The Dehler 39 is and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.9 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 35.1′, the Dehler 39 tops out around 7.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √35.1′ LWL = 7.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
75s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Ballast / Displacement
42.1%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
160
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
7.9kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
9lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Dehler 39 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Elan 40
Dehler 39
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Etap 39S
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Dehler 39.
| Dehler 39 | Elan 40 | Etap 39S | Grand Soleil 38 Finot | Sun Odyssey 39 Ds Perf Jeanneau | Sun Odyssey 39I Jeanneau | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 38.9 | 38.9 |
| LWL | 35.1 | 33.6 | 33.5 | 31.2 | 35.2 | 35.2 |
| Beam | 12.5 | 12.6 | 12.6 | 12.3 | 12.8 | 12.7 |
| Displacement | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 |
| Ballast | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Sail Area | — | 780 | 649 | 656 | 829 | 670 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 75 | 66 | 90 | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 19.8 | 17.1 | 17.3 | 19.9 | 16.8 |
| Bal/Disp | 42.1 | 35.5 | 33.1 | 35.3 | 29.0 | 31.1 |
| Comfort | — | 23.9 | 22.5 | 24.5 | 24.9 | 23.3 |
| Capsize | — | 2.00 | 2.05 | 1.99 | 1.97 | 2.02 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.9 |