Boat Overview
The Dehler 34 Top Nova is a well-regarded sailing yacht known for its excellent build quality, performance, and versatility. Built by the reputable German shipyard Dehler, it combines the performance of a racer with the comfort of a cruiser. The Top Nova variant features upgraded rigging, superior deck hardware, and a refined interior, making it a more desirable version of the standard 34. Its solid fiberglass hull, thoughtful layout, and quality craftsmanship ensure durability and ease of maintenance. With responsive handling and a balanced sail plan, it performs confidently in a variety of conditions, appealing to both seasoned sailors and cruising enthusiasts. The interior offers comfortable accommodations for extended trips, with smart storage and a practical galley. The Dehler 34 Top Nova is a strong choice for sailors seeking a capable, well-built, and stylish yacht.
Mechanical
Engine:
Yanmar 3YM20 - 2010
18HP
Shaft drive
Kanzaki gearbox.
Engine regularly serviced and reliable
Darglow Flexofold 18" bronze propeller - 2022
Flexible coupling, prop shaft, and shaft clamp - 2022
Disc type rope cutter fitted.
S/S P-bracket.
Sillette dripless stern seal (with breather tube) fitted to stern tube - 2022.
S/S fuel tank secure under stbd cockpit locker. Delphi type primary fuel/water separator/filter
Electrical
12v DC system:
Distribution via switches in original central chart table panel.
Voltage and Fuel tank meters on central panel.
2 x 12v heavy duty 110Ah domestic batteries installed under stbd settee berth
55Ah (engine start) battery under the aft cabin berth - 2025.
Internal LED Lighting - 2022
240v AC mains system:
Mains consumer MCB/RCD unit fitted under chart table.
This feeds a basic socket circuit and the installed 2 channel battery charger in saloon.
Shorepower lead
Navigation
Raymarine ST50 Wind, depth & log displays on cockpit bulkhead, plus autopilot wheel control unit display. Raymarine masthead anemometer unit (Note: Fault just developed in masthead wind element).
Raymarine Wheelpilot with controller and computer
Garmin 120 GPS.
Garmin EchoMap 45-Plus Chartplotter at pedestal with secondary mounting by chart table.
Cobra DSC VHF linked to Garmin GPS.
Plastimo pedestal steering compass - 2022.
Firdell type Radar Reflector on mast.
LED bulbs masthead Tri and anchor light - 2022.
Sails, Spars and Rigging
7/8th fractional rig with good section silver anodised alloy mast.
Single swept back aerofoil spreaders.
Slab reefing main with stackpack
Selden 200S Genoa Furlex fitted - 2017.
Boom fitted for 2 x single line reefs.
The mast was taken ashore for re-rigging, survey, and refit in 2023.
Telescopic Selden Spinnaker pole secure on deck.
Standing rigging replaced 2022/23 with 7mm* 1x19 stainless steel wire
The backstay is split aft by a multipart sheave system with a 4 part hauler assembly to port - 2022.
Halyards replaced 2022 (Dyneema main halyard).
Single line reefing system.
Lines led aft
Mainsheet track secure across cockpit.
32mm alloy genoa tracks on side decks.
Sails:
Main - Sanders 2005 Mainsail. Has been regularly serviced.
Genoa - Kemps 130% 2017. Fully serviced and with new 2025 UV Strip
Trysail
Hank-on Storm Jib
Interior & Domestic
6 berths in 2 cabins plus saloon
1 x manual Jabsco heads
Hot and cold pressurised water system with new calorifier - 2023
Diesel warm air heater installed 2022 feeding all 3 cabins. Controller in Saloon
Good sized navigator’s area to stbd with chart table, instrument panels and movable seat.
L-shaped galley to port with large split S/S sink
Neptune S/S Cooker in the galley
Isotherm Fridge - Evaporator plate and compressor unit serviced 2023/2024
Moulded Cream coloured headlining with inset fabric panels.
Doors to forecabin, heads, and aft cabin. (Aft cabin door currently removed and ashore in storage).
Dark teak faced saloon flooring in good order.
Deck
Whitlock pedestal mounted steering wheel
GRP deck with teak planked panels in cockpit
Alloy double bow roller stem-head fitting.
Recessed forward deck anchor locker with hinged triangular door.
25Lbs CQR type anchor, with around 30m of 8mm galvanised chain cable.
Small kedge anchor with warp and chain.
Vertical Ital electric windlass - 2022. Plug-In cable unit with hand control.
6 x Self-tailing Harken winches (cockpit coamings and coachroof).
Fwd, Aft, and Midships Cleats (fitted 2022) and fairleads.
Folding S/S boarding ladder aft.
Large opening cockpit locker lid/seat to stbd.
Opening central stern section to aft transom coaming area
Large aft (lazarette) stowage areas
Safety
2 x manual bilge pumps
Fire extinguishers in galley, fore cabin, and engine. CO + smoke alarms - 2023
Dan buoy with horseshoe lifebuoy (2022) and light rigged astern.
Deck jackstay lifelines.
Emergency tiller in stern locker.
Gas solenoid/cut-off/alarm system fitted.
CO alarm fitted.
Canvas
2 bar acrylic Sprayhood.
Light grey Sanders 4-leg lazyjack type mainsail stackpack system - 2022.
Construction
Keel:
The vessel has a bolted-on streamlined cast-iron fin keel with hull flange.
The keel is of the later design type with most of the weight carried low down giving greater stiffness.
Hull below Waterline:
Medium displacement hull with streamlined semi-balanced spade rudder.
GRP construction.
Internally the hull is stiffened by a large amount of secondary mouldings throughout.
Topsides:
She has a relatively low profile hull with attractive sheer and well raked fine bow section.
Curved and sloped reverse transom with opening centre section.
Deck:
Off white/light grey gelcoat deck surfaces with inset non-slip painted TBS panels.
The moulded GRP deck is largely of sandwich construction.
Side and fore decks are very generous in area and there is a good sized raised moulded bulwark at the outer edges.
Coachroof:
Relatively narrow coachroof with sloping sides and tapered fore-end.
Coachroof finished in off-white/light grey gelcoat.
Black acrylic handrails on coachroof.
The mast heel is stepped on a cast alloy base-plate on the saloon roof.
Mast compression loadings are taken via a substantial metal post mid saloon.
Miscellaneous
2 x shaft anodes fitted.
Gaz Gas bottle and small bottle-top regulator in storage area to stbd of transom aft locker.
Recent gas hose. 1 Gaz bottle fitted.
Gas fed to a stopcock in the aft cabin
Documentation
Evidence of 5 years clear title - Bills of Sale from 2015
Evidence of VAT status - Company VAT invoice - 2015
SSR certificate - expires Sept 2027
Owners Comments
The vessel is a 1993 fin keeled, aft cockpit DEHLER 34 fast cruiser/racer sloop. The Dehler 34 VDS is regarded as a yacht with excellent sea keeping qualities coupled with practical accommodation. They are equally at home racing around the cans or more extensive cruising. The class has evolved over the years from the original and highly successful 1980s racing DB1 hull by the Van de Stadt (VDS) design team. Several variants were produced with different internal layouts and keel configurations. TRANONA is the final 1990’s ‘Top Nova’ version with slightly taller rig and streamlined keel and rudder. She has an opening cockpit transom, aft cabin, and good wide side decks while still managing to provide 5 or 6 berths, good headroom in the saloon, a fixed chart table, good galley and heads compartment. The saloon has a central table and the settees make good sea berths. The cockpit is deep and well-protected and the coamings are angled comfortably.