The Beneteau Moorings 38 is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 31.3′, the Beneteau Moorings 38 tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.3′ LWL = 7.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
33.4%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
211
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
23.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.03
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
7.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
23.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.03
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 Beneteau Moorings 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Catalina 380
Pearson 385
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Beneteau Moorings 38.
| Beneteau Moorings 38 | Catalina 380 | First 38S5 Beneteau | Morgan 381 Catalina | Oceanis 381 Beneteau | Pearson 385 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 38.3 | 38.4 | 38.3 | 38.1 | 38.2 | 38.3 |
| LWL | 31.3 | 32.4 | 31.3 | 32.0 | 32.8 | 30.0 |
| Beam | 12.3 | 12.3 | 12.3 | 12.5 | 12.8 | 11.6 |
| Displacement | 14 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 20 |
| Ballast | 4 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 9 |
| Sail Area | — | 723 | 670 | 700 | 667 | 615 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 120 | — | — | — | 180 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.3 | 18.1 | 16.5 | 16.4 | 13.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 33.4 | 35.8 | 33.4 | 39.8 | 33.3 | — |
| Comfort | 23.7 | 30.2 | 23.7 | 27.6 | 24.7 | 37.5 |
| Capsize | 2.03 | 1.85 | 2.03 | 1.93 | 2.01 | 1.69 |
| Hull Speed | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.3 |