Design and Construction
The 396 stretches 39.30 feet on the waterline-defining 35.99-foot hull, with an 11.06-foot beam giving her the volume expected of a modern cruiser without sacrificing the sea-kindly proportions of a 144.62 displacement-to-length ratio. Her solid fiberglass hull carries lead ballast in a fin-with-bulb arrangement and a separate spade rudder, a configuration that favors directional control and a 6.30-foot maximum draft. The standard cruiser version was built in the shipyard's tradition: reliable, solid, and a little conservative in appearance anchor. The Jesper Bank Edition, by contrast, was created in close collaboration with Jesper Bank, a two-time Olympic gold medal winner and seven-time America's Cup helmsman, and was positioned as a boat with high speed qualities anchor. During its development the designers worked to strip weight from the base 396 wherever possible, a deliberate reduction exercise rather than a structural reinvention.
Rig and Handling
As a fractional sloop with 603 square feet of reported sail area, the 396 shows a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 15.79, a moderate figure that pairs with a 37.23 ballast ratio and a 1.79 capsize screening value to describe a settled cruising hull rather than a featherweight racer. Her hull speed is calculated at 8.04 knots. The bulb fin and spade rudder combination gives the helmsman a responsive feel in close quarters while keeping the wetted profile manageable for a 6.30-foot draft. The Jesper Bank Edition's weight-removal program would, by intent, sharpen those handling traits without altering the underlying rig geometry.
Accommodations and Systems
Below, the 396 carries 52 gallons of water and 26 gallons of diesel in fixed tankage, serviced by a single diesel engine. The beam of 11.06 feet and the long 35.99-foot waterline translate to a saloon and berth layout consistent with a conservative Danish cruiser of the late 1990s, prioritizing livable volume over theatrical styling. The standard version's "solid and a little conservative" character extends to the interior presentation as much as the deck, while the Jesper Bank Edition trades some of that mass for pace.
Known Issues
The known differentiator between versions is intentional rather than fault-driven: the Jesper Bank Edition's weight-saving development removed material from the base model, meaning a buyer should confirm which version a given hull represents, since the lighter boat will handle and load differently than the standard cruiser.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership of the 396 spans both the conservative cruiser and the performance-oriented Jesper Bank variant, the latter being the more speed-focused expression of the same Niels Peter Faurby hull. The solid fiberglass construction gives a straightforward maintenance profile for a 1998-onward Danish build. The conservative standard version asks little beyond routine GRP and rig upkeep.
The Verdict
The Faurby 396 is a thoughtfully proportioned Danish cruiser that rewards the buyer who values solid construction and predictable handling over visual drama. The split between the standard cruiser and the Jesper Bank Edition lets a shopper choose between settled tradition and a lightened, quicker platform on the same hull.
Pros
- Conservative, solid standard-cruiser build from a long-established Danish designer
- Bulb fin and spade rudder give responsive control at a moderate 6.30-foot draft
- Two versions let the buyer pick cruising steadiness or weight-lightened speed
Cons
- Jesper Bank Edition's weight removal means version identity must be confirmed before comparing hulls
- Standard version's conservative appearance is not for those seeking a modern styling statement
