The Contest 38 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
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 27.8′, the Contest 38 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.8′ LWL = 7.1 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
156s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
15.8
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
43.1%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
351
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
33.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
33.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Contest 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
C&C 38
111s/nm
Catalina 38
114s/nm
Tartan 3800
114s/nm
Hunter 38
123s/nm
Ericson 38
126s/nm
Contest 38
156s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
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° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 kts),
SA/D (15.8), 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 Contest 38 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Contest 38.
|
Contest 38 |
C&C 38 |
Catalina 38 |
Ericson 38 |
Hunter 38 |
Tartan 3800 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
37.7 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
| LWL |
27.8 |
— |
31.5 |
30.5 |
34.7 |
31.0 |
| Beam |
11.2 |
— |
12.2 |
12.0 |
12.9 |
12.4 |
| Displacement |
16 |
— |
16 |
14 |
18,342 |
16 |
| Ballast |
7 |
— |
6 |
5 |
6,128 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
647 |
— |
665 |
709 |
991 |
665 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
156 |
111 |
114 |
126 |
123 |
114 |
| SA/Disp |
15.8 |
— |
16.7 |
19.6 |
22.9 |
16.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
43.1 |
— |
42.8 |
39.3 |
33.4 |
43.8 |
| Comfort |
33.8 |
— |
26.3 |
24.2 |
26.3 |
26.1 |
| Capsize |
1.75 |
— |
1.94 |
2.00 |
1.96 |
1.98 |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
— |
7.5 |
7.4 |
7.9 |
7.5 |