The builder’s preferred “performance cruiser” label is well earned. Rather than following the angular, boxy conventions of many contemporary production boats, the Dehler 46 has a vertical stem and transom, chine-free topsides, and pronounced flare aft. Two long, sloping hull ports make the boat appear longer than its measured length.
Design and Construction
The Dehler 46 measures just over 47 feet overall, with a beam of 14 feet 5 inches. She displaces 24,691 pounds and carries 7,716 pounds of lead ballast, giving her a 31 percent ballast ratio. A moderate length-to-beam ratio of 3.2 keeps the hull balanced without excessive beam.
Structurally, the boat uses a vacuum-infused cored laminate set in vinylester resin, tied together by an integrated carbon-reinforced GRP grid. The grid adds stiffness, while the carbon keeps weight down. The deck has flush hatches throughout, and the cockpit coamings ramp gracefully down to deck level as they run forward.
A large backing plate at the keel attachment spreads loads well beyond the keel bolts. Farther forward, a watertight bulkhead sits just aft of the large sail locker. Molded-in steps provide a convenient way to climb down and inspect the chain in the anchor locker.
The manually operated transom folds down to form a swim platform. It includes a vertical transom-mounted handle and an emergency ladder that pulls out from a cubby.
Keel choice is unusually flexible, with four configurations available. The shoal-draft keel draws 6 feet 1 inch, the moderate option draws 7 feet 4 inches, and the deep version draws 8 feet 2 inches. The moderate and deep keels are T-shaped. A fourth, deep-draft option is L-shaped to help prevent vegetation from becoming trapped on the appendage. The rudder is a single spade.
Rig and Deck Handling
The standard fractional rig uses a tapered, keel-stepped Seldén aluminium mast with double sweptback spreaders. Its 1,228 square feet of working sail area is divided between a 106-percent genoa and a traditional full-battened mainsail. A hydraulic backstay allows the crew to adjust sail shape for speed, while an optional self-tacking jib simplifies short-handed sailing.
For sailors focused on performance, the competition rig replaces the standard spars with a Pauger carbon mast and boom on rod rigging. It removes roughly 770 pounds and adds around 150 square feet of sail.
The jib tracks sit well inboard against the cabintrunk for tight sheeting. The chainplates remain outboard, concealed behind removable cosmetic cover plates. Halyards and reefing lines run aft through under-deck conduits to Spinlock clutches and a pair of Lewmar winches. The primary winches are slightly elevated on the coamings.
A double-ended German mainsheet system controls the main, with the traveler running across the cockpit sole ahead of the twin wheels. The open, uncluttered deck, ramped coamings, and flush hatches suit both racing conversion and relaxed cruising. An optional composite sprit allows the crew to fly an asymmetrical sail for better reaching performance.
Sailing and Motoring Performance
Test sailors found the Dehler 46 light on the helm and able to track well, even with full canvas drawing.
In protected bay conditions, the boat reached 8.6 knots in 17 knots of breeze at a 45-degree apparent wind angle. She held most of that speed to about 38 degrees AWA. On a beam reach in 13 knots, she made 7.9 knots, falling to 6 knots at 120 degrees.
Under power, the 53-horsepower Volvo Penta saildrive produced 8.7 knots at wide-open throttle and 2,950 rpm. A 75-horsepower engine is optional.
Accommodations
The Dehler 46 is available with two or three cabins and two heads. The forward owner’s suite has an island berth, an ensuite head, and a separate shower compartment.
A full guest cabin lies to starboard, just aft of the L-shaped galley. The galley includes Isotherm refrigeration and an Eno stove. The port aft cabin can be arranged as either a double or a single with additional storage, though it has no cockpit access.
In the saloon, a drop-leaf centerline table incorporates a pop-up light. Its stainless-steel handrail slopes to mirror the cabintop eyebrow. Much of the interior equipment is covered or concealed, from the forward-facing navigation panel to a pop-up bottle compartment. Matching lockers, rounded surfaces, and movable headrest cushions give the interior something of an airliner feel.
The head doors can isolate either the toilet alone or the entire compartment. Standard joinery is mahogany, with teak or Italian oak offered as alternatives.
Equipment and Ownership
Factory option packs allow owners to tailor the boat’s equipment. The Cruising Pack includes the cockpit table, bathing platform, spring cleats, Ultra anchor, and a 320-amp house battery upgrade.
The Navigation Pack adds a B&G Zeus2 plotter, H5000 instruments, and autopilot. Tankage is ample for coastal use, with 119 gallons of water and 58 gallons of fuel.
Known Issue
Testers identified one practical concern: the saloon-table handrail can pinch fingers where the gap narrows at its forward end. It’s a small but genuine issue, particularly for children or crew members with a short reach.
Verdict
The Dehler 46 is a thoughtfully engineered modern performance cruiser for sailors who want real speed without giving up livable accommodations. Its carbon-reinforced grid and broad choice of keels show a clear emphasis on structural integrity and versatility. The flush, ramped deck is functional as well as clean-looking.
Pros
- Vacuum-infused cored hull with an integrated carbon grid, adding stiffness without a weight penalty
- Four keel options, including an L-shaped deep-draft version for weed-prone waters
- Light helm and strong light- to mid-air performance under the fractional rig
- Flexible two- or three-cabin interior with concealed storage and adaptable head doors
Cons
- Saloon-table handrail can pinch fingers at its forward end
- Port aft cabin has no cockpit access
- Competition rig and other options add cost and complexity for casual cruisers
