2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 Review
A big easy-to-handle cruising sailboat that features on an impressive compact platform
November 21, 2024
Yachts have a way of turning heads and the bigger they are the larger the wow factor. That said, small boats can be infinitely more intriguing and when designed well, become engineering marvels because they must accomplish the same mission in much less space. The new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 is such a yacht. It’s a pocket cruiser that feels big, sails large, and packs in features that make her every bit as yachty as her four bigger sisters in the Sun Odyssey line.
Above: 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350. Photo by Jeanneau.
Design and Rigging
The Jeanneau 350 replaces the very successful Jeanneau 349 that was launched in 2013 and shipped nearly 1,000 hulls. The new design is the baby of the 5-model line and clearly has big shoes to fill. Fresh from the drawing board of Lombard Yacht Design, the 350 has hard chines and an inverted bow that clears the waterline for sporty sailing and better control in tight quarters. Below the waterline, there are twin rudders and a choice of three keels including deep, shoal, or swing versions.
Above: 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350. Photo by Jeanneau.
Although the LOA is just 34’ 1”, when you add the sprit that holds the anchor and a downwind sail, she stretches to 36 feet. The Selden rig suspends a square-top main without a backstay, a 110% genoa, and a Code 0 for easy downwind work. The air draft is only 52 feet, so the model is perfectly ICW-friendly. A self-tacking jib is optional, and the genoa is controlled with floating jib lead rings that do away with the jib tracks which add weight and cost. It’s an intuitive solution that lets you easily dial in the shape on the headsail.
Deck Layout
The deck is three inches wider bringing her beam to a substantial 11’ 9”. And this leads us to the gobsmacking feature on this model. Like her larger sisters, she makes full use of the beam to incorporate Jeanneau’s walkaround decks which run from the two helms to the bow so no one climbs over a cockpit combing or is faced with any steps. Not only is this better for old knees, kids and small dogs, it also creates great space outboard where you can stand, brace your behind on the pushpit rail, and get a good lean over the Harken winches when grinding, all without ever feeling unsafe. Gone is the awkward trimming on your knees from the cockpit bench.
Above: 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350. Photo by Jeanneau.
We sailed the Performance version which includes Technique Voile sails with 375 extra square feet in the sail plan, an electric winch on the cabintop, and swanky Carbonautica composite wheels. Sitting at the transom seats in the outboard corners, you can see the sails and the bow easily and if you need to run up and skirt the genoa, you won’t trip over anything.
Cockpit and Helms
Another standout feature on this compact model seems like small detail until you experience it. Unlike many production monohulls that place the engine throttle outboard at knee level, the Jeanneau 350 has put it on the binnacle where it’s easily reached without bending all the way down and taking your eyes off the bow when driving or docking. A Raymarine MFD is to starboard and instrument panels are to port. Both wheels have integrated handholds to grab instead of the wheel when under way.
Above: 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350. Photo by Jeanneau.
As mentioned above, there’s no backstay so with the wide space between the wheels, it’s easy to access the drop-down transom and jump in the water when it’s time to play. The cockpit table has drop leaves and long grabrails and is the perfect bracing point when heeling. It’s also surprisingly spacious for a fancy dinner for 4-6 under the stars.
Two canvas bags on the cabintop by the companionway are designed to hold halyards and reefing lines and protect them from the sun. That sounds thoughtful but we wonder how wet lines will fare in closed bags even if they are somewhat ventilated.
Performance
We had excellent conditions for our test sail with 12-14 knots of true wind on the flat waters of Chesapeake Bay. With the genoa and main, we slipped along nicely at 6.5 knots of boat speed all the way up to 40 degrees AWA. When we cracked off to a broad reach, we still held onto 5.8 knots of speed. I could take my hands off the wheel for extended periods and the boat tracked beautifully which is a testament to the balanced hull and rig working well together.
Standard power is a 29-hp Yanmar diesel which is more than enough for this model’s 12,000-pound displacement. This is a straight shaft design since Jeanneau has blissfully moved away from saildrives. The engine pushed us at 7.6 knots at wide-open-throttle and 3400 rpm, and we found a comfortable cruise at 6.4 knots and 2400 rpm. Another thing about small boats with small engines: they’re much easier on the wallet.
Accommodations
So, what’s it like to cruise aboard this little gem? First, there’s a choice of two or three cabins. The master is forward and when you spec only one aft cabin, you are rewarded with two practical features: First is the head with a sizeable separate shower stall where you can stow wet gear or even a folding bike. That shower provides access to the aft garage which can also be accessed from the cockpit above. For a cruising couple, this will serve as both a workshop and a pantry so it’s the winning choice in my book.
Above: 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 cabin. Photo by Jeanneau.
The master cabin is forward with a V-berth bed in which two people will need to sleep head aft. The door is split so it can open onto the cabin which is mostly bed. With this door open, there’s a feeling of space and light throughout the interior as the eye is drawn from the companionway all the way to the forward bulkhead.
Salon
The salon is compact but has everything four people could possibly need. Twin settees flank a drop leaf table. On port, you have a choice of either a cozy chaise longue where you can tuck yourself in with an extra cushion armrest. My choice would be to instead swap in the small optional nav desk here to provide a workspace for ship’s business and have a space for odds and ends like cruising guides, deck keys, pencils and so forth.
Above: 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 salon. Photo by Jeanneau.
Galley
The L-shaped galley is compact and in the starboard aft corner. It’s a bit cozy but gets the job done with a single large sink, Corian counters, a top-loading fridge, and a two-burner propane stove/oven combination. Food and dish stowage is tight but adequate for short voyages and the only time this area will be crowded is if one is cooking and someone else needs to duck into the starboard aft cabin.
Above: 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 galley. Photo by Jeanneau.
Overall thoughts
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 is speedy and swanky. I spend a lot of time on large boats, but this model won me over for its practicality, comfort, thoughtful details, and excellent sailing where you barely have to keep a finger on the wheel. Well done, Jeanneau.
Pros
- Entry-level price point
- High rails aft for safety and comfort
- Walkaround side decks
- Throttle on binnacle
- Excellent tracking ability
- Giant shower
Cons
- Tight master stateroom
- Limited countertop and stowage space in the galley
Specifications:
LOA: 34' 1"
LWL: 30' 9"
Beam: 11' 9"
Draft: 4’ 9” shoal, 6' 5" deep, 4’ 2” – 8’ 4” swing
Displacement: 12,470 lbs.
Sail Area: 592 sq. ft. classic main (628 square-top) & 110% genoa
Fuel/Water: 34/54 gallons
Engine: Yanmar 29 hp with shaft
Designer: Marc Lombard
Builder: Jeanneau Design
Price: $200,000 base, $300,000 as tested
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