The Dehler 42 Standard 2016 vs Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Dehler 42 Standard 2016 at 42,2 ft versus Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011 at 44,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011 tips the scales at 21 385 lbs — 1 323 lbs less than the Dehler 42 Standard 2016 at 20 062 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 42 Standard 2016 and 40 hp for the Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011. 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 44 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Dehler 42 Standard 2016 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 20 062 lbs for the Dehler 42 Standard 2016 and 21 385 lbs for the Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 7,1 ft and 7,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Dehler 42 Standard 2016 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 8,4 knots for the Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011 and 8,2 knots for the Dehler 42 Standard 2016. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Dehler 42 Standard 2016 carries 83 gallons versus 61 gallons on the Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Dehler 42 Standard 2016 and Dehler 45 Deep/Shoal draft 2011 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.