Design and Construction
The 34.2 unites a long lineage of ocean cruising sailboats with contemporary construction methods, presenting a sleek and balanced hull section beneath a strong, comfortable deck. Jeanneau built the hull and deck in solid fiberglass, and the numbers tell the story of a moderate-displacement cruiser: a length-to-beam ratio of 3.05 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 178 place her firmly in the family-cruiser camp rather than the ultralight racer end of the spectrum. The standard keel draws 1.7 meters, while buyers could also choose a 5-foot-7-inch or a shoal 4-foot-3-inch draft, the latter suiting thinner waters without abandoning the fin-keel concept.
Rig and Handling
Above the deck, the masthead sloop rig shows swept spreaders in addition to forward lowers, a configuration that supports a clean, manageable sail plan with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.02. The narrow side decks are kept clear by mounting the genoa track on the edge of the cabintrunk, which leaves the working alleys uncluttered when trimming headsails. A split backstay routes around rather than across the swim step, preserving easy access to the water or the dinghy behind. Forward, a recessed anchor well in the foredeck keeps ground tackle contained instead of perched on the bow. The generous cockpit is laid out to organize sail handling around a protected companionway, so the crew works in a sheltered zone rather than exposed at the helm.
Accommodations
Below, the 34.2 was the first sailboat of its size to offer three genuine cabins along with the amenities for distance cruising, a notable step for the mid-30s segment. Two interior layouts were available: the broad beam aft permits a plan with twin double aft berths, and the alternative provides one expansive double aft berth paired with a bigger head. Where the boat is configured with two cabins, its roomy head includes a standalone shower and a toilet, and plentiful lockers are distributed throughout. The main cabin shows an elliptical dinette to starboard with a small centerline seat and a galley to port, the latter a practical layout complete with a large-capacity icebox. Teak veneer and solid teak trim finished with a glowing satin varnish run through the interior, and period reviewers singled out the joinerwork details as beautiful, with the teak woodwork highlighting an exceptionally handsome salon.
Equipment and Deck Gear
From the factory the 34.2 was presented as well-equipped, and the standard inventory included the recessed foredeck anchor well and the split-backstay swim-step access noted above. The protected companionway and organized cockpit mean that the core sail-handling gear was arranged for short-handed family use rather than race-crew choreography. Fuel capacity sits at just over 29 US gallons against nearly 37 US gallons of water, figures consistent with a boat meant to make passages but not haul excessive stores.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 34.2 is a considered family cruiser that punches above its length in accommodation, offering three real cabins in a 33-foot-9-inch hull without resorting to cramped compromises. The beam-aft hull, clean side decks, and sheltered cockpit make her an approachable boat for two couples or a family, and the teak interior gives her a warmth that photographs well and wears reasonably. She is not a featherweight racer, but her numbers and layout mark her as a balanced, capable cruiser.
Pros
- First in class to offer three genuine cabins at this length
- Beam carried aft enables two double quarter berths or one large berth plus bigger head
- Clear narrow side decks via cabintrunk-mounted genoa track
- Protected companionway and organized cockpit for manageable sail handling
- Handsome all-teak interior with practical galley and large icebox
Cons
- Moderate displacement and SA/D near 16 favor cruising over sparkling light-air speed
- Shoal 4-foot-3-inch draft still a fin keel, not a centerboard or swing keel
- Two-cabin head arrangement differs markedly from three-cabin storage plan
