The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey line is in its eighth generation, which is to say that the new Sun Odyssey 350 represents the eighth time this 34-footer has been reimagined. And this time around, the collaborative talent from Lombard Yacht Design, Piaton Yacht Design, and Jeanneau has produced a sharp-looking hull that moves well, with a cockpit and interior layout that make it feel like much more boat than a 34-footer. In short, they pack a lot into what could be considered, by today’s standards, a relatively small package, with thoughtful ergonomics and goodies you’d typically expect on a much bigger model.
The 350 replaces the Sun Odyssey 349, which since its launch in 2013 has sold nearly 1,000 boats. The redesigned hull incorporates a full-length chine and inverted bow for a more contemporary look and performance. A sprit for setting an a-sail or code zero and carrying the anchor brings the full length on deck to just under 36 feet. Twin rudders and a choice of keels—the standard six-and-half-foot fin, shoal draft of just under 5 feet, or a lifting version that can drop to 8 feet, 4 inches—complete the package below the waterline.
The new deck is about 3 inches wider than its predecessor, which doesn’t sound like a lot until you realize that this extra beam enabled what is one of this boat’s most significant features—the full walkaround deck. From either helm, it’s a simple move outboard to walk forward, eliminating any steps or clambering over the coaming and onto the cockpit settees. Trimming is also enhanced by this feature, since you can stand on the side deck directly over the Harken winches on the coamings and trim with one hand while keeping another on the wheel, if needed. There’s no awkward positioning or twisting from the settee to get leverage. The full walkaround is nothing new on Jeanneau’s larger models, but sorting it for this 34-footer makes a big difference in cockpit ergonomics on this size boat, letting the helms feel roomy and logical in terms of sail and boathandling.
Photo courtesy of Jeanneau Yachts
Photo courtesy of Jeanneau Yachts
Photo courtesy of Jeanneau Yachts
Photo courtesy of Jeanneau YachtsI sailed hull No. 26 of the 350 in Annapolis a couple of weeks ahead of the Annapolis Sailboat Show, where it was making its official debut. We shook out a Performance version, which means that it carried a 370-square-foot Technique Voile square-top mainsail, 110% genoa, and kit for a code zero—which sadly wasn’t installed yet, so I would have to remain unfulfilled in the downwind department. This version included composite Carbonautica wheels on the twin helms, as well as an electric/manual Harken primary winch on the deckhouse to complement three additional manual Harken winches—one on the opposite cabintop, one on each coaming—Iroku floors in the cockpit, upgraded electronics, an additional water tank, and other extras.
Right away, I was struck by the cockpit ergonomics. The centerline table includes full-length grabrails, and with sides down leaves plenty of room for moving easily from the companionway to the transom, which lowers via manual block system to become a voluminous swim platform with an integrated ladder. Under the floor just aft of the port helm is a locker for a liferaft, while the opposite space provides ready access to the rudder posts and steering gear. Emergency tiller apertures are here on either side, as well.
The twin helms also incorporate handholds in front of the wheels, and each has a seat tucked into the aft corner of the stern pulpit, where a secure set of railings nearly reached my shoulder while standing. With the walkaround deck, these are among the two best seats in the house, since you can sit here, stretch your legs, and steer quite easily with full visibility forward.
Under the port cockpit seat is a massive storage space; this garage is also accessed via the shower below (more on that in a sec). The coamings behind the settees are high enough to provide good back support. Each is topped with a mainsheet and genoa sheet led through jammers to the helm winches. Beneath each helm is a handy line bag for tails—a simple but effective solution, as are the two canvas line bags attached to the cabintop for containing and protecting halyards, reefing lines, and other miscellaneous sailhandling gear coming aft.
The starboard helm incorporated a Raymarine chartplotter, as well as controls for the 29-hp Yanmar. Again, the walkaround here enabled the designers to move the throttle from ankle level to knee height on the outboard side of the coaming—a small but significant change when maneuvering under power. Cruise speed with the three-blade Flexofold prop was 6.1 knots at 2,500 rpm, wide open throttle 7.2 knots at 3,600 rpm.
The mainsail is on a German-sheeted system, and genoa tweakability comes via floating jib leads led through low-friction rings just aft of the mast. They provide more flexibility than a traditional jib car system, blending barber haulers and adjustable cars into one lightweight feature—all easily controlled by lines leading aft on the cabintop. You can get an optional self-tacking jib, but I like this version with the ability to optimize sail shape. The two-spreader Seldén rig has 30-degree swept-back spreaders, eliminating the need for backstays.
Walking forward from the helms, the side deck slopes up, with good grabrails on the cabintop. Forward, the deck is nearly flush with an anchor locker forward including the windlass and its controls. Overall, like the cockpit, the deck layout is cleanly executed and not overcomplicated.
So how does all this translate into sailing? We had flat water in relatively light winds, rarely seeing much more than 8 knots true. On the one hand, this didn’t give us a chance to get a feel for how the boat would handle chop or how the helm would feel in bigger breeze. On the other, it did help support the designer’s claim that “in just 5 knots of wind, she is a joy to sail.” In true wind that hung right around 7 knots, we consistently made 4 to 5 knots of boatspeed sailing upwind at apparent wind angles in the low 30s. When a rare puff of 9 or 10 came along, she popped right up to 5.8 to 6.2 knots. Beam reaching the numbers were much the same; since we couldn’t fly the code zero, downwind was a stretch with just the genoa and main in such light air, and we motorsailed back to the slip.
I found the helm to be a little stiff, and while in practice it was fun to watch the boat track perfectly well without anyone steering at all, I would have liked a bit more feedback and less stickiness in the steering. It would have been interesting to see if this changed with more windspeed. Overall, the boat was easy to sail, quite responsive even in light air, with just enough tweakability in this Performance version to make it fun.
The obvious draw of this boat for a couple, small family, or even an older sailor wishing to downsize and simplify is amplified when you go below. Even in 34 feet, the 350 has pretty much everything you need in a comfortable package. Three wide steps with solid handholds on either side lead from the cockpit into the cabin. Overhead, a dropped ceiling running fore and aft amidships provides for stylish recessed lighting and doubles as a good overhead handhold.
The main salon has a centerline table and two settees to each side; the portside settee can either be a clever lounge with a solid arm that lifts to hold you in place, or you can opt for a more traditional nav station here. An L-shaped galley to starboard includes a top-loading fridge, two-burner propane stove, and light-colored Corian countertops. A V-berth is forward with a closing door but admittedly not much space other than the bed, although the new design enabled windows that admit plenty of natural light, along with the overhead hatch.
A separate cabin with a double berth is aft to starboard with three opening portlights helping provide ventilation. The head opposite to port has a big, fully enclosed shower, and a door here provides access to the garage (in another layout, this garage becomes a second aft cabin).
Engine access is under the steps and on either side in the cabin and garage—the access in these side areas could be bigger. In general, though, access to mechanicals is quite good, with the air conditioning compressor under the port settee, hot water heater under the starboard settee, and both engine and house batteries right at hand on either side of the engine under the bunk and the garage floor. The bilge is neat with quickly lifting floorboards for access, and wire and plumbing runs are clean. Storage isn’t massive, but good organization in the garage will help with that.
Jeanneau has a lot of experience to lean on, and the success of the 350’s predecessor bodes well for this new version. Base price for this boat is just over $200,000. That still isn’t chump change, but it’s more reasonable for most potential owners than something north of half a million, which is where so many larger models have been landing.
It’s a sweet spot—34 feet—when you have a boat that sails well and doesn’t overpower you with big loads in terms of sailhandling, and when well thought out can provide all you need for an easy daysail or a couple of weeks of cruising—more if you’re ambitious. This new Sun Odyssey 350 may have nailed it.
LOA 34’1”
LWL 30’9”
Beam 11’9”
Draft 6’5” (deep) 4’9”(shoal) 4’2-8’4”(lifting)
Air Draft 52’
Displacement 12,470 lbs (light w/deep keel)
Ballast 3,483 lbs (deep keel)
Sail Area 592 sq ft (std main/110% genoa), 628 sq ft (Performance square-top main, 110% genoa)
Power 29hp Yanmar
Designer Lombard Yacht Design/Piaton Yacht Design/Jeanneau Design
Builder Jeanneau Yachts
Price $205,000 base/As sailed Performance version $299,000
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