The Island Trader 38 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, 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 30.3′, the Island Trader 38 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.3′ LWL = 7.4 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
219s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
10.3
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
26.5%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
422
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
46.0
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.62
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
9.3
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
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
46.0
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
1.62
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 Island Trader 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Tartan 38
114s/nm
Hunter 37
117s/nm
Alberg 37
162s/nm
Ct 38
162s/nm
Csy 37
186s/nm
Island Trader 38
219s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
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° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.5 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (10.3), 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 Island Trader 38 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Island Trader 38.
|
Island Trader 38 |
Alberg 37 |
Csy 37 |
Ct 38 |
Hunter 37 |
Tartan 38 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.3 |
37.2 |
37.3 |
37.3 |
37.2 |
37.3 |
| LWL |
30.3 |
26.5 |
29.2 |
32.5 |
30.9 |
28.5 |
| Beam |
12.0 |
10.2 |
12.0 |
11.8 |
12.5 |
11.8 |
| Displacement |
26 |
16 |
22 |
29 |
14 |
15 |
| Ballast |
7 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
5 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
567 |
646 |
610 |
900 |
641 |
667 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
219 |
162 |
186 |
162 |
117 |
114 |
| SA/Disp |
10.3 |
15.8 |
12.5 |
15.2 |
17.2 |
17.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
26.5 |
38.7 |
38.6 |
31.3 |
40.0 |
— |
| Comfort |
46.0 |
39.8 |
39.3 |
50.3 |
31.8 |
28.4 |
| Capsize |
1.62 |
1.59 |
1.72 |
1.53 |
1.82 |
1.90 |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
6.9 |
7.2 |
7.6 |
7.3 |
7.2 |