What is the Ct 38's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Ct 38 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.18. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Ct 38's comfort ratio?

The Ct 38 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 50.29. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Ct 38 safe for offshore sailing?

The Ct 38 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.53. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Ct 38?

The theoretical hull speed of the Ct 38 is 7.64 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Ct 38 weigh?

The Ct 38 has a displacement of 29,400.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 37.33 ft.

How much does a used Ct 38 cost?

Based on 3 recent market listings, used Ct 38 sailboats typically sell for between $27,500 and $29,500, with a median asking price of $29,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Ct 38 Performance — PHRF, SA/D, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Ct 38 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

7.6 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 32.5′, the Ct 38 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √32.5′ LWL = 7.6 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

162s/nm

Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.

SA / Displacement

15.2

Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.

Ballast / Displacement

31.3%

Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.

Displacement / Length

382

Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.

Comfort Ratio

50.3

Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.

Capsize Screening

1.53

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

7.6kts

Pounds/Inch Immersion

8lbs

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

50.3

Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

1.53

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 Ct 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Heavy Cruiser 210–300

Ericson 381 114s/nm

Tartan 38 114s/nm

Ct 38 162s/nm Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.

Alberg 37 162s/nm

Csy 37 186s/nm

Island Trader 38 219s/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°	2.9	3.6	4.1	4.2
Close Reach60°	3.5	4.4	4.9	5.1
Beam Reach90°	4.3	5.4	6.0	6.3
Broad Reach120–135°	4.0	5.0	5.6	5.8
Run150–180°	3.2	4.0	4.5	4.7

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts), SA/D (15.2), 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 Ct 38 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–7 kts 7–20 kts 20–28 kts 28+ kts

Ghosting

0–7 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

7–20 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

20–28 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

28+ 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 Ct 38.

	Ct 38	Alberg 37	Csy 37	Ericson 381	Island Trader 38	Tartan 38
Dimensions
LOA	37.3	37.2	37.3	37.5	37.3	37.3
LWL	32.5	26.5	29.2	30.5	30.3	28.5
Beam	11.8	10.2	12.0	12.0	12.0	11.8
Displacement	29	16	22	14	26	15
Ballast	9	6	8	6	7	7
Sail Area	900	646	610	678	567	667
Performance
PHRF	162	162	186	114	219	114
SA/Disp	15.2	15.8	12.5	18.4	10.3	17.5
Bal/Disp	31.3	38.7	38.6	43.8	26.5	—
Comfort	50.3	39.8	39.3	24.9	46.0	28.4
Capsize	1.53	1.59	1.72	1.98	1.62	1.90
Hull Speed	7.6	6.9	7.2	7.4	7.4	7.2