Design and Construction
The 36i hull is hand-laid fiberglass utilizing two layers of vinylester resin, to which an internal fiberglass grid—Jeanneau’s “3rd Generation Hull Structure”—is glued and laminated for strength and rigidity. Above the waterline, the “i” in 36i denotes injection molding, the process in which resin is injected under pressure through closed molds for the balsa-cored decks and other components; this makes for lighter, stronger structures and cleaner, more environmentally friendly factories. The injection-moulded decks carried good grip with well-defined tread for crew moving forward, and teak was reserved for the cockpit seats alone. Three cast-iron keel options were offered for the lightweight hull: a standard 1.94 m fin with elongated bulb and exterior epoxy barrier coat (1,571 kg), a shoal 1.47 m version (1,808 kg), and a performance 2.10 m keel with profiled leading and trailing edges (1,546 kg). Displacement in light load with deep draft keel is 5,700 kg, on a 9.84 m waterline and 3.59 m beam.
Rig and Handling
The Perf. distinguishes itself with a taller mast than the standard version, twin groove furler, and a folding propeller, and it is fitted with Prestige series sails that are tri-radial cut in Mylar/taffeta. The standard 36i rig carries a swept-back backstay, single-line slab reefing, and a large overlapping genoa allowing sailing by headsail only; all lines from the Selden mast run across the cabin top, and the boom has lazy jacks and a zip-up sailbag. Test sailors found the boat trucked along upwind without bother, then really kicked up its heels once cracked off. The most impressive part of the trial was the bite on the rudder—a high-aspect blade rudder—and the testers never once came close to spinning out, which is not always the case when high-volume hulls are coupled with such rudders. In 6 knots true the log read 4 knots through the water at 45 degrees; in 8.5 knots true, 5.7 knots was coaxed out. The 1.94 m deep bulbed keel kept the boat tracking well out of the turn, and the deep draft 2.10 m option would benefit pointing and long-distance cruising.
Accommodations
Below, the standard 36i provides two sleeping cabins, one forward and one aft, with generous double bunks, while the reviewed three-cabin layout managed to fit a lot in because of the beamy hull. The central saloon is unusual in that the wraparound settee and table are to starboard, the single settee to port; the saloon seating covers both sides and the large table makes a good entertaining area. A movable navigation table slides forward over the port settee when needed and aft when not. The L-shaped galley sits at the foot of the companionway to starboard with a deep double sink, while the head and shower stall are opposite to port with a separate shower area. The dark-stained interior is spacious for a 36 footer, the wood smooth to the touch, with push-button cupboards, veneered plywood floorboards giving easy access to hull and skin fittings, and a compression post dominating the cabin. The starboard rear cabin is a good-sized double benefiting from the wide beam, and behind the head in the traditional quarter-berth spot lies a large crawl-in storage area lit by cockpit hatches.
Known Issues
The standard wheel of the 36i seemed too small to one reviewer; whether steering from windward or leeward, grasping the helm called for a long, unnatural reach, making it impossible to get locked in and comfortable, and an optional larger wheel is advised. A larger wheel, however, would hinder access to the swim platform steps on the stern. The mainsheet is led to a coach-roof winch, meaning the helmsman alone cannot dump the main in a gust. These are ergonomic rather than structural criticisms, and the substantial deck fittings and generous sound proofing around the Yanmar 29 hp shaft-driven engine were not in question.
Refits and Ownership
The performance package offered by Jeanneau for the 36i—and embodied in the Perf.—brings a taller rig, Tri Radial sails, Dyform rigging, Dyneema sheets, a folding Slipstream propeller, and the deeper keel option to stiffen the boat. The factory-supplied standard Quantum sails are Dacron, and the Facnor headsail roller reefing works well. The boat’s 355 L water and 130 L fuel are carried in rotomolded tanks under the berths with separate deck fills; a 50 L holding tank sits in the head compartment. Digital LCD readouts for liquids make a quick check of fuel and water handy, though instrumentation is otherwise basic, with a bulkhead alongside the nav station able to house a plotter.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 36 I Perf. is a considered answer to the question of how much speed a cruising couple or family will actually use. Lombard’s buoyant, beamy hull and the structural grid produce a stiff, track-stable platform, and the Perf.’s taller rig with Mylar/taffeta tri-radial sails delivers the “more power and speed” promise without surrendering the standard boat’s comfort. The caveats are helm-centered: the small standard wheel and coach-roof mainsheet routing limit single-handed gust response until the larger wheel and careful trim are adopted.
Pros
- Performance variant adds taller mast, tri-radial Mylar/taffeta Prestige sails, folding prop, and twin groove furler over the standard 36i
- Hand-laid vinylester hull with laminated “3rd Generation Hull Structure” grid and lighter injection-molded decks
- Rudder bite and tracking praised by testers; deep bulbed keel keeps her steady out of turns
- Spacious, beamy three-cabin interior with movable nav table and easy engine access
Cons
- Standard wheel too small for comfortable locked-in steering from either side
- Mainsheet led to coach-roof winch, so helmsman cannot dump main alone in a gust
- Larger optional wheel hinders access to stern swim platform steps
