sailor interested in buying, you can put the budget aside for now – it’s better to see whether the design, sailing performance, comfort and handling win you over before you start crunching the numbers with a sharp pencil.

Modern exterior design: that’s Marc Lombard Design!

Marc Lombard was one of France’s leading yacht designers. His yachts have made history in both racing and cruising. Lombard designed for both small shipyards (such as RM-Yachts) and large corporations, but was equally keen to work on one-off projects and pure racing yachts. His sudden death in 2023, aged just 64, came as a great shock to the industry – his legacy is being carried on by close colleagues and lives on, amongst other things, in the Sun Odyssey 350.

Clean lines, pronounced chins (chine edges) and sharp bow sections were Marc’s hallmark. These features are also evident in the surprisingly modern hull of the 350. Overall, the current, new generation of Sun Odyssey yachts has undergone a stylistic change that, in our view, suits Jeanneau very well. Previously, the boats appeared rather bulky, with highly arched cabin roofs and a somewhat old-fashioned look – particularly on the inside. The new Lombard hulls are far more modern and even look a little more aggressive. The slightly negative stem and convex deck line are not only on-trend, but also create elegant volume in the interior.

Buying a Sun Odyssey 350 – Hull, design, construction & sail plan

Vacuum infusion, sandwich decking and modular interior fittings: modern mass production!

Jeanneau has been part of the Beneteau Group since 1995 and uses the same procurement and, in some cases, production channels as the Group’s other brands. There are production sites where Beneteau’s Oceanis models are built right alongside the Sun Odysseys. The furniture for all the Group’s brands is also manufactured in a single, huge central factory.

As for the hull and deck of the Sun Odyssey 350, these are manufactured exclusively using the vacuum infusion process. Although this is slightly more expensive than the traditional hand-lay-up method, it saves on materials, is much more comfortable for the workers (mostly women!) in the factory and ultimately results in thinner, lighter and stronger structures. In this process, the fibre fabrics and sandwich mats are laid dry into the moulds and fixed only lightly with spray adhesive at the relevant points.

In vacuum infusion – where a neat B-side is not required – the mould is sealed airtight under a large plastic sheet. Large pumps extract the air, creating a vacuum, which draws the resin into the mould via hoses. Within a few hours, the resin permeates the entire fibre mat. It soaks into every nook and cranny and cures. The film is removed (drawback: this generates a huge amount of single-use plastic waste!) and the component is ready.

If both the outer surface of the component (i.e. the ‘A-side’) and the inner surface are to look smart – as is the case, for example, with a yacht deck – then the so-called vacuum injection process is used: Instead of the film, a second mould is placed over the first mould, which is also loosely lined with fibre and sandwich laminates. These enclose the component completely, like the shells of a mussel. Resin is then injected under high pressure and a vacuum is created. Later, both moulds are removed and the component looks attractive from both sides.

The large GRP components of the Sun Odyssey 350 are manufactured using these two processes; the hull, however, is monolithic, i.e. without a sandwich structure. Ultimately, the yacht will have a displacement of just under 5.7 tonnes, which, together with the Oceanis 34.1, makes it the lightest sailing yacht in the 35-foot segment. The Hanse is heavier, as is the Dufour – although both yachts from these brands are also slightly larger.

The owner’s layout with 2 cabins: sailing couples and (small) families will love it!

On yachts with a hull length of 10 metres, interior designers have rather little scope. The beam – which is 3.59 m on this small Jeanneau – simply leaves little room for creativity. Consequently, the Sun Odyssey 350 also has a very classic layout: a large owner’s cabin in the foredeck, which opens into the saloon via a large double door. Thanks to the large hull windows, the owner always enjoys plenty of natural light and a lovely view out onto the anchorage.

The saloon has a classic layout: in the centre is the saloon table with folding leaves, flanked by two sofas against the bulkheads opposite. Further aft are the bathroom and galley, with the aft cabin(s) completing the layout.

The Sun Odyssey 350 offers two main options here: As an owner’s yacht, operated by a sailing couple with the occasional guest, the Sun Odyssey 350 features a large aft cabin, where the longitudinal bulkhead has been offset well into the port side to maximise the size of the berths in this cabin. Unfortunately, the Sun Odyssey 350 does not yet have any hull windows aft, so it tends to be comparatively dark at the rear. The bed size, however, is impressive. Alternatively, the yacht can also be ordered as a three-cabin version. In this configuration, the longitudinal bulkhead – that is, the partition between the cabins – is centred again, and both cabins offer the same bed size. You can therefore order this boat with 4 berths or 6 berths – plus 2 emergency berths in the saloon in each case. This is standard in the 35-foot class; compared to Hanse or other manufacturers, you’re free to choose according to your own taste and design preferences.

Simply Marc Lombard: The Sun Odyssey 350’s sail plan

Marc Lombard was a great advocate of rigs without a backstay. He had already put this into practice back then on Beneteau’s sister ship – the Oceanis 34.1, which he himself had designed. The Sun Odyssey 350 is also sailed without a backstay. But don’t worry: thanks to the increased camber in the spreader, the shrouds now stabilise the mast. Even in strong tailwinds, the mast remains securely upright thanks to the sail pressure. However, skippers who enjoy fine-tuning their trim will lose the ability to adjust the forestay via the backstay block – though this is likely to affect only a small number of customers in the holiday sailing segment.

The Sun Odyssey 350 comes as standard with a Dacron pinhead mainsail with a sail area of 32 square metres, as well as a furling genoa, also made of Dacron, with a sail area of 23 square metres. We generally welcome the fact that Jeanneau equips the yacht as standard with a battened mainsail and an overlapping genoa, which promises significantly better sailing performance than the entry-level boats from sister brand Beneteau, which come with small self-tacking jibs and, in some cases, furling mainsails.

You should definitely tick the Gennaker package – including the bowsprit and aft winches – on the options list, because, like all modern cruisers, the Sun Odyssey 350 needs plenty of sail area in light winds – in other words, asymmetrical spinnakers or the Code 0.

Depending on the sailing area and mooring: the keel variants of the Sun Odyssey 350

If your sailing area and home port allow it, we recommend purchasing the standard keel for the Sun Odyssey 350. With a draught of 1.98 m, this keel is particularly suitable for open water. Designed as a slightly angled L-keel, it is particularly resistant to seaweed and other underwater obstacles; the small ballast tank weighs 1.6 tonnes. In this standard configuration, the Sun Odyssey 350 therefore offers a ballast ratio of 28 per cent – which, compared to the sailing boats of the 1970s and 1980s, is almost half, but is sufficient in terms of safety. This is because, unlike the boats of that era, today’s hulls are much, much wider, thus offering high form stability and initial stability, which effectively counteract the tendency to capsize.

Do you sail on Lake Constance or in shallow-water areas? If so, the short keel – weighing 1.9 tonnes and now with a draught of just 1.49 metres – will be the right choice. As the lever arm is now shorter, the weight needs to be increased. You won’t notice this extra mass at top speed, but you will feel it during acceleration and in light-wind conditions: yet another reason to ensure you have sufficient sail area and to use light-wind sails such as the gennaker or Code 0!

An interesting alternative to the short keel is the electro-hydraulically operated swivel keel. It offers the best compromise between the demands of shallow-water or tidal waters and good sailing performance. With this keel retracted, the Sun Odyssey 350 has a draught of just 1.28 m – making it ideal for navigating over sandbanks to enter even the smallest North Sea harbours. When extended, the draught increases to 2.54 m – ensuring zero drift. Your Sun Odyssey will therefore maintain its course extremely well and be hardly affected by currents, which are major drawbacks of the short-keel variants. The only drawback: this option is quite expensive. A nice bonus: thanks to mudflats supports, you can even run aground with this keel, which can give your sailing trip a whole new character.

Buying a Sun Odyssey 350 – All the information for skippers and sailors

What is the Sun Odyssey 350 like to sail?

Jeanneau yachts have traditionally always been somewhat overshadowed by their mighty sister brand, Beneteau. Marc Lombard has resolved this issue with the new, stylish, modern and slightly aggressive exterior design. The boat is actually slightly heavier than the Oceanis 34.1, but has almost exactly the same sail area. A direct sailing test of the two sister models would be very interesting – we assume that the Oceanis has a slight advantage due to its weight.

A comparison with Bavaria, Hanse and Dufour is likely to be more interesting. Bavaria’s old Cruiser 34 is heavier, but still features a classic hull that tapers towards the stern. This reduces the interior space, but has a positive effect on its upwind sailing performance. Similarly, the hull from Giebelstadt has a much more pronounced V-shape, which should make it more comfortable to sail in choppy conditions (and upwind).

The modern yacht from Greifswald, on the other hand – the Hanse 360, which is, admittedly, considerably larger – as well as the Dufour 37, which is also considerably larger, should likewise have the edge on reaching courses. The Hanse 360 has the edge here, as the Dufour 37 is by far the heaviest of the four boats.

In terms of sailing performance, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 owners can look forward to a well-balanced yacht that particularly favours half-wind courses. The boat really comes into its own at speeds of between 15 and 20 knots; it doesn’t particularly like high, short waves, especially when sailing close to the wind. All in all, a thoroughly capable family boat.

Sun Odyssey 350 for sale – The ‘magical’ walkaround cockpit

Jeanneau has invested heavily in promoting the ‘walkaround cockpit’, which was introduced a few years ago. The idea is that the helmsman can now walk directly aft around the coaming – at ground level, so to speak – onto the side deck and onwards to the bow. No more climbing over high coamings, no more having to squeeze past guests in the seating area. A lovely idea which, in our view, actually works: the gently rising side deck leads forward barrier-free and without any trip hazards. However, as is always the case on board ships, this comfort on deck comes at a price. After all, what you add upstairs you have to take away downstairs. In the aft cabins, you can see the underside of the rising deck very clearly – and you lose a bit of cabin space here. That may be forgivable, as you spend most of your time sleeping below deck anyway. What bothers us more is the comparatively cramped cockpit in the guest area.

This is because the wide walking decks behind the coaming (i.e. the backrests of the benches) mean that everything in the centre has to be arranged a little more tightly together. Here, the Oceanis 34.1 offers noticeably more space in the cockpit. Nevertheless – on the high seas or in heavy weather, the Sun Odyssey cockpit is likely to feel safer. So it’s a matter of taste. We think that the walkaround cockpit will only really come into its own on the (much) larger Sun Odysseys.

Buy the Sun Odyssey 350 as a coastal yacht and inland cruiser

Although this sailing boat is certified to CE Category A for unrestricted offshore use, it is likely to be used primarily in coastal waters and on large inland waterways, such as Lake Constance. The Sun Odyssey 350 is a compact sailing yacht which, thanks to its dimensions in particular, will be great fun for exploring new stretches of coastline, as it means you can still find a berth even in the smallest harbours and marinas that are often fully booked by larger yachts. With its shallow draught options, it is also well-suited to sailing up rivers or safely navigating complex tidal waters.

Small families, couples out sailing, or even solo sailors: the Sun Odyssey 350 is equally at home as a family’s first boat or for embarking on a grand adventure in new sailing grounds. It is easy to handle, features a classic sheet-trimming system and, thanks to the optional bow thruster, can be manoeuvred safely in harbour even in windy conditions.

The twin rudders provide sufficient feedback to the steering wheels even at high speeds and when the boat is heeled over, keeping the boat precisely on course. At slow speeds, the Sun Odyssey 350 moves as if on rails, but should never drift whilst manoeuvring – as the propeller wash flows through the blades.

Sun Odyssey 350: Can be sailed single-handed as a cruising yacht.

The magic word for single-handed sailing is ‘autopilot’. If you purchase this as part of the package, the classic-sheeted Sun Odyssey 350 can be sailed safely entirely on your own. The working winches are located on either side of the companionway. This is where the halyards, mainsail reefing lines and stretchers are positioned, as well as the mainsheet. If you opt for the self-tacking jib, you can sail the 350 entirely using just these two winches.

If you opt for the genoa (which is better!), you’ll find the sheets for the headsail on the cockpit coaming. With a bit of practice, these can be reached from behind the wheel, though it’s better to operate them directly from the cockpit. Hence the autopilot: If you adjust the sail trim either at the companionway or on the cockpit coaming, the autopilot will take over the steering. When properly programmed, a modern autopilot can nowadays even execute a quick tack and a careful gybe – entirely on its own. This gives you the chance to operate the sheets in complete peace and quiet.

Comfort below deck

Bright, perhaps a little understated: the interior design of the Sun Odyssey 350

Design is, of course, a matter of taste, so it’s always a little difficult to remain objective. However, what strikes you about the Sun Odyssey 350 is the relative understatement of the interior design. Other manufacturers offer more striking and high-contrast alternatives in this regard. The Sun Odyssey 350 comes across as rather cold, mainly because the ceiling area – apart from a central strip in the saloon – has been left completely unclad, leaving you looking simply at the pure gelcoat white of the plastic. If you then opt for light-coloured upholstery and light-coloured wood, the result is an almost clinical impression.

On the other hand, this understated design allows creative owners to create a highly personalised boat design by adding their own accessories and splashes of colour through cushions, covers and so on. The Sun Odyssey 350 is like a blank canvas on which you can paint whatever you like.

All the design elements on board, particularly the furniture, are kept very simple. This brings us full circle to the beginning of this article: the shipyard must ensure that it manufactures as cost-effectively as possible. The furniture is therefore integrated in line with the motto ‘square, practical, good’. At least in the exposed areas, the shipyard uses solid timber or laminated square timber; the ALPI veneer is of standard mass-production quality.

The interior offers few visual highlights: whereas Hanse, for example, always incorporates an attractive companionway staircase or the odd leather inlay here and there, the Sun Odyssey 350 remains rather understated. But perhaps that’s exactly what you’re looking for? A yacht without any design frills!

Buy a Sun Odyssey 350 – Plenty of light in the saloon and a modular sofa

Large hull windows and the skylights let plenty of light in, particularly into the saloon. As the forepeak largely disappears behind the double door leading into the owner’s cabin, the saloon appears to extend all the way to the bow, whilst also making the most of the light coming through the hull windows fitted there. The saloon is also pleasant in the evening: the LED lighting scheme can create the right atmosphere for any occasion, ranging from romantic (with indirect light strips) to brightly lit, via the wall lamp typical of Jeanneau (which looks a little old-fashioned) and the ceiling floodlights.

No more chart table …

… but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing! The debate over chart tables is probably as old as mass production itself. Some people want one, others think it’s unnecessary. There are many different concepts and approaches. On the Sun Odyssey 350, Marc Piaton has proposed a compromise – this yacht features an adaptive chart table. This can form part of the port-side sofa’s seating area (with a pull-out backrest) or be permanently integrated as a small, rear-facing navigation table. Depending on the intended use and the type of sailor, every owner can therefore find their own individual solution. This is in contrast to its sister yacht, the Oceanis 34.1, where the chart table is always permanently integrated.

Summary and conclusion

Could the Sun Odyssey 350 be your next boat?

If you’re looking to buy a small sailing yacht that can be used as a family boat as well as for sailing alone or as a couple, Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey 350 – the smallest in its range – offers a beautiful, modern and fully-equipped cruising yacht. The very modern hull really comes into its own on half-wind and reaching courses in winds of around 15 to 20 knots. Below this, it’s advisable to switch to a gennaker or Code 0. Anyone who appreciates the somewhat understated and very unpretentious interior design will love it. Easy handling, good sailing characteristics: what more could you want?

Buying a Sun Odyssey 350 – What we particularly like about it:

• A modern hull for good sailing performance on reaching courses.
• Great, easy to handle, even for beginners; a rig that requires no backstays.
• Hydraulic swivel keel for shallow-water areas; can run aground.

Buying a Sun Odyssey 350 – Here’s what you need to look out for:

• The ‘walkaround cockpit’ takes up space (but makes it easier to access the side decks).
• It’s very bright below deck, which can give a sterile and austere impression.
• The build quality of the furniture is rather basic, particularly the edge banding and edges.

Further reviews and test reports: