Design and Construction
Dehler built the 36 SQ as a rugged monocoque structure. The hull and deck are crafted from a balsa-core sandwich, and Dehler secured the hull-to-deck joint with FRP laminate while both parts remained in the mold. This method creates a continuous fiberglass bond rather than a bolted seam.
Hand-layup techniques were used throughout. Stainless-steel hardware is fastened to aluminum flat stock bonded inside the deck, with thread sealant applied to limit corrosion caused by contact among dissimilar metals and seawater. The structure is rated for Category A offshore service. Underfoot, the well-designed main deck has effective nonskid, although the coachroof presents a different picture.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The Dehler 36 SQ carries a powerful 9/10ths fractional rig. Her 737-square-foot working sail plan includes a 414-square-foot mainsail, while a sail area-to-displacement ratio just over 21 helps explain her lively pace.
In 8 to 10 knots of true wind, test sailors recorded 6 to 7 knots while close-reaching. Reviewers writing in Yachting Monthly also noted that she is very responsive on the helm and rewards careful sail trim. Her ability to power to windward appeals to performance-minded owners. That responsiveness has another side: some sailors may find her a bit of a handful in a blow, and she tends to slam in steep, short seas.
The large mainsail reefs efficiently. A company representative stated that, with either a furling mainsail or all-lines-aft running rigging, a crewmember didn’t need to climb onto the coachroof while under way.
Under auxiliary power, the 27-horsepower Volvo sail-drive is tucked beneath the companionway steps. It delivered 6.4 knots at a fuel-saving 2,200 rpm.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the Dehler 36 trades volume for speed. Her accommodations are smaller than those of a typical high-volume cruiser, with tight stowage and a small chart table. Even so, the saloon looks spacious, bright, and attractive, and its dinette seats five.
A double vee-berth occupies the forepeak, with a double cabin aft of the companionway. Beneath the cockpit, one layout provides a double berth alongside a utility area; an alternative arrangement has a pair of aft double berths.
The galley is a good size and practical at sea. Opening ports are welcome at anchor, although the boat isn’t optimized for warm-weather ventilation under way. Storage is better suited to short-term cruising than to living aboard, and the modest tankage reinforces that short-range character.
Points to Watch
Two details deserve a buyer’s attention. The sail-drive installation carries the inherent potential for corrosion among dissimilar metals, a known trait of this configuration.
On deck, much of the coachroof is finished in slick gelcoat rather than the nonskid used on the main deck. Footing there is therefore less secure than on the working surfaces.
The Verdict
The Dehler 36 SQ is a thoughtfully engineered cruiser-racer. Her light-displacement Judel/Vrolijk hull, monocoque balsa-core structure, and powerful fractional rig make her quick and responsive. In return, she demands disciplined sail trim and gives up some belowdecks volume, stowage, and tankage.
She’s better suited to a two-person crew or short-term cruising than to a liveaboard lifestyle. The slick coachroof and the sail-drive’s corrosion potential are the principal points to watch.
Pros
- Rugged monocoque hull-and-deck structure with balsa-core sandwich construction and a Category A offshore rating
- Powerful 9/10ths fractional rig, efficient reefing, and strong windward performance
- Responsive helm that rewards careful trim; easily sailed two-up
- Well-designed main deck with effective nonskid and rugged lifeline stanchions
Cons
- Slick gelcoat on the coachroof instead of nonskid
- Potential for sail-drive corrosion among dissimilar metals
- Tight stowage, modest tankage, and limited suitability for living aboard
- Can be a handful in heavy air and tends to slam in steep, short seas
