Design and Construction
The 46 SQ draws on a beamy hull with the beam carried aft and an L/B ratio of 3.19, and there is no chine to interrupt the smooth lines aft. Construction moves well beyond the older Dehler monocoque tradition: the 46 SQ is vacuum infused epoxy resin over a Divinycell core, with bulkheads of the same construction laminated into the hull and deck. A laminated carbon keel matrix spreads rig, keel, and mast loads, while the outboard chainplates connect directly into that carbon hull matrix. Three versions were offered — standard, competition, and short keel — with the competition model carrying a fin keel with a bulb and a D/L of 145 against the standard model's 149 thanks to 772 fewer pounds of ballast. Draft runs 7 feet 5 inches standard, 8 feet 6 inches competition, and 7 feet 1 inch short keel.
Rig and Handling
Above the deck sits a tall, fractional rig with swept spreaders, anchored by a 9/10 Selden twin-spreader, keel-stepped mast suited to the performance brief. A German mainsheet system with a 2:1 purchase works through a three-quarter-width traveller track that testers found indispensable for adjustment. The standard rig shows an SA/D of 23.28, the competition rig 25.59, and a powerful Selden manual hydraulic backstay tensioner is adjustable from the helm. A bowsprit supported by a bobstay allows downwind sails to be set with proper luff tension, and an open pulpit gives access to those tack points. For heavy air, a blade staysail sets on a removable inner forestay. Writing in Yachting Monthly, test sailors found her making around 30 degrees to the apparent wind when hardened on, and her deep single rudder never lost grip. Bearing away, the same test recorded her easily topping 9 knots and nudging 10 on GPS. The lack of aggressive hull chines made her easier to mollify than some rivals, and twin wheels with carbon rims keep the helm light.
Accommodations
Below, Dehler offers two layouts that are almost identical, differing only in how the port side of the main cabin is treated — a conventional settee with a small nav station forward, or a broken settee with the nav station aft. Mirror-image quarter sleeping cabins can each take a double berth, or the port quarter can be split into a scissor berth giving two tight singles. The forward owner's cabin holds a large island berth measuring 205 by 170 centimeters amidships, narrowing to 115 at each end, with hanging locker space to port and a large heads to starboard. The SQ version enlarged the heads opposite the galley. A U-shaped dinette and C-shaped saloon seating surround fold-out tables, and the port saloon berth slides forward electrically to bring guests to the table. Every coachroof window opens outward below a sleek gutter, hull windows sit at seated eye level, and hidden strip lights set the evening mood. The L-shaped galley to starboard is sensible but could use more counter space without sacrificing the passage to the aft cabin. Two heads are fitted, the aft with a shower stall, though there is oddly no wet locker for foul-weather gear.
Deck and Equipment
On deck, the broad flat transom carries a flop-down boarding platform, with twin wheels giving easy access to it. An optional arch bridges the companionway to lead the mainsheet and traveller out of the cockpit and form a point from which a sprayhood can fold down. Lewmar performance 50ST winches — now available powered — worked well in testing, and rope tail bins sit under the coaming by the helm seats. A cavernous foredeck locker with climbing steps, a horizontal-axis anchor windlass above a deep chain well, and a chunky bow roller under the bowsprit round out the working ends. The cockpit itself looks huge, with a steel-framed midships table for bracing, sloped coamings with a foot lip, and ample locker space including two sole-depth lockers and two lazarettes.
Engine and Systems
Power comes from a 57-horsepower Yanmar (an 80-horsepower option exists), turned around so the saildrive tucks forward beneath the companionway steps, with decent access hatches in the aft cabins. Fuel capacity is 55 gallons, water 119. The accommodation is seaworthy in feel, with plentiful handholds, few open spaces, and curved companionway steps; a central saloon handrail runs the length of the cabin though it sits at 210 centimeters, with lower handholds above the settees and generous fiddles throughout.
The Verdict
The Dehler 46 SQ is a thoroughly modern performance cruiser that earns its flagship status through a carbon-reinforced epoxy structure, a versatile Judel/Vrolijk hull, and an interior that balances entertainment with offshore sensibility. She is quick, stiff, and well-finished, aimed above mass-production cruisers toward the higher-end European performance marques.
Pros
- Carbon keel matrix and vacuum-infused epoxy-Divinycell construction deliver a lighter, stiffer hull than the 2014 predecessor
- Tall fractional rig with German mainsheet, hydraulic backstay, and bowsprit-supported downwind capability
- Flexible cabin layouts with opening coachroof and hull windows, electric sliding saloon berth, and enlarged SQ heads
- Good engine access via aft-cabin hatches and a reversed saildrive placement
Cons
- Galley counter space is tight given the passage requirements
- No wet locker for foul-weather gear in the heads compartment
- Cockpit table lacks stowage for everyday items
- Overhead lockers sacrifice some volume to an elaborate hinge arrangement
