2014 Dehler 38 vs 1972 Ericson 32 — Comparison
1972 Ericson 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2014 Dehler 38 | 1972 Ericson 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Ericson |
| Year | 2014–2020 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.64 m (11.9 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2014 Dehler 38 and 1972 Ericson 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2014 Dehler 38 is a modern design by Dehler from Germany, while the 1972 Ericson 32 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2014 Dehler 38 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 1972 Ericson 32 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 2014 Dehler 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.64m, compared to the 1972 Ericson 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 2014 Dehler 38 is 1.80m longer than the 1972 Ericson 32. The 2014 Dehler 38 displaces approximately 67% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2014 Dehler 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.53 and 68.0 m² of sail area. The 1972 Ericson 32, with an SA/D of 14.97 and 39.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 2014 Dehler 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2014 Dehler 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1972 Ericson 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the 2014 Dehler 38 and 42.1% for the 1972 Ericson 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2014 Dehler 38 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 160L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1972 Ericson 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Ericson 32 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 2014 Dehler 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2014 Dehler 38 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: 2014 Dehler 38 · 1972 Ericson 32