Designed by renowned naval architect Philip L. Rhodes and built by Seafarer Yachts beginning in 1971, this traditional ketch represents classic American cruising yacht design from the golden age of fiberglass boatbuilding. The staysail ketch rig configuration provides excellent balance and sail handling options, making it particularly appealing for shorthanded sailing and extended cruising. With her long keel design and substantial 16,500-pound displacement, this vessel prioritizes seaworthiness and comfort over speed. The impressive comfort ratio of 36.6 reflects Rhodes' emphasis on creating a stable, comfortable platform for offshore passages, while the conservative capsize screening formula of 1.65 indicates excellent stability characteristics for ocean sailing. The fiberglass hull with balsa-cored deck construction offers a good balance of strength and weight savings. The ketch's sail plan totaling 659 square feet is well-proportioned for the boat's size, providing manageable sail handling while maintaining adequate power for various wind conditions. Her 7-knot hull speed and traditional underbody make this boat ideal for serious coastal and offshore cruising rather than racing. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio contributes to her reputation as a dependable, well-mannered sea boat that prioritizes safety and comfort over performance.
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What is the Seafarer 38 Ketch's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Seafarer 38 Ketch has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.33. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Seafarer 38 Ketch's comfort ratio?
The Seafarer 38 Ketch has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 36.6. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Seafarer 38 Ketch safe for offshore sailing?
The Seafarer 38 Ketch has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.65. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Seafarer 38 Ketch?
The theoretical hull speed of the Seafarer 38 Ketch is 7.00 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Seafarer 38 Ketch weigh?
The Seafarer 38 Ketch has a displacement of 16,500.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 37.75 ft.
Who designed the Seafarer 38 Ketch?
The Seafarer 38 Ketch was designed by Philip L. Rhodes, first built in 1971.