1981 Pearson 303 vs 1998 Dehler 29 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | 1998 Dehler 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Dehler |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1998–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | William Shaw | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.82 m (28.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.60 m (24.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and 1998 Dehler 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1998 Dehler 29 is a 1990s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The 1998 Dehler 29 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1998 Dehler 29 at 8.82m (28.9ft) with a 2.95m beam. The 1981 Pearson 303 is 0.32m longer than the 1998 Dehler 29. The 1981 Pearson 303 displaces approximately 21% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 m² of sail area. The 1998 Dehler 29, with an SA/D of 16.38 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1981 Pearson 303 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1998 Dehler 29 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 37.5% for the 1998 Dehler 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1998 Dehler 29 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 80L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 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 1981 Pearson 303 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: 1981 Pearson 303 · 1998 Dehler 29