Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 vs Dufour 45E — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 | Dufour 45E |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Dufour |
| Year | 2016 | 2008–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 8 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and Dufour 45E represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Dufour 45E is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Dufour 45E was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 measures 10.94m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Dufour 45E at 13.80m (45.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Dufour 45E is 2.86m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 106% 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 Dufour 45E, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 88.0 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 Dufour 45E has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and 30.5% for the Dufour 45E, 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 Dufour 45E offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 45E 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 Dufour 45E 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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