The Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 vs Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 measures 27,2 feet overall (1982), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 at 23,7 feet (2022). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 tips the scales at 5 291 lbs — 544 lbs more than the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 at 4 747 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 tops out at 200 hp. Engine specs for the Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 carries 74 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 could be the deciding factor.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 5 291 lbs for the Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 and 4 747 lbs for the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 draws 4,1 ft, compared to 1,1 ft for the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022. That 3,0-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 uses Sloop rigging. The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 has a documented auxiliary engine of 200 hp.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 carries 74 gallons versus 13 gallons on the Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Jeanneau Fantasia 27 1982 at 27,2 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 2022 at 23,7 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.