Sailboat Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 for sale

The Eccentric: Jeanneau and the Sun Odyssey 380

For many years, Jeanneau had the ‘problem’ of sailing in the shadow of its big sister brand , Beneteau: somehow, Beneteau managed to ensure that its sailing boats were always a little more stylish, a little more modern, and a little more avant-garde than Jeanneau’s own Sun Odysseys. With the current generation, the shipyard has catapulted itself to the forefront, thanks in particular to the modern and, at times, slightly aggressive lines designed by the Marc Lombard design team: A reverse bow with a hint of a wave-piercing profile, a more heavily raked mast, pronounced and sometimes sharp chines, and convex deck lines. These are all ingredients that have given the yachts their commanding presence since the 2020s. From the outside at least, the strategy is paying off: the days of the somewhat old-fashioned Jeanneau are finally over. Bravo!

Inside, however, Jeanneau remains in agreement with designer Marc Piaton: ‘We want to be different ’ seems to be the motto, at least. And so you can be sure that, whilst a Sun Odyssey may feature the same build quality – and sometimes even the same components – as a Beneteau, it will always have a – shall we say – eccentric twist.

The Sun Odyssey 380 is no exception, as we’ll discover later in this article.

Family sailing boat and charter yacht: both are possible!

As a high-volume manufacturer, Jeanneau must also sell a large proportion of its production to the commercial boat hire market. The requirements of this sector are clear: affordable boats, as fully equipped as possible, which are easy to operate, not over-rigged, and can be maintained, serviced and repaired as quickly and simply as possible. The percentage of total production that goes into the charter market is, of course, a closely guarded secret of the manufacturers; estimates range from 30 to 60 per cent, depending on the manufacturer and the size of the yacht.

That said, the needs and preferences of private owners do not always align with those of professional charter fleet operators. As a family skipper, you’re certainly looking for sailing yachts that are as affordable as possible, but these should ideally have as few cabins as possible, yet large ones. You probably wish that these boats offer endless storage space, provide luxury and, above all, are easy to handle. All of this at an affordable price.

The ranges offered by the major series manufacturers are tailored to the overlap between these two target groups: Bavaria, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Hanse and Dufour have specialised in these markets. In our view, however – whether intentionally or not – each brand places particular emphasis on a specific aspect of sailing, finds its strengths there and is able to excel. At the same time, compromises naturally have to be made in other areas: these are the aspects of the yachts that may not appeal quite as much.

Jeanneau – or perhaps Beneteau, Hanse, Bavaria or maybe Dufour?

Especially for beginners and first-time boat owners, the choice is simply overwhelming. The first step should be to agree on a general boat size. This usually happens quite quickly, as the mooring/sailing area, the number of people on board and, above all, the budget generally dictate how big the new sailing boat should or can be. But then – what next?

Anyone who hasn’t already been influenced by charter trips, their own tastes, or perhaps sailing parents or friends, has plenty to look forward to: even the big five series manufacturers already offer a wide range of surprisingly diverse boats in their respective size categories.

The good thing about this is that you can choose your favourite yacht with complete peace of mind, without having to worry about the price just yet. In the current 37–38-foot segment, you should budget for a total net cost of between €280,000 and 350,000 for your new sailing yacht – regardless of the brand. Get to know the manufacturers’ profiles, explore their strengths and weaknesses, their respective advantages and also the limitations they face compared with other suppliers.

What is Jeanneau’s character? From our point of view, this brand has, up to now, always been increasingly focused on space. The yachts were more spacious than their sister yachts in the Oceanis series (which are more geared towards sailing), particularly below deck, thanks to a fuller hull. That has changed under Marc Lombard; Jeanneau sailing yachts now have a distinctly more modern and aggressive look in the up-to-50-foot segment. Inside – as you’ll see later – we find them sometimes a bit more whimsical, sometimes a little awkward, rarely old-fashioned, but always a touch of eccentricity. The current models have, however, also gained in simplicity, which makes them appear very modern and far less dated than the previous Sun Odyssey generation. Sounds good? Then let’s take a closer look at the Sun Odyssey 380 …

Buying a Sun Odyssey 380 – Hull, design, construction & sail plan

State-of-the-art assembly line production: Jeanneau in the modern era

The Jeanneau brand – originally a wooden boat manufacturer founded in 1957 by Henri Jeanneau – has been part of the Beneteau Group since its insolvency in 1995, when the group was able to save the company from collapse. The brand, which very early on in the 1960s pioneered the use of GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) – a revolutionary new material at the time – as a construction material for boats, has also been preserved. Today, Jeanneau produces the yachts in the Sun Odyssey range relatively independently of Beneteau, whilst the group as a whole maintains a centralised procurement and furniture manufacturing operation across all its brands. At some production sites in the Vendée on the Atlantic coast, Sun Odyssey sailing yachts are manufactured on the assembly lines right next to Beneteau’s Oceanis boats, by the same people.

In this way, the shipyard is capitalising on synergies in procurement and manufacturing; later on, after-sales services and ongoing boat maintenance will also be consolidated, which makes perfect sense. For you as a buyer, this means that the build quality of Beneteau and Jeanneau yachts is absolutely identical. This applies both to the structural aspects (lamination, hull and deck construction, bulkheads, etc.) and to the quality of the timber and the interior fittings.

The group owns a huge production facility where all furniture components for all Groupe Beneteau brands (including Lagoon, Excess and so on) are manufactured. And to a high standard: be sure to take advantage of offers from yacht dealers to visit these production sites in person! Industrialised yacht building carried out almost 100 per cent by hand to an astonishingly efficient and high standard. All of this also applies to the Sun Odyssey 380, which is built using the modern vacuum infusion process.

Who would be best suited to buying the Sun Odyssey 380?

At just under 11 metres in length, the Sun Odyssey 380 can be sailed on large inland waters, such as Lake Constance, as well as out on the open sea. The various keel options on this yacht have also been selected so that, in addition to the standard keel with a draught of 2 m, a fixed short keel with a draught of just 1.56 m can be fitted, or – for owners in tidal or shallow-water areas, a modern swing keel with a draught of 1.32 to 2.70 metres is available.

The Sun Odyssey 380 is therefore remarkably versatile and, to our knowledge, the only mass-produced yacht in the 11-metre segment that can be purchased with a modern swivel keel. With this hydraulically operated keel, the yacht (plus its support legs) can even be beached. She loses hardly any height when sailing close to the wind, as the extended keel keeps her firmly on course. Inside, surprisingly little space is sacrificed for the keel housing and the hydraulics – something that was always a hindrance to saloon comfort in earlier yachts with variable draught.

The Sun Odyssey 380 can therefore be sailed in all sailing areas, from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, from the Channel coast – where water depths vary considerably – through to Brittany, and on to the offshore waters and popular coastal regions of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The full range of rig types is a great help here: from a classic full-battened rig with a genoa to a furling mast and self-tacking jib.

Thanks to its 2- or 3-cabin layout, you can tailor the number of cabins (and therefore the storage space) on the Sun Odyssey 380 to suit your needs or those of your fellow crew members. A true all-rounder, indeed!

A typical Marc Lombard yacht: the sail plan of the Sun Odyssey 380

We’d hinted at this before: in our view, the older generations of Sun Odysseys always suffered somewhat from having prioritised interior space at the expense of sailing performance. That is no longer entirely true of the new hulls designed by Marc Lombard’s design team. These are certainly very capable and, in terms of performance, are now every bit as good as those of their sister brand Beneteau, which is generally regarded as more dynamic.

True to Lombard’s style, the Sun Odyssey 380 also sails without a backstay: the spreaders are more sharply swept, and the rake (mast angle) is significantly more pronounced towards the stern. Not quite as extreme as on the Oceanis 37.1, but clearly visible. All this contributes to the 380’s dynamic character and makes it easier to handle under sail. The mainsail, which is set slightly aft, is no longer hindered by a backstay. Please note: On downwind courses, the mainsail now hits the spreaders earlier (as they are bent more sharply towards the stern); due to the absence of the backstay, it is no longer possible to adjust the forestay to extend the reefing limit. Sailors who particularly enjoy fine-tuning their trim should bear this in mind when purchasing the boat.

Compared to the Dufour 37, the Sun Odyssey 380 is roughly the same weight but has a larger sail area. The Bavaria C38, on the other hand, is significantly heavier (and therefore much more spacious inside); the same applies to the Hanse 388 (which is now only available as a second-hand boat). With this dynamic French yacht, you’re therefore already in the top tier in terms of sailing performance and sail plan.

Never without them: A gennaker and/or a Code 0

As with all modern yachts, the Sun Odyssey 380 has become significantly wider than classic boats of the same size from the 1970s and 1980s. The ratio of length to beam is enormous. At the same time, the ballast ratio has fallen from the 40 to 50 per cent that was common back then to less than 30 per cent. These days, the boats are quite heavy and – no doubt a concession to the charter market, where crews are generally less experienced sailors – under-rigged.

Wide yachts not only offer an enormous amount of interior space, but are also optimised for sailing, particularly on half-wind and downwind courses. The lack of keel ballast (and thus weight stability) is partially compensated. This is because the vessel’s great beam creates a very high level of initial stability due to its shape. Much like a wide catamaran, it takes an enormous amount of energy to capsize such a wide yacht. The missing weight in the keel is therefore (partly) compensated for by the leverage provided by the beam.

However, the pleasure of fast sailing on a half-wind course comes at a price: when sailing close to the wind, modern cruisers are often temperamental. In choppy seas, they tend to pound the water, and mast pumping and slapping waves often make close-hauled passages an unpleasant experience. The only solution is to lose height and bear away.

What we’re getting at is this: wide yachts have a large wetted underwater surface area (lateral plan). If this isn’t reduced by heel, they literally 'stick' to the water in light winds. This means a lot of sail area is needed to get the boats up to speed. At wind speeds below 10 knots, you should always have a gennaker and/or Code 0 on board, because there’s nothing worse on a sailing holiday than chugging along on diesel for hours on end …

Buy a Sun Odyssey 380 – All the information for skippers and sailors

Simple cockpit layout, with traditional sheet-trimming.

Active sailing from both helm stations is guaranteed: Marc Lombard is anything but a boring yacht designer; his roots lie in one-off and performance yacht design. Lombard’s ‘Akilaria’ boats and the new ‘Lift’ racers are legendary, particularly in the Class 40 scene. The Sun Odyssey 380 also benefits from this talent, and as a sailor you can certainly expect excellent sailing performance from it.

If speed and performance are important to you, you should opt for the classic battened mainsail and the overlapping genoa when choosing your rig. In areas with particularly strong winds, sticking with the self-tacking jib (and then continuing to sail with a gennaker or Code 0 in light winds) might be the smarter option.

From the helm, you have a great view of the flat deck layout. With a bit of gymnastics, the genoa winches can also be reached from this position, though heavy grinding and precise trimming are best carried out from the cockpit. The working winches are – as is typical for a boat of this size – positioned directly by the companionway. This is where you operate the mainsheet (unless it’s routed aft via the German Mainsheet System), the halyards, reefing lines and all the stretchers.

Classic, simple, good.

Is the walkaround concept effective?

Jeanneau introduced this concept a few years ago with a great deal of marketing fanfare. The current generation of Sun Odyssey yachts also features a continuous, step-free side deck. The idea is that the helmsman can now walk directly from behind the steering wheels onto the level side deck without having to take any major steps; the deck now rises towards the bow without any steps, stairs or trip hazards. This is designed to improve movement around the deck, minimise the risk of injury and, above all, spare guests in the cockpit the hassle of having to stand up.

We find the walkaround design makes more sense on larger yachts of 45 or 50 feet and above, as the distances (and step heights) are particularly long and high on these vessels. On smaller yachts – and we’d include the Sun Odyssey 380 in this category – whilst this design undoubtedly offers practical advantages, it also presents certain limitations. After all, whatever you gain in one area has to be sacrificed elsewhere.

On the Sun Odyssey 380, you lose a bit of space in the cockpit because the walkway has to be integrated into the exterior. So it’s a bit tighter than on the other yachts. Whether you always notice this whilst sailing is another matter. What’s more, as you’ll usually be sailing the 380 as a couple or a family with one or two children anyway, the idea of not having to get up in the cockpit is irrelevant: after all, to trim the sails, you’ll have to make your way through the lounge area to the working and coaming winches anyway.

Older sailors amongst you, or those with physical limitations, are likely to appreciate the walkaround design once again, because even though the detour right to the back, round the steering wheels, takes a bit of time, it’s certainly much more comfortable than clambering over the cockpit benches and the coaming!

Sun Odyssey 380 for sale – A lovely cruising yacht for the whole family

With its 2 or 3 cabins, the Sun Odyssey 380 is perfectly equipped as a cruising yacht to handle even long voyages. In the 2-cabin version, you can make use of a huge storage locker behind the XXL shower room. This is guaranteed to fit all your holiday gear, such as a SUP, folding bikes and provisions.

The really spacious swim platform makes it easy to get in and out of the water for a morning swim; you can even stretch out here on a towel or beanbag to sunbathe. You’ll be better protected from the sun’s harsh UV rays in the lovely cockpit under the bimini. Here, you can sit opposite each other on long benches, whilst the central cockpit table is kept very simple.

Single-handed? No problem!

If you opt for the autopilot package, you can sail the Sun Odyssey 380 with confidence even when sailing single-handed. It maintains your course or carries out manoeuvres automatically whilst you operate the lines on the winches. It’s important to note that you should also purchase the bow thruster option, as – like all modern production yachts – the Sun Odyssey 380 is blessed with a rather high, very vertical freeboard, which presents a large surface area to the wind. To ensure you can manoeuvre safely into tight berths, it’s well worth investing in a mooring aid, particularly for yachts with twin rudders. But don’t worry: you’ll soon become a pro at mooring with twin rudders, as these boats can be manoeuvred into berths with astonishing precision – the secret is to always keep the boat moving.

Furthermore, for one-handed operation, you should at least opt for the electric halyard winch on the companionway, as the sail area on an 11-metre yacht is quite substantial, meaning that setting the mainsail entirely by hand can be quite a strenuous task. If you electrify the halyard winch on the companionway, you can certainly also reroute lines from other winches (temporarily) to this winch to make use of the winch motor’s smooth power.

Buy a Sun Odyssey 380 – Comfort below deck

Cosily furnished, a bit cramped: comfort below deck

As hinted at, Jeanneau remains true to itself when it comes to eccentric interior designs. The brand has always set itself apart from the mainstream in this respect, and it seems willing on continuing to do so. At first glance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 is quite simple, understated and uncluttered in its fittings. The general layout is classic: an L-shaped galley on the port side, a day bathroom on the starboard side. In front of this is a U-shaped dinette on the port side with a matching sofa and a navigation corner.

That’s also the main difference compared to its sister model, the Beneteau Oceanis 37.1 – which, in turn, only offers the option of a large galley running the length of the boat on the starboard side. So if cooking, food storage and refrigeration facilities are a high priority for you, you should take a look at this boat as an alternative. Those who prefer to relax and make themselves comfortable will favour the seating arrangements on the Sun Odyssey 380.

The aft cabin(s) are also very traditional. Exemplary: out here at the stern, you no longer feel any restriction on headroom due to the walkaround deck; it is only the coaming, which tapers towards the centre of the boat, that restricts space slightly. However, the aft cabin does have a lovely opening to the sea for fresh air, which other yachts do not have. Unfortunately, the Sun Odyssey 380 doesn’t have any hull windows aft either; these are only available on boats 40 feet and above. Nevertheless, the cabins are very light and airy.

To add a touch of flair to the simplicity of the yacht’s design, the Sun Odyssey 380’s options list offers a surprisingly wide range of bold colours for the upholstery and other features, allowing you to change the yacht’s character. How about a fresh light blue?

All in all, the ample space is utilised to the very last centimetre. As a result, the yacht feels cramped, even though it isn’t in reality. On the other hand, this is definitely a safety bonus, particularly when sailing in heavy swells and choppy seas, as there is never any risk of having to navigate through large, open spaces. The Sun Odyssey 380 always offers a secure footing inside.

You’ve got to like the owner’s cabin

The forward cabin – or owner’s cabin – is a bit off-centre in the truest sense of the word. Here, Jeanneau has fitted the bed against the starboard side of the boat. This means you sleep at an angle of about 30 degrees to the left. This can lead to some rather odd sleeping positions whilst sailing. When sailing with the bow to starboard, you’ll find a secure grip on the side of the boat – definitely an advantage over standard island beds – but if you’re tacking and the boat heels to port, things get tricky.

Why does the shipyard do this? According to the layouts, you can order a second bathroom in addition to the main bathroom here at the front in the owner’s area. This is then fitted on the port side. Unlike Beneteau, where the bed is only fitted at an angle with this option, Jeanneau retains this configuration for reasons of efficiency even if you do not opt for a bathroom and only the cupboard is fitted on the starboard side.

If you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll love it; we find it a bit ‘quirky’.

Top: XXL shower in the two-cabin model. With one ‘but’ …

Another really cool feature, though not entirely satisfactory in its final form, is the way Jeanneau has integrated the XXL shower into the two-cabin version. Other manufacturers – please compare this again with the Oceanis 37.1, which is the closest match to the Sun Odyssey 380 – simply install the bulkhead leading to the companionway at an angle, creating a single bathroom space. On the Sun Odyssey 380, however, the layout means you have to leave the toilet in the saloon to access the separate shower cubicle via another cabin door. We find this a fiddly and rather inconvenient solution. Admittedly, it saves the shipyard some effort during construction, but in our view, the otherwise brilliant idea of fitting such a large and attractive shower cubicle loses some of its appeal on board the 380 as a result.

A traditional skipper’s workstation

Some love it and would love to have one, whilst others think it’s a waste of space: the chart table is a popular topic of discussion. You get the feeling that, no matter what the shipyards offer, it’s always wrong. We believe that a skipper definitely needs a dedicated space on board to keep the logbook, manage the ship’s accounts, store the vessel’s documents and plan routes.

Of course, the days of large paper charts are over; navigation and route planning are now mainly carried out on a mobile phone or tablet. Nevertheless, we welcome any manufacturer’s decision to at least provide skippers with a small dedicated area.

On the Sun Odyssey 380, this is positioned against the direction of travel on the bulkhead of the day cabin. The main control panel for the navigation lights and other electrical circuits on the yacht is also located here. The seat is comfortable, albeit without a backrest. We’d say it’s pretty average.

L-Pantry for the head chef on the go

As already mentioned, the Jeanneau is optimised for the L-shaped galley, whilst its sister model, the Oceanis 37.1, is always built with the long, larger longitudinal galley. These two galley designs have a much greater impact on a boat’s ambience than some might think.

Whilst the L-shaped galley allows for more seating in the saloon, it is often safer, particularly in rough seas, as it is easier to tuck yourself in. The longitudinal galley, on the other hand, often offers considerably more storage space, better and more versatile refrigeration options and, above all, more worktop space. On the other hand, from the comfort of the dinette, you’re always looking down at the washing-up to some extent.

What sort of cook are you? More flavour, less lounging, or more lounging and less cooking?

Cleverly designed: the swivel keel housing

Finally, a word of praise: in this version, Jeanneau has very cleverly incorporated the hydraulic housing for the swing keel into a beautifully crafted piece of cabinetry. It takes up surprisingly little space and even offers some storage space. On some other boats with variable draught, the saloons are crammed full of veritable massive structure, resulting in a loss of space and, above all, a loss of the cosy, homely atmosphere. This is not the case with the Sun Odyssey 380, which has solved this problem very elegantly.

Summary and conclusion

Is the Sun Odyssey 380 your next boat?

Are you looking to buy a modern sailing yacht that’s perhaps just as unconventional as you are? With the Sun Odyssey 380, you and your family are sure to acquire a fast-sailing, modern cruiser that will take you to your destination in comfort and safety. In typical Jeanneau style, the interior design is a little different and, in this latest generation of yachts, very modern – some might even say a bit flamboyant.Despite some compromises in the basic layout choices for the heads and owner’s cabin, the 380 can certainly hold its own against its competitors in the fiercely contested 38-foot market. One thing is certain: it is no longer outdated.

Buy a Sun Odyssey 380 – What we particularly like about it:

• A modern hull with plenty of sailing potential, designed by Marc Lombard.
• Beautiful, clean lines without any frills.
• Large storage locker (accessible) in the 2-cabin version.

Buying a Sun Odyssey 380 – Here’s what you should look out for:

• Everything feels a bit cramped on board, both the cockpit and the saloon.
• The owner’s cabin is only available with a diagonal bed.
• XXL shower not integrated into the bathroom (2-cabin version).

Further reviews and test reports: