Beneteau First 29 vs Jeanneau Sun 2000 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Jeanneau Sun 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2001–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 6.08 m (19.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 5.45 m (17.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 700 kg (1,543 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 200 kg (441 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 3 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Jeanneau Sun 2000 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun 2000 is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Jeanneau Sun 2000 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun 2000 at 6.08m (19.9ft) with a 2.30m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 2.82m longer than the Jeanneau Sun 2000. The Beneteau First 29 displaces approximately 343% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun 2000, with an SA/D of 22.57 and 17.5 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Jeanneau Sun 2000 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Jeanneau Sun 2000 has a comfort ratio of 11.2 and a capsize screening value of 1.04. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 28.6% for the Jeanneau Sun 2000, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun 2000 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 29 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 2000 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 First 29 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 First 29 · Jeanneau Sun 2000