Purpose driven
It’s taken a little while for the standard-setting Dehler 42 to tie-up at an Australian dock, but the wait has been more than worth it.
13 December 2018
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The Dehler brand’s core values of fast, stiff boats with a wide choice of innovative layouts is greatly appreciated by experienced sailors.
The first 42 hull delivered to Australian dealer Windcraft is the slippery Competition version with full carbon mast, boom and vang with rod rigging. It also benefits from a deeper 2.4 metre T-bulb keel which increases stability. That’s complemented by a competition rudder which is deeper and thinner than the standard version.
In full regatta mode you would opt for the bowsprit which would allow a decent assy as well as electing to change the forestay to accommodate a tuff-luff. In fact, removing the very nice teak veneer cockpit table, swim platform and a few other things ends-up saving at least 900 kilograms – a huge difference on any race.
In light displacement mode the Dehler 42 comes in at a respectable 8.3 tonnes. The Judel/Vrolijk designed hull is vacuum-infused foam sandwich. Vinylester resin is used with the first layer of glass and in highly stressed areas that are reinforced with woven rovings or unidirectional fibres. The deck is of balsa sandwich, while the carbon-reinforced inner hull structure is said to be 25 per cent stiffer than standard arrangements.
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Interior styling is another Dehler point-of-difference with a spacious saloon featuring natural light from overhead hatches, those distinctive coach house windows, stylish hull ports and roll-top lockers along each side.
Dehler prides itself on being able to configure each boat to the owners’ personal preferences, and the 42’s layout is offered as two or three cabins, with a choice of one or two heads. All versions have the same saloon, galley and navigation station. A highly practical, clever feature is the patented “Uni-door” solution using one door to separate the entire bathroom area from the saloon, or simply swivel it to separate the wash basin area from the toilet and shower.
On deck, the layout is clean and efficient with Lewmar winches, jib cars and blocks. There’s a very handy B&G instrument pod ergonomically located within easy reach of the GRP composite wheels. Sails on this first boat are the factory supplied Elvstrom FCL performance range with a tri-radial cut. The Windcraft team can help with a racing sails wardrobe.
The Dehler back story is one that instils confidence. The boat which started it all was dB2 which won the 3⁄4 Ton World Championships in 1984 in the hands of a young Karl Dehler. That attention to detail in still present throughout the Dehler line today.
Even in its standard version the Dehler 42 appears to be a very capable performance-cruiser that would set the pace in any twilight club fleet. However, it would be great to unleash the boat’s full competitive DNA, and I believe there would be a significant return on the investment.
The Deller 42 Competition version is $630,000, (landed).
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