The Seafarer 38C is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.3′, the Seafarer 38C tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.3′ LWL = 7.0 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
194s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
12.1
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
33.3%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
364
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
36.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.65
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
36.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.65
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 Seafarer 38C sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Ericson 38
126s/nm
Irwin 38 1
138s/nm
Shannon 38
159s/nm
Seafarer 38C
194s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (12.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Seafarer 38C — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Seafarer 38C.
|
Seafarer 38C |
Ericson 38 |
Irwin 38 1 |
Rhodes 38 Seafarer |
Seafarer 38 Ketch |
Shannon 38 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.8 |
37.7 |
37.8 |
37.8 |
37.8 |
37.8 |
| LWL |
27.3 |
30.5 |
27.5 |
27.3 |
27.3 |
30.8 |
| Beam |
10.5 |
12.0 |
10.5 |
10.5 |
10.5 |
11.5 |
| Displacement |
16 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
16 |
18 |
| Ballast |
5 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
| Sail Area |
489 |
709 |
610 |
489 |
659 |
703 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
194 |
126 |
138 |
— |
— |
159 |
| SA/Disp |
12.1 |
19.6 |
15.8 |
12.1 |
16.3 |
16.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
33.3 |
39.3 |
42.2 |
33.3 |
33.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
36.6 |
24.2 |
34.0 |
36.6 |
36.6 |
33.6 |
| Capsize |
1.65 |
2.00 |
1.69 |
1.65 |
1.65 |
1.74 |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
7.4 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.4 |