1979 Peterson 44 vs 2017 Dehler 46 — Comparison
2017 Dehler 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | 2017 Dehler 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Dehler |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and 2017 Dehler 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the 2017 Dehler 46 is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 2017 Dehler 46 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2017 Dehler 46 at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2017 Dehler 46 is 0.69m longer than the 1979 Peterson 44. The 2017 Dehler 46 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The 2017 Dehler 46, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2017 Dehler 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2017 Dehler 46 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 33.3% for the 2017 Dehler 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 2017 Dehler 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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 2017 Dehler 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2017 Dehler 46 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: 1979 Peterson 44 · 2017 Dehler 46