The Jeanneau Rush 1979 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Jeanneau Rush 1979 at 31,4 ft versus Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 2008 at 29,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 2008 tips the scales at 8 697 lbs — 1 642 lbs less than the Jeanneau Rush 1979 at 7 055 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 18 hp for the Jeanneau Rush 1979 and 21 hp for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 2008 carries 13 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Jeanneau Rush 1979. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 7 055 lbs for the Jeanneau Rush 1979 and 8 697 lbs for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 2008. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,7 ft and 5,8 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Jeanneau Rush 1979 uses Sloop rigging.

Hull speed is rated at 7,0 knots for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 2008 and 6,8 knots for the Jeanneau Rush 1979. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i 2008 carries 42 gallons versus 24 gallons on the Jeanneau Rush 1979 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.