SUN FAST 36 Sail Configuration Guide

Overview

The SUN FAST 36, designed by Philippe Briand for Jeanneau, is a high-performance cruiser-racer built for speed and stability. It targets sailors seeking a competitive edge in club racing without sacrificing the amenities required for fast coastal cruising.

Rig Specifications & Performance Analysis

Analysis of the SUN FAST 36 rig dimensions reveals a focus on aerodynamic efficiency:

• Mainsail Configuration: A P/E ratio of 2.90 indicates a tall, high-aspect rig that minimizes induced drag and improves upwind efficiency.
• Foretriangle Design: The I/J ratio of 3.60 suggests a powerful foretriangle well-suited for large overlapping genoas or high-efficiency working jibs.
• Sail Area: With 57m² of total upwind sail area, the boat offers a high power-to-weight ratio.
• Performance: The design is optimized for weatherly performance, excelling in light-to-moderate air while remaining manageable offshore.

Popular Sail Configurations

• Mainsail: Typically configured as a full-batten performance main to maintain a stable leach profile in varying wind strengths.
• Headsail: Most owners utilize a 135% overlapping genoa for light air or a non-overlapping heavy-weather jib for high-wind stability.

Key Characteristics

• High-Aspect Rig: P/E ratio of 2.90 ensures superior lift-to-drag ratios for competitive pointing.
• Powerful Foretriangle: I/J ratio of 3.60 provides significant drive through various headsail sizes.
• Balanced Hull Form: The 11.12m hull by Philippe Briand offers excellent tracking and low wetted surface area.
• Sailing Characteristics: Noted for being stiff and close-winded, maintaining control even when pressed hard.

Sailing Considerations

• Recommend reefing the 31m² mainsail as true wind speeds reach 16-18 knots to maintain a flat heel angle.
• Requires a moderate crew for racing but remains easily handled by a couple when set up for cruising.
• Expect high performance in reaching and upwind legs due to the tall rig and efficient foil shapes.

Sailmaking Recommendations

For the SUN FAST 36, we recommend SurgeX membrane sails as the optimal choice for most sailors. SurgeX uses continuous fiber construction where fibers are laid along load paths and embedded in a thin membrane, providing superior shape retention compared to traditional Dacron while being more affordable than premium laminates. The continuous fiber structure means significantly less stretch over time, maintaining the designed sail shape for years.

For racing applications, specify a lightweight SurgeX configuration with minimal base weight to maximize performance. For cruising or bluewater sailing, add a taffeta protective layer on both sides to enhance UV resistance and abrasion protection. Based on the 2.90 P/E ratio, a tri-radial or membrane layout works best to handle the vertical loads of the high-aspect mainsail. A typical inventory includes a performance mainsail, a 135% genoa, and an asymmetric spinnaker for off-wind legs. With 57m² of sail area, plan to reef around 17 knots to keep the boat on its lines.

Conclusion

The SUN FAST 36 is a sophisticated Briand design that rewards high-quality sail shapes and precise rig tuning. Explore sail options for the SUN FAST 36 to unlock its full racing and cruising potential.