The Jeanneau Rush 1979 vs Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 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 Yachts 57 2016 measures 58,4 feet overall (2016), giving it roughly 27,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Jeanneau Rush 1979 at 31,4 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 tips the scales at 13 889 lbs — 6 834 lbs less than the Jeanneau Rush 1979 at 7 055 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 has a 132-hp advantage over the Jeanneau Rush 1979's 18-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 carries 111 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Jeanneau Rush 1979. 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 Yachts 57 2016 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Jeanneau Rush 1979 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 displaces 13 889 lbs — a 6 834-lb difference over the Jeanneau Rush 1979 at 7 055 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 draws 8,2 ft, compared to 5,7 ft for the Jeanneau Rush 1979. That 2,5-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 Rush 1979 is rigged as a Sloop while the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 carries fractional_rig_sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. Helm style differs too: the Jeanneau Rush 1979 uses a 1 tiller versus a 2 wheels on the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. For auxiliary power the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 carries a 150-hp engine against 18 hp on the Jeanneau Rush 1979. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 9,5 knots for the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 and 6,8 knots for the Jeanneau Rush 1979. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 carries 246 gallons versus 24 gallons on the Jeanneau Rush 1979 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Jeanneau Yachts 57 2016 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 13 889 lbs displacement and 58 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Jeanneau Rush 1979 at 7 055 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.