Design and Construction
Dehler's build quality on the Dehlya 22 is high, though many were assembled from kits rather than finished at the factory high build quality despite kit assembly. The solid fiberglass hull carries a lifting keel drawing from 1ft 4in up to 3ft 11in, and Yachting Monthly noted she is well designed for trailing with an efficient original trailer-and-trolley combination. The low, elegant hull that results keeps sitting headroom restricted below.
Rig and Handling
Light displacement and a big rig make her lively, and the same review warns she needs to be reefed early to stay manageable reef early in stronger breeze. That big sail plan pays off in soft air: she shows excellent, dinghy-like performance in light to medium airs. The lifting keel and modest beam keep her easy to maneuver on a trailer or in a tight slip.
Accommodations
Below, the Dehlya 22 sleeps four, but the cabin is shaped around a low hull where even sitting headroom is restricted. The trade for that profile is organization: stowage is very well arranged, which matters on a 22-footer asking crew to live compact.
Ownership and Refits
Because many were kit-built, finish depends on who assembled each hull. The original trailer-and-trolley is integral to the concept. The water-ballast system is central to how she sails and trails, so any refit should preserve balance rather than add fixed weight.
The Verdict
A clever trailerable pocket cruiser with dinghy-like light-air fun and four berths, but minimal headroom and early-reefing needs.
Pros
- Water ballast gives trailability and 1ft 4in draft
- Excellent light- to medium-air performance
- Four berths with very well organized stowage
- Efficient original trailer-and-trolley setup
Cons
- Restricted sitting headroom below
- Needs early reefing due to light hull and big rig
- Many hulls were kit-built, so finish varies
