Back to Search
Dehler 38
Designer: Van De Stadt  ·  Builder: Dehler (Ger)  ·  First built: 1987
+ Add to Compare
About the Dehler 38

Designed by renowned Dutch naval architect E.G. van de Stadt and built by Germany's Dehler Yachts starting in 1987, this 38-footer represents the golden era of European performance cruising design. Van de Stadt's influence is evident in the boat's balanced proportions and seaworthy characteristics, making it a respected choice among sailors seeking both comfort and capability. With a displacement of 12,125 pounds and moderate ballast-to-displacement ratio, the Dehler 38 strikes an appealing balance between performance and stability. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the fractional sloop rig delivers versatility across varying wind conditions. Her sail area of 627 square feet and SA/Displacement ratio of 19.07 indicate spirited sailing performance without being overly aggressive. The comfort ratio of 19.35 suggests this yacht leans toward the sportier end of the cruising spectrum, making it ideal for active sailors who appreciate feedback from their boat. Combined with a capsize screening formula of 2.17, the design demonstrates good stability characteristics suitable for coastal cruising and limited offshore passages. German construction quality and fiberglass hull ensure durability, while the 28-horsepower auxiliary engine provides adequate power for maneuvering and motorsailing in light conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.71 ft / 11.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.50 ft / 9.60 m
Beam 12.46 ft / 3.80 m
Max Draft 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Displacement 12,125.00 lb / 5,500 kg
Ballast 2,800.00 lb / 1,270 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 627.00 ft² / 58.25 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Van de Stadt
Builder Dehler (GER)
First Built 1987
Related Sailboats ["Sweden Yachts 38" · "Sabre 38 Mkii" · "Cr 390" · "Baltic 39" · "Frers 38"]
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Dehler 38? Submit a known issue

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 93
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
 19.07
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
 23.09
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
 173.18
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
 19.35
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
 2.17
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. 7.52 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
 3.31
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. 1,402.41 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. 19.07
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 42.98 ft / 13.10 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.12 ft / 4.00 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.42 ft / 5.00 m
SA Fore 281.95 ft² / 26.19 m²
SA Main 344.82 ft² / 32.03 m²
SA Total (100%) 626.77 ft² / 58.23 m²
Est. Forestay Length 44.94 ft / 13.70 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model 2003
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 28
Fuel Capacity 25 gals / 95 L
Water Capacity 77 gals / 291 L
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 39, Cr 390, Sabre 38 Mkii

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Dehler 38 ★
38.7 ft
Baltic 39
38.8 ft
Cr 390
38.7 ft
Sabre 38 Mkii
38.7 ft
LWL
Dehler 38 ★
31.5 ft
Baltic 39
32.7 ft
Cr 390
35.4 ft
Sabre 38 Mkii
31.4 ft
Beam
Dehler 38 ★
12.5 ft
Baltic 39
12.6 ft
Cr 390
11.7 ft
Sabre 38 Mkii
12.3 ft
Displacement
Dehler 38 ★
12 lbs
Baltic 39
18 lbs
Cr 390
15 lbs
Sabre 38 Mkii
16 lbs
Ballast
Dehler 38 ★
2 lbs
Baltic 39
7 lbs
Cr 390
7 lbs
Sabre 38 Mkii
6 lbs
Sail Area
Dehler 38 ★
627 sq ft
Baltic 39
732 sq ft
Cr 390
—
Sabre 38 Mkii
691 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Dehler 38 ★
93 s/nm
Baltic 39
102 s/nm
Cr 390
—
Sabre 38 Mkii
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Dehler 38 ★
19.1
Baltic 39
17.1
Cr 390
—
Sabre 38 Mkii
16.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Dehler 38 ★
23.1 %
Baltic 39
43.3 %
Cr 390
45.8 %
Sabre 38 Mkii
39.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Dehler 38 ★
19.4
Baltic 39
27.7
Cr 390
—
Sabre 38 Mkii
27.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Dehler 38 ★
2.17
Baltic 39
1.92
Cr 390
—
Sabre 38 Mkii
1.93
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Dehler 38 ★
173
Baltic 39
229
Cr 390
159
Sabre 38 Mkii
243
Hull Speed
Dehler 38 ★
7.5 kts
Baltic 39
7.7 kts
Cr 390
—
Sabre 38 Mkii
7.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Dehler 38 ★
3.3
Baltic 39
2.4
Cr 390
—
Sabre 38 Mkii
2.2
Find a Dehler 38 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace