Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is 2.10m longer than the Catalina 250. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 displaces approximately 146% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.51 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 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 3200 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 · Catalina 250