Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Hunter |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is 0.47m longer than the Hunter 306. The Hunter 306 displaces approximately 2% 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 Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 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 Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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: The Hunter 306 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: Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 · Hunter 306