The Dehler 38 Standard 2013 vs Dehler 42 Standard 2016 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Dehler 42 Standard 2016 measures 42,2 feet overall (2016), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Dehler 38 Standard 2013 at 38,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Dehler 42 Standard 2016 tips the scales at 20 062 lbs — 4 189 lbs less than the Dehler 38 Standard 2013 at 15 873 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 38 hp for the Dehler 38 Standard 2013 and 38 hp for the Dehler 42 Standard 2016. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 42 gal and 42 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Dehler 42 Standard 2016 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Dehler 38 Standard 2013 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Dehler 42 Standard 2016 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Dehler 42 Standard 2016 displaces 20 062 lbs — a 4 189-lb difference over the Dehler 38 Standard 2013 at 15 873 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 6,7 ft and 7,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Dehler 38 Standard 2013 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 8,2 knots for the Dehler 42 Standard 2016 and 7,8 knots for the Dehler 38 Standard 2013.
Bottom line: The Dehler 42 Standard 2016 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 20 062 lbs displacement and 42 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Dehler 38 Standard 2013 at 15 873 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.