1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 3 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 at 10.94m (35.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 1.83m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 73% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has a comfort ratio of 13.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Beneteau First 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 1993 Beneteau First 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: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600