Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs Catalina 315 — Comparison
Catalina 315
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | Catalina 315 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 8.61 m (28.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and Catalina 315 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 315 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Catalina 315 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 315 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is 0.27m longer than the Catalina 315. The Catalina 315 displaces approximately 16% 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 315, with an SA/D of 16.32 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 315 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 40.0% for the Catalina 315, 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 315 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 132L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 315 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 Catalina 315 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 · Catalina 315