Dehler 34

[SAWDOC]

Hi
Anyone got an informed opinion on a Dehler 34 as a family cruisng boat? Seems to combine comfort with performance says me who has not yet set foot on one.
TIA

 

[Vanilla]

Which model are you interested in?

 

[PaulR]

inevitably biased as we own a 92 dehler 34 and use it solely for family cruising - in our view the positives:-
sails beautifully - lovely to helm and performs really well,
superbly built - this is our 6th yacht and our first dehler and the build quality and reliability are better than any we have had before,
we have the nova (white) finish inside which we find is lighter and fresher and wearing better than a traditional timber finish,
the negatives - we sail with a family of 5 and compared to some bigger volume more modern designs we are cosier - but we are happy to trade that for all the performance advantages and pure pleasure of sailing our 34 ,

ps we also chose to get a 34 with the selftacking jib option which we find a definite benefit when sailing in stronger conditions or with less enthusiastic children!

 

[rudolph_hart]

I have had two Dehler 34s, and agree with all PaulR says. I would also add:

- Very pretty lines
- Hold value well
- Osmosis - what's that?

Weak points: Nylon rudder bearings (absorb water & swell), Mast Step Plate (cracks), Wheel Steering (rod-driven Whitlock can be turned too far & lock up), stemhead rollers (later models).

As Vanilla says, there were several models of the 34, each with varying rig, appendages and accomodation layout. PM me if you need more info.

Hope this helps.

 

[billywhizzzuk]

I concur with all the above, have spent a couple of weeks on a 34 owned by flying fish. Having test sailed the new 34, Dehler seemed to have completely ironed out any faults, and the list of grips I had from the older boats. In doing so, it has transformed into a much racer boat, more beamy, more spacious down below, and more comfortable too - handled very well. My only gripe on the new boat was that the nav station and heads "share" a window - ie you have to open handles in both areas to open (or close) the window.

 

[Rooster]

We owned the Van de Stadt Dehler 38 (1987) for a few years. Similar layout just longer (about 4 feet I reckon /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) Sailed as a family. Comfortable and reasonably spacious with good headroom especially around galley & heads. Nav station with folding seat great. Performance and build quality excellent. Always felt safe even when the wind picked up.
Definitely worth a look.

R

 

[robbieg]

If you are asking about the D34 buillt from early 80s until 1994 they are great boats to sail and flexible in that you can easily sail them single handed or with a small crew.Excellent handling under power so easy to squeeze into a tight berth.

Low topsides and less volume in the hull mean less accomodation than many modern 34 fters if you are tall you may find the lack of headroom a bit of an issue. I find she is fine with 4 for a week or so.

Rudolph has dealt with most of the weak points-only other one I would mention is the foam rudder filling can seperate from the stock & blow out the rudder casing-needs to be checked carefully at survey.

Several hundred were built and they have been cruised quite extensively. Well worth a look if you value responsiveness and sailing ability in your boat.

 

[SAWDOC]

[ QUOTE ]

Low topsides and less volume in the hull mean less accomodation than many modern 34 fters if you are tall you may find the lack of headroom a bit of an issue. I find she is fine with 4 for a week or so.



[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for several excellent replies. Could I ask how bad the restricted head room is? I'm 5-10 or so.

also are there any visible external signs of a disintegrating rudder stock?

Again my compliments on informed contributions.