Beneteau First 40 vs 2016 Dehler 36 SQ — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2016 Dehler 36 SQ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dehler |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 10.85 m (35.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 9.85 m (32.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 55 L (14.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2016 Dehler 36 SQ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ at 10.85m (35.6ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 1.31m longer than the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 27% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ has a comfort ratio of 16.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 32.7% for the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 55L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ 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 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 40 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: Beneteau First 40 · 2016 Dehler 36 SQ