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Dehler 28
Designer: E. G. Van De Stadt  ·  Builder: Dehler  ·  First built: 1987
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About the Dehler 28

Built between 1987 and 1997 with 520 hulls produced, this E.G. Van De Stadt design represents Dehler's commitment to performance-oriented sailing in a compact package. The boat's fin keel and spade rudder configuration, combined with a fractional sloop rig carrying 369 square feet of sail area, delivers responsive handling that appeals to both racing enthusiasts and spirited cruisers. At just under 28 feet with a displacement of 5,512 pounds, the Dehler 28 strikes an impressive balance between stability and speed. The relatively light displacement and generous sail area ratio of 18.98 provide excellent performance in light to moderate conditions, while the 2,205 pounds of ballast ensure adequate stability. Her comfort ratio of 18.5 suggests a boat optimized more for sailing performance than heavy-weather comfort, making her ideal for coastal sailing, club racing, and day sailing adventures. The hull's moderate beam of 9.19 feet and clean underwater profile contribute to good light-air performance, while the 4.43-foot draft provides reasonable pointing ability without limiting access to most harbors. This combination of characteristics has earned the Dehler 28 recognition as an excellent entry-level performance cruiser, particularly suited for sailors seeking responsive handling and sailing excitement in European and coastal American waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.89 ft / 8.50 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.31 ft / 6.80 m
Beam 9.19 ft / 2.80 m
Max Draft 4.43 ft / 1.35 m
Displacement 5,512.00 lb / 2,500 kg
Ballast 2,205.00 lb / 1,000 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 369.00 ft² / 34.28 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer E. G. van de Stadt
Builder Dehler
First Built 1987
Last Built 1997
Number Built 520
Related Sailboats Etap 28I · Pogo 850 · Ericson 28 2 · Precision 28 · Banner 28
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
18.98
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
40
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
221.6
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
18.5
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.08
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.33 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.67
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 732.59 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 18.99
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.50 ft / 9.60 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.68 ft / 2.95 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.77 ft / 10.60 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.47 ft / 3.80 m
SA Fore 152.46 ft² / 14.16 m²
SA Main 216.79 ft² / 20.14 m²
SA Total (100%) 369.25 ft² / 34.30 m²
Est. Forestay Length 32.95 ft / 10.04 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model 2001
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 17 gals / 64 L
Water Capacity 24 gals / 91 L
How It Compares

vs. Banner 28, Ericson 28 2, Etap 28I, Pogo 850, Precision 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Dehler 28 ★
27.9 ft
Banner 28
28.0 ft
Ericson 28 2
28.0 ft
Etap 28I
28.0 ft
Pogo 850
27.9 ft
Precision 28
28.0 ft
LWL
Dehler 28 ★
22.3 ft
Banner 28
20.0 ft
Ericson 28 2
23.3 ft
Etap 28I
23.8 ft
Pogo 850
27.2 ft
Precision 28
23.0 ft
Beam
Dehler 28 ★
9.2 ft
Banner 28
9.7 ft
Ericson 28 2
10.0 ft
Etap 28I
10.3 ft
Pogo 850
11.8 ft
Precision 28
10.0 ft
Displacement
Dehler 28 ★
5 lbs
Banner 28
2 lbs
Ericson 28 2
7 lbs
Etap 28I
6 lbs
Pogo 850
6 lbs
Precision 28
5 lbs
Ballast
Dehler 28 ★
2 lbs
Banner 28
1 lbs
Ericson 28 2
3 lbs
Etap 28I
Pogo 850
1 lbs
Precision 28
1 lbs
Sail Area
Dehler 28 ★
369 sq ft
Banner 28
374 sq ft
Ericson 28 2
411 sq ft
Etap 28I
358 sq ft
Pogo 850
560 sq ft
Precision 28
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Dehler 28 ★
Banner 28
128 s/nm
Ericson 28 2
Etap 28I
Pogo 850
Precision 28
207 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Dehler 28 ★
19.0
Banner 28
32.1
Ericson 28 2
17.2
Etap 28I
17.1
Pogo 850
26.7
Precision 28
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Dehler 28 ★
40.0 %
Banner 28
51.8 %
Ericson 28 2
Etap 28I
Pogo 850
30.4 %
Precision 28
34.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Dehler 28 ★
18.5
Banner 28
8.6
Ericson 28 2
21.8
Etap 28I
17.2
Pogo 850
13.0
Precision 28
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Dehler 28 ★
2.08
Banner 28
2.83
Ericson 28 2
2.05
Etap 28I
2.24
Pogo 850
2.58
Precision 28
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Dehler 28 ★
221
Banner 28
142
Ericson 28 2
Etap 28I
204
Pogo 850
136
Precision 28
201
Hull Speed
Dehler 28 ★
6.3 kts
Banner 28
6.0 kts
Ericson 28 2
6.5 kts
Etap 28I
6.5 kts
Pogo 850
7.0 kts
Precision 28
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Dehler 28 ★
2.7
Banner 28
5.4
Ericson 28 2
2.1
Etap 28I
2.7
Pogo 850
Precision 28
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