YACHT took part in the first test run off Cannes/France in 2019 and had the opportunity to sail the boat on all courses in 16 to 18 knots of wind, in a sea between wave and swell, i.e. ideal conditions. We were also on board again a few weeks later in very light winds as part of the European Yacht of the Year trials off Barcelona/Spain. This gave the boat the opportunity to showcase itself in a wide wind range.
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With the Dehler 30 od, Hanseyachts AG in Greifswald is harking back to the glorious regatta days when the Sprinta Sport and DB1 standardised classes enjoyed great popularity. The new 30 od is also designed as a standardised class. Crews should win silver medals with the Dehler 30 od in the rapidly growing so-called short-handed regattas. These are events such as the Silverrudder or Vegvisir Race, where crews race against each other alone or in pairs without pay.
In 2020, the Dehler 30 od was voted European Yacht of the Year.
The concept was largely a success. Although there was no initial boom in sales, Dehler 30 ods were steadily built and delivered. The class association brings up to ten boats to the line at the annual class regatta. In terms of size, it is the only newer boat in the Baltic Sea region in particular in which direct standardised class comparisons are possible. There was also success on the regatta courses. At the Silverrudder 2022, for example, three of the six timed Dehler 30 ods finished in the top three places in the Keelboat small group, in 2021 they were first and second, and in the previous year it was third place. So the Dehler 30 od is hard to beat there. A few highlights were also achieved in regattas according to ORCi measurement.
Special propeller on the Dehler 30 od
Dehler was the first production boatyard ever to use the so-called stealth drive. The boat is equipped with a shaft system that can be completely retracted into the hull. The system was developed by the American George Bieker and can also be found in the hull of the ClubSwan 36. The aim of this mechanism is to minimise drag under sail. Although this is penalised within a handicap system such as ORCi, the designers were not concerned with this. Above all, the boat should be fast without having to compromise on its racing value.
Being able to minimise the resistance of the propeller and shaft or a saildrive directly adds a few tenths of a knot of speed. The shaft bracket is mounted inside a kind of centreboard box and can be retracted or extended from the cockpit. The mechanism for this, a stainless steel linkage with a grid and threaded locking mechanism, seems a little awkward the first time you use it. After two or three attempts, however, the principle is clear and the operation can be mastered without much effort or thought.
The shaft is powered by a 10 hp Nanni diesel engine. In calm conditions, this brought the 2.8 tonne boat up to a maximum of 6.3 knots at 2,700 revolutions, 5.0 knots at 2,100 revolutions, just enough to push the Dehler over longer distances at an acceptable speed in calm conditions.
No behavioural abnormalities were noticeable in the drivetrain either when starting up quickly from idle speed to maximum speed or when stopping abruptly. However, the diesel with its two cylinders rattles like a tractor, but that's not Dehler's fault, it's the design. The manufacturer was chosen because of the weight - it is currently the lightest engine with this power.
However, the crew should only be below deck when the engine is running if there is no other option. This is because, again for weight reasons, no sound insulation has been fitted, which is noticeable in the aft berths, with the ear directly on the engine, at a roaring 92 decibels. In the saloon it is still 80, in the forward berth 78 decibels, both values far beyond pleasant.
The Dehler 30 od is a space miracle below deck
Part of the concept is that the Dehler 30 od should not only sail fast, but also offer the necessary comfort to be able to live on her during a regatta and even during a holiday cruise lasting several days. The lead designer Matthias Bröker allowed his design team from Judel/Vrolijk and Co to add less than 100 kilograms of weight for fittings. Internal shells were therefore completely dispensed with. The same applies to floorboards; the crew stands directly on the hull.
An immediately noticeable advantage of this reduction is an immense feeling of space. In view of the aggressive lines, which make the boat appear quite slim and low, at least when viewed from the front, a surprisingly large space opens up below deck. On the one hand, this is due to the largely absent fittings; the clear dimensions extend directly from hull shell to hull shell.
The openwork bulkheads, more for reasons of weight than appearance, and the unobstructed view right into the bow also contribute to this. And this impression is no deception. There is 1.83 metres of headroom in the companionway area and 1.74 metres at the sides, in front of the galley and the aft berths. Although tall people have to stand at least slightly bent over everywhere, these are surprisingly comfortable dimensions for a boat with a hull length of just over nine metres, and a racer at that, where any kind of superstructure is at the expense of weight and therefore speed.
The Dehler 30 od offers up to six berths
Up to six people can sleep on the Dehler 30 od, in the double berth forward, on the two saloon benches and in the two double berths aft. At just under two metres in length, 1.55 metres wide at shoulder height and still 60 centimetres in the footwell, the forward berth is suitable for two people without compromises; some much larger cruising yachts with often tapered berths in the footwell offer significantly less comfort.
There is also around 90 centimetres of headroom above the berth. However, there is no forward hatch; the only opening is the hatch at the front of the saloon in the cabin superstructure. Ventilation of the boat is only possible via this hatch and the companionway. However, as there is no sprayhood, the sliding hatch, designed as a mini-dodger, has to be closed in rainy weather. Then the only way to get fresh air into the boat is through the opening of the plug-in bulkhead and the slightly raised deck hatch. With several people below deck and perhaps still damp sails or clothes, it could quickly become humid under these conditions.
The forward berth is very easy to board because of the large opening in the bulkhead, but be careful! All openings in the bulkheads are fitted with flanges. These are not primarily intended to give the boat its somewhat spaceship-like ambience below deck, but to stiffen the bulkhead openings. However, their edges are very sharp. If you kneel on the cushion of the forward berth to crawl into it, for example, the cushion gives way and your shin scrapes painfully over this edge. The same thing happens aft.
At 1.92 metres long and only 56 centimetres wide, the two saloon berths are not suitable for comfortable sleeping. However, the moulded wooden covers could be retrofitted with bunks. This would create two ideal, cane berth-like resting places, especially for racing. Aft, each berth is 2.02 metres long and 1.08 metres wide at shoulder height and 0.83 metres in the footwell. This means that these berths are not suitable as double berths, but each is a very comfortable single berth. Owners should consider covering the large openings in the vertical stiffeners to the engine compartment with some kind of canvas or something similar - otherwise you will feel like you are sleeping in the engine room. All in all, there is plenty of sleeping space for four people, or even six if necessary.
The Dehler 30 od offers only camping comfort
Cooking on the Dehler 30 od is spartan with a single burner gas hob and a small sink. Although this can be converted into a multifunctional work surface using a shelf, it would be overstating the case to call it a galley. Especially as the kitchen utensils, such as pots and pans and food, are stored in a rather disorganised manner in the storage space underneath, which can be closed with a fabric cover and zip. From a cruising sailor's perspective, the galley block can only be described as rudimentary or as a hot water heater, whereas regatta sailors might find it too lavish.
Another compromise is the wet room. The pump toilet with faeces tank is a concession to comfort. However, the toilet is only separated from the saloon by a folding door and the entire bulkhead is open at the bottom for visual and weight reasons. Although this ensures a certain degree of privacy, any odours can spread quite freely.
From a comfort point of view, the lack of a washbasin in the WC area is a pity. The block for storage space there would have been predestined for this. However, pipes from the flexible water tank on the starboard side would have had to be laid to port. This would have meant additional weight and structural concessions such as openings in the load-bearing floor structures.
Despite these compromises and restrictions, the result is a surprisingly cosy boat with a modern ambience that is not reminiscent of a racing machine. The extensive mesh panelling also contributes to this. Whether they are also necessary on the cabin ceiling, as in the prototype, is something that each buyer must decide for themselves. After all, the remarkably clean laminate finish is certainly something to be proud of.
The Dehler 30 od is also used by some owners as a holiday yacht.
The Dehler 30 od is a real fun machine
Why some compromises were necessary below deck becomes clear under sail. The Dehler 30 od behaves like a large dinghy, lively on the water, easy to manoeuvre, sensitive and aggressive. The fittings are where they should be, the cockpit is designed for sailing, everything is within reach and there is sufficient support at all times. A small disadvantage of this layout: There is hardly any seating in the harbour that is comfortable to lean on at the same time. The most you could do is lay two beanbags on the cockpit floor or sit on the almost horizontal footrests.
Upwind with a full main and genoa, the Dehler sails in a very balanced manner and can handle a lot of position without getting out of control thanks to the double-blade system. Although there are quite strong longitudinal movements when slowing down in a wave and then accelerating, which result in the crew's upper body swaying, this is normal for lightweights.
The Dehler 30 od is equipped with ballast tanks as standard. Around 200 kilograms can be added to the crew's trim weight in the form of water. However, it took almost six minutes to fill the tanks using an electric pump. This is fine for long distances, especially as the water runs from windward to leeward in just 30 seconds before tacking. On short up-and-down courses, however, faster filling would be desirable, as the water is normally drained on the downwind leg and pumped back in for the upwind leg. The additional righting moment was hardly noticeable as a gain in speed when sailing off Cannes, also due to the long period of filling. There was a hint of the impression that the wind had dropped a little because the boat was sailing a little more upright, but there was no noticeable difference on the log.
Space sheets really get going
The Dehler is really fun to sail with the 95 square metre gennaker. Unlike on cruising yachts, this is not a light wind sail that adds another knot or a knot and a half to the speed. Due to its low weight, the boat releases from its wave system at around 16 knots of wind and switches from displacement mode to planing mode. At the very least, you can then bring it onto the back of larger waves or surf along in a motorboat wave. A little more wind is needed for permanent planing. The Dehler remains surprisingly tame on the rudder and is very stiff on the water. She even copes with heeling up with a lot of heel without any tendency to sunshake.
She remains very agile and manoeuvrable, which is particularly welcome in single-handed mode or with two people below deck. The large bladder can no longer be manoeuvred out of the hand, and the gennaker can sometimes not be trimmed fast enough with one hand using the winch. However, if its luff drops too much, the helmsman can react by dropping it, and the boat will respond spontaneously.
For real sailing enthusiasts
The basic price ex shipyard of around 180,000 euros seems high. However, this already includes the carbon mast, water ballast, lithium battery and much more. Comparably equipped, a Pogo 30 or Sun Fast 3300 come into these regions and above. Generally speaking, it is difficult to compare the prices of these types of boats, as they are all very customised, unlike series-produced cruising yachts, for example.
What owners get is a real regatta boat that you can also live on - not the other way round. A boat that you can and must get to grips with in order to find the right sail combinations and get the manoeuvres right. Because these two criteria are decisive for success in a regatta. So if you want to go out on the water with your sailing partner at the weekend to get to grips with your boat, explore its nature, try things out, get better, and then sail two or three long-distance regattas a year and spend some unhurried days on holiday in between, the Dehler 30 od is a German-made boat that makes all this possible.
This article first appeared in YACHT 24/2019 and has been revised for this online version
Technical data
- Designer Judel/Vrolijk & Co
- CE design category A
- Hull length 9.14 m
- Waterline length 8.97 m
- Width 3.25 m
- Draught 2.20 m
- Weight 2.8 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion 0.94 t/34 %
- Mainsail 33.5 m²
- Genoa (with reef) 28.2 (21.9) m²
- Machine (Nanni N2.10) 7.4 kW/10 hp
Hull and deck construction
- GRP sandwich in infusion process with carbon frame
Price
- Base price ex shipyard € 179,570
Guarantee/against osmosis
- 2/2 years
Shipyard
- Hanseyachts AG Greifswald, www.hanseyachtsag.com
Distribution
- Speedsailing Rostock, www.speedsailing.de ; Dealer network
YACHT rating
A new standardised class that fits the requirements profile perfectly. Can be sailed by two and single-handed. All-round characteristics, high speed potential and still usable for cruising with limited comfort
Design and concept
- + Clearly tailored to the target group
- + High repeatability
- + Attractive price
Sailing performance and trim
- + High performance potential
- + Performance-orientated cockpit layout
- - Manoeuvrability under machine
Living and finishing quality
- + Good laminate surfaces
- + Six berths
- - Only one hatch, little ventilation
Equipment and technology
- + Well thought-out fitting arrangement
- + Retractable drive train
