Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 vs 1992 Contest 42 — Comparison
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 | 1992 Contest 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2016 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and 1992 Contest 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1992 Contest 42 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 measures 10.94m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 1992 Contest 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Contest 42 is 1.86m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600. The 1992 Contest 42 displaces approximately 104% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.92 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The 1992 Contest 42, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1992 Contest 42 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1992 Contest 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Contest 42 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 3600 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1992 Contest 42 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 3600 · 1992 Contest 42