The Hood 38 Wauquiez is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion.
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 30.0′, the Hood 38 Wauquiez tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.0′ LWL = 7.3 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
17.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
47.2%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
385
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
41.5
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.66
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
13.9
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
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
41.5
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.66
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 Hood 38 Wauquiez 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
Cabo Rico 38
180s/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° |
3.0 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.3 kts),
SA/D (17.4), 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 Hood 38 Wauquiez — 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 Hood 38 Wauquiez.
|
Hood 38 Wauquiez |
C&C 38 |
Cabo Rico 38 |
Catalina 38 |
Hallberg Rassy 382 |
Tartan 3800 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.1 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
| LWL |
30.0 |
— |
29.3 |
31.5 |
31.2 |
31.0 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
— |
11.5 |
12.2 |
11.9 |
12.4 |
| Displacement |
23 |
— |
21 |
16 |
19,841 |
16 |
| Ballast |
11 |
— |
7 |
6 |
8,598 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
— |
— |
969 |
665 |
758 |
665 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
111 |
180 |
114 |
— |
114 |
| SA/Disp |
17.4 |
— |
20.5 |
16.7 |
16.6 |
16.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
47.2 |
— |
37.1 |
42.8 |
43.3 |
43.8 |
| Comfort |
41.5 |
— |
39.4 |
26.3 |
33.9 |
26.1 |
| Capsize |
1.66 |
— |
1.67 |
1.94 |
1.77 |
1.98 |
| Hull Speed |
7.3 |
— |
7.3 |
7.5 |
7.5 |
7.5 |