Cruising Yacht

This lively cruiser packs lots of comfort and style into a 35 foot package. Negotiating twisting channels under sail or executing controlled jibes and tacks, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 Legende demonstrates its easy manoeuvrability. Sailing smartly to weather in gusty conditions, it is easy to forget that you are sailing a boat with an LOA of just 35 feet, 3 inches, it feels and handles like a bigger boat. A versatile Marc Lombard design, the Sun Odyssey 35 combines a lively hull shape and spacious interior with an easy to handle sailplan easily controlled from a comfortable aft cockpit.

There is no mystery as to why the Sun Odyssey 35 is a spacious boat, both on deck and below—it is a direct result of beam. Designer Lombard carries the beam of 11 feet, 5 inches almost all the way aft, creating a wedge-shaped hull high in form stability that also scoots along when sailing off the wind. Clearly the design is primarily aimed at casual cruising, however there is an attention to performance with the wetted surface being kept to a minimum. A flat forefoot and shallow rocker undoubtedly contribute to the 35’s sailing qualities.

Below the waterline the Sun Odyssey sports a lifting external iron keel and twin canted rudders. The draft is 2.2 metres with the keel lowered and only 1 metre when raised. This keel disappears into a substantial winged stub below the hull. This innovative feature enables her to gently sit on a beach with the winged stub providing stability.

On deck, the steering console features Raymarine tridata sailing instruments, chartplotter and auto-pilot. The leather-covered wheel is large —a metre in diameter—it provides leverage and a nice touch but is not too big to make it a squeeze as you make your way aft to the swim steps and the transom mounted hot and cold shower. The Harken self-tailing winches are easily reached from the helm as are the sail controls, including the 3 reefing lines. This convenient layout, make single handed sailing a synch.  There are large storage lockers port and starboard containing warps, kedge anchor, liferaft and all the deck equipment that is needed. The side decks are relatively wide and the inboard genoa tracks not only provide close sheeting angles but also make it easy to manoeuvre on deck. A double stainless steel bow roller and Lofrans electric windlass make easy handling of the danforth anchor, while the external chain locker is big enough to accommodate the 40 metres of ground tackle. The ProFurl headsail furling system carries a 135-percent genoa. The partial fully-battened Elvstrom mainsail is fitted with 3 full in-line reefing points. The midboom traveller arrangement is secured to the coachroof, thus keeping the cockpit safe and roomy.

Down below the interior of the Sun Odyssey 35 is an interesting departure for Jeanneau. The two-cabin layout offers a large queen berth aft and a double V berth forward. To port is a voluminous, head and shower cubicle leading to a large locker to port, which is really a garage and very useful for dinghy storage, etc. The large L-shaped galley is to starboard with plenty of storage and counter space. Twin stainless sinks, a two-burner stove, oven and cold-plate refrigeration are also complimented by a microwave. The chart table is forward facing and positioned off to port, the table slides when not in use to lengthen the port saloon settee. The 6'3" high saloon includes a C-shaped settee to starboard, draped around a handsome teak table that encompasses the stainless steel mast compression post and lift keel mechanism. The forward cabin features a double berth and lockers while the aft cabin includes a king size, double bunk.

A three-cylinder 27-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine with a 120ltr fuel tank translates into a range of a 150 to 200 miles depending upon conditions. Access is either from the aft cabin or the companionway steps. The engine room is soundproofed well and the Yanmar is a quiet engine by design. A fixed two-bladed propeller charges her along at 6-plus knots without much fanfare.

Like all Jeanneaux, the new 35 is well engineered and constructed with the moodiness of Neptune firmly in mind. Under sail with winds gusting more than 20 knots and full sails set, she is bit over canvassed but the sailing is great just the same. She will accelerate with the boat speed steadying out in the 5-6 knot range. With the wind at 15 knots she finds her stride and is well balanced when perfectly trimmed sailing 60 degrees off the wind. When it gusts above 20 knots, a reef in the main and a tuck in the jib are in order or just fall off the wind. Sailing on a beam reach she can touch 7 knots and has a solid feel in the water. There are no creaks or groans and she is happy. Being built at La Rochelle, she handles larger seas easily, providing a smooth ride. She is ideal, if you like the prospect of sailing all day, finding a little beach or harbour and anchoring for the night. A great family sail.