Beneteau First 29 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 at 10.94m (35.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is 2.04m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 displaces approximately 65% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 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 Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has a comfort ratio of 13.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 29 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 29 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600