1998 Dehler 29 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Dehler 29 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Valiant |
| Year | 1998–2006 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.82 m (28.9 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.60 m (24.9 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 14 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Dehler 29 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Dehler 29 is a 1990s design by Dehler from Germany, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1998 Dehler 29 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1998 Dehler 29 measures 8.82m (28.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 2.46m longer than the 1998 Dehler 29. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 127% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Dehler 29 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.38 and 35.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1998 Dehler 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Dehler 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1998 Dehler 29 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Dehler 29 provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 80L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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 1998 Dehler 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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: 1998 Dehler 29 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37