1977 Bristol 29.9 vs 1984 Dehler 25 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Bristol 29.9 | 1984 Dehler 25 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dehler |
| Year | 1977–1984 | 1984–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | E.G. van de Stadt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.12 m (29.9 ft) | 7.50 m (24.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 6.30 m (20.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.35 m (4.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 25 L (6.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 1984 Dehler 25 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1984 Dehler 25 is a 1980s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1984 Dehler 25 was designed by E.G. van de Stadt.
In terms of size, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 measures 9.12m (29.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1984 Dehler 25 at 7.50m (24.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is 1.62m longer than the 1984 Dehler 25. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 displaces approximately 114% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.41 and 39.7 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 1977 Bristol 29.9 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1984 Dehler 25 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 37.8% for the 1984 Dehler 25, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1984 Dehler 25 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 25L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Bristol 29.9 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 1977 Bristol 29.9 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1977 Bristol 29.9 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: 1977 Bristol 29.9 · 1984 Dehler 25