Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Ericson |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is 0.88m longer than the 1976 Ericson 29. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 displaces approximately 23% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.51 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 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 1976 Ericson 29 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.