Beneteau First 24 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 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 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 24 measures 7.20m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 at 9.72m (31.9ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is 2.52m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 displaces approximately 179% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 24 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 21.93 and 27.0 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 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 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 24 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 24 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200