Dehler 38 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Van de Stadt shaped the hull for the IOR rating system, with a relatively beamy midsection and generous overhangs. These features rewarded the rule, but they also define the boat’s seakeeping character.

The fiberglass hull has Kevlar reinforcement in high-stress areas, while an integrated alloy space frame ties the structure together for stiffness. As usual for Dehler, Yachting Monthly noted that the build quality is high.

At 12,125 lb, the Dehler 38 has a Displacement/Length Ratio of 173, confirming her light-displacement character. A ballast-to-displacement ratio of about 23 percent, combined with a fin keel and spade rudder, gives her good stability and maneuverability.

Rig, Performance, and Handling

The fractional sloop rig is well balanced, allowing the boat to sail fast and close to the wind in varied conditions. The original specification included Kevlar halyards and Dyform rigging as hi-tech standard equipment. A taller mast and deeper keel were available as options.

Yachting Monthly found her performance under sail crisp and rewarding, with pace at least equal to a Sigma 38. Her Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 19.1 means she can readily approach her 7.5-knot hull speed in the right breeze and meet most cruisers’ performance expectations.

That performance comes with a distinctly lively ride, though the boat is stiff. With a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 19.4, her motion feels more like that of a lightweight racing boat than a heavy cruiser. When conditions turn rough, Yachting Monthly found the IOR racer-derived hull less forgiving on the helm than a pure cruising design. A Capsize Screening Formula of 2.2 also indicates that she isn’t the best candidate for ocean passage-making compared with a boat scoring under 2.0.

Accommodation

The Dehler 38 was offered with different interior layouts for racing or cruising. One arrangement accommodates up to six people in three separate cabins: a forward V-berth, a main cabin with settees that convert into berths, and an aft double.

A second layout described in period reviews provides eight berths and a pair of aft cabins, each with an en suite heads. Those cabins only just fit into the drawn-in after sections, however. The saloon sits well forward and is small for a 38-footer, while a tiny hanging locker is another notable shortfall.

Across the layouts, large windows, hatches, and skylights make the interior feel bright and spacious. The galley to port includes a two-burner stove, oven, sink, and refrigerator. Opposite is the navigation station, with a chart table, instrument panel, and seat. In the main cabin, a folding dining table seats six. In the six-person layout, a single head with shower is located aft to starboard.

Deck and Cockpit

The deck has a non-skid surface, with teak trim on the cockpit seats and coamings. Wide side decks, sturdy handrails, and well-placed cleats and winches favor easy handling and safety.

The spacious cockpit is arranged for wheel steering and includes an aft locker. There’s also a folding swim ladder on the transom and an emergency-tiller access hatch in the cockpit floor.

Above the companionway, an instrument console displays speed, depth, wind, compass, GPS, VHF, autopilot, and stereo controls. This keeps the helmsman informed without having to leave the wheel.

Verdict

The Dehler 38 has a genuine dual personality. She’s quick enough to satisfy a racing sailor and laid out to cruise with a family, but she never hides her racing roots. She’s stiff, light, and well built; in a seaway, however, her motion and helm belong to a performance hull rather than a passage-maker.

Pros