The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 measures 42,4 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 18,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 at 23,7 feet (2022). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 tips the scales at 19 676 lbs — 14 877 lbs less than the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 at 4 799 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 tops out at 54 hp. Engine specs for the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 carries 74 gallons versus 34 gallons in the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 displaces 19 676 lbs — a 14 877-lb difference over the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 at 4 799 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 draws 7,0 ft, compared to 3,0 ft for the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022. That 4,0-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 has a documented auxiliary engine of 54 hp.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 carries 94 gallons versus 26 gallons on the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS 2008 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 19 676 lbs displacement and 42 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie 2 2022 at 4 799 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.