2020 Dehler 42 vs 2020 Leopard 50 — Comparison
2020 Dehler 42
2020 Leopard 50
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2020 Dehler 42 | 2020 Leopard 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Leopard |
| Year | 2020 | 2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Catamaran |
| Country | Germany | South Africa |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 15.14 m (49.7 ft) |
| LWL | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 14.50 m (47.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 8.06 m (26.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.35 m (4.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 17,500 kg (38,581 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 135.0 m² (1,453 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 680 L (179.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 1060 L (280.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 12 |
| Cabins | 3 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2020 Dehler 42 and 2020 Leopard 50 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 2020 Dehler 42 is a modern design by Dehler from Germany, while the 2020 Leopard 50 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The 2020 Dehler 42 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 2020 Leopard 50 was designed by Simonis Voogd.
In terms of size, the 2020 Dehler 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 2020 Leopard 50 at 15.14m (49.7ft) with a 8.06m beam. The 2020 Leopard 50 is 2.37m longer than the 2020 Dehler 42. The 2020 Leopard 50 displaces approximately 106% 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 2020 Leopard 50, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 135.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2020 Leopard 50 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 2020 Leopard 50 has a comfort ratio of 7.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.24. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the 2020 Dehler 42 and 0.0% for the 2020 Leopard 50, 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 2020 Leopard 50 offers 12 berths in 5 cabins with 1060L water and 680L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2020 Dehler 42 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 Leopard 50 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 Leopard 50 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.