1978 Cape Dory 25 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Cape Dory 25 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Hanse |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Cape Dory 25 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 was penned by Carl Alberg. The Hanse 342 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Hanse 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Hanse 342 is 2.68m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 25. The Hanse 342 displaces approximately 160% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.79 and 25.0 m² of sail area. The Hanse 342, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 342 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.2% for the 1978 Cape Dory 25 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Hanse 342 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 25 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 Hanse 342 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 342 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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