2003 Dettling

As it turns out, the vision for a large, safe and comfortable vessel that could be handled easily by a couple, produced what is arguably one of the best cruising yachts in its class.The Deep-V hull is a C. Raymond Hunt design that offers efficient performance and range from twin 450-hp Cummins diesels with ZF V-Drive transmissions. With its 14-foot, 5-inch beam and 4-foot +/- draft, the boat delivers an easy 19 to 20-knot cruise and a top-end near 24 knots. The Deep-V hull is a C. Raymond Hunt design that offers efficient performance and range from twin 450-hp Cummins diesels with ZF V-Drive transmissions. With its 14-foot, 5-inch beam and 4-foot +/- draft, the boat delivers an easy 19 to 20-knot cruise and a top-end near 24 knots. The Dettling 51's profile and sheer are timeless and distinctive, combining traditional good looks, unmatched sea-keeping ability and performance, with excellent cruising comfort. It's safety appointments, right down to the 15-inch-wide side decks with tall handrails, are still leading edge and precisely what a serious cruising couple would look for in a liveaboard vessel for coastal waters. Inside the enclosed pilothouse, with a bench style helm that will easily seat 3 adults comfortably, the helm is to starboard and surrounded with large 1/4" thick laminated glass windows for great 360 degree visibility. There is a second compact command station to port that’s handy when approaching a dock on that side. Redundancy of certain systems helps make the vessel easy for a couple to handle, but one of the most unique "Dettling features" is the opening skylight that lets you access a waterproof box on the roof, which contains another set of controls. Imagine how convenient this would be entering an anchorage in fog, or navigating Bahamian waters, where the colors of the sand bottom can guide you.In the salon, headroom is 6 feet, 6 inches. Forward and down a few steps is a galley. While many boats in this size range try to fit in three staterooms, the Dettling 51 has two, for more comfort and privacy. The master stateroom is forward of the galley, amidship, so no water slapping the hull, with 6 feet, 6 inches of headroom, and the ensuite head forward of that in the bow. The guest stateroom is aft of the salon, with an ensuite head. The laundry area with washer and dryer is located here as well.A very notable design feature of a Dettling 51 is that the Teak deck aft is completely and easily removeable, should the need arise to replace an engine or generator.The Dettling 51 is a very intelligent design with excellent engineering, as well as fine detailing, very fine joiner-work, and finishes. These Dettling 51s are well-designed, and very well-built yachts for experienced boaters, and they perform every bit as well as they look. If you find one while walking the docks, talk to its owners. They’ll be happy to tell you how to enjoy it as much as they do. 

General Description

The “Blue Zone” is #12 of 17 built and is currently the only Dettling 51 available on the brokerage market. There have been two other Dettling 51s sold in 2026! 

The Dettling 51 Pilothouse has superb visibility and comfortable raised seating for three in the Pilothouse. The helm and operational instruments are to starboard, allowing guests to come and go, without disrupting the person at the helm. There is a large sliding overhead hatch just above the helm that provides access to a compact concealed control station and instrument panel on the cabin top, so one can stand on the pilot house dashboard and navigate from the outside position. This can be very handy in a tight anchorage or when navigating the shallow waters of the Bahamas. There is also an additional shift & throttle control on the Port side of the Pilothouse to help when docking Port side to the dock.

The overall deck space is very user friendly, with wide side decks and hand height stainless steel handrails. The spacious foredeck provides plenty of space for line handling and anchoring. The Pilothouse hard top accommodates Tender stowage and davit.

One of the best features onboard the “Blue Zone” is the Teak aft deck with a beautiful folding Teak table on a fixed pedestal mount, and four very comfortable folding deck chairs. This area is fully covered by the extended Pilothouse hardtop, so those onboard can enjoy the view from a safe, spacious platform out of sun! This Teak deck is easily removable in three manageable sections should the need arise to do heavy service on the engines or generator! No need to cut up the boat! 

The very high level of craftsmanship seen in the interior joiner work is beautiful and in excellent condition. The cabinetry is teak, with vinyl headliner with teak trim. Ther are several overhead hatches for light and ventilation plus large side windows for enjoying the views while relaxing inside. 

Primary access to the engine room is through a door in the aft cabin but there is a hatch in the aft deck for access by service personnel. A central walkway between the engines also provides easy access to the Generator at the back of the engine room and gives access areas where the 3 AC units, filters, etc. are housed. There are 12 new Sea Dog overhead LED light fixtures which provide great lighting. 

The current (second) owners have made numerous improvements and upgrades over the last three years! The “Blue Zone” is currently in a covered slip and she is ready is turn key and ready to go!  

Equipment and Improvements

Cummins 6CTA 8.3M-3 450HP Engines

New engine motor mounts (2024)

New shaft seals (2024)

New Engine monitors at helm (2024)

Onan 13.5KW Generator (serviced 3/24)

Garmin 17” Chart plotter at helm (2022)

Force 10 Electric Stove (2024)

77 lb. Stainless Steel Ultra Anchor (2022)

Smart TV’s (2023)

Salon upholstery (new 2023)

Custom carpets throughout (2022)

Teak aft deck chairs (2022)

Custom stainless steel grab bars on port, forward cabin top (2024)

Shore power connection at bow with another at the at the stern, which was an expensive option

Fuel transfer switch if equalizing the fuel tank load should become necessary.

“Dettling features” include buttons on the helm console that allow the engines to start with (a) their own individual start batteries, or (b) starting both engines from just one start battery in case of one failure, or (c) starting the engines from the house bank in the event of the failure of both start batteries. 

Another “Dettling feature” is the rain water collection system for the aft water tank. Per the owner “we have never used this, but our friends that own #11 “Cielo”, use it all the time in the Bahamas”.

Interior Accommodations

Pilothouse:

Enter from aft deck through door in aft bulkhead of Pilothouse

Step up to helm & seating

Helm, throttles, full engine gauges, plus electronics to starboard

Upholstered Bench seat aft, (seats 3-4) w/ storage below

Sliding windows on Port, Starboard and aft 

Large windows with windshield wipers forward

Window covers (2022)

Sliding hatch overhead with access to console instrument panel on cabin top, including auto pilot, throttle and bow thruster controls.

Large platform/dashboard(port of helm) & flooring with parquet finish

Fold down step behind dashboard for access to upper controls.

Alternate port side wing station with throttle, auto pilot and bow thruster controls.

Curved staircase to salon

Salon:

Electrical panels, genset panel, speakers to port – on and below stairway

2 x Wicker swivel chairs (re-upholstered 2023)

Upper cabinets behind chairs hinge open and can be used as desks

Lower cabinets for storage.

Teak table & storage drawers between chairs – table top pulls out to create desk/extension

Raised Galley counter/island forward with custom TV mount on bulkhead

L-shaped settee to starboard (re-upholstered 2023) with storage beneath

Salon table – can fold out and be raised for dining or lowered for cocktails

Counter w/ storage forward of settee

Custom ‘wall to wall’ carpet for floor (2022)

Salon lamps designed & made by Virginia artist (2023)

Galley:

Force 10 3-burner electric stove w/ oven & induction cooktop (2024)

Sea Frost top-loading freezer & fridge; air or water-cooled

Separate fresh water spigot at Galley sink dispenses highly filtered for drinking

Ice maker with filtered water supply

Kenmore Microwave

Double Stainless-Steel Sink

Formica counter tops

Extensive storage above and below counter level

Garbage disposal

Aft Cabin:

2-steps down from Salon – midships

Queen, Pullman-style berth - port alcove

Door to Engine room - amidships aft

Vanity with basin, counterspace, mirror, storage – starboard aft

Guest head with separate shower stall, washer and dryer and more storage

Main Stateroom - Forward:

Starboard side storage drawers & hanging lockers

Corner seat & mirror

Walk around Queen bunk, port side

Bedside tables & drawers

Storage below bunk

Bookshelves behind

Opening portlights

Main Stateroom Head:

Vanity w/ basin & storage – Starboard side

Head – forward

Access to forepeak/anchor locker - forward bulkhead

Storage, mirror, counter – forward Port side

Shower stall – Port side

Exterior Details

Aft Deck:

Swim platform with a unique ladder that provides access to the aft deck

Triple stainless steel hand height railings around aft deck

Stainless steel upper railing w/ lifelines below from aft gate to bow

Solid fiberglass hardtop with Teak accent strips (refinished 2023)

Sturdy stainless-steel supports for cockpit roof

Access to engine room through floor hatch for service personnel

Floor hatch to storage locker – just aft of pilothouse door

Teak table - can fold out or be raised/lowered (refinished 2023)

4 Teak folding chairs (2022)

Bench seat – on Pilothouse aft bulkhead

Bench seat cushions (2023)

Storage behind bench seat

Aft deck - side & aft shade awnings (2022)

Side decks & Foredeck:

Side decks with fore and aft boarding gates Port & Starboard 

Expansive Pilothouse cabin top with custom stainless steel hand hold

Deck hatches provide ventilation

Life raft storage for Switlick 6-man life raft

Foredeck lazarette hatches – give access to bow storage

Stainless steel fairleads on bow, port & starboard

Maxwell Electric Windlass

Unique Dettling-designed anchor wash-down system

Stainless steel deck plate below chain

Stainless steel Anchor roller

77lb Ultra Stainless-Steel Anchor (2022) w/ 185’ Chain

66lb Bruce Anchor w/ chain & rode (secondary)

Hard Top:

Step between port & middle windshields

Custom hand holds on cabin top (2024)

Mast from lower deck supported midships

Central hatch

Raised console forward of hatch w/ hinged lid houses shift & throttles, chart plotter, autopilot control head, multi-display, engine start-stop for full operation.

Searchlights on each side of hatch

Horn

GPS antenna

Radar antenna

Custom aluminum arch aft side of over-head hatch (for future Starlink mounting)

Tender 2022 - This is a very unique and very stable 10’8” C330 model, made by Offshore Cruising Tenders in New Zealand, using all Carbon construction and weighing only 86 lbs. without motor. When new in 2022 this tender cost $20,000+, see website - octenders.co.nz/products-oc330

Tender outboard is a 3HP Torqeedo 

Dinghy chocks & tie downs – aft

Dinghy davit – starboard

Electrical

240V/12V system

Bow & Stern 50A Shore power inlets w/ separate breakers

2 x Shore power cables

2 x ProMariner ProSafe 60A Galvanic Isolators

Onan 13.5KW Generator with 3800+/- hours (serviced 10/2025)

Dometic Reverse Cycle Aircon (16 000 BTU each)

3 x Atlantic Marine Products stainless steel water heaters

Batteries:

 3 x 8D AGM House Batteries

 2 x 8D Lifeline Engine Start Batteries (3/24)

 1 x Gr 24 AGM Generator Start Battery

 2 x Gr 31 Bow thruster Batteries

Xantrex Freedom Marine 3012 3000W Inverter/Charger (2023)

ProMariner ProTournament 240 12V/24A Battery Charger

Mastervolt Chargemaster 12/25-3 12V/25A Battery Charger

MarQuip 600lb Dinghy davit on cabin top

Anchor & Deck Lights

Electronics

Simrad AP20 Autopilot w/ pilothouse & upper console repeaters

Garmin GPSMap 8600 17” Chart plotter at helm (2022)

Garmin Chart plotter at upper console

Engine Monitors (2024)

B & G/ Simrad multi displays (2 @helm; 3 on Dashboard; 1@ upper console)

Furuno 48 Mile Radar

Vesper Class B AIS Transponder

ICOM IC-M602 VHF (2023)

ICOM IC-30 VHF

2 x Kenwood KDC-519 Stereos w/ speakers

Samsung 44” Smart TV in Salon - on custom mount (2023)

Vizio 24” Smart TV in Forward cabin

Engine and Mechanical

Cummins 6CTA 8.3M-3 450HP Engines w/ V drives

Engine motor mounts replaced (3/24)

PSS Dripless Seals (3/24)

2 x 23” Bronze, 3-blade propellers (calibrated 2023)

2 x Spare 4-blade propellers (calibrated 2023)

Bennett Marine Trim Tabs

Onan 13.5 KW Generator (serviced 10/2025)

Vetus Bow thruster

Deck and Safety Equipment

Switlick 6-person Life Raft (needs recertification)

EPIRB (2024)

PFD’s

Lifesling & various throwable devices

Flares

Fenders

Dock lines

Disclaimer

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice. All material herein (content) is protected by copyright under US Copyright laws and is the property of The Company. 

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