Hull Design and Underbody Options
Lombard's plumb bow maximizes waterline length relative to overall length, a straightforward gain in theoretical hull speed without adding footprint. The hard chine and beamy aft sections contribute to initial stability, a quality that matters both offshore and at anchor with a family aboard. What genuinely distinguishes the 379 among production boats of its era is the range of underbody configurations: a deep bulbed keel drawing six feet four inches, or a winged shoal-draft option with a centerboard drawing four feet eleven inches with the board deployed, paired with twin short rudders for control in tight anchorages. The beam is carried well aft, working in concert with the hard chine to push interior volume outward without inflating external dimensions.
Rig and Sail Handling
The fractional high-aspect rig carries double aft-swept spreaders — a geometry that supports a larger roach mainsail while keeping the shrouds clear of the boom's travel. Jeanneau offered genuine flexibility in sail plan: owners could specify a 132% overlapping genoa, a self-tacking jib, or in-mast furling for the main. Genoa tracks are set well inboard for favorable sheeting angles, and both the genoa and mainsheet are led aft to the twin helms, so a short-handed crew can manage sail trim from the wheels without leaving the cockpit. The profile is deliberately kept low by designer Lombard, contributing to a practical, functional aesthetic rather than a showy one.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
Twin wheels are the organizational anchor of a cockpit that opens aft with a drop-down transom swim platform. A fixed table between the two sides of the cockpit provides both a social surface and a mount for a swiveling chartplotter — a thoughtful detail that keeps electronics accessible to the helmsman without cluttering the companionway. A midship gate in the lifelines is wide enough for easy boarding and loading, a practical advantage when provisioning alongside a dock.
Accommodations Below
The interior is organized around a two-cabin layout with an optional third cabin, a degree of privacy that rivals boats ten feet longer. The salon centers on a U-shaped dinette to starboard and a straight settee to port, joined by a drop-leaf table seating up to six. The settee converts into seating for an aft-facing nav station topped with a leather handhold. The L-shaped galley offers twin sinks, a two-burner stove, and a top-loading refrigerator, along with soft-close drawers and space for an optional microwave. The head configuration adapts to cabin count but retains a separate shower area in either arrangement. A large access hatch beneath the cockpit seat opens to a dry stowage compartment — a useful catch-all for gear that shouldn't live below but needs protection from spray.
Known Limitations
The one area where the 379 draws honest criticism is the forward cabin. Rather than an island berth, the master stateroom is a standard V-berth. Lombard and Jeanneau made a deliberate trade-off: moving the berth aft far enough for an island arrangement would have eliminated standing room and outboard stowage lockers at the cabin entrance. It is a reasonable compromise given the length, but buyers accustomed to island berths on competing designs will notice the difference. The boat is also limited to a single head regardless of cabin configuration, which can feel tight when up to eight people are sleeping aboard using the dinette berth.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 379 is a disciplined piece of naval architecture — Lombard's hull performs, the keel options extend its cruising range into shoal waters, and Jeanneau's interior team extracted accommodation depth that regularly surprises sailors stepping aboard for the first time. It is not a boat without compromises, but its compromises are transparent and, for most owners, acceptable.
Pros
- Plumb bow and hard chine deliver strong waterline length and aft stability
- Keel options — deep bulb or shoal centerboard — suit a wide range of cruising grounds
- Sail plan flexibility from overlapping genoa to self-tacking jib to in-mast furling
- Sheets led aft to twin helms support genuine short-handed sailing
- Two-cabin layout with optional third rivals boats substantially longer
- Practical, dry stowage compartment under cockpit seat
Cons
- Forward cabin is a V-berth, not an island berth; standing room was prioritized over sleeping comfort
- Single head throughout, regardless of cabin configuration or number of berths
- In-mast furling, while convenient, reduces sail area and mainsail shape compared to a slab-reefed main
