Beneteau First 29 vs 2016 Dehler 36 SQ — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 2016 Dehler 36 SQ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dehler |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 10.85 m (35.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.85 m (32.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 55 L (14.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 2016 Dehler 36 SQ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ at 10.85m (35.6ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ is 1.95m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ displaces approximately 77% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ has a comfort ratio of 16.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 32.7% for the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 55L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 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 Beneteau First 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 29 · 2016 Dehler 36 SQ