Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS Perf. Buyer's Guide
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS Perf. is a deck-saloon cruiser from the 2008-era Jeanneau range, designed by Marc Lombard and Garroni Designers, that brings the raised-saloon experience down to a length where it still feels purposeful. On the used market you are looking at used Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS Perf. boats with a 40-horsepower Yanmar diesel, built in Les Herbiers and sharing its hull mold with the aft-cockpit 39i.
Layouts on the Used Market
The deck-saloon configuration gives a raised main living space with fine visibility and lots of light, and the boat's high freeboard is the necessary trade for that room. Rather than a second head, these boats carry one amidships head with good overhead clearance, and the space saved went into the forward and aft cabins. The aft cabin's large athwartships double berth feels open because the cockpit sole sits 2 inches higher than on the 39i. On a viewing, lift the cabin sole boards to confirm the tankage sits low beneath the sole as designed, which helps stability and keeps the bilge sump clear. The saloon has wraparound seating for six plus a straight settee.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Twin wheels are standard and let the helmsman sit well outboard for a clear view of the sails, with primary winches immediately forward so the driver can trim the jib without leaving the helm. The deck is cambered and the dodger attaches to a raised splash rail so any water under the canvas sheds to the side. The test boats carried in-mast furling mainsails to ease handling, and the rig's inboard lower shrouds and outboard uppers keep the wide side decks clear for moving forward.
What to Inspect
When you walk a specific hull, watch the forward bulkhead cutout: it leaves a small threshold in the passageway to the forward cabin that can catch a bare foot in the dark. Going aft, check for the small step down into the aft cabin, another trip point for the unwary. Under way or on a noisy dock run, listen below with the Yanmar at 2,500 rpm or more — period testing recorded moderate saloon noise, and any sharper rumble or vibration through the sole suggests degraded engine mounts or excluded soundproofing on that individual boat.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
- Check the forward-cabin threshold and aft-cabin step for wear or clumsy repairs.
- Listen for saloon sound levels under power before you commit.
- Confirm the dodger splash rail and cambered deck shed water sideways.
- Verify twin-wheel helm sight lines and jib-trim reach from the helm.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
10 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Sun Odyssey 45 DS | 45.11' | $ 198,981 | 102 | 28 |
| Jeanneau Sun Sun Odyssey 42 DS | 42.42' | $ 155,000 | 93 | 19 |
| SUN Sun Odyssey 40 DS | 40' | $ 104,938 | 71 | 22 |
| Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS | 42.13' | $ 128,656 | 68 | 16 |
| Sun Sun Odyssey 39 I | 38.91' | $ 117,468 | 63 | 21 |
| Jeanneau Sun Sun Odyssey 39 DS | 38.92' | $ 125,804 | 58 | 13 |
| Jeanneau Sun Sun Odyssey 44 DS | 43.77' | $ 275,000 | 58 | 12 |
| Jeanneau Sun Sun Odyssey 41 DS | 40.42' | $ 204,779 | 38 | 8 |
| Jeanneau Sun Sun Odyssey 45 Performance | 45.01' | $ 175,000 | 11 | 4 |
| Dehler 41 DS | 40.85' | $ 102,517 | 6 | 4 |