Beneteau First 40 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 4 |
| Cabins | 3 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 at 9.72m (31.9ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 2.44m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 79% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 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 Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 40 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 Beneteau First 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 40 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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