30i Jeanneau Sun Odyssey

Source: Boatpoint Magazine

Jeannie’s Sun Odyssey 30i does all the things you want, and without any unnecessary extravagance

The Sun Odyssey 30i is a 30ft cruising yacht designed by award-winning French naval architect Marc Lombard. His company, Marc Lombard Architecture Navale, operates out of the largest marina in Europe, the Les Minimes district in La Rochelle, envisioning anything from workboats to 165ft yachts.

Yet despite the designer’s prestigious pedigree, Jeanneau has managed to produce a versatile 30ft cruiser that the company describes as having “the classic features and modern comforts of the Sun Odyssey line” without unnecessary lavishness.

The 30i combines a performance hull, an injection-moulded deck (hence the ‘i’ model designation), smooth lines and a teak interior. Buyers can choose from two different designs, depending on whether the intention is to spend more time sailing from port to port, or “exploring new coastlines” as Jeanneau put it.

These designs are the fixed keel with a single rudder, and the easily beached lifting keel with twin rudders. Both come with a choice of tiller or steering wheel.

COMFY INTERIOR
Marc Lombard and the team sought to make the interior as comfortable and liveable as possible, so there’s standing headroom throughout and lots of storage compartments in the saloon and cabins. The galley accommodates a 100lt icebox and a two-burner gas hob.

In the accommodation plan, the forward cabin has a double berth and bi-fold doors. The head compartment appears blissfully large, and you won’t have any trouble standing up in the shower. You’ll also find a mirror, a wet locker, and more storage.

Other options include a shorepower system, an electric windlass, hot water (quite possibly doubling your chances of taking your spouse with you), an MP3/CD player with cockpit speakers, shades, and the always useful insect screens for warmer months.

The galley can be optioned with a 12V freezer/refrigerator and an oven and microwave, although you’ll need an inverter and extra house battery if you want to use the latter while swinging on the anchor.

The first Sun Odyssey 30i in Australia is a swing-keel, twin-rudder, tiller-steer model, which landed in Melbourne on December 8. Her proud owner will then sail her to a home berth in the Gippsland Lakes, where her shallow draft of 0.85m with keel retracted is sure to be a real boon.

Boat Specifications: 30i Jeanneau Sun Odyssey

LOA: 29ft 5in (8.99m)
Hull length: 28ft 10in (8.79m)
Beam: 10ft 5in (3.18m)
Displacement: 3945kg
Swing keel draft: 2ft 9in to 6ft 6in (0.85m to 2m)
Fuel: 50lt
Water: 160lt
Cabins: 2
Engine: Yanmar 15kW