1987 Beneteau First 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 — Comparison
1987 Beneteau First 38
Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 at 9.72m (31.9ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is 1.86m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 displaces approximately 80% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.