The First 38S5 Beneteau is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 31.3′, the First 38S5 Beneteau 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.
SA / Displacement
18.1
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
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.
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 First 38S5 Beneteau sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tartan 3800
114s/nm
Catalina 380
120s/nm
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° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
6.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Run150–180° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (18.1), 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 First 38S5 Beneteau — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 First 38S5 Beneteau.
|
First 38S5 Beneteau |
Beneteau Moorings 38 |
Catalina 380 |
Imx 38 |
Oceanis 381 Beneteau |
Tartan 3800 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.3 |
38.3 |
38.4 |
— |
38.2 |
38.0 |
| LWL |
31.3 |
31.3 |
32.4 |
31.2 |
32.8 |
31.0 |
| Beam |
12.3 |
12.3 |
12.3 |
12.1 |
12.8 |
12.4 |
| Displacement |
14 |
14 |
19 |
11 |
16 |
16 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
670 |
— |
723 |
910 |
667 |
665 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
120 |
— |
— |
114 |
| SA/Disp |
18.1 |
— |
16.3 |
28.2 |
16.4 |
16.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
33.4 |
33.4 |
35.8 |
52.3 |
33.3 |
43.8 |
| Comfort |
23.7 |
23.7 |
30.2 |
— |
24.7 |
26.1 |
| Capsize |
2.03 |
2.03 |
1.85 |
2.13 |
2.01 |
1.98 |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.5 |
7.6 |
7.5 |
7.7 |
7.5 |