Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 2017 Dehler 46 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
2017 Dehler 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 2017 Dehler 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dehler |
| Year | 2017 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 2017 Dehler 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 2017 Dehler 46 is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 2017 Dehler 46 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2017 Dehler 46 at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2017 Dehler 46 is 2.60m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The 2017 Dehler 46 displaces approximately 47% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The 2017 Dehler 46, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2017 Dehler 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2017 Dehler 46 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 33.3% for the 2017 Dehler 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The 2017 Dehler 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 2017 Dehler 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2017 Dehler 46 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 Oceanis 38.1 · 2017 Dehler 46