Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2017 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 at 10.94m (35.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 0.56m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 40% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, with an SA/D of 20.92 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has a comfort ratio of 13.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600