Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.9 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 26.7′, the Northeast 38 1 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.7′ LWL = 6.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
37.5%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Hull Speed
6.9kts
S# (Speed Number)
1.1
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Northeast 38 1 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Yankee 38
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Northeast 38 1.
| Northeast 38 1 | Northeast 38 2 | Northeast 38 3 | Sigma 38 Ss | Swan 38 Ss 1 Ton | Yankee 38 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.2 |
| LWL | 26.7 | 26.7 | 26.7 | 27.5 | 28.7 | 28.8 |
| Beam | 10.9 | 10.9 | 10.9 | 10.3 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Displacement | 16 | 13 | 13 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
| Ballast | 6 | — | — | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Sail Area | — | 628 | 628 | 662 | — | 638 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | — | 120 |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.2 | 18.2 | 14.9 | — | 16.1 |
| Bal/Disp | 37.5 | — | — | — | 38.8 | 45.8 |
| Comfort | — | 27.6 | 27.6 | 43.1 | — | 29.4 |
| Capsize | — | 1.86 | 1.86 | 1.54 | — | 1.87 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.9 | 6.9 | 7.0 | — | 7.2 |