Dehler projects
Dehler 34This contribution and query is from the owner of a Dehler 34 - it may be of assistance to other pre-Top Dehler 34 owners.
The steering ′bump-stop′ on the 34 is a bracket on an annular ring, fixed to the rudder stock by cap head screws only, through threaded holes. On the pre Top′ models the bracket and ring appears to be of a soft alloy and certainly is not strong enough to withstand a hasty wheel spin while going astern. While the ′Top′ models seem to have a stainless steel version, it is not clear from a brief comparison, whether the bracketry is interchangeable. I know that a jammed rudder incident occurred to a 34 owner because of this weakness and I would like to modify my own system -it would be helpful to know if the later ′Top′equipment would fit - and are the spares available? On my last boat I fitted a Whitlock ′Cobra′ stop at the base of the pedestal, but there does not appear to be space for this on the underside of the Dehler 34 cockpit.
See the Forum for further discussion on this Dehler 35 Several owners are interested in fabricated stemhead units for Deher 35s. We would be very grateful for details of any of these fittings including a photo if possible.
From Harry in Ireland - Interested to see issues with the Dehler Stem Head Roller...... Our Stem Head Roller fitting broke in two last summer while Luise was on her mooring, the break running from between the twin rollers aft and diagonally to port . Photos attached. The mooring cable was lead over the port roller at the time so the broken piece vanished down the cable! Have not been able to establish whether the strains imposed by a summer storm, shortly before it broke, was the reason or if another boat collided with Luise. No other damage apart from some minor gelcoat damage to the stem and just below the fitting, easily fixed. There was a little white substance on the mooring cable which could have been gel coat (but that could have come from Luise), plus a little of some brown substance which could have been teak rubbing (definitely not from Luise). No really conclusive clues there. Not terrible surprised as I never had great faith in the fitting anyway which is (was!) cast aluminium! Found it quite soft when I drilled it to fit pins over the rollers to stop the mooring cable hopping off during wave surges.
Harry Shaw D34 ′Luise′
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