2017 Dehler 46 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
2017 Dehler 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2017 Dehler 46 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Valiant |
| Year | 2017 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2017 Dehler 46 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2017 Dehler 46 is a modern design by Dehler from Germany, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 2017 Dehler 46 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 2017 Dehler 46 measures 14.10m (46.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 2017 Dehler 46 is 2.82m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37. The 2017 Dehler 46 displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2017 Dehler 46 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.34 and 96.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2017 Dehler 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2017 Dehler 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2017 Dehler 46 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2017 Dehler 46 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 130L of fuel. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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: 2017 Dehler 46 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37