The Cheoy Lee 38 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, 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 30.7′, the Cheoy Lee 38 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.7′ LWL = 7.4 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
174s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
17.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
271
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
30.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.85
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
14.2
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
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
30.1
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
1.85
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 Cheoy Lee 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Catalina 38
114s/nm
Contest 38
156s/nm
Cheoy Lee 38
174s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Cabo Rico 38
180s/nm
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° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
6.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (17.9), 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 Cheoy Lee 38 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Cheoy Lee 38.
|
Cheoy Lee 38 |
Cabo Rico 38 |
Catalina 38 |
Contest 38 |
Hallberg Rassy 38 |
Offshore 38 Cheoy Lee |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.9 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
37.9 |
| LWL |
30.7 |
29.3 |
31.5 |
27.8 |
31.2 |
30.7 |
| Beam |
12.0 |
11.5 |
12.2 |
11.2 |
11.4 |
12.0 |
| Displacement |
17 |
21 |
16 |
16 |
18 |
18 |
| Ballast |
7 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
— |
| Sail Area |
753 |
969 |
665 |
647 |
651 |
684 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
174 |
180 |
114 |
156 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
17.9 |
20.5 |
16.7 |
15.8 |
14.8 |
15.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
37.1 |
42.8 |
43.1 |
43.5 |
— |
| Comfort |
30.1 |
39.4 |
26.3 |
33.8 |
34.0 |
32.3 |
| Capsize |
1.85 |
1.67 |
1.94 |
1.75 |
1.72 |
1.81 |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
7.3 |
7.5 |
7.1 |
7.5 |
7.4 |