1, 2, 1, 1, 1, (4), 2 Not a bad record for the Dehler 35RS during Kiel Week 2010; good-enough to sweep the section by a resounding 13 points. "Not bad," indeed. Kudos! The scratch sheet for the 26-boat ORC II section didn't have the makings of such easy pickings: - five X-37s, including the second-place boat - a smattering of other Xs, including a 35, 40, two 33s and a 382 - a brand-new, carboned-up, all-pro First 35 - a First 36.7 - a B&C-designed Grand Soleil 37 - an Elan 37 and Dufour 40, amongst other cruisier racers - Then there were the other Dehlers: a 34SV, 39SQ and, smallest boat in the section-- ta da-- the 32RS, finishing the series a respectable 9th. Oh, and she's now available for sale-- fully equipped with B&Gs, 3DLs, and the other 35RS construction features and hardware-- at a genuinely-attractive price. Late-summer racing, anyone? Email me for the complete specs.

Amidst the fanfare of launching the Dehler 32 and 45 at January's Boot Dusseldorf-- and getting their production up and running this spring-- the minds at Dehler quietly went about the business of hot-rodding a Dehler 32 and 35.

When Dehler decides to hone a model for a particular mission, they tend to take a well-rounded approach that won't detract from the original design. Throwing away the interior and amenities, ordering-up racing sails and electronics and calling it a day isn't their way.

A case in point, and something we've been itching to see employed in Dehlers, is the lightweight, cored interior furniture. Dehlers are ruggedly-built, and while the high-quality joinery is a large part of their solidity, it's not light. Coring the panels contributes to a significant 1,100 pound weight reduction to the 35RS. The 32RS lost about 880 pounds in its diet. The joinery is finished in the same natural-teak veneer that optionally graces other models... you wouldn't know the difference by looking at it.

(A word of warning to future Dehler owners: we WILL encourage you to have your Dehler made with a lightweight interior.)

The Dehler 32RS and 35RS also adopt a Corecell foam-sandwich construction in the hull and deck, in lieu of end-grain balsa. The balance of the RS specification includes racing-specific hardware, a German Admiral's Cup-style mainsheet system, and Tuffluff headfoils to replace the standard furling systems.

The two demonstrators have each done some key races this season (see sidebar), serving as test benches for the final RS Spec 32 and 35. The demonstration yachts are now available at significant savings, and the RS packages are becoming available to order as this is written. Check 'em out in the galleries below.

...Currency Improvements Equal Slashed US Pricing
New boat launches aside, the biggest news this summer must certainly be an improving relationship between the US dollar and Euro. Like cars and so many other eurozone imports, we're bound to the Euro. While Dehler stands up as an amazing value in the context of the market, even as the dollar hit an all-time low last winter, better exchange rates mean a reduction in published pricing.

It's happened before, in less noteworthy degrees that don't generate fanfare: we quietly make the changes and create a pleasant surprise to anyone who's at that stage of his boat search. An across-the-board reduction on a new boat and any options of nearly twenty percent is something to scream about... it just doesn't happen very often. Simply, we're seeing the best economic opportunity to own a new Dehler in several years' time. Ready when you are!

...Dehler 29 and Dehler 36SQ Continue Their Winning Ways
The sexy little red boat at right is Cala Ventinove, Uwe Wenzel's Dehler 29. Uwe has been racing CV competitively for as long as we can remember, collecting his share of silver in the process. He recently added the 2010 German National Championship to the trophy case, winning ORC II. Well done, Uwe and crew.

We have to make special mention of the terrific Dehler 29, which entered "Mk2" status earlier this year, following a cosmetic update inside and out. Unaltered is the Dehler 29's uncanny ability to belie her relatively compact dimensions. This remains a smallish boat that feels, "lives" and is built like a larger boat. The 29 has earned our undying respect.

Meanwhile, in Sweden, Shakira, a Dehler 36SQ, took home the gold in ORC "INT" during the Sandhamn Open, a pre-regatta for the fabled Round Gotland Race. The Open includes two inshore races, and one offshore.