Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350
By Zuzana Prochazka
Photos by Jeanneau Media
Yachty ergonomics, a simple sail plan, and lively performance combine in a petite package that delivers everything you’ll ever need for coastal hops and weekend cruising.
Do a quick survey at any boat show these days and you’ll find massive, systems-laden, complex yachts with mindboggling price tags to match. A refreshing interloper in this trend is the new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350, a worthy successor to the immensely popular Jeanneau 349, of which over 1,000 hulls were built. In the shadows of her giant dock neighbors, this new design stood out at the Annapolis show as a boat for the rest of us.
Design Notes
It’s been a decade since the 349 launched, and the new Jeanneau 350 marks the 8th iteration of this pocket cruiser that lives large and sails like a witch. The smallest in Jeanneau’s 5-model line, this Marc Lombard design struck me with its ergonomics, practicality, and excellent sailing characteristics.
The LOA is 34’ 1” but add the sprit that holds the anchor and the pad eye for a downwind sail and you’re up to nearly 36 feet. The air draft of the Selden mast is 52 feet, so she has a shot at sailing under many bridges, and sans-backstay design tidies up the transom with cleaner access to the swim platform and the water.
The beam is 11’ 9”, three inches wider than her predecessor, and although that doesn’t seem like much, this extra width creates space for Jeanneau’s trademark walkaround deck that runs from the two helms, outboard of the cockpit, and forward to the bow without a single step in between. Jeanneau introduced this concept years ago on their larger models. That they’re now able to incorporate it on a boat this size is impressive. It eliminates awkward climbs over the coaming, and the outboard deck space lets you stand, safely brace your behind on the extended pushpit railing, and lean over the Harken winches when grinding. It’s a more ergonomic position that lets you use all your weight and power, unlike grinding on your knees from the settee. From the transom seats in the outboard corners you can see both the telltales and the bow. And if you need to more forward to skirt the genoa, you won’t trip over anything on the way.
The modern hull incorporates a significant chine and an inverted bow that clears the waterline for sporty sailing and better maneuverability in tight quarters. Below the waterline are twin rudders and a choice of three keels including deep, shoal, and a swing version.
Cockpit & Helms
The cockpit is uncluttered and practical. The table is large enough to seat four for dinner with the leaves extended, but small enough to easily pass by when not in use. It’s an excellent bracing point when heeling and incorporates long grabrails for moving about under sail. There’s a straight shot from the companionway to the transom, which drops manually via block and tackle to form a swim platform with a ladder.
The twin Carbonautica composite wheels feel great in the hand. They’re mounted on sleek binnacles with stylish round grabrails. On starboard, there’s a Raymarine MFD as well as my favorite change, the engine throttle mounted on the binnacle rather than at knee level. It’s easily reached so you don’t need to bend down and take your eyes off the bow when docking. Harken primary winches are on the coamings, and you can stand outboard and trim with one hand while keeping the other on the wheel.
An optional electric winch can be added to port of the companionway to manage the halyards and reefing lines. Its manual twin is on starboard, and the German-style mainsheet here is on a bridle system. Canvas bags on either side have been added to store lines and protect them from UV rays. It’s a nod to clean organization, but I’d be concerned about mold and mildew developing when the bags are zipped up while the boat is not in use.
Performance Under Sail & Power
We sailed hull #26, decked out with Jeanneau’s Performance kit, which includes the upgraded Technique Voile square-top main that adds 375 square feet to the overall sail plan and a 110% genoa controlled by floating jib leads that eliminate the weight and cost of jib tracks. For easy single-handing you can choose a self-tacking jib and a Code 0 for downwind work. There’s a real feeling of security at the wheels due to the high aft railings that gave me something to hold as well as to lean against when seated.
We had a bluebird day for our test with 12-14 knots of true wind over flat water on Chesapeake Bay. Rigged with the full genoa and main, we slipped along at 6.5 knots and held onto that speed all the way up to 40 degrees apparent wind angle. When we cracked off to a broad reach, we still managed 5.8 knots of speed, even without the code sail, which wasn’t available. The boat practically sailed herself with excellent balance and tracking ability. I took my hands off the wheel for extended periods and she didn’t even notice as she charged ahead in a straight line.
Auxiliary power is provided by a 29 HP Yanmar diesel, plenty for this model’s 12,000-pound displacement. Jeanneau has returned to straight shaft drives, which I applaud because saildrives are sometimes haunted by hard and soft growth clogging the raw water intake. We motored at 7.6 knots at wide-open-throttle and 3400 rpm and found a comfortable cruise at 6.4 knots and 2400 rpm. Small, fuel-sipping engines go easy on the wallet but still deliver a respectable turn of speed.
Inviting Interior
Coming down three companion steps, I was immediately surprised by how roomy the boat felt and how much longer it seemed than its 34 feet. A cruising couple would lack for very little in this compact but comprehensive package. In the salon, twin settees flank a drop leaf table. On port, you have a choice of a cozy, forward-facing chaise longue with a cushion that raises to tuck you in, or a small optional aft-facing nav desk below the distribution panel with Jeanneau’s system monitoring screen, VHF, fan and reading light. The tradeoff here is the clever comfort feature versus a desk that adds needed space for things like deck keys, pens, cruising guides and the other essentials of cruising. I loved the comfortable chaise, but practical experience would make me choose the nav station.
At the base of the companionway to starboard is the L-shaped galley. Although a bit tight on countertop space and stowage, the chef has everything necessary to get the job done with a single large sink, Corian counters, a top-loading fridge, and a two-burner stove/oven.
The Jeanneau 350 comes with two or three cabins. The master is forward and is mostly made up of the modest V-berth. However, with the cabin’s split doors open, there’s a feeling of length as the gaze is drawn from the companionway all the way to the forward bulkhead. An overhead hatch and hull windows bring in air and light, helping this cabin look and feel larger.
Two aft cabins are possible, but I imagine most couples will opt for one stateroom on starboard and the fantastic head to port with its massive separate shower stall and hatch to the garage space, also accessible via the port cockpit bench above. I’d gladly forgo a third cabin in exchange for the larger head, a small work bench, and considerable stowage space for cruising gear.
Between the hull and deckhouse windows, the overhead hatches, and the copious indirect lighting, the interior is bright and inviting, and the upmarket fabrics and finishes add a contemporary vibe. The price is $200,000 USD base or $300,000 USD as tested, and these days that’s a lot of boat for the money.
The Wrap
There are many reasons to celebrate Jeanneau’s petite package—the entry-level price point, the throttle at the binnacle, the fabulous tracking ability, the mammoth-sized shower and, of course, those signature walkaround decks. Any one of these features already makes this design a winner but when combined it’s clear that Jeanneau hit it out of the park for sailors seeking simplicity, livability and a realistic cruiser that’s within reach for many of us.
Specifications
LOA: 34′ 1″
LWL: 30′ 9″
Beam: 11′ 9″
Draft: 4’ 9” shoal, 6′ 5″ deep, 4’ 2” – 8’ 4” swing
Displacement: 12,470 lbs.
Sail Area: 592 sq. ft. classic main (628 square-top) & 110% genoa
Fuel/Water: 34/54 gallons
Engine: Yanmar 29 HP with shaft
Designer: Marc Lombard
Builder: Jeanneau Design
Price (USD): $200,000 base, $300,000 as tested
