Dehler 41ds any views?

cueball

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Let me start by saying that I was not looking for a new boat as I am happy with my current MG335, but I have seen an incredibly nice Dehler 41 DS that I am seriously considering buying. I know she is completely different animal to my current boat. I really like the fact that its a true deck salon, there is a u shaped sofa that while sitting at you can actually see out of the windows 270 degrees, she looks very comfortable but will I miss the sailing ability I currently enjoy? Most of my sailing is on the east coast with the occasional trip over to Holland, Belgium and France. Looking to get more adventurous i.e. Shetlands, Baltic possibly Med. Any comments would be appreciated?
 
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Tried to buy one of these last year for the same reasons you have noted, but got pipped at the post on the price and could not find another at a realistic price. Ended up with the 41CR instead as I felt the extra space below was more important from a practicality point of view.. From experience I would suggest that you instruct your surveyor to check the rudder is not de-laminated. Best of Luck.
 
Tried to buy one of these last year for the same reasons you have noted, but got pipped at the post on the price and could not find another at a realistic price. Ended up with the 41CR instead as I felt the extra space below was more important from a practicality point of view.. From experience I would suggest that you instruct your surveyor to check the rudder is not de-laminated. Best of Luck.

Thanks Trashers, How does she sail? is it the same Hull/Rig?
 
There's a mini YM review on the web. http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/uncategorized/dehler-41ds-9625

Check for the rudder bearings being stiff. Dehler are infamous for using the wrong type of nylon in the bearings which absorbed water and expanded. I've seen it with Judel & Vrolik designed Dehlers as well as the VdS ones so it quite probably applies to the 41DS.

No other generic faults that I'm aware of. Dehler did tend to like to build boats that sail well.
 
Thanks Trashers, How does she sail? is it the same Hull/Rig?

From what I have been able to find out the 41CR is the same hull and rig as the DS, though unfortunately I have not sailed her yet as she is new to me and still in the yard. I am having the rudder replaced (due to delamination) with one from Jefa, plus I am having the "plastic" bearings changed for roller bearings which should sort her out nicely.
 
I like Dehlers. I'd buy one.

A good upgrade from an MG335 too.
 
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No chance of that I'm afraid. You only live once and that's usually not for as long as you'd like. JFDI is my motto.
 
My father had one. Sailed well, the cabins are spacious and he liked it. I think the rope systems can suffer from some friction, but the benefit is that you can do everything from the cockpit.
 
I like Dehlers. I'd buy one.

A good upgrade from an MG335 too.

+1 "in Spades"

You will not be disappointed with the performance - quite the opposite.

I've been looking for a 41DS for a couple of years, but it appears that the 41DS was one that did not have the option of a shallow draft wing keel. This would be an upgrade to my 35CWS which I've had for 12 years & which is my 3rd Dehler - so I'm unashamedly biased.

As has already been said, they all eventually need to have the Nylon rudder bearings replaced with Acetal or somesuch (I've had to on all of mine). The CWS system is simply superb for safe single-handing & they were one of the first marques that use osmosis-resistant resin.

Go for it!
 
I looked at one with a mate who was interested. IIRC the engine is buried under the saloon table and only the top of it is remotely accessible unless you've got arms like Mr Tickle. Also it had a side opening fridge which would decant all the cold air, plus what ever is on the shelves unless the boat was bolt upright. Shame as these faults spoiled what was a nice boat.

My mate didn't buy it.
 
Like Trashers, we were looking last year and ended up with the Dehler 41CR, rather than the 41DS. I think the hulls are the same though. We bought in Holland (just before Brexit so did not lose out on the currency). As to CR or DS I think it’s just personal taste

IF the DS sails anything like the CR you will not be disappointed at all. Dehler's mistake at this time was probably that they carried on building only fast boats rather than for the charter market as Beneteau did with the Oceanis range

All marques have their Achilles heel and as others have said, traditionally for Dehler’s it is the rudder bearing, but I would assume if buying a boat of that price you would get a full survey done to check that out,
 
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