Hunter 170 vs 1984 Dehler 25 — Comparison
Hunter 170
1984 Dehler 25
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 170 | 1984 Dehler 25 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Dehler |
| Year | 1996–2009 | 1984–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | E.G. van de Stadt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 7.50 m (24.6 ft) |
| LWL | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 6.30 m (20.7 ft) |
| Beam | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 0.84 m (2.8 ft) | 1.35 m (4.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 295 kg (650 lbs) | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) |
| Ballast | 59 kg (130 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 11.2 m² (121 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 25 L (6.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | — | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 170 and 1984 Dehler 25 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 170 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1984 Dehler 25 is a 1980s offering from Dehler from Germany. The Hunter 170 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1984 Dehler 25 was designed by E.G. van de Stadt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 170 measures 5.18m (17.0ft) overall with a beam of 1.98m, compared to the 1984 Dehler 25 at 7.50m (24.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1984 Dehler 25 is 2.32m longer than the Hunter 170. The 1984 Dehler 25 displaces approximately 510% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 170 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 25.70 and 11.2 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 Hunter 170 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 170 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.19). The 1984 Dehler 25 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 20.0% for the Hunter 170 and 37.8% for the 1984 Dehler 25, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 170 provides an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. 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 Hunter 170 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.