Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Valiant |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 1.56m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 86% 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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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Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37