Dehler Yachts
Product brand
UnclaimedDehler Yachts is a German sailing-yacht brand known for performance cruisers, racing yachts, and one-design boats.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Dehler Yachts is a German sailing-yacht brand whose roots lie in the Dehler shipyard established by brothers Willi and Heinz Dehler during the 1960s. The company became one of Germany’s prominent builders of family cruisers and performance-oriented sailboats by combining relatively advanced construction techniques with practical accommodation and racing-derived hull designs. Willi Dehler was an early European advocate of glass-reinforced plastic, or GRP, for boatbuilding. In 1963 he began making small dinghies in the former foyers of a cinema and subsequently brought his brother Heinz into the business. Their first major cabin-sailboat product was the Varianta, introduced in 1966. Designed by E. G. van de Stadt, the 21-foot Varianta used a keel-centerboard arrangement and a removable coach roof. Approximately 4,000 examples were produced through 1982, making it one of the most successful family cruisers of its era. The Optima and Delanta expanded the company’s cruising range and helped establish Dehler Yachtbau as a leading German sailboat manufacturer. During the 1970s and 1980s, Dehler developed a strong sporting identity. The Sprinta and Sprinta Sport addressed the quarter-ton racing market, while the DB-1 and DB-2 were competitive three-quarter-ton designs associated with E. G. van de Stadt and Cees van Tongeren. Cruising derivatives, particularly the Dehler 34, connected the company’s racing experience with a broader recreational market. Dehler also produced licensed 470-class dinghies from 1974; Frank Hübner and Harro Bode won Olympic gold in the class at the 1976 Games in boats manufactured under that arrangement. The business later experienced ownership changes and financial pressure. Heinz Dehler departed in 1979, and Willi Dehler left in 1995. A downturn in yacht manufacturing contributed to the company’s first bankruptcy in 1998, after which the Dutch Neptunus Group took over the yard. Dehler subsequently worked with Judel/Vrolijk & Co on a new generation of fast cruisers. In 2004 the company was sold to Dutch businessman Wilan van den Berg, and Buchanan Capital Partners acquired a minority interest in 2007. That same year Dehler acquired Belgian yacht builder ETAP Yachting. The financial crisis of 2008 brought another bankruptcy. ETAP was separated from Dehler, and HanseYachts AG acquired the Dehler yard in 2009. Dehler continued as a brand within the HanseYachts group, with cooperation with Judel/Vrolijk & Co renewed. HanseYachts announced in 2012 that production would move from Freienohl to its Greifswald headquarters on the Baltic Sea. In the modern period, Dehler has concentrated on performance cruisers and specialized racing products. The Dehler 38 was recognized in the 2014 European Yacht of the Year program in the Performance Cruiser category. In 2019 the brand introduced the Dehler 30 one design, later known as the Dehler 30 od, for short-handed offshore racing. Its equipment includes water ballast and a retractable shaft arrangement with a fixed propeller, marketed as the Dehler Stealth Drive, powered by a 10-horsepower diesel engine. The model won the 2020 European Yacht of the Year award in the Race Yachts category. The brand’s range has been described as spanning approximately 29 to 46 feet and remains positioned between comfortable cruising and serious sailing performance.
History
Dehler’s history began in 1963, when Willi Dehler started producing small GRP dinghies in the former foyers of a cinema. He later brought his brother Heinz into the business. The brothers’ first major sailing yacht was the Varianta, launched in 1966. Designed by E. G. van de Stadt, the 21-foot cabin cruiser used a keel-centerboard configuration and a removable coach roof. Its combination of manageable size, flexible draft, and affordable production helped it become a landmark family cruiser. About 4,000 Variantas were built before production ended in 1982. The company broadened its cruising range with models such as the Optima and Delanta, while also investing in performance sailing. During the 1970s Dehler introduced the Sprinta, a quarter-tonner designed by E. G. van de Stadt and Cees van Tongeren. The sharper Sprinta Sport became a recognized one-design and IOR racing boat. Dehler also manufactured 470-class dinghies under license from 1974. The company’s boats were associated with Olympic success when Frank Hübner and Harro Bode won the 470 gold medal at the 1976 Olympic Games. Dehler’s larger racing designs included the DB-1, introduced in 1980, and the DB-2, introduced in 1981. Both were three-quarter-ton designs connected with van de Stadt and van Tongeren. Their cruising derivatives, particularly the Dehler 34, demonstrated the brand’s characteristic effort to translate racing technology into practical yachts for private owners. Ownership and management changed in the following decades. Heinz Dehler left in 1979, and Willi Dehler departed in 1995. A downturn in the yacht market placed the shipyard under severe pressure and resulted in bankruptcy in 1998. The Dutch Neptunus Group then took over the business. Dehler worked with Judel/Vrolijk & Co on a new range of fast cruisers reaching toward the upper end of the company’s traditional size range. In 2004 Dehler was sold to Wilan van den Berg, who joined the business as managing director. Buchanan Capital Partners acquired a minority stake in 2007, and Dehler acquired the Belgian yacht builder ETAP Yachting later that year. The 2008 financial crisis caused another bankruptcy. ETAP was separated, and HanseYachts AG acquired the Dehler yard in 2009. The Dehler brand continued under HanseYachts, with the Judel/Vrolijk design relationship renewed. HanseYachts announced in 2012 that the Freienohl factory would close and that Dehler production would move to Greifswald on the Baltic Sea. The brand subsequently continued as part of HanseYachts’ portfolio of sailing-yacht marques. Recent development has emphasized performance cruisers and purpose-built racing yachts. The Dehler 38 received European Yacht of the Year recognition in the Performance Cruiser category in 2014. In 2019 Dehler introduced the Dehler 30 od one-design class for short-handed offshore racing. The boat uses water ballast and a retractable shaft arrangement with a fixed propeller and 10-horsepower diesel engine. It was named European Yacht of the Year in the Race Yachts category for 2020.
- 2020
Dehler 30 od wins Race Yachts award
[1]The Dehler 30 od is awarded European Yacht of the Year in the Race Yachts category.
- 2019
Dehler 30 od introduced
[1]Dehler presents its Dehler 30 one-design class for short-handed offshore racing.
- 2014
Dehler 38 receives European Yacht of the Year recognition
[1]The Dehler 38 is recognized in the Performance Cruiser category.
- 2012
Production moves to Greifswald
[1]Production is relocated from Freienohl to HanseYachts’ headquarters in Greifswald.
- 2009
HanseYachts takes over Dehler
[1]HanseYachts AG acquires the Dehler yard and continues the brand within its group.
- 2008
Second bankruptcy
[1]Dehler Yachtbau files for bankruptcy during the global financial crisis.
- 2007
Minority investment and ETAP acquisition
[1]Buchanan Capital Partners acquires a minority stake, and Dehler acquires Belgian yacht builder ETAP Yachting.
- 2004
Ownership changes to Wilan van den Berg
[1]Dehler is sold to Dutch businessman Wilan van den Berg, who becomes managing director.
- 1998
First bankruptcy
[1]After a downturn in yacht manufacturing, Dehler Yachtbau enters bankruptcy and is taken over by the Dutch Neptunus Group.
- 1981
DB-2 introduced
[1]Dehler follows with the DB-2, another three-quarter-ton design.
Products and positioning
A German performance-sailing brand combining cruising comfort, racing-derived design, and production-series yacht construction. Dehler operates in the segment between mainstream family cruisers and specialized racing yachts, with design collaborations emphasizing speed, handling, and offshore capability.
Family cruiser · 1966
Varianta
The Varianta was Dehler’s first major cabin sailboat. Introduced in 1966, the 21-foot design used a keel centerboard and removable coach roof, giving owners a compact cruiser with flexible draft and adaptable accommodation. Designed by E. G. van de Stadt, it became one of the best-known early products associated with Dehler and reached approximately 4,000 units by the end of production in 1982.
Racing sailboat
Sprinta Sport
The Sprinta Sport was the sharpened racing derivative of the Sprinta quarter-tonner. Developed in the 1970s with design links to E. G. van de Stadt and Cees van Tongeren, it became a popular one-design class and competed successfully in IOR regattas. The model reflected Dehler’s strategy of using racing development to build credibility in both competition and performance cruising.
Racing sailboat · 1980
DB-1
The DB-1 was a three-quarter-ton racing yacht introduced in 1980. Associated with the design team of E. G. van de Stadt and Cees van Tongeren, it helped strengthen Dehler’s presence in handicap and class racing. A related cruising concept contributed to the development of yachts such as the Dehler 34.
Racing sailboat · 1981
DB-2
Introduced in 1981, the DB-2 was another three-quarter-ton racing design from Dehler’s performance-oriented period. Like the DB-1, it connected competitive sailing with production cruising derivatives and demonstrated the shipyard’s use of racing hull development as a source of product differentiation.
Performance cruiser
Dehler 34
The Dehler 34 represents the brand’s crossover between racing performance and cruising usability. Developed in connection with the DB racing designs, it became a successful cruising model and has retained a following among sailors seeking a comparatively fast yacht with practical cruising capability.
Performance cruiser
Dehler 38
The Dehler 38 is a modern performance cruiser associated with the brand’s cooperation with Judel/Vrolijk & Co. It was intended to balance speed and sailing responsiveness with the accommodation expected of a production cruising yacht. The model received European Yacht of the Year recognition in the Performance Cruiser category in 2014.
One-design offshore racing yacht · 2019
Dehler 30 od
The Dehler 30 od is a one-design yacht developed for short-handed offshore racing. Its specification includes water ballast and a retractable shaft line with a fixed propeller, combined with a 10-horsepower diesel engine and the Dehler Stealth Drive designation. An initially planned retractable electric drive was abandoned during development. The boat won the European Yacht of the Year Race Yachts award for 2020.
Performance cruiser
Dehler 42
The Dehler 42 belongs to the brand’s modern performance-cruiser range. It is positioned as a larger production sailing yacht combining performance-oriented naval architecture with cruising accommodation. Specific configuration details are not established in the supplied reference material.
Performance cruiser
Dehler 46
The Dehler 46 is among the larger yachts in the current range described for the brand. It extends Dehler’s performance-cruiser proposition into a size suitable for longer coastal and offshore cruising while retaining the marque’s emphasis on sailing performance. Detailed specifications are not established in the supplied reference material.
Controversies
2008
Dehler Yachtbau bankruptcy during the financial crisis
The company filed for bankruptcy during the 2008 financial crisis. ETAP was separated from the business, and HanseYachts AG later acquired the Dehler yard.
1998
Dehler Yachtbau bankruptcy
Dehler Yachtbau entered bankruptcy after a downturn in the yacht-building market. The business was subsequently taken over by the Dutch Neptunus Group.
Brand decisions
2019
Launch of the Dehler 30 odProduct launchBackground
Dehler sought to address the growing short-handed offshore-racing and one-design market.
Action taken
The brand introduced the Dehler 30 od with water ballast and the Dehler Stealth Drive propulsion arrangement.
Aftermath
The model received European Yacht of the Year recognition in the Race Yachts category for 2020.
2012
Relocation of Dehler production to GreifswaldStrategyBackground
Following the HanseYachts takeover, production was reorganized within the group.
Action taken
HanseYachts announced the closure of the Freienohl Dehler factory and moved production to Greifswald.
Aftermath
Dehler became integrated into HanseYachts’ Greifswald manufacturing operation.
2009
HanseYachts acquisition of DehlerM&ABackground
Dehler entered bankruptcy during the global financial crisis and required a new industrial owner.
Action taken
HanseYachts AG acquired the Dehler yard and retained Dehler as a brand.
Aftermath
Dehler continued within the HanseYachts portfolio, with its design cooperation with Judel/Vrolijk & Co renewed.
2007
Acquisition of ETAP YachtingM&ABackground
Dehler was pursuing expansion during a period of ownership change and growth under Wilan van den Berg.
Action taken
Dehler acquired Belgian yacht manufacturer ETAP Yachting.
Aftermath
The ETAP relationship was later separated after Dehler entered bankruptcy during the 2008 financial crisis.
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