After small comes not bigger, but full-grown, at least in Dehler's Varianta family. Which of the approximately 4,500 old Varianta owners would ever have expected to see the lettering on such a large yacht? And then at a record-breaking price? The test shows whether the basic idea of uncomplicated sailing pleasure can even be reconciled with a boat of this size.
In 1966, the original 6.40 metre long model could be sailed as an open keelboat or as a cabin cruiser with a canopy, in several different versions. This was not only new, but also reflected the spirit of the times: an inexpensive little boat for uncomplicated sailing fun at the weekend. If the trips became longer, you could buy the superstructure later and then call a cabin cruiser with two berths and space for a cooker your own.
The Varianta 44 is intended to build on these ideas, and for just 100,000 euros - a bang for the buck.
Even in times of mass production, this figure is spectacularly low. After all, a much smaller Bavaria Cruiser 40 already costs 30,000 euros more, and an additional 78,000 euros are due for the Group sister Hanse 430 of the same length. The Varianta 18, which was presented at the end of last year, already set the direction for a low initial investment: Reduction to the bare essentials. You could also say: leave out what costs money or eats up hours.
You can find out whether a fully-fledged yacht has been created despite this massive desire to save money and what other ideas are behind the concept in the current issue of YACHT, on newsstands from 13 October.
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
