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Easterly 38
Designer: Mike Brennan  ·  Builder: Easterly (Usa)  ·  First built: 1977
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About the Easterly 38

Designed by Mike Brennan and built by Easterly USA starting in 1977, this 38-foot masthead sloop represents a thoughtful approach to coastal cruising and club racing. The Easterly 38's moderate displacement of 13,500 pounds and fin keel configuration strike an appealing balance between performance and comfort, making her equally at home on weekend coastal passages or Wednesday night races. With a waterline length of 27.42 feet and a theoretical hull speed of 7.02 knots, the boat offers respectable sailing performance enhanced by a sail area to displacement ratio of 16.17. The generous beam of nearly 11 feet provides good interior volume and sailing stability, while the 5.25-foot draft allows access to most harbors while maintaining excellent upwind performance. The solid fiberglass construction reflects the quality standards of the late 1970s, and the boat's comfort ratio of 28.56 suggests a motion that favors performance over ultra-heavy displacement cruising characteristics. Her capsize screening formula of 1.82 indicates good stability for coastal and near-offshore sailing. The standard 40-horsepower engine provides adequate auxiliary power for maneuvering and motorsailing in light conditions. This combination of attributes makes the Easterly 38 an attractive option for sailors seeking a versatile boat capable of spirited sailing with comfortable cruising accommodations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.42 ft / 8.36 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 13,500.00 lb / 6,123 kg
Ballast 4,300.00 lb / 1,950 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 571.00 ft² / 53.05 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG (solid laminate)
Designer Mike Brennan
Builder Easterly (USA)
First Built 1977
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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
 156
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
 16.17
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
 31.85
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
 292.34
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
 28.56
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
 1.82
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. 7.02 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
 1.74
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. 1,061.07 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. 16.17
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 44.00 ft / 13.41 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.30 ft / 4.66 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.50 ft / 11.43 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
SA Fore 336.60 ft² / 31.27 m²
SA Main 234.38 ft² / 21.77 m²
SA Total (100%) 570.98 ft² / 53.05 m²
Est. Forestay Length 46.58 ft / 14.20 m
Mast Height (DWL) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Westerbeke
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 40
Fuel Capacity 48 gals / 182 L
Water Capacity 66 gals / 250 L
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