Media Review - Dehler

BOAT Testdehler35 yachtPHOTOS ALLAN WHITINGWINDS OF CHANGE...WINDS OF CHANGE...The German-made Dehler 35 boasts legendary fit andfinish, lively performance, solid construction, and greatlocal backing, discovers wind-swept ALLAN WHITING130 tradeaboat.com.au tradeaboat.com.au 131

oatTest[DEALER PROFILE: Team Windcraft]› Although it’s difficult to imagine theAustralian yacht scene without theHanse brand, that’s pretty much how itwas in 1999. Peter Hrones, founder andmanaging director of Team Windcraftis delighted with the decision he made11 years ago in the small boatbuildingtown of Greifswald, on Germany’s BalticCoast, to import Hanse Yachts.That’s how Team Windcraft began andalthough Hanse remains the company’shighest sales volume brand to date,with more than 200 deliveries, it alsodistributes Moody, Dehler, Halberg-Rassy and Dragonfly yachts, andFjord motorcruisers. Also, while thecompany’s head office remains inSydney’s Pittwater, there are officesin Sydney’s Middle Harbour, and inMelbourne, the Sunshine Coast and NZ.So, what’s the secret to Team Windcraft’ssuccess? We managed to get most of thePittwater gang together and discoveredhow it is structured. The company worksa tad like a swimming duck, with highlyvisible, calm sales and office staff as firstcustomer contact, backed-up by a lowerprofile,highly-skilled support crew.“What makes us different from mostdealerships is that we do everythingin-house,” said Hrones. “That was myaim right from the start, but, obviously,that didn’t happen until the companywas selling enough boats to justifythe costs.“We don’t need sub-contractors for thework we do, commissioning new boats,fitting locally-supplied options andrefurbishing used boats: wehave qualified, experiencedstaff in Team Windcraft, whoknow the boats and haveon-line access to all thefactory information.“This saves the customertime and money, because werun our service section as abreak-even department, whereas subcontractorshave to show a profit.“We’re also blessed with being locatedat the Bayview Slipway, where the crewhas the same dedication to excellencethat we do — it’s a great relationship.“Another important distinction we makeis to treat used-boat buyers exactly thesame as our new-boat customers —they’re all part of the Team Windcraftfamily,” he said.Trade-a-Boat has experienced the familyfunaspect of being part of the TeamWindcraft customer base, when we’veattended a couple of their rallies. Thebrand and company loyalty is obviousamong Team Windcraft clients.Pittwater boat buyers soon get to knowPeter Hrones, Bob Vinks, Mary Bickleyand David Stiles. Sydney people willmeet Tim Vine, John Cowpe and GregCockle. Sunshine Coast customers comeacross Nick Cox and Col Thomas, andthe hardy souls who sail on Port Phillipencounter Roger Poulter, but they won’tnecessarily meet the Pittwater-basedservice guys until after purchase.Allan Bridge, a commercial skipper,oversees customer-care, includingSome of Team Windcraft's Pittwater crew(L-R): Dave Griffin, Kurt Ottowa, AllanBridge, Nick Jones and Ric Hawkins.fostering Team Windcraft's extendedfamily. He also has the unenviable job oforganising boat shows and other events.Nick Jones is after-sales manager,with a shipwright background and hasdeveloped innovative systems to helpcustomers with their servicing needs.Dave Griffin is a long-time, thirdgenerationboatbuilder and surveyor,with international experience,specialising in pre-delivery locally aswell as in Team Windcraft’s interstate andoverseas markets.Kurt Ottawa is the newest kid onthe block and gets involved in justabout everything!What’s obvious with Team Windcraftis the absolute focus on the customer,from initial enquiry, through boatpurchase, servicing and subsequentpurchases. The crew is most proud ofthe fact that almost all of the company’scustomers over the past 11 years are still“part of Team Windcraft”.pads are already moulded in placefor those who prefer a Germanmainsheet system to aft winches.The slightly overlapping standardjib is sheeted well inboard, sothe boat climbed willingly towindward, settling in at around6.5 to 7kts in 12 to 20kts of gustywind. Jib winches proved powerfulenough to allow rapid sheetingafter tacking.With the main dumped throughheavy puffs the Dehler 35 droppedlittle speed, churning along underjib power alone. Eased sheets hadher flying along under two sails at9kts-plus.Cockpit design has focussed onease of crew movement and linehandling. There are no sharpedgedmouldings and hikingon the coaming is made ascomfortable as possible by smoothouter edges and top surfaces.Bracing slots for sailing shoeheels on the cockpit benches are anice touch. The toerail is a broadmoulding, so is quite comfortablefor rail sitters.The instruments are located ina panel above the companionway,where everyone can see them. Iwas surprised to see no anti-slipon the coachouse roof, but itsslick surface certainly makes forquick crew transfer during tacks,allowing a rapid bum-slide fromone rail to the other, without anychance of anti-slip tearing thebackside out of racing britches.The Dehler 35 is deceptive,because it looks quite cruisysitting at a mooring and is nicelyappointed below decks. However,it has the potential to embarrassmany 40-footers around the cans.Facts& figuresPERFORMANCEOff the rack, a Dehler 35 canprovide satisfying club racing,combined with no-compromisecruising fun. Optional packages makeher much more competitive or more fastcruisingoriented. But while this soundcruiser/racer is easily handled by a smallcrew, with a full-race package and morehands you can mix it with the 40-footers.PRICE AS TESTED$259,000OPTIONS FITTEDEngine upgrade, cockpit cushions, twoadditional AGM batteries, radio/CDplayer with saloon and cockpit speakers,VHF preparation, TackTick wirelessinstrument pack, spray dodger, anchorkit, and mooring kitPRICED FROM$249,000GENERALTYPE: KeelboatMATERIAL: Balsa-cored laminate deckand hull, laminated togetherLENGTH OVERALL: 10.51mWATERLINE LENGTH: 9.38mBEAM: 3.49mDRAFT: 1.95m (standard);2.05m (optional)MAST HEIGHT: 17.82mWEIGHT: 5520kgCAPACITIESLAYOUT: Two double cabins, one headFUEL: 83ltWATER: 130ltDEHLER 35SAILSMAINSAIL: 39.3m²HEADSAIL: 32.9m²GENNAKER: 91m²SPINNAKER: 106m²ENGINEMAKE/MODEL: Yanmar 3YM20; VolvoD2-30 (optional)TYPE: SaildriveRATED KW/HP: 16 / 20; 20 / 27(optional)SUPPLIED BYWindcraft Australia,Bayview Anchorage Marina,1714 Pittwater Road,Bayview, NSW, 2104Phone: (02) 9979 1709Fax: (02) 9979 2027Email: boats@windcraft.com.auWebsite: www.windcraft.com.auFINAL REPORTThe Dehler 35 is a strongly madeperformance cruiser/racer that canbe specified to suit individual owners’requirements. She performs well instandard trim, but can be optioned to ahigher level than many of its competitors.Fit and finish is legendary, yet the priceis right. And with great local backingunder the Team Windcraft banner, thiswell-respected brand should enjoy a newlease on life in Australia.The moulded head/shower (above),with traditional teak grate, is roomy.Unlike other yachts, the companionwayand heavily insulated engine cover (left)lift off for maintenance.136 tradeaboat.com.au tradeaboat.com.au 137