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Durbeck 38
 ·  Builder: Durbeck's Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1977
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About the Durbeck 38

Built by Durbeck's Inc. starting in 1977, this substantial 38-footer represents classic American fiberglass construction from an era when cruising sailboats prioritized seaworthiness over speed. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling options and balanced power distribution, making it well-suited for both coastal cruising and offshore passages. With its traditional long keel and transom-hung rudder arrangement, the Durbeck 38 offers predictable handling characteristics and excellent tracking ability. The generous beam of 11.33 feet provides ample interior volume, while the moderate draft of 5 feet allows access to most cruising destinations without sacrificing stability. At 24,000 pounds displacement with 7,000 pounds of ballast, this is a substantial vessel that won't be easily overwhelmed by challenging conditions. The comfort ratio of 45.31 indicates exceptional motion comfort at sea, making extended passages more pleasant for the crew. Meanwhile, the capsize screening formula of 1.57 suggests good stability characteristics for offshore work. While not designed for racing with its modest sail area of 635 square feet, the Durbeck 38 excels as a capable cruising platform that prioritizes safety, comfort, and reliability over pure performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.83 ft / 9.09 m
Beam 11.33 ft / 3.45 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 24,000.00 lb / 10,886 kg
Ballast 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 635.00 ft² / 58.99 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Builder Durbeck's Inc. (USA)
First Built 1977
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Performance Ratios
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
 12.26
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
 29.17
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
 403.65
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
 45.31
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
 1.57
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. 7.32 kn
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. 1,207.62 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 60 gals / 227 L
Water Capacity 120 gals / 454 L
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