1996 Hunter 290 vs 1998 Dehler 29 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | 1998 Dehler 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Dehler |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 1998–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 8.82 m (28.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 7.60 m (24.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 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 | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and 1998 Dehler 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1998 Dehler 29 is a 1990s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1998 Dehler 29 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1998 Dehler 29 at 8.82m (28.9ft) with a 2.95m beam. The 1996 Hunter 290 is 0.02m longer than the 1998 Dehler 29. The 1996 Hunter 290 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Hunter 290 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 38.9 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 1996 Hunter 290 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Hunter 290 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) 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 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 37.5% for the 1998 Dehler 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Hunter 290 provides 6 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 1996 Hunter 290 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 1996 Hunter 290 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1996 Hunter 290 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: 1996 Hunter 290 · 1998 Dehler 29