Delphia yachts

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cmedsailor

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I have noticed that in general this is an "unknown" manufacturer (though I think recently they acquired Maxi yachts). Nearly never discussed over the forum (well, at least search results don't really find anything).
Is it because it's a small factory in comparison to the huge mass production names (Bav/Jean/Ben etc), so less sales volumes, less owners? How do they rate in comparison to the "usual" AWB? Anyone with experience with these boats? How do they last over time? Quality? They are built in Poland so I was wondering if they sell (and sail) at northern seas.
Thanks
 
If you are planning to buy in the UK, a bit of research on the issues at least one forumite has had with Wittey Marine, the UK dealer, might be useful, although this was in connection with a different manufacturer.
 
Try Bosuns's Locker at Port Edgar. They use to be the distributor. There is a 29 next to me if I see the owner I will try to get his email address for you. Won't be for 3 weeks as I am away.
 
I have own Delphia 37 for two years before moving up to Delphia 40.3 in 2010.
I strongly believe that they are better quality, stronger and more seaworthy yachts than others in similar price range.
Contemplating moving up to Delphia 47 or Delphia 46cc in year or so.
I did quite extensive research before choosing the Delphia 37 in 2008, this boats are modern but build with sailing big seas, with the structural grid fully glassed to the hull made of vinyl ester resin and Airex close cell rigid foam above waterline and on decks, there will be never issue with moisture and delimitation with is problems on boats built with balsa in sandwich.
Last year Delphia 40.3 finished single handed around the world voyage via Cape Horn , in roaring forties , not many production boats accomplished this type sailing.
 
I bought a Delphia 40.3 end 2012, my previous ship was a Bavaria 370 (1991 )(in that time Bavaria’s were made strong)
I was hardly surprised how strong the Delphia’s are build.
The sailing properties are higher than expected.
My Delphia has a lifting keel, and can fall dry : unforgettable to fall dry on the “Waddenzee” (NL)
Nevertheless her draft of 1 to 1.95m and her extra ballast she makes it hard for a Jeanneau 41 feet to take me over.
I am really happy with my Delphia 40.3
 
Delphia 29 lift keel servicing

tonyhandfield said:
I bought a Delphia 29 new about five years ago. I still have it and I love it. What else do you want to know, if anything?
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I have a Delphia 29- do I need to remove the lift keel to check/replace the lifting line or can it be done with the keel dropped but not removed. Any advice appreciated.
 
There are no Delphia Dealers in North America; Good Luck getting after sales service... Quality is ok, but at the end of the day, these guys are in Poland and... do they care once the boat is sold. I'd be weary of a companies that grow so fast and double and triple their production so quickly. Too many yacht manufacturers have gone bankrupt over the years. I would stick with a reputable brand.
 
I am pretty sure there's a Delphia Dealer in North America, i saw their booth at Chicago Boat Show last year 2013, on display was a Delphia 47.
 
Madhatter said:
is it just me or is there a ratty smell on this thread ( not U single :D )
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I was just wondering myself about the number of "New Users" on this thread ;)

...and on the strength of remembering the helpful and amusing manner in which you assisted me, on a trip to the UK a couple of years back, I'd say that I would personally trust your instincts ;)
 
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kent cruiser said:
Delphia 29 lift keel servicing



I have a Delphia 29- do I need to remove the lift keel to check/replace the lifting line or can it be done with the keel dropped but not removed. Any advice appreciated.
Click to expand...
hi, just searching for any owners of delphia 29's - looking to buy & just looking for advice, do you still have it?
 
Alas, a little post-script to this thread. Delphia yacht production ended in 2019. The whole yard was bought by the Benetau group. Prior to this, the yard was contracted to make Beneath/Jeanneau hulls - to the tune of 3000 hulls a year. Making this one of the largest yacht builders in Europe. They additionally produced their own brand and line of sailboats until 2019. Benetau group technically owns Delphia brand and all forms and drawings, but as far as I know, has no plans to resurrect them. Some powerboats are being marketed as Delphia still.

Delphia yachts are known for their robustness and quality builds. The inspiration was clearly the Swedish producers like Najad, Malø and Halberg Rassey. At a bargain price relatively speaking. I doubt the prices the Delphia yard could command was sufficient to make the production profitable enough. These must have been expensive to build. The hulls were exceedingly good in the rough seas of the north - the Baltic, Kattegat, Skagerak and the North Sea. Deck equipment and rigging oversized and solid throughout. Stability high compared to production yachts. These are not made for light wind cruising in the Med, but for rough seas and challenging conditions. Generally they are not "over rigged" like aggressive club sailor, so you might need to add some downwind sails to get full speed in light conditions. In rougher weather however, you might find that Delphia yachts are the only ones sailing. The cockpits are protected and designed to keep the crew alive and well but less suited for sunbathing.

My theory is the brand failed due to poor marketing, which was admittedly quite terrible, and perhaps a somewhat inconsistent exterior look. Some of the yachts are stunningly beautiful still, while others have a bit more utilitarian look. They could not command more premium prices compared to the Swedish, Danish and some of the smaller Ditch and UK boutique builders, and hence production folded.

I know the D47 best having sailed it extensively and understandably a bit biased. But at this point, I would probably only trade it in for a Halberg Rassey of similar size.

There is quite some variation in style, both interior and exterior. Delphia 47 is arguably a beauty and if you can find one, it might be a bargain although prices seem to increase. The Delphia 47 was sort of semi-custom build as far as interior goes, so the solutions vary quite a bit on the inside. Rigging and deck equipment, trusters and forth also vary. Structurally, it has a galvanised steel frame holding the keel and rig - making the structure exceedingly robust. Easy to maintain due to high quality components and easy access on both interior and deck. There is only 40 something Delphia 47 built, and not many on the market. Owners hold onto to these boats as a "replacement" is very hard to find.

Delphia 47 is a stroke of genius if you ask me, the hull design in particular, a relatively sleek displacement hull with narrow front and a bit wider in the aft. Quite rounded and deep hull. Keel weight 4500kg, 2.30m draft, and the weight of the steel grid also probably about 800lkg or so. Glides through choppy seas better than most hulls and certainly better than the newer flatter designs.

It's a bit sad that such boutique brands are disappearing. Sailboat manufacturing is probably hard to maintain at a scale of a boutique builder and fingers crossed that the few remaining are able to survive.
 
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