BoatsDehler Yachts 38

Dehler Yachts 38

Fractional Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1987

A versatile Van de Stadt design offered in both racing and cruising configurations to suit varied sailing styles

Designed by van de Stadt & E. G. Van de Stadt.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The Dehler Yachts 38, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from SEILmagasinet

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 19 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 19
CoastalBluewater

2.17 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.17
LightHeavy

173 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 173
EasygoingPowered-up

19.1 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 19.1
TenderStiff

23% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 23%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

What the fleet has seen

The Dehler Yachts 38, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Dehler Yachts 38 is a fractional sloop designed by E. G. Van de Stadt, built by Dehler Yachts from 1987 to the present, and offered in both racing and cruising configurations. It has an LOA of 11.8 meters, a beam of 3.8 meters, a draft of 1.9 meters, and a displacement of 5,499 kg. The Dehler 38 is a VDS design #400. It competes in the same market segment as boats like the Beneteau First 36, which achieves speeds of 7.2 knots upwind in 15 knots of wind and 9.5 knots on a reach with a Code Zero.0:40

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Dehler Yachts 38 on video

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model come up for sale.

1seen sold

  • Alex sold his Dehler 38, Kap Laura, for 2.5 million (up from 1.5 million) during the pandemic.

    from SEILmagasinetseen March 2025watch

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
23.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
19.1
Displacement / length
173.2
Comfort ratio
19.4
Capsize screening
2.17
Hull speed
7.5 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1402
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1987
Designer
van de Stadt, E. G. Van de Stadt
Builder
Dehler

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Catalina Yachts 37511.73 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2008 fractional sloop with a 2.08-metre draft and a balanced displacement-to-ballast ratio for coastal stability
💸 The REAL Cost of Living on a Boat in California | Marina Fees, Liveaboard Costs & Hidden Expenses7:49from Practical Sailor
Beneteau First 40.711.96 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA 1997 Bruce Farr design featuring a 2.36-metre draft and a stiff, performance-oriented displacement-to-ballast ratio
TWO Oyster Yachts Lost Their Keels. WHY?12:06from All About Sailing
RM Yachts 118011.80 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Marc Lombard-designed performance cruiser featuring a wide beam, dual rudders, and a powerful cutter rig
Why This "Wooden" Sailboat Is Faster, Warmer, and Stronger - the RM 11800:47from Practical Sailor
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i11.86 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Marc Lombard-designed fractional sloop balancing a 2.0-meter draft with a spacious beam for efficient coastal cruising
We Bought Our First Sailboat in a Foreign Country (and Moved Aboard!)0:07from Stella Overboard
Dehler Yachts 3911.89 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1996 Judel-Vrolijk fractional sloop offering both deep and shallow draft options for performance-minded cruisers
Seilmagasinet TV episode 610:42from SEILmagasinet
Eagle 3811.77 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA sleek Hoek-designed daysailer with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance in light air
Eagle 38 - boot Dusseldorf 2026 - A look around this beautiful yacht!0:26from Halcyon Yachts - International Yacht Delivery

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Dehler Yachts 38 (JUDEL/VROLIJK)A Judel/Vrolijk fractional sloop designed for performance, marking the first model built under Hanse Yachts ownershipDehler Yachts 37A Van de Stadt-designed masthead sloop with a high ballast ratio, built for performance and stability since 1981Dehler Yachts 36 DBA van de Stadt-designed fractional sloop built for performance, featuring a stiff fin-bulb keel and spade rudderDehler Yachts 39 CWSA van de Stadt-designed fractional sloop featuring a distinct CWS layout that sets it apart from later 39-foot models

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Dehler Yachts 38, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

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