Regarded as one of Britain's finest bluewater cruising yachts, the Rival 38 has earned a devoted following among serious offshore sailors since its introduction in the 1970s. Built by Rival Bowman in the UK, this vessel was designed with one purpose in mind: to take its crew safely and comfortably across oceans, and it has done exactly that on countless passages around the world. The Rival 38 carries a reputation for exceptional build quality and seaworthiness, with a robust hull form that inspires confidence in challenging conditions. Its traditional long-keel design provides directional stability and a forgiving motion at sea, making it a natural choice for extended offshore passages rather than inshore day sailing or racing. The interior is typically well-appointed for liveaboard cruising, prioritising comfort and practicality over racing weight savings. For buyers researching a capable bluewater cruiser with genuine ocean pedigree, the Rival 38 is well worth serious consideration. Examples can vary in condition and fit-out, so a thorough survey is always recommended, but the underlying design and construction reputation remains strong among the cruising community.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
What is the Rival 38's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Rival 38 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.9. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Rival 38's comfort ratio?
The Rival 38 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 33.3. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Rival 38 safe for offshore sailing?
The Rival 38 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.74. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Rival 38?
The theoretical hull speed of the Rival 38 is 7.28 knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Rival 38 weigh?
The Rival 38 has a displacement of 17,280.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 37.58 ft.
Who designed the Rival 38?
The Rival 38 was designed by Peter Brett, first built in 1977.