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Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau
Designer: Tony Castro  ·  Builder: Jeanneau (Fra)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau

Designed by renowned naval architect Tony Castro and built by Jeanneau from 1984 to 1986, this rare French production yacht represents an ambitious attempt to blend performance sailing with offshore capability. With only 10 hulls produced during its brief production run, the Sun Fast 12 Ton stands as an uncommon find in today's used boat market. The yacht's fin keel and spade rudder configuration, combined with advanced composite construction incorporating carbon fiber and Kevlar reinforcement, reflects the cutting-edge technology of its era. Castro's design emphasizes performance, evident in the boat's impressive sail area to displacement ratio of 23.9, which delivers spirited sailing in moderate conditions. The fractional sloop rig provides excellent sail handling characteristics and the ability to depower when conditions intensify. At nearly 30 feet overall with a displacement of 7,275 pounds, this yacht strikes a compelling balance between manageable size and offshore capability. The low comfort ratio of 19.37 indicates a firm, responsive motion that performance-oriented sailors will appreciate, while the capsize screening formula of 2.12 suggests reasonable stability for coastal and offshore passages. Best suited for experienced sailors seeking a fast, well-built yacht for spirited day sailing and extended coastal cruising, the Sun Fast 12 Ton offers a rare combination of French craftsmanship and Castro's proven design expertise.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.86 ft / 9.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.61 ft / 7.50 m
Beam 10.24 ft / 3.12 m
Max Draft 5.48 ft / 1.67 m
Displacement 7,275.00 lb / 3,300 kg
Ballast 2,425.00 lb / 1,100 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 559.00 ft² / 51.93 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG w/carbon & kev.
Designer Tony Castro
Builder Jeanneau (FRA)
First Built 1984
Last Built 1986
Number Built 10
Associations Half Ton Class
Related Sailboats ["J30" · "X 302" · "Catalina 30 Mkii" · "S2 91" · "Nimble 30"]
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 23.9
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 33.33
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 217.9
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 19.37
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.12
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.65 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 900.45 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 30 Mkii, S2 91, X 302

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
29.9 ft
Catalina 30 Mkii
29.9 ft
S2 91
29.8 ft
X 302
29.8 ft
LWL
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
24.6 ft
Catalina 30 Mkii
25.0 ft
S2 91
25.0 ft
X 302
26.4 ft
Beam
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
10.2 ft
Catalina 30 Mkii
10.8 ft
S2 91
10.5 ft
X 302
9.8 ft
Displacement
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
7 lbs
Catalina 30 Mkii
10 lbs
S2 91
7 lbs
X 302
7 lbs
Ballast
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
2 lbs
Catalina 30 Mkii
4 lbs
S2 91
3 lbs
X 302
3 lbs
Sail Area
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
559 sq ft
Catalina 30 Mkii
437 sq ft
S2 91
490 sq ft
X 302
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
—
Catalina 30 Mkii
186 s/nm
S2 91
—
X 302
146 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
23.9
Catalina 30 Mkii
14.9
S2 91
19.9
X 302
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
33.3 %
Catalina 30 Mkii
41.2 %
S2 91
40.8 %
X 302
41.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
19.4
Catalina 30 Mkii
24.9
S2 91
20.0
X 302
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
2.12
Catalina 30 Mkii
2.00
S2 91
2.12
X 302
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
217
Catalina 30 Mkii
291
S2 91
224
X 302
191
Hull Speed
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
6.7 kts
Catalina 30 Mkii
6.7 kts
S2 91
6.7 kts
X 302
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sun Fast 12 Ton Jeanneau ★
—
Catalina 30 Mkii
1.6
S2 91
2.7
X 302
—
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