Buying First Yacht

J

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I am buying my first yacht and have shortlisted a Dehler 34 1992 , Sunfast 32, 1999 and Ben 32s5,1990 Having trouble deciding which is best for family crusing and perhaps the odd race. Wife and two children to be considered. Any advice
 
I looked carefully at a Dehler 41 but was finally put off with the info I received about their steering gear. One had serious problems on the arc.

A person whose opinion I respect, that is involved with many boats, commented that for any size boat the Dehlers steering gear is one size too small.

I suggest you find a charter company with one and try a test sail as well as have a good look as to how it has survived the wear and tear. Secondly I would want to look and compare the steering gear on all the yachts you mention to see if whether there is any foundation in what I have been told. Maybe a formite on here that has one can give you more info but beware boats are like cars most people think they have the best opne when normally they only have the best one for their set of priorities.

My understanding is that Dehlers sail better than many production yachts but its a function of shape. The Elans are also narrower for a given length and perform well.

The usual compromise over internal space v performance.

I was seriously tempted by one.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
The new Dehlers might very well be twitchy as you put it but a 1992 Dehler is anything but and the steering gear if anything is overengineered. The 1992 Dehler is the Van de stat design. In a blow with the correct reefing they feel very safe.
 
I second this. Chartered one once out of Hyeres (S France) and she did not do too well with Mistral on its nose. But then that might have been down to bad helming (me) /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Have been out on a dehler 39sq and I'm not sure (if i won on friday) I would buy one. Comfortable, quite quick and good close quarters, however, Steering failed just outside Poole which was interesting, all the cables had stretched. There had been lots of problems with the rigging and mast bend which had meant moving the keel stepped mast and re-rigging the boat. Finally due to cracks appearing around the cockpit sole they had to send a team from Germany to grind it out and re-glass/polish it.

Ok it had done a lot of miles in 2 years but still, I would be upset if i had parted with £200k+ for one.
 
I have a Sunfast 32, 1991, looked and sailed the Dehler 34, 1991, but opted for the room on the smaller boat, did not feel there was much between them for speed, I like the comfort offered by the Sunfast as I sail with children. When racing you will always be up with the pack so to speak, if not ahead of them, reef early to maintain ideal speed conditions.

The 32 looks to be good value for the size of boat, do not know the asking price but if you would like further information, PM your contact details

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The only thing the Dehler lacks is space, but conversely that's one of the reasons she's a cracking boat to sail. I'd go for one every time though it's up to you to decide whether the lack of volume is worth everything else the Dehler offers.
 
Hi,

We are looking seriously at a Dehler 36CWS or a 37 Cruising to do some long distance sailing (Hopefully the ARC and then further!).

Having looked at lots of boats in the 35- 40ft band (everything from an Oyster Heritage to Westerly Seahawk to modern boats like Dufour 36 Classic's and Dehlers), I would echo the above - the interior volume on the Dehler does appear less than some others.

To put this into context, for the same interior volume on a Moody 37 / 376, you would need a Dehler 41.

This said, the Dehler does have a very clever layout and good storage ideas. For example, the 37 Cruising has two large draws under the forepeak - meaning the area under the forepeak becomes readily accessable storage for clothes etc which can be used without moving cushions (and the other person sleeping there!).

In regards to steering, I found the following list of all abandoned yachts from the ARC:

Incidents - Yachts Lost at Sea
1987 Bamaca Westerly 33 drove onto reef off Barbados
1988 Freedom Bavaria 38 drove onto reef off Barbados
1990 Chaot broke rudder stock, yacht abandoned
1998 Harlequin Dehler 41 damaged rudder stock, yacht abandoned
2002 F2 Hunter Legend 450 broke rudder stock, yacht abandoned

Out of 5 yachts, 2 were lost due to navigational issues, and 3 due to rudder stock issues. That a Dehler was one of these would not suggest all Dehler's have poor rudder stocks, as many Dehler's have done the ARC and only one has had a rudder issue. Without knowing more about this it would be wrong to conclude that Dehler's have poor steering gear - the incident was more likely to have been caused by a collision with a container or other debries.

The Dehler Owner's website does cite that on the 36's some several owners have had to remove the rudder to replace the bearings - however as this is once in a 15 year period it would not seem unrealistic.

Anyway, just my ramblings - I am very tempted by a Dehler - they look like great sailing boats - my only reservation is the interior stowage and the relatively light displacement making them less comfortable on long ocean passages.

I would love to hear any Dehler owner's on the above?

Jonny
 
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