The Dehler 34 2 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 30.5′, the Dehler 34 2 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.5′ LWL = 7.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
21.2
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
37.8%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
156
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
21.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.96
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
20.2
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
21.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.96
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Dehler 34 2 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Cs 34
132s/nm
Hunter 336
162s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.9 |
6.2 |
6.9 |
7.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
6.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (21.2), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Dehler 34 2 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Dehler 34 2.
|
Dehler 34 2 |
Bavaria 320 |
Cs 34 |
Hunter 336 |
J33 |
X 342 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.5 |
33.4 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
| LWL |
30.5 |
27.8 |
27.7 |
28.6 |
28.0 |
26.7 |
| Beam |
10.5 |
10.5 |
11.3 |
11.7 |
11.0 |
10.8 |
| Displacement |
9 |
8 |
10 |
11 |
8 |
9 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
— |
4 |
3 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
609 |
416 |
533 |
573 |
561 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
132 |
162 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
21.2 |
16.5 |
17.9 |
18.6 |
22.3 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
37.8 |
37.8 |
— |
37.2 |
— |
46.7 |
| Comfort |
21.3 |
18.7 |
22.0 |
21.5 |
17.3 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.96 |
2.09 |
2.06 |
2.10 |
2.19 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.2 |
7.1 |
— |