Great feedback of a happy Dehler 46 owner
| Dehler News
I recently took delivery of the first Dehler 46 in North America and was able to sail her on the San Francisco Bay in typically conditions, 20-25knts, two to four foot chop, swirling currents and challenging conditions.
I recently took delivery of the first Dehler 46 in North America and was able to sail her on the San Francisco Bay in typically conditions, 20-25knts, two to four foot chop, swirling currents and challenging conditions. She sailed beautifully, tracking through the choppy bay going upwind in 17-20knts of breeze with authority yet comfortable enough for my wife, her mom and a friend and my two children. As the breeze built, I single handed the reefing process without any issues and she continued to track up wind efficiently.
We had an opportunity to get out of the wind behind Angel Island to drop the mainsail with the aid of a Dutchman flaking system and I furl the jib with ease. I again single handed the docking process and with a slight adjustment for wind and current, brought her in for a smooth landing.
The Dehler 46 received many compliments while at the dock as we prepared for the downwind leg home. We pulled away from the dock with ease and set a full main and jib. Most of the ride home was a beam reach to a reach in 20-25knts of breeze and the boat surfed down the waves and hit 9.5knts many times. At all times the DehIer felt under control except for one gust around 27knts, she wanted to round up. I let the main out while my wife was driving and the Dehler immediately dug in and surfed down a wave. The family gave the new “Sea Wolf” the following ratings:
- Below Deck: A+
- Above Deck: A+
- Comfort and Safety: A+
- Sailing Ability in the SF Bay: A+
- Handling under power: A
- Handing unders sail A+++
- JK3 Customer Service: A+
I came away from that day on San Francisco Bay believing that I finally found a boat that is exhilarating to sail, is designed well, has high quality finishes and my wife loves the interior. I have owned a few J Boats and an 11metre over my 25 years of sailing and by far, Karl Dehler got it right with the Dehler 46. My only regret was not getting the carbon rig and larger sails!
All of this would not have been possible without the high level of customer service that I received from Diego Gomez with JK3 Yachts. His deep knowledge about sailing and the Dehler product is impressive and I credit Jeff Brown for building such a strong team in Northern California.
Thank you designing, building and supporting a beautiful yacht.
Regards,
Joseph C.