2003 Dehler 42 DS vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dehler 42 DS | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Ericson |
| Year | 2003–2010 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dehler 42 DS and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s design by Dehler from Germany, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dehler 42 DS measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.93m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS is 1.19m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dehler 42 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.59 and 78.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dehler 42 DS provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2003 Dehler 42 DS · 1984 Ericson 38