Dehler - where do they sit on the quality scale?

I've a 1992 Dehler. I reckon they're similarish quality to Moodys. Even within a single boat however it does vary a bit, some features are above par and some below.
 
Construction certainly of the older boats was pretty good. Few if any osmosis problems or laminate problems. Good stiff structure, bulk head bonded in etc. Weaker point are rudders and bearings certainly on the older boats but not that different to other manufacturers boats with spade rudders one suspects.

Joinery quite well done but certainly on the performance boats lighter than Moody's et al. Probably a 6+ on your scale.

However, on the sailing front they would run rings round some of the boats you have mentioned.....
 
Middle of the range based on your scale, good performance, some interesting features, perhaps on the lighter side if thinking of long distance long term, but not a bad boat overall.
 
From a trailer sailor point of view the Dahler 25 looked to be a big boat that didn't weigh much. It's better than the McGregor/Legend competition that were big but trailable as oposed to trail sailors and the quality looked to be more robust, never sailed one though.
 
I'm on my 3rd Dehler, and IMHO I think RobbieG sums it up pretty fairly. What surprises me is how well built the hulls are, given their low weight. My 35CWS - even with 340amp hours of batteries & electric winches - is only 5.5tons.

Certainly above deck, their standard gear is top spec (mostly Harken, but also Lewmar, Easymatic, Rutgerson).

Below deck the standard electrics, cooker, water boiler and heating kit are little-known German make (e.g Sonneschein batteries, Truma water heater) but are good quality. However, they also use Jabsco, Shurflo, Eberspacher and Waeco kit.

Those built in the '80s & '90s have a good reputation for build quality, but the latest Simonis Voogt models under the Hanse ownership look more like 'sports boats', with all that may imply for strength:weight trade-off.
 
aquaplane said:
From a trailer sailor point of view the Dahler 25 looked to be a big boat that didn't weigh much. It's better than the McGregor/Legend competition that were big but trailable as oposed to trail sailors and the quality looked to be more robust, never sailed one though.
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There are only three similarities between a Dehler 25 and a McGregor. 1) They float 2) They use water ballast 3) you can trail them.

The main difference is the Dehler is a sleek finely tuned yacht you could race respectably in and which handles like a ballerina. The others you might not like to try. Weight wise its the water ballast that keeps them light to enable easier/legal trailing. The absence of built in ballast does not mean they are lightly built elsewhere.

The design of the older Dehlers is pretty darned good mostly, fittings inside are a bit spartan, but workmanlike. Construction mostly good with occasional blips..it appears that dust was left in the deck mould when my 22 was made in 1984..its got speckles, but the hull is fine.

On balance Dehlers are a quality product without being the tops, but I know little of the newer ones.

Dehler got into trouble when it diversified into making very posh and over expensive VW caravanette conversions. It was a disaster, but they are virtually collectors items now.

Tim
 
They were presumably a bit crazy, however I guess it was repaired.

I also suspect they had some form of sponsorship as the voice over sounds professional.
 
I'm fairly sure that was Dehlers own test boat they were crashing into rocks as a demonstration of robust build. I'm not really convinced it proves anything. Now if an attacking bowsprit bounced off the hull, then I really would be impressed...but it wouldn't would it:D

Yes the photographer was....Karl Dehler. Nice boat the 31..the 25 and 22 look almost identical in profile, just smaller.

Tim
 
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We were very impressed with the Dehler until we found out how they are built, its a bit like washing your teeth in warm water, its ok but . . . and thats how we felt about the galvanised steel frame they hang the grp on.
 
JCP said:
I'm waiting for a Bavaria to do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvxhQO4pw2E

Do you think they'll oblige?
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They already have. When the Bav 36 was launched, a bunch of journos were taken to a lake in Germany, where the 36 was sailed full tilt into a rock strewn shore. This was then repeated with the engine running at full tilt. Afterwards the boat was hauled out, which showed that whilst damaged, the kevlar reinforced hull was not punctured.

There's supposed to be a video of it somewhere.

We sold our bav 36 several years ago - loved it, though it was a bit "tender". It's now somewhere in Greece, and we still get videos of her every year from the new (and very happy) owner.
 
I seriously considered the Dehler 41 at one stage but after speaking to a charter company that had run a couple of Dehlers on their fleet I decided against it.

The comments I received were that they were generally built to slightly above average production build quality. Like Westerly they have suffered severe financial difficulties in the past and the quality during these periods can be variable but the most critical comments concerned the rudders. On the charter fleet with heavy use these have needed repair and the observation passed was that the steering gear was undersized eg the 41 had steering gear suitable for the 36 etc. IIRC a number of years ago (10yrs) a Dehler has severe rudder problems on the ARC (I am not sure whether it had to be abandoned).

Realistically a Dehler is a fast cruiser that many enjoy with few problems and like Bavarias they benefit from the German attitude to QC so its only in basic design features (eg the CWS and the beefiness of the steering system) they can be criticised.

The above was the rational for my decision but like most it inevitably consists of opinions.
 
OK, time to come clean.

Having thought about it some more and discussed with SWMBO we are very interested in a 37CR. I sailed on one back in '98 and recall a flying trip from the Solent to Dartmouth. Being able to do everything from the helm position, aided by electric primary winches, is a definite attraction.

Concerns are mainly down below - a linear galley and size of owners' berth.

Next step will be to get aboard one and take a good look around.

Anybody in the Solent area willing to give us a brief guided tour? A bottle of something will find its way on board in the process.

PM if poss.
 
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