Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Hunter |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is 1.87m longer than the Hunter 260. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 displaces approximately 91% 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 Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, 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 Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 260 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 Hunter 260 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 · Hunter 260