1979 Islander 36 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 at 9.72m (31.9ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1979 Islander 36 is 1.25m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The 1979 Islander 36 displaces approximately 63% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, with an SA/D of 20.51 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Islander 36 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Islander 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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