Design and Construction
The 396 stretches 39.30 feet on its 35.99-foot hull and has an 11.06-foot beam. Its displacement-to-length ratio of 144.62 gives it the volume expected of a modern cruiser while retaining sea-kindly proportions.
The solid-fiberglass hull displaces 15,102 pounds and carries 5,622 pounds of lead ballast. A fin keel with bulb and a separate spade rudder provide a maximum draft of 6.30 feet. The ballast ratio is 37.23, and the capsize screening value is 1.79.
The standard cruiser followed the shipyard’s established approach: reliable, solid, and a little conservative in appearance. The Jesper Bank Edition was developed in close collaboration with Bank, a two-time Olympic gold medal winner and seven-time America’s Cup helmsman. It was positioned as a boat with high-speed qualities. During development, the designers worked to remove weight from the base 396 wherever possible. This was a deliberate weight-reduction exercise rather than a structural reinvention.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 396 carries a fractional sloop rig with a reported sail area of 603 square feet. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 15.79, a moderate figure that, together with the 37.23 ballast ratio and 1.79 capsize screening value, describes a settled cruising hull rather than a featherweight racer. Calculated hull speed is 8.04 knots.
The bulb fin and spade rudder give the helmsman responsive control in close quarters while keeping the wetted profile manageable for a boat drawing 6.30 feet. By intent, the Jesper Bank Edition’s weight-reduction program would sharpen those handling traits without changing the underlying rig geometry.
Accommodations and Systems
Below, the 11.06-foot beam and long 35.99-foot waterline provide a saloon and berth layout consistent with a conservative Danish cruiser of the late 1990s. The emphasis is on livable volume rather than theatrical styling. The standard version’s solid, slightly conservative character extends to the interior as well as the deck, while the Jesper Bank Edition trades some of that mass for pace.
Fixed tankage holds 52 gallons of water and 26 gallons of diesel. The boat is powered by a single diesel engine.
Versions and Ownership
The main known difference between the two versions is intentional rather than fault-driven. Because the Jesper Bank Edition was lightened from the base model, a buyer should confirm which version a particular hull represents. The lighter boat will handle and carry loads differently from the standard cruiser.
Ownership therefore spans both the conservative standard cruiser and the more performance-oriented Jesper Bank variant—the latter a speed-focused expression of the same Niels Peter Faurby hull. The solid-fiberglass construction gives the 1998-onward Danish build a straightforward maintenance profile, while the standard version asks little beyond routine GRP and rig upkeep.
The Verdict
The Faurby 396 is a thoughtfully proportioned Danish cruiser for buyers who value solid construction and predictable handling over visual drama. The choice between the two versions is meaningful: the standard cruiser offers settled tradition, while the Jesper Bank Edition provides a lighter, quicker platform based on the same hull.
Pros
- Solid, conservative standard-cruiser construction from a long-established Danish designer
- Bulb fin and spade rudder provide responsive control with a moderate 6.30-foot draft
- Two versions offer a choice between cruising steadiness and weight-reduced speed
Cons
- Because the Jesper Bank Edition had weight removed, buyers must confirm a boat’s version before comparing hulls
- The standard version’s conservative appearance won’t suit buyers looking for a modern styling statement
