Jeanneau 35'

The boat is in the water in Portsmouth, RI and ready for your inspection. This bot is squeaky-clean and has seen extremely limited use, being stored indoors in the off-season for eight months of the year.

Here is why the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 Performance version is an outstanding boat that deserves a top spot on your shortlist.

The Ultimate 34-Foot Performance Cruiser

When legendary naval architect Marc Lombard designed the Sun Odyssey 349, his goal was to create a modern, manageable package that punched well above its weight class. Over a thousand hulls later, it remains one of the most successful production sailboats in modern history.  

While the standard 349 is already a capable family cruiser, opting for the Performance Pack unlocks the true potential of Lombard’s hull design. It turns a comfortable coastal cruiser into a responsive, exhilarating performer that handles like a dream—whether you’re short-handed, racing on Wednesday nights, or stretching her legs on an offshore passage. 

Key Reasons to Buy the Sun Odyssey 349 Performance1. A Supercharged Rig with a "Fat-Head" Mainsail

The defining characteristic of the 349 Performance is its rig. The Performance pack upgrades the standard sail plan to a square-top (fat-head) mainsail, adding vital square footage right at the top of the rig where the air is cleanest. Combined with performance laminate sails and a taller rig profile, the boat gets up and moves in light air where standard cruisers are forced to turn on the iron sail. 

Furthermore, Lombard designed the rig with 30-degree swept spreaders, completely eliminating the need for a backstay. This leaves the stern completely clear for uninhibited movement in the cockpit and allows the square-top main to pass freely without hung-up backstay adjusters.  

2. Advanced Hull Dynamics & Twin Rudders

Underneath, the 349 features a modern, hard-chined hull carrying its 11'3" beam far aft. This hard chine serves a double purpose: it vastly increases form stability when the boat heels and expands interior volume below decks.  

To control that wide stern, Jeanneau equipped the 349 with twin rudders. When the boat heels under power upwind or on a hard reach, the leeward rudder sits fully vertical in the water column. The result?

• Zero round-ups: You retain complete steering control even when overpowered in heavy gusts.
• Fingertip helm feel: Twin mechanical steering wheels provide light, instantaneous feedback.

3. Pure, Innovative Sail Handling

Jeanneau brought racing-boat ergonomics to a production cruiser by stripping away unnecessary deck clutter:

• No Genoa Tracks: The 349 uses low-friction 3D ring leads for the foresail. This soft-rigging approach cuts weight, simplifies trimming angles, and keeps the side decks completely clear.  
• German Mainsheet / Y-Bridle System: Instead of a heavy traveler bridging the cockpit, a stable Y-bridle mainsheet arrangement leads directly back to winches right by the twin helms.

This layout means every single sail control line runs aft to the helm positions. A solo sailor can trim the main, adjust the jib, and steer without ever leaving the safety of the wheel. 

4. A Cockpit Built for Living

Step past the twin helm stations and you enter a cockpit that feels like it belongs on a 40-footer. The open-transom design features a fold-down swim platform, making water access, dinghy boarding, and stern-to docking effortless. High cockpit coamings keep crew secure under heel, while the central teak table provides a brilliant social hub at anchor.  

5. Voluminous, Light-Filled Interior

Below decks, Marc Lombard’s hull shape pays massive dividends. Available in 2-cabin (with a massive dedicated stall shower and deep sail locker) or 3-cabin configurations, the cabin feels airy and refined.  

• Long hull ports and deck hatches flood the salon with natural light.
• The drop-leaf salon table accommodates full dinner parties, while the clever folding chart table swings up out of the way to expand seating when not navigating.
• Modern wood finishes and L-shaped galley make extended weekends away genuinely comfortable.

The Verdict

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 Performance hits the rare sweet spot in modern yachting: it is easy enough for a beginner to single-hand, fast enough to satisfy seasoned sailors, and comfortable enough for the whole family to love.

You aren't sacrificing living space for speed, nor are you driving a sluggish "floating RV." You get crisp helm responsiveness, modern hull stability, brilliant deck ergonomics, and strong resale value backed by one of the premier yards in the world. If you want a 34-foot sailboat that genuinely makes you look forward to every gust of wind, the 349 Performance is the boat to buy.