DEHLER 38
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 38.71 ft |
| LWL | 31.5 ft |
| Beam | 12.46 ft |
| Draft | 6.25 ft |
| Displacement | 12,125 lb |
| Ballast | 2,799.7 lb |
| Material | 37’ 1”11.3 m |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.5 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 42.98 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 13.12 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 42 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 16.42 ft |
| FLforestay | 13.1 ft |
| Mainsail | 654.4 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 282 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 479.3 sq ft |
Accommodation
| Cabins | 2 |
| Berths | 4 |
| Heads | 1 |
| Water | 83.2 L |
| Fuel | 42.3 L |
| CE category | About163 000€(2020) |
About the DEHLER 38
VDS design #400. Available with a racing or cruising layout as well as racing and cruising rigs.(cruise rig and layout shown in drawing)
The Dehler 38 is a German-built fractional sloop designed by Van de Stadt, with production records indicating a build year of 1987. As a performance-oriented cruiser, it features a displacement of 12125.0 lb and a beam of 12.46 ft, reflecting the high-performance ethos of late-80s European yacht design.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for active coastal cruisers and performance-oriented sailors who prioritize speed and handling over heavy bluewater comfort. Its fractional rig and relatively light displacement make it ideal for those who enjoy short-handed sailing and frequent short-to-medium range passages.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.17 and a comfort ratio of 19.35, the Dehler 38 is designed for coastal and nearshore cruising rather than heavy offshore passage-making, as its light displacement and fin keel prioritize speed over seakeeping in heavy weather.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Nauticat 38 and the Beneteau First 36.5, as they share similar fractional sloop rigs, beamy hulls, and a focus on planing performance from the same late-1980s era.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(31 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 5.2 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| 60° | 5.5 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 7.8 |
| 75° | 6.2 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| 90° | 6.4 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.7 |
| 110° | 5.9 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 9.3 |
| 120° | 5.6 | 6.8 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 9.4 |
| 135° | 5.1 | 6.3 | 7.2 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.6 | 9.5 |
| 150° | 4.3 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.2 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.9 |
| Beat VMG | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Run VMG | 3.7 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.2 |
Estimated Value
Limited DataAsking price by model year
8 listings · boat years 1986–2020 · median $157,842
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 38.71ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the DEHLER 38yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a DEHLER 38? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your DEHLER 38?
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Used sails that fit the DEHLER 38
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…