1996 Hunter 290 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 at 9.72m (31.9ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is 0.88m longer than the 1996 Hunter 290. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Hunter 290 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 38.9 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 1996 Hunter 290 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) 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 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Hunter 290 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Hunter 290 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 1996 Hunter 290 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.