1963 Contessa 26 vs 1984 Dehler 25 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1963 Contessa 26 | 1984 Dehler 25 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeremy Rogers | Dehler |
| Year | 1963–1980 | 1984–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Germany |
| Designer | David Sadler | E.G. van de Stadt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 7.50 m (24.6 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 6.30 m (20.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.35 m (4.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.0 m² (280 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 25 L (6.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1963 Contessa 26 and 1984 Dehler 25 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1963 Contessa 26 is a classic design by Jeremy Rogers from UK, while the 1984 Dehler 25 is a 1980s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1963 Contessa 26 was penned by David Sadler. The 1984 Dehler 25 was designed by E.G. van de Stadt.
In terms of size, the 1963 Contessa 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the 1984 Dehler 25 at 7.50m (24.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1963 Contessa 26 is 0.30m longer than the 1984 Dehler 25. The 1963 Contessa 26 displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1963 Contessa 26 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.31 and 26.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Dehler 25, with an SA/D of 15.46 and 22.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 Dehler 25 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1963 Contessa 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 28.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1984 Dehler 25 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 46.0% for the 1963 Contessa 26 and 37.8% for the 1984 Dehler 25, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1963 Contessa 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The 1984 Dehler 25 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 25L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1963 Contessa 26 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1984 Dehler 25 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1963 Contessa 26 · 1984 Dehler 25