Introduced in 1997, this German-built cruiser from J&J Design represents Bavaria's commitment to creating spacious, comfortable sailing yachts for coastal and moderate offshore adventures. At just under 40 feet overall, the Holiday 38 offers an appealing blend of performance and livability that has made it popular among European cruising sailors. The boat's fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the fractional sloop rig delivers versatile sailing characteristics suitable for both relaxed coastal cruising and more spirited passages. With a moderate displacement of 16,094 pounds and healthy ballast ratio, the Holiday 38 strikes a good balance between stability and performance. The comfort ratio of 24.21 indicates a motion that's quite comfortable for extended cruising, while the capsize screening value of 1.99 suggests reasonable offshore capability for experienced crews. Bavaria's reputation for maximizing interior volume is evident in this design, with the 12.53-foot beam providing generous accommodations below. The fiberglass construction follows Bavaria's established standards for durability and value. While not a speed demon, the Holiday 38's hull speed of 7.79 knots and moderate sail-area-to-displacement ratio make it a capable passage-maker for crews prioritizing comfort and seaworthiness over racing performance.
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What is the Bavaria Holiday 38's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Bavaria Holiday 38 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.65. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Bavaria Holiday 38's comfort ratio?
The Bavaria Holiday 38 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 24.21. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Bavaria Holiday 38 safe for offshore sailing?
The Bavaria Holiday 38 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.99. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Bavaria Holiday 38?
The theoretical hull speed of the Bavaria Holiday 38 is 7.79 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Bavaria Holiday 38 weigh?
The Bavaria Holiday 38 has a displacement of 16,094.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 39.30 ft.
Who designed the Bavaria Holiday 38?
The Bavaria Holiday 38 was designed by J&J Design, first built in 1997.