Dehler 25

[SteveA]

I'm thinking of buying a Dehler 25 with lifting keel and water ballast but before I doing the long trek South to have a proper look at them I thought I would tap into the wealth of knowledge here to try and get some comments about them.
It would be usually be used around Morecambe Bay - are these boats reasonable sea boats? and would the amount of silt in the water have a bad effect on the water ballast system? and are there any specific problems to look out for?

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[Peppermint]

Re: Quite Sporty

I went out for a sail with a marina neighbour who bought one as a first boat. I suspect that he made a poor choice. The boat goes very well but is not for the inexperienced. The one I sailed on seemed well built and I quite liked it. Fully battened main, self tacking jib and an isometric kite gives plenty of power. No traveler on the main though. Not standing head room below but the way the galley and nav area, which does allow standing beneath the large hatch and sprayhood, are at the bottom of the companionway steps splits the saloon from the work areas well.

If you were a dinghy sailor changing to cruising I think you'd love one of these but if your a beginer with a family I think you'd find one hard work. Not the sort of boat that sails it's self or really lets you relax much if it blows up.

Of course this opinion is worth exactly what it cost you.

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[Peppermint]

Re: Quite Sporty

I went out for a sail with a marina neighbour who bought one as a first boat. I suspect that he made a poor choice. The boat goes very well but is not for the inexperienced. The one I sailed on seemed well built and I quite liked it. Fully battened main, self tacking jib and an isometric kite gives plenty of power. No traveler on the main though. Not standing head room below but the way the galley and nav area, which does allow standing beneath the large hatch and sprayhood, are at the bottom of the companionway steps splits the saloon from the work areas well.

If you were a dinghy sailor changing to cruising I think you'd love one of these but if your a beginer with a family I think you'd find one hard work. Not the sort of boat that sails it's self or really lets you relax much if it blows up.

Of course this opinion is worth exactly what it cost you.

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[SteveA]

Re: Quite Sporty

Many thanks - I'm actually thinking of 'down sizing' from a 11m 10T long keeled ketch and want something quite different. Your description sounds like I would certainly be getting that! I usually sail single handed.

Cheers

SteveA

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[Peppermint]

Re: Should suit you down to the ground.

It's well set up for singlehanded sail handling.

Add a nice autohelm and away you go.

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[waterboy]

Re: Should suit you down to the ground.

My first boat was a 25. Nice boat to sail but I sold her within 6 months of ownership. Winding the keel up or down involved something like 230 turns with a winch handle in a deck socket forward of the mast. No real problem if the boat is to be kept on a deep water berth but a real pain if dry berthing. Headroom was miserable in the main cabin and the only place for a head was in the forecabin behind a curtain. Guests had ti be woken if you have the call during the night. My advice is keep looking at other models, hunters and westerlys are good alternatives if you don't plan to trailer sail.

<hr width=100% size=1>I never make the same mistake twice. I always make new ones.

 

[castaway]

Steve... How could you consider such a thing!!!

All best Nick

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[StugeronSteve]

Excellent boat. Fast lively and great fun to sail. My daughter (14 at the time) was devastated when we bought a bigger boat, she loved the excitement of sailing the Dehler on its ear. I'm not sure what effect the silt will have, we kept ours in deep water and never dried her out, mud would probably do the main ball valve no good at all. I found mine to be strong, well built and capable of holding her own in a blow, she once saw us home in what built up to a F9 on the nose (wind against tide). Outboard engine is a bit vulnerable on the back and did cause us starting problems once after a pooping, but on the whole no moans.

<hr width=100% size=1>God only made so many perfect heads. The rest got covered in hair.

 

[SteveA]

Many thanks for the replies - it looks like I'll be making the excursion South to have a look at one or two of these.

Nick - all good things must come to an end, I'm more often than not now sailing Spearax singlehanded and it is a bit big for this. I thought that I would try something completely different, and anyway, Anne wants a canal boat!

SteveA

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