Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 28.7′, the Swan 38 Ss 1 Ton tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.7′ LWL = 7.2 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
38.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
345
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
7.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Swan 38 Ss 1 Ton sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Baltic 38 Dp
Yankee 38
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Swan 38 Ss 1 Ton.
| Swan 38 Ss 1 Ton | Baltic 38 Dp | Farr 38 116 | Sigma 38 Ss | Tailwind 38 | Yankee 38 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 38.3 | 38.1 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.2 | 38.2 |
| LWL | 28.7 | 31.5 | 31.2 | 27.5 | 29.8 | 28.8 |
| Beam | 11.6 | 12.3 | 12.0 | 10.3 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Displacement | 18 | 14 | 10 | 19 | 14 | 16 |
| Ballast | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Sail Area | — | 731 | 685 | 662 | 663 | 638 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 96 | — | — | — | 120 |
| SA/Disp | — | 19.9 | 22.8 | 14.9 | 17.7 | 16.1 |
| Bal/Disp | 38.8 | 45.4 | 38.7 | — | — | 45.8 |
| Comfort | — | 23.3 | 18.0 | 43.1 | 26.1 | 29.4 |
| Capsize | — | 2.03 | 2.19 | 1.54 | 1.95 | 1.87 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 7.2 |