"State of the Art" means different things to different people. To the teams at Simonis/Voogd and Judel/Vrolijk, it means dedicating their lives to blazing new trails and setting the standards in the ever-evolving world of naval architecture. To Dehler, it means striking an ideal balance of modern performance thinking and shapes, and a deep respect for traditional values and seakeeping.
Over the decades, only three naval architecture firms have designed Dehlers, giving them strong bloodlines and character: van de Stadt, Judel/Vrolijk Design and Simonis-Voogd Yacht Design. Famed Dutch designers van de Stadt were responsible for virtually every Dehler produced from the company's inception until the early-1990's, including the legendary DB1 and DB2 from the IOR era.
The creators of some of the most successful IMS, ILC and IRC racing machines, IACC contenders (Alinghi, Bruno Espana), and Whitbread globetrotters, Judel/Vrolijk are equally at home as the minds behind many of the world's custom megayachts. North American sailors will recognize their work for Finland's Baltic Yachts (Baltic 35, 43 and Custom yachts above, oh, 96-feet or so).
Judel/Vrolijk's designs are easy to spot. Their proportions are distinctive, exhibiting taste and aesthetics that are utterly timeless. Wonderfully balanced hull forms and powerful sailplans guarantee that they are as delightful to sail as they are to gaze upon. Deck and interior plans exhibit the ergonomics and attention to detail that draw on a long history of exceptional architecture.
It is thus entirely fitting that such a well-rounded and accomplished group of designers should design for Dehler, a relationship that began with the mid-1990s introduction of the Dehler 33.
Likewise, Alexander Simonis and Maarten Voogd are no strangers to the world of high-performance sailing, having designed the state-of-the-art maxi Nicorette, winner of the challenging Sydney-Hobart race. Their portfolio also includes a wide range of fast and sporting cruising yachts, as well as the series-built MaxFun 25 and MaxFun 35 one-designs.
No builder brings fresh, new designs to life quite like Dehler, whose in-house team makes concept a reality on site in Freienohl. A great deal of engineering talent and resources continually massage the design, and give the Dehler owner access to extensive custom ability.
A constant innovator from Day One, it's this team that applies practical lessons to the invention of systems and features that make sailing faster, safer, more convenient and comfortable.
A better boat begins with better tooling, and Dehler is known for perfectly-executed molds. This extra level of attention can be seen everywhere on a Dehler; everything seems to fit "just right," and the lovely little molded details and crisp contours speak for themselves. Dehler's molds are the first step in a highly-refined, precise method of yachtbuilding that is unlike almost any other in the industry.
