Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Hunter |
| Year | 2016 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 measures 10.94m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is 1.69m longer than the Hunter 306. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 displaces approximately 28% 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 Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 Hunter 306 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.