Wilderness 38

Designed by renowned naval architect Gary Mull and built by Wilderness Yachts starting in 1979, this 38-footer represents a thoughtful balance between performance and practicality. With its moderate displacement of 9,000 pounds and generous sail area of 596 square feet, the Wilderness 38 delivers spirited sailing characteristics while maintaining reasonable stability for coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling and good upwind performance, hallmarks of Mull's design philosophy during this era. At 38.25 feet overall with a 30-foot waterline, the boat offers a respectable hull speed of 7.34 knots, while the substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio of 50% ensures adequate stability for extended cruising. The comfort ratio of 15.65 suggests a relatively stiff, quick motion that favors performance over pure comfort, making this boat particularly appealing to sailors who prioritize sailing ability. The capsize screening value of 2.31 indicates reasonable offshore capability, though the design is best suited for coastal cruising and club racing. Gary Mull's reputation for creating well-balanced designs that don't compromise sailing performance makes the Wilderness 38 an attractive option for sailors seeking a capable, versatile cruiser-racer from the late 1970s era.

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