Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Cal |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Cal 39 is 2.17m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 109% 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 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 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 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, 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 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 1979 Cal 39 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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