1982 Hunter 34 vs 2005 Dehler 34 — Comparison
1982 Hunter 34
2005 Dehler 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1982 Hunter 34 | 2005 Dehler 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Dehler |
| Year | 1982–1988 | 2005–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1982 Hunter 34 and 2005 Dehler 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1982 Hunter 34 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2005 Dehler 34 is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1982 Hunter 34 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 2005 Dehler 34 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1982 Hunter 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 2005 Dehler 34 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1982 Hunter 34 is 0.06m longer than the 2005 Dehler 34. The 1982 Hunter 34 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1982 Hunter 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.48 and 50.2 m² of sail area. The 2005 Dehler 34, with an SA/D of 17.85 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2005 Dehler 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1982 Hunter 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2005 Dehler 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1982 Hunter 34 and 35.4% for the 2005 Dehler 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1982 Hunter 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 2005 Dehler 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Hunter 34 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 2005 Dehler 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1982 Hunter 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.