Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2016 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 measures 10.94m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 1.86m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 87% 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 Catalina 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 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 Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, 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 Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 42 MkII 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 Catalina 42 MkII 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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