Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 is 2.47m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 displaces approximately 121% 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 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 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 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 1987 Cape Dory 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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