Built between 1948 and 1959 by the renowned Kettenburg Marine yard in San Diego, this classic 38-footer represents the golden age of American yacht design when craftsmanship and sailing performance went hand in hand. Designer Paul Kettenburg created just 40 of these elegant wooden sloops, making them relatively rare gems in today's classic boat market. The design showcases Kettenburg's expertise in blending traditional construction with progressive sailing characteristics. Her fractional sloop rig and fin keel configuration deliver responsive handling and respectable performance, while the moderate displacement of 12,000 pounds provides stability without sacrificing speed potential. With a hull speed of 6.81 knots and sail area-to-displacement ratio of 17.18, she offers spirited sailing suitable for coastal cruising and club racing. The comfort ratio of 39.41 indicates excellent motion characteristics in a seaway, while the capsize screening formula of 1.4 reflects good stability margins for offshore passages. These boats have earned respect among classic yacht enthusiasts for their solid construction, timeless lines, and predictable sailing manners. Well-maintained examples make excellent platforms for both weekend coastal adventures and longer cruising passages, embodying the best traditions of West Coast yacht building.
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What is the Kettenburg 38's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Kettenburg 38 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.18. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Kettenburg 38's comfort ratio?
The Kettenburg 38 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 39.41. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Kettenburg 38 safe for offshore sailing?
The Kettenburg 38 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.4. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Kettenburg 38?
The theoretical hull speed of the Kettenburg 38 is 6.81 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Kettenburg 38 weigh?
The Kettenburg 38 has a displacement of 12,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 38.00 ft.
Who designed the Kettenburg 38?
The Kettenburg 38 was designed by Paul Kettenburg, first built in 1948.