The Aerodyne 38 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 34.2′, the Aerodyne 38 tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.2′ LWL = 7.8 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
39s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
25.4
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
36.9%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
125
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
16.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.32
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
10lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
16.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.32
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Aerodyne 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Aerodyne 38
39s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.5 |
5.6 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.5 |
6.9 |
7.7 |
8.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.1 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.8 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (25.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Aerodyne 38 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Aerodyne 38.
|
Aerodyne 38 |
Beneteau 37 |
Cc 115 |
Cr 371 |
Malo 37 |
Opium 39 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.7 |
37.7 |
37.8 |
37.9 |
37.8 |
37.6 |
| LWL |
34.2 |
34.1 |
33.0 |
30.5 |
31.9 |
36.2 |
| Beam |
13.0 |
12.8 |
11.9 |
10.6 |
11.8 |
13.7 |
| Displacement |
11 |
14 |
11 |
12 |
17 |
12 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
— |
| Sail Area |
795 |
620 |
781 |
688 |
673 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
39 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
25.4 |
17.1 |
24.2 |
20.2 |
15.8 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
36.9 |
30.4 |
35.6 |
42.2 |
33.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
16.2 |
20.6 |
19.5 |
25.9 |
30.5 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.32 |
2.13 |
2.10 |
1.82 |
1.81 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.8 |
7.7 |
7.4 |
7.6 |
— |