Design and Construction
At 10.5 meters, the 35 CWS has distinctive, self-contained lines and a sleek profile that gives her a sporty, elegant appearance. The foredeck is wide and uncluttered. Four opening hatches and eight portholes provide light below.
The hull is fiberglass-reinforced plastic with balsa-core sandwich construction, protected by an anti-osmosis treatment and epoxy coating. The deck uses the same balsa-core FRP sandwich, finished with a nonslip surface and teak on the cockpit seats and sole.
Yachting Monthly noted that the hull of this 1993 design is similar to that of the earlier 36cws, although it is somewhat narrower and longer on the waterline. That gives the 35 a distinct footprint from her predecessor, while the interior, rig, and cockpit layout were also considerably modified around the central winch concept.
Rig and Handling
“CWS” stands for the worldwide-patented Central Winch System. A single electrically powered winch in the cockpit controls the sheets, halyards, and reefing lines, allowing the helmsman to handle them without leaving the wheel. This makes the boat manageable single-handed or with a small crew.
The 35 CWS differs from the 36 in carrying two winches rather than one, as well as an overlapping headsail in place of the self-tacking jib. The original genoa had a soft vertical batten to improve its set when rolled.
With a Displacement/Length Ratio of 190, she is clearly a light-displacement boat. Her Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 19.6 allows her to approach her 7.24-knot hull speed readily in the right conditions. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 40.0 means she stands up reasonably well to her canvas in a moderate breeze, but she benefits from a reef in the main to avoid uncomfortable heel. Loading her with heavy cruising gear will degrade that performance to a degree.
Accommodations
The 35 CWS sleeps up to six in two separate cabins and the saloon. The forward cabin has a double berth, hanging locker, shelves, under-berth storage, an opening hatch, and two portholes. Yachting Monthly observed that it can also be reconfigured as an office or children’s day cabin, using a fold-up table and bench seats.
The aft cabin follows a similar formula, with a double berth, locker, shelving, an opening hatch, and porthole ventilation.
In the saloon, two settees double as single berths and face a folding table with seating for six. Four hatches and four portholes provide light. The arrangement is traditional, though the saloon is on the small side.
The port-side galley is beside the companionway. It includes a two-burner stove and oven, a hot and cold sink, a refrigerator, and drawers, although Yachting Monthly found it short on stowage.
Opposite, the starboard navigation station has a large, outward-facing chart table and an instrument panel carrying VHF, GPS, depth, speed, wind, and autopilot instruments. An opening hatch and two portholes serve the area, but the chart-table arrangement was judged only moderately successful.
The head is to starboard between the saloon and aft cabin. It contains a marine toilet, a hot and cold sink, a shower with a drain pump, and storage.
Performance and Seakeeping
The Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 22.3 places the 35 CWS in the range of a moderate-stability coastal cruiser rather than a soft-riding passage-maker. That’s worth considering for anyone prone to seasickness.
On the other hand, a Capsize Screening Formula of 1.9 puts her on the safer side of the 2.0 threshold for an ocean passage. Her 39.6 percent ballast ratio over 4,189 pounds of lead provides a reassuring foundation for offshore intent within a 10-foot-10-inch beam.
Verdict
The Dehler 35 CWS is a thoughtfully engineered Van de Stadt cruiser-racer. Its patented central winch system genuinely reduces crew requirements, while the light-displacement hull sails to its numbers without drama.
The cabin plan is flexible and well lit, though the saloon is compact and the galley is somewhat short on stowage. The balsa-cored construction also calls for the usual moisture vigilance. She will best reward an owner who sails her light and leaves heavy cruising gear ashore.
Pros
- Central Winch System supports single-handed or small-crew sailing from the cockpit
- Light-displacement hull and strong sail-area ratio allow her to reach hull speed readily
- Capsize screening figure below 2.0 supports offshore consideration
- Forward cabin can convert into an office or children’s day cabin
Cons
- Comfort Ratio suggests a lively coastal-cruiser motion rather than a soft passage ride
- Traditional saloon is on the small side
- Period review found the galley short on stowage
- Balsa-core construction requires careful moisture vigilance
