Jeanneau Sunway 29 vs. First 285, opinions please!

[Overandunder]

After 4 years away from boats, I am considering donning the 'financial oilskins' of boat ownership once more, and have narrowed my search to either of the above - both in shoal draft form.

There is a fair bit review wise for the Bene online, but very little as regards the Sunway, that I can dig up so far.

If anyone has owned or sailed one I'd appreciate any comment / thoughts.

EDIT - any thoughts on the 285 wing keel version also appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Channel Sailor]

After 4 years away from boats, I am considering donning the 'financial oilskins' of boat ownership once more, and have narrowed my search to either of the above - both in shoal draft form.

There is a fair bit review wise for the Bene online, but very little as regards the Sunway, that I can dig up so far.

If anyone has owned or sailed one I'd appreciate any comment / thoughts.

EDIT - any thoughts on the 285 wing keel version also appreciated.
Thanks.

I have a Sunway 29 Sport, but not shoal draft. Mine is the 1.5m draft version. The Sport version differences appear to be: slightly lighter in weight construction for the interior hence less cupboards with doors, a few less interior lights, a saloon table that can be removed out the way, a spirit stove and no gas locker, possibly a smaller 26(-30?) litre fuel tank, Spinnaker fittings.

It is light and spacious inside, good performing fun sailing yacht, simple to keep clean and maintain. Decent size sail area so it sails really well in light air. I have not had it long but it appears to be fairly nippy for its length. It sails best when more upright so when sailing short handed you would reef early. Adjustable backstay on a Fractional rig that is useful. Massive cockpit locker. Table can be fitted in the cockpit or the saloon. Good headroom in the saloon, because of higher freeboard, which from what I recall was one of the main differences to a similar Beneteau. Uncluttered comfy cockpit. Decent sized anchor locker and a generous bow overhang means the anchor does not dent the stem gelcoat when being lifted up. Good access through the opening transom from a tender. Good Yanmar 2GM20 engine.

The very long saloon windows design means the original sealant is probably failed by now, I have replaced mine. Only one pair of winches (save weight? less maintenance?) but running rigging arrangements designed well so as to accommodate that. You have to take care to avoid mooring up stern to the wind at night because the aft end design can get transom slap from wavelets, a common problem on some yachts.

 

[Overandunder]

Many thanks for your detailed reply, very useful.

It sounds like a great boat, I note that she's a Tony Castro design, so that speaks volumes also.

I am primarily looking for shoal draft as the mooring area I have in mind varies depth wise so I am prepared to shorten keel as a result, plus I'm only an occasional club racer and mostly cruise, so the deep fin is a second choice overall.

Thanks again.

 

[FullCircle]

I am a Jeanneau owner, but in this instance would say that the 285 sold in far greater numbers, and they sail well enough to put you in the top half of the fleet if you must.......

I have sailed the First series from 23 to 325 but not the 285. I was always impressed with the family of Bennies in that era, I had an Evolution 25 back then

 

[Channel Sailor]

Just looked a few images of the First 285. Very similar yacht to the Sunway 29. Main differences I can see are:-

285 has a large mast support up the centre of the main cabin, the 29 mast support is less obtrusive.
285 The port side saloon bunk is too short to sleep on
The 285 rudder design/location looks like it might be tamer to handle than the 29. The 285 rudder is further aft.
The 29 has an opening transom
285 has a fwd cabin or at least a superior partition.
285 has a toe rail with useful holes to mount blocks
285 has four winches instead of two on the 29.
Sunway has an easy wipe clean GRP cabin liner whereas the 285 has a fabric/Vinyl deckhead liner, the type that falls off.
The woodwork possibly is better quality on the 285
The aft sections are quite different between the two yachts. The 29 has a fairly flat area around the rudder and aft to the transom with a somewhat squared off shape rising to the toerail, whereas the 285 aft view is distinctly semi circular and perhaps beamier. This might explain why the 29 is best sailed upright and probably surfs easier downwind.
The 29 has genoa tracks on the coach roof whereas the 285 has them on the side decks.

 

[Spyro]

I'm surprised the 285 is a "First" version as these were sold as the racing versions of the cruisers but you say it has a shoal keel I thought all "first" had taller rigs and deeper keels. I'm probably wrong maybe someone could confirm or not.

 

[Overandunder]

I'm surprised the 285 is a "First" version as these were sold as the racing versions of the cruisers but you say it has a shoal keel I thought all "first" had taller rigs and deeper keels. I'm probably wrong maybe someone could confirm or not.

From what I gathered from the Sailboat Data site the 285 was produced with deep fin and shallower wing keel option.

It would be interesting to hear of any difference in sailing performance between the two, as the yardstick numbers don't seem to differ hugely.