2020 Dehler 42 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2020 Dehler 42 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Valiant |
| Year | 2020 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2020 Dehler 42 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2020 Dehler 42 is a modern design by Dehler from Germany, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 2020 Dehler 42 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 2020 Dehler 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 2020 Dehler 42 is 1.49m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37. The 2020 Dehler 42 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2020 Dehler 42 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.00 and 82.0 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 2020 Dehler 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2020 Dehler 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the 2020 Dehler 42 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2020 Dehler 42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L 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 2020 Dehler 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2020 Dehler 42 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: 2020 Dehler 42 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37