1970 Columbia 26 Mk II vs 2005 Dehler 34 — Comparison
2005 Dehler 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II | 2005 Dehler 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Dehler |
| Year | 1970–1975 | 2005–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | William Crealock | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.2 m² (282 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 2005 Dehler 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the 2005 Dehler 34 is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The 2005 Dehler 34 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the 2005 Dehler 34 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 2005 Dehler 34 is 2.38m longer than the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II. The 2005 Dehler 34 displaces approximately 152% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.33 and 26.2 m² of sail area. The 2005 Dehler 34, with an SA/D of 17.85 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2005 Dehler 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 2005 Dehler 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 35.4% for the 2005 Dehler 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The 2005 Dehler 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II 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 2005 Dehler 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Dehler 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II · 2005 Dehler 34