Beneteau First 36.7 vs 2003 Dehler 42 DS — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
2003 Dehler 42 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | 2003 Dehler 42 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dehler |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and 2003 Dehler 42 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the 2003 Dehler 42 DS at 12.77m (41.9ft) with a 3.93m beam. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS is 1.52m longer than the Beneteau First 36.7. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS displaces approximately 52% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2003 Dehler 42 DS has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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 36.7 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.