1990 Catalina 34 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 — Comparison
1990 Catalina 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Catalina 34 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–2004 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.8 m² (536 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Catalina 34 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Catalina 34 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1990 Catalina 34 was penned by Frank Butler. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1990 Catalina 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 at 10.94m (35.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is 0.58m longer than the 1990 Catalina 34. The 1990 Catalina 34 displaces approximately 11% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Catalina 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 49.8 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, with an SA/D of 20.92 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Catalina 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has a comfort ratio of 13.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Catalina 34 and 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Catalina 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Catalina 34 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 3600 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Catalina 34 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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Or view individual specs: 1990 Catalina 34 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600