MedwaySailor
Active Member
We do watch the Wayfarers (we have a big wayfarer fleet at our club) zipping around between the trots and feel very envious compared to the big boat sailing. But that's mostly age envy 
Delphia 29 with factory fitted tabernacle
- Thread starter MedwaySailor
- Start date
Zagato
Well-Known Member
I was just about to ask about Delphia 29's ( just window shopping in my case and saw this thread, hope the OP doesn't mind me asking a few questions), they seem to be relatively cheap compared to their marques, where I they made, do they have any inherent problems to look out for (lifting keels can always be problematic) what do they sail like...
This video makes her look nose heavy... modern hull shape maybe gives that illusion, thanks.
https://www.pbo.co.uk/video/video-delphia-31-on-test-3981
This video makes her look nose heavy... modern hull shape maybe gives that illusion, thanks.
https://www.pbo.co.uk/video/video-delphia-31-on-test-3981
MedwaySailor
Active Member
We are still treading warily. It is almost impossible to find out anything about the Delphia and there are no practical videos. We had another viewing yesterday but it was lashing horizontal rain and we only properly viewed the interior. The broker was able to start the engine, in need of a full service, but couldn't persuade any other electrics to work so that's a concern . With regard to sailing capability there lies the big question.
doug748
Well-Known Member
The 20 grand bid might work without survey, as it offers the seller the possibility of a quick sale. However a low offer and a conventional deal is asking the guy to swallow nearly a third less with nothing coming back the other way. Could work but I doubt it.
If you kept the boat for say, 5 or 10 years would it really, really matter if you paid 25 only got 15 grand back? Your running costs may be 4k, or more, pa.
On another tack, could you imagine a boat that would suit better for the price? Lifting keel, lowering mast, huge accommodation for the length, I can't think of many. So much less aggravation for the French trip.
It looks lively, if not skittish, the topsides are huge and it will probably need a sure hand on the mainsheet - so not much like your Invicta, though being dinghy sailors you may well prefer this style of boat.
You won't want any sort of project that's for sure nor will you want to be losing a season waiting of the perfect boat that may never appear.
If you kept the boat for say, 5 or 10 years would it really, really matter if you paid 25 only got 15 grand back? Your running costs may be 4k, or more, pa.
On another tack, could you imagine a boat that would suit better for the price? Lifting keel, lowering mast, huge accommodation for the length, I can't think of many. So much less aggravation for the French trip.
It looks lively, if not skittish, the topsides are huge and it will probably need a sure hand on the mainsheet - so not much like your Invicta, though being dinghy sailors you may well prefer this style of boat.
You won't want any sort of project that's for sure nor will you want to be losing a season waiting of the perfect boat that may never appear.
MedwaySailor
Active Member
Indeed. I felt 20k was too low also. We found the invicta a bit stately if I'm honest but if we were to find the Delphia too lively we can always start with a reef in; we sail with with our dog so she moderates the helm ��
TSB240
Well-Known Member
I was recently given some very sage advice which is when considering buying a new boat consider what you will want in 10 years time not today.
I am 5 years younger than you and am contemplating changing from a lightly ballasted very responsive cruiser racer to something with more stability and weight, a bigger engine and a bit more comfort. I have enjoyed a background of competitive dinghy sailing but a boat like the Delphi will require 100% concentration in challenging conditions as our Hanse of a similar size requires. Your Invicta was a tough old girl. I just think that the Delphia will rapidly become a beast that you have to tame and this gets harder as you get older.
Delphia stopped making any Sail Boats this summer.
Delphia designs were by a well respected Polish designer but much of their output was designed for sheltered lake sailing rather than round world or offshore. These designs were generally light displacement quite flat bottomed with little ballast in the keel . This makes them very tender. If the Delphia has a stub keel and centreboard it is a better bet than one with a flat bottom and swinging iron keel but it will still be tender.
Whilst you might be tempted by the relative age of this craft there are many more suitable older boats on the market. Prices of older Moody's and similar quality built yachts(early Bavarias?) are dropping like a stone as the demographic change of yacht ownership creates a surplus of supply to demand.
Personally I am keen to carry on sailing my dinghy like handling Hanse but I am getting pressure from my partner to find something much more stable, has an enclosed or enclosable helming position, heating, hot water, shower, good storage and galley and a big reliable quiet engine and a good double berth. Getting that for under 30K is a challenge!
Steve
I am 5 years younger than you and am contemplating changing from a lightly ballasted very responsive cruiser racer to something with more stability and weight, a bigger engine and a bit more comfort. I have enjoyed a background of competitive dinghy sailing but a boat like the Delphi will require 100% concentration in challenging conditions as our Hanse of a similar size requires. Your Invicta was a tough old girl. I just think that the Delphia will rapidly become a beast that you have to tame and this gets harder as you get older.
Delphia stopped making any Sail Boats this summer.
Delphia designs were by a well respected Polish designer but much of their output was designed for sheltered lake sailing rather than round world or offshore. These designs were generally light displacement quite flat bottomed with little ballast in the keel . This makes them very tender. If the Delphia has a stub keel and centreboard it is a better bet than one with a flat bottom and swinging iron keel but it will still be tender.
Whilst you might be tempted by the relative age of this craft there are many more suitable older boats on the market. Prices of older Moody's and similar quality built yachts(early Bavarias?) are dropping like a stone as the demographic change of yacht ownership creates a surplus of supply to demand.
Personally I am keen to carry on sailing my dinghy like handling Hanse but I am getting pressure from my partner to find something much more stable, has an enclosed or enclosable helming position, heating, hot water, shower, good storage and galley and a big reliable quiet engine and a good double berth. Getting that for under 30K is a challenge!
Steve
MedwaySailor
Active Member
Thank you. Our only offer is in so we will have to wait and see and is subject to a trial sail.
robmains
New Member
I have a Delphia 31 built in 2013 and I am very happy with both the performance and build quality from the Polish yard. The interior is spacious and well thought out making use of all available space. Mine has fin keel with saildrive and is easy to sail single handed and once the sails are trimmed she sails on her own with very little input. The original owner from new was a sailing club who raced her and she won many races in her class. I have had no problems except for some deterioration in the seals on one window due to UV damage. I am in the eastern med so the sun strength and effect is obviously much greater than that of the UK. Like you I have tried to get more information from other Delphia owners but there seems to be few. They are now under the Beneteau brand having been bought out a couple of years ago.
I was in the same dilemma as you trying to decide whether to buy an older moody 34 for 37k and have the additional expense of renewing the rigging etc. or get a newer production boat. In the end you have to think about where you want to use it, how far you want to go and how much time are you going to spend fixing an old boat against paying more for a boat that need very little work. I paid nearly double my original budget to buy a newer boat against the 1988 moody but have not had to do any major work on it. Additionally all the navigation equipment on the new boat is up to date while the moody would have needed everything upgrading which would have been expensive.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hqk79FekMEhchVWw9
I was in the same dilemma as you trying to decide whether to buy an older moody 34 for 37k and have the additional expense of renewing the rigging etc. or get a newer production boat. In the end you have to think about where you want to use it, how far you want to go and how much time are you going to spend fixing an old boat against paying more for a boat that need very little work. I paid nearly double my original budget to buy a newer boat against the 1988 moody but have not had to do any major work on it. Additionally all the navigation equipment on the new boat is up to date while the moody would have needed everything upgrading which would have been expensive.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hqk79FekMEhchVWw9
solentham
New Member
Hi,looking to reach people who have a delphia 29, be good to connect
MedwaySailor
Active Member
Yes. Great news! Do you use Facebook? I had thought that a Delphia 29 FB group would be the best way to share experiences. We absolutely love her. Log in to Facebook | Facebook
MedwaySailor
Active Member
I have now started up a FB group for the Delphia 29 Log in to Facebook | Facebook
Jongp
New Member
Hi Steve, I was reading your comments regarding Delphia and wanted to chip in my experience having owned a Delphia 29 for a couple of years. I think their earlier boats may have been more suited to sheltered water but the range offered from 2003 onwards we’re definitely much more heavy duty. Our understanding is that the boats are made for the Baltic. We sailed 800+ nautical miles last year which included Orkney and the West coast of Scotland a lot of which was in pretty rough seas, typically force 6. Ours is the lifting keel version, really it’s a centre board as it only weighs 130kg but the bulb on the bottom of the hull is 1200kg And she has a category B rating. Ours is in immaculate condition and is well serviced. Changing some of the skin fittings recently and installing an exhaust for the Webasto heater revealed the true thickness of the hull and the attention to detail of the build quality - this boat builder clearly went above and beyond to impress. Our experience reveals a cracking vessel that sails securely and predictably and is very practical only requiring 2’ with the ‘keel’ up and also very comfortable - I’m 6’ and can stand up all the way to the forward cabin, she’s bright with lots of storage and all mod cons of heating, hot water, fridge etc.
Jonathan.