The Ontario 38 is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.3 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 30.0′, the Ontario 38 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.
PHRF Rating
102s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Displacement / Length
243
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
25.5
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.96
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
7.3kts
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
25.5
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
1.96
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 Ontario 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Wylie 38
Ontario 38
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Endeavour 38
Pearson 385
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Ontario 38.
| Ontario 38 | Bristol 388 | Endeavour 38 | Hood 38 Wauquiez | Pearson 385 | Wylie 38 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 38.2 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.1 | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| LWL | 30.0 | 30.6 | 32.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 31.7 |
| Beam | 12.0 | 12.1 | 12.5 | 11.8 | 11.6 | 11.4 |
| Displacement | 14 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 9 |
| Ballast | — | 9 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 5 |
| Sail Area | — | 744 | 704 | — | 615 | 667 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 102 | — | 132 | — | 180 | 69 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.7 | 16.7 | 17.4 | 13.2 | 23.9 |
| Bal/Disp | — | 47.0 | 39.8 | 47.2 | — | 53.7 |
| Comfort | 25.5 | 32.6 | 27.8 | 41.5 | 37.5 | 17.0 |
| Capsize | 1.96 | 1.81 | 1.93 | 1.66 | 1.69 | 2.16 |
| Hull Speed | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.5 |