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Baltic 38 Dp
Designer: Doug Peterson  ·  Builder: Baltic Yachts (Fin)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Baltic 38 Dp

Designed by Doug Peterson and built by Finland's respected Baltic Yachts from 1982 to 1989, this 38-foot performance cruiser represents the era when racing-influenced designs began transitioning toward more versatile offshore boats. With only 55 hulls produced during its seven-year run, the Baltic 38 Dp maintains an exclusive presence in today's used boat market. Peterson's design philosophy shines through in the boat's balanced proportions and thoughtful engineering. The fin keel with spade rudder configuration, combined with a sail area to displacement ratio of 19.9, delivers spirited sailing performance while maintaining good directional stability. The deep 7.25-foot draft and substantial 6,500-pound ballast provide excellent upwind ability and offshore confidence, though marina selection becomes more limited. The masthead sloop rig with 731 square feet of sail area offers manageable sail handling for a couple while providing enough power for competitive club racing. With a comfort ratio of 23.32 and capsize screening formula of 2.03, this Baltic strikes an appealing balance between performance and seaworthiness, making it well-suited for serious coastal cruising and offshore passages where sailing ability matters as much as creature comforts.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.08 ft / 11.61 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.50 ft / 9.60 m
Beam 12.33 ft / 3.76 m
Max Draft 7.25 ft / 2.21 m
Displacement 14,330.00 lb / 6,500 kg
Ballast 6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 731.00 ft² / 67.91 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Doug Peterson
Builder Baltic Yachts (FIN)
First Built 1982
Last Built 1989
Number Built 55
Associations Baltic Yachts
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 96
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 19.9
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 45.36
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 204.68
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 23.32
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.03
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.52 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.97
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,387.78 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 19.9
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 52.25 ft / 15.93 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.82 ft / 4.82 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 46.25 ft / 14.10 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.75 ft / 4.19 m
SA Fore 413.30 ft² / 38.40 m²
SA Main 317.97 ft² / 29.54 m²
SA Total (100%) 731.27 ft² / 67.94 m²
Est. Forestay Length 54.59 ft / 16.64 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 3HMF
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 30
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