2003 Dufour 34 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 at 10.94m (35.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is 0.64m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The 2003 Dufour 34 displaces approximately 8% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dufour 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 52.5 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 2003 Dufour 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has a comfort ratio of 13.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dufour 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 140L of water capacity and 75L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dufour 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 2003 Dufour 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: 2003 Dufour 34 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600