1965 Pearson Vanguard vs 2003 Dehler 42 DS — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
2003 Dehler 42 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | 2003 Dehler 42 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Dehler |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 2003 Dehler 42 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the 2003 Dehler 42 DS at 12.77m (41.9ft) with a 3.93m beam. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS is 2.94m longer than the 1965 Pearson Vanguard. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS displaces approximately 116% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.32 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 2003 Dehler 42 DS has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Pearson Vanguard 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.