1985 Freedom 21 vs 1984 Dehler 25 — Comparison
1985 Freedom 21
1984 Dehler 25
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Freedom 21 | 1984 Dehler 25 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Dehler |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1984–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | E.G. van de Stadt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.50 m (24.6 ft) |
| LWL | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 6.30 m (20.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) | 1.35 m (4.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) |
| Ballast | 272 kg (600 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 25 L (6.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Freedom 21 and 1984 Dehler 25 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Freedom 21 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the 1984 Dehler 25 is a 1980s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1985 Freedom 21 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The 1984 Dehler 25 was designed by E.G. van de Stadt.
In terms of size, the 1985 Freedom 21 measures 6.40m (21.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the 1984 Dehler 25 at 7.50m (24.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1984 Dehler 25 is 1.10m longer than the 1985 Freedom 21. The 1984 Dehler 25 displaces approximately 148% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Freedom 21 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.52 and 16.3 m² of sail area. The 1984 Dehler 25, with an SA/D of 15.46 and 22.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Freedom 21 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Freedom 21 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.95). The 1984 Dehler 25 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1985 Freedom 21 and 37.8% for the 1984 Dehler 25, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Freedom 21 provides 2 berths with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The 1984 Dehler 25 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 25L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Dehler 25 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 1985 Freedom 21 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 Dehler 25 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.