Following the success of the Sun Odyssey 35, designed in 2002 by Marc Lombard, Jeanneau began a long-term collaboration with Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group. Their design skills were called upon in the development of multiple models of the Sun Odyssey line, including the Sun Odyssey 380, launched at the end of 2021.
In this interview, Éric Levet, Naval Architect and Co-Director of the Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, reflects on the design of the latest addition to the line. He decodes the guiding technical and architectural design choices in the development of the Sun Odyssey 380.
The highly experienced Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group counts over 250 design plans for leisure boats to its credit, which represents around 3,500 boats that have been built and put in the water. Beyond the numbers, it is clear that the Marc Lombard Yacht Design signature has become a sure value, throughout the world.
In this interview, Éric Levet places an accent on the particular importance of weight and the centre of gravity on a sailboat.
Weight plays a predominant role in the performance of a sailboat. It is the priority in all that we design in the marine field. Weight is not everything, but when we build lighter than the competition, that does not mean more dangerous. It means greater performance, especially if we accompany that with a hull stability that is well adapted and a rather high-performance sail plan.
Éric Levet, Naval Architect with Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group
Linked with the ultimate stability of the sailboat, the centre of gravity plays a fundamental role in safety. In fact, the lower the centre of gravity, the greater the angle of vanishing stability. The safety of the boat will be reinforced, as well as its performance.
At any speed, the key objective is to make boats increasingly more stable and to improve performance. To do this, Éric Levet worked extensively on the design of the Sun Odyssey 380, and notably, on three components.
For a more serene cruising experience, the naval architect chose twin rudders. An inverted bow delivers an enhanced performance and perfects the aesthetic of this sailboat. The forefoot above the waterline also gives the Sun Odyssey 380 unequalled ease of handling at the helm.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SUN ODYSSEY 380