1970 Columbia 26 Mk II vs 1998 Dehler 29 — Comparison
1970 Columbia 26 Mk II
1998 Dehler 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II | 1998 Dehler 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Dehler |
| Year | 1970–1975 | 1998–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | William Crealock | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 8.82 m (28.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 7.60 m (24.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.2 m² (282 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 1998 Dehler 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the 1998 Dehler 29 is a 1990s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The 1998 Dehler 29 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the 1998 Dehler 29 at 8.82m (28.9ft) with a 2.95m beam. The 1998 Dehler 29 is 0.90m longer than the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II. The 1998 Dehler 29 displaces approximately 68% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.33 and 26.2 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 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1998 Dehler 29 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 37.5% for the 1998 Dehler 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The 1998 Dehler 29 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 80L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II 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 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II 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.