1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 measures 10.14m (33.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 at 10.94m (35.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is 0.80m longer than the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 50.0 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 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has a comfort ratio of 13.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 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 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 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: 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600