The SUN FAST 3600 is the new 36 foot vessel in the SUN FAST line, the big brother of the famous SUN FAST 3200, which was very successful, both commercially and in competition. More than 150 SUN FAST 3200s have been sold to date. We wanted to offer a new, bigger boat, ready for sailing, and racing on the offshore internationally, hence the 36 feet.
Daniel Andrieu designed the boat
Of course, the objectives were to complement the line by using the same DNA as the SUN FAST 3200, correct the few flaws that were noticed and finally, to make the boat more versatile. The SUN FAST 3200 was more oriented to racing solo or double, almost exclusively in offshore races. We came to realize, over the life of the SUN FAST 3200, that the boat was also very successful in in-shore races. So we wanted the 3600 to be very versatile.
The 3600 can compete in both offshore and inshore races, both short handed and with a full crew. We adapted these ideas into a modular boat, especially on the outside, that can be sailed both solo and with crews up to eight, which is not easy especially with a single deck.
There is thus a choice of different helms, dual wheels or tillers, and both German and classic sheeting are available so the boat can adapt to different markets. Also, to enhance the versatility inshore and offshore, we once again started with the very successful 3200, by working on a new IRC optimized hull so that it remains competitive, whatever the load.
Impressive Cockpit
You will notice the very impressive cockpit, very long and very wide, where crew movement and ergonomics were studied in depth.
The front area of the cockpit is equipped with two seats to accommodate and protect the crew, especially for the long watches during off shore races. In the middle of the cockpit is the ergonomically designed maneuvering area, with all the control lines. The primary, or genoa winch is accessible from the helm station, which is very handy if sailing solo or with a small crew. It was very important for us to have both a dedicated navigation area for a crew and winches accessible to the helmsman for solo or small crew sailing.
The helm, like the SUN FAST 3200 is equipped with two tillers and two rudders, offering superb ergonomics and a clear view forward. As an option, the tillers can be replaced with wheels. The dual symmetrical wheels are installed just behind the mainsail traveller and allow for the installation of German sheeting. So, with this installation you have a boat ready for racing with a crew, with a manoeuvring area forward of the wheels, and a steering and tactical area at the stern.
Two foot chocks are installed at the back of the cockpit, adjacent to the two tillers. Between
them there is space to stow the life raft without disrupting manoeuvres, and ready to launch quickly when needed. At the stern, there is an adjustable backstay, a swimming ladder and in front of the life raft, a deck hatch with access to a rear hold. The hold provides access to the steering system and to the steering lines, which are part of the dual wheel helm option, and the autopilot. There are high foot chocks in the cockpit, ideal for bracing when heeled over, for both the helmsman and the mainsail trimmer. They make for a very comfortable seated position, and for the trimmer the backstay and fine mainsheet adjustments are also cleated at the foot chocks. Close attention was paid to the ergonomics of each station.
German sheeting is an option, with Harken Performa winches. The standard sheeting system is a large 8:1 Dinghy type mainsheet system placed on the central traveller. SUN FAST 3600 fittings are the best available on the market; no compromises were made when we chose the rigging, only the best equipment for this boat. The Quattro winches, from the Harken Performa line, are used on the spinnaker halyard and make setting the downwind spinnaker a faster manoeuver; on the big drum the slightest pull gives a much more adjustment. The cleats are Spinlock. All the fittings here are of very high quality and come standard. The Dyneema running rigging is also standard. Truly, no compromises were made with the running rigging or the fittings on this boat.
All detail is critical
If we continue, on the sidedecks, we see that small blocks are used for genoa adjustment.
The stanchions were reinforced for offshore sailing and equipped with supports for additional blocks. The shape of the toe rails was also studied to provide an efficient hold without tiring the crew, comfortably seated while hiking-out. You can choose a mast in aluminum, or, as an option, in carbon. The standard rigging is Dyform cable.
Continuing forward… here the stanchions are designed with a roller for the genoa, which is standard equipment, and reinforced for rigidity.
The roof and deck have a non-slip surface, even on the sides and the hatches, to optimise traction. You won’t slide, wherever you step. At the front, there is an open pulpit to allow for proper operation of the genoa upwind. The SUN FAST 3600 has 2 types of bowsprits: a long bowsprit, as we see here, that is optimised for an asymmetrical spinnaker, and a short bowsprit for those who use a symmetrical spinnaker with a pole.
These two bowsprits are designed so as to have the same rating regardless of the spinnaker chosen. So a customer can chose a symmetrical or an asymmetrical spinnaker based on their race plans and with the adapted bowsprit they will have the same rating.
The boat comes standard with a simple wire head stay. It can be also equipped with a Harken Tuff Luff or a removable furling system as options.
Interior: always less weight
The guidelines for the interior design were fairly simple; we wanted all the features of a cruising vessel but light, ergonomically laid-out, and finally, low maintenance. We deliberately set aside things such as decoration, and the comfort aspects that added weight. This resulted in a boat with lot of polyester and very little wood. Polyester is great for weight savings, as well as being and easy to maintain. All the
bulkheads are infusion polyester. The modules and layout elements are built on an integrated liner, which makes the interior easy to maintain. The few wood floorboards are for bilge access. So wood is really kept to a strict minimum, but includes the table railing, head doors and saloon table.
In terms of ergonomics, on both sides of the boat, you have the famous seats that were so popular on the SUN FAST 3200. The navigator can choose to be windward or leeward whatever the ship’s tack. The port side seat is very comfortable for resting during a watch.
It is next to a large chart table with access to all the electronics. There is extra space to accommodate optional screens. The standard functions are part of the standard Jeanneau electrical panel. And on the SUN FAST 3600 there is also another, customisable, panel. This extra panel is available for equipment such as a wind turbine or a hydro generator. The chart table can stow a computer and is equipped with multiple storage spaces for navigational instruments. The compartments are very deep
so that all the navigational tools can be gathered in one place. There is also storage space behind the seat. Access to the electricity and the VHF are also next to the chart table. All the controls are gathered together in one place.
On the starboard side is a complete galley, with ergonomic seat, fridge, sink, stove and storage space on the upper and lower sections. All designed to keep the center of
gravity as low as possible. This kitchen is symmetrical to the chart table area. This symmetry is consistent throughout the boat, including the two aft cabins, the saloon, and the head at the bow. Usually boats of this size offer a bow cabin with a head opposite. Jeanneau designed-in this symmetry to optimise both the boat’s center of gravity and to allow for the possibility of sleeping windward, which enhances the quality of the crew’s rest during offshore races.
Now on to the saloon area, there are polyester benches, once again, very easy to maintain. The upholstery, by Sunbrella, is in a fabric traditionally used for outdoor upholstery, which dries very quickly and is easy to maintain. So, it is possible to place wet sails on it without causing any damage.
The saloon table is drop leaf, and has rails for ease of use at sea. Storage spaces are built-in behind the saloon backrests and are very convenient for securely stowing various types of equipment.
It is very interesting to raise the floorboards on the SUN FAST 3600. You see that the counter mould you walk on is not the structural counter mould. The structural floors on the SUN FAST 3600 are infused at the same time as the hull. This simultaneous infusion process, of both the hull and the structure allows for a perfectly uniform structure because everything is lined and moulded at the same time.
There is no counter mould, or structural adhesive. The keel bolts, with oversized counter plates, hold the whole of each side of the hull tightly together. The floorboards are positioned so that each bilge is perfectly accessible. You can easily check whether a bilge has been damaged and repair it if necessary. This assembly procedure is an innovation unique to Jeanneau, resulting in the most rigid platform possible with minimum weight.
If we continue to move forward inside the boat, at the mast bulkhead we find easy access to the speedometer-sounder sensor. It is easy to verify its status and cleanliness. You find the head at the bow, with a sink, a toilet and an optional holding tank. The space was also designed with a bow deck hatch, which allows you to easily stow a spinnaker even when it’s wet, which is very convenient. This layout, with the head at the bow and the cabins aft, has the advantage of a sail-storage wet zone and reduced maintenance, when compared to a more standard layout.
The head can be closed off with sliding pocket doors; once again we targeted weight savings and functionality and thus made the bathroom private without adding weight. In front of the bathroom, there’s an ideal storage area for sails and spinnakers, a kind of sail locker. Further forward is a waterproof crashbox. It can help save the boat if damaged by collision with an object or another boat. So if the bow is damaged, the self-righting part of the boat is not affected.
The SUN FAST 3600, although built for competition, has two cabins worthy of a real cruising boat, with very large and comfortable beds. Once again, the cabins are perfectly symmetrical. Both cabins make the boat ideal for comfortable sleeping. Note that the cushions are split so an anti-
roll canvas can be set up to sleep 2 per berth, regardless of the boats tack.
At the front of the cabin, there are removable canvas wardrobes, very popular on the SUN FAST 3200. They can be taken home to pack and when empty, are very light. The wardrobes, like the boats general design, are functional, low maintenance, and again, light. Between the two cabins is the companionway, entirely in polyester, which is good in case of moisture. A storage space accessible from the inside and outside built-in here. It is ideal for stowing a headlamp or a flashlight at night, for food, or anything to be kept out of the rain.
Access to the engine is below the detachable companionway, and from each cabin through lateral access panels. The engine is a 21 HP Yanmar Saildrive. The battery is in front of the engine, near the starter.
A very competitive sailboat
In conclusion, it’s clear the SUN FAST 3600 is a particularly well-designed boat. We have Daniel Andrieu to thank for this very competitive sailboat. The boat has a hard chine hull. It’s modern, with powerful and stable sailing. It has mixed ballast with a lead bulb 2.13 m deep, with a keel bulb flush to the bow for better security (against snagging nets or algae) in offshore racing. There are double rudders for stability and performance. Really a well designed boat. The design has shown its worth in the first regattas and many are pleased with it.
So feel free to visit the website dedicated to the SUN FAST line, www.sunfast.fr, to check on the boats victories. I also invite you, if possible, to come try it out, because sailing this boat, is loving it. The handling and comfort will surprise you. It is a truly versatile and pleasant boat!
Should you know more about the SUN FAST 3600 (brochure, prices, quote, sea trial,…etc), please visit our here or send an email to: chooseyourboat@gmail.com
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