1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 — Comparison
1997 Dufour 30 Classic
Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 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 | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 at 10.94m (35.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is 1.79m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 displaces approximately 34% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.69 and 40.0 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has a comfort ratio of 13.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 90L 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic 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.