1990 Beneteau First 235 vs 1998 Dehler 29 — Comparison
1990 Beneteau First 235
1998 Dehler 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Beneteau First 235 | 1998 Dehler 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dehler |
| Year | 1990–1996 | 1998–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.18 m (23.6 ft) | 8.82 m (28.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) | 7.60 m (24.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Ballast | 567 kg (1,250 lbs) | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 1998 Dehler 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1998 Dehler 29 is a 1990s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1998 Dehler 29 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 measures 7.18m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 1998 Dehler 29 at 8.82m (28.9ft) with a 2.95m beam. The 1998 Dehler 29 is 1.64m longer than the 1990 Beneteau First 235. The 1998 Dehler 29 displaces approximately 114% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.64 and 24.0 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 1990 Beneteau First 235 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.88). The 1998 Dehler 29 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 37.5% for the 1998 Dehler 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The 1998 Dehler 29 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 80L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Dehler 29 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 1990 Beneteau First 235 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Dehler 29 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.