This European award winner is what performance sailors have been dreaming about… Sailing, at its core, is an irrational enterprise. And that’s why it so seductive, so addicting. Sure we describe boats in analytical terms in stern-faced reviews but let’s face it, dreams and the stuff they’re made of is as important to the sailboat industry as the development of new designs and technologies. With this in mind, enter the new Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. This is an infusion-molded, vacuum-bagged dream machine. Designed by Daniel Andrieu, Sun fast 3200 does not develop into a formidable one design class… The 3200 is a flat out flyer; it is designed for ocean sailing.
Introduced in Europe last year, the boat has already proven itself in numerous off shore events, including a one-two finish in the rugged Norwegian Two Star regatta. The hull shape actually does resemble an Open 60. The fine entry flares into a beamy midsection and holds that beam all the way aft. This shape provides form stability and aft sections that promote easy surfing. The 3200 is refreshingly stiff. The 3200 has already become a favourite for singlehanded and double handed sailors, and that is a testament to the boats performance and ease of handling. The hull is vacuum bagged with balsa coring. The deck is infusion moulded; a clean, efficient laminating technique that Jeanneau is making standard on all its models. A foam-sandwich core makes the deck stiff and helps resist delaminating. The main bulkhead is infusion moulded, and the forward crash bulkhead is a composite material and watertight. A light but strong interior moulded unit is held in place with adhesives. The keel is a combination of lead and iron and is epoxy coated.
ON DECK
The large cockpit is cleverly designed for both fully crewed and shorthanded sailing. The twin tillers, controlling two high-aspect rudders, provide the ideal helm control for either tack on any point of sail. The mainsheet traveller runs across a bench aft of the tillers and the multi-purchase sheet is trimmed forward of the helm. The sheet winches are mounted on deck just forward of the tillers with instrument pod repeaters behind. There are two watertight aft hatches for access to lockers and an ingenious centerline locker for storing the life raft. Two winches on the coachroof handle most sail controls. The adjustable backstay can be controlled from either helm. The SF3200 has a keel-stepped Sparcraft mast.
The large, light furling genoas/gennikers are a better bet in most situations than asymmetrical spinnakers, and when combined with a conventional chute offer the best range of downwind sailing options.
DOWN BELOW
The 3200 interior is an intriguing blend of lightweight thinking and conventional design. The layout includes a sail locker all the way forward, followed by the athwart ship head forward with a space-saving sliding door. The saloon includes a centerline table that drapes around the mast and long settee berths. The galley is to starboard of the companionway and includes a lightweight laminate countertop with fiddles. There is a single stainless steel sink, a two-burner stove top and a large 16-gallon icebox. The nav station features a good-sized chart table with storage in the desk below. The laminate surface is designed for a laptop computer. The electrical panel is minimal, but includes a 12-volt outlet and engine voltmeter. Water capacity is 21 gallons; fuel capacity is 20 gallons A 15-horsepower Yanmar diesel and saildrive transmission are standard. Engine access is from both cabins and from behind the companionway. The engine compartment is well insulated.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION OF SF 3200
Length Overall – 30 m / 33,8 ‘
Hull Length – 9,80 m / 32,2 ‘
Length Waterline – 8,75 m / 28,7 ‘
Beam – 3,49 m / 11,5 ‘
Forward Freeboard – 1,30 m / 4,3 ‘
Light Displacement – 3,50 t / 7 700 lb
Draft Iron Cast Fin & Lead Bulb – 2,10 m / 6,9 ‘
Ballast Weight Fin & Bulb Keel -1,30 t / 2 900 lb
Air Draft – 15,85 m / 52,0 ‘
Fresh Water Tank – 100 l / 26 gal
Fuel Tank – 60 l / 16 gal
Designed Engine Power – 15 kW / 20 hp
Mainsail -34,5 m² / 370 sq.ft
Genoa – 31,4 m² / 340 sq.ft
Asymmetric Spinnaker – 86,0 m² / 930 sq.ft
Upwind Sail Area – 65,9 m² / 710 sq.ft
Downwind Sail Area – 120,5 m² / 1 300 sq.ft
Yacht Designer – Andrieu Yacht Design
Constructer / Builder -Chantiers Jeanneau SA
