Hunter 260 vs 2016 Dehler 30 OD — Comparison
Hunter 260
2016 Dehler 30 OD
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 260 | 2016 Dehler 30 OD |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Dehler |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) | 8.60 m (28.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 3,700 kg (8,157 lbs) |
| Ballast | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 35 L (9.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 260 and 2016 Dehler 30 OD represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 260 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2016 Dehler 30 OD is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The Hunter 260 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Hunter 260 measures 7.85m (25.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 2016 Dehler 30 OD at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 2.98m beam. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD is 1.60m longer than the Hunter 260. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD displaces approximately 81% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 260 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of sail area. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD, with an SA/D of 19.54 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 260 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.87). The 2016 Dehler 30 OD has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the Hunter 260 and 36.5% for the 2016 Dehler 30 OD, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 260 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 35L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2016 Dehler 30 OD 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 2016 Dehler 30 OD has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 260 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.