The Elan 38 is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 32.0′, the Elan 38 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.0′ 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.
Displacement / Length
195
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
22.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.10
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
7.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
9lbs
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
22.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.10
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Elan 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Bavaria 39
Pearson 39 2
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Elan 38.
| Elan 38 | Bavaria 39 | Dufour 39 Cc | First 407 Beneteau | Oceanis 390 Beneteau | Pearson 39 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 39.2 | 39.4 | 39.3 | 39.3 | 39.4 | 39.3 |
| LWL | 32.0 | 34.1 | 31.8 | 34.8 | 33.1 | 31.3 |
| Beam | 12.7 | 13.1 | 12.6 | 12.3 | 13.1 | 12.4 |
| Displacement | 14 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
| Ballast | — | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Sail Area | — | 753 | 732 | 806 | 710 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 105 | — | — | — | 132 |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.0 | 18.8 | 21.1 | 16.7 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 35.3 | 29.0 | 39.1 | 35.0 | 40.5 |
| Comfort | 22.0 | 26.1 | 24.3 | 22.9 | 25.1 | — |
| Capsize | 2.10 | 1.98 | 2.02 | 1.99 | 2.02 | — |
| Hull Speed | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 7.7 | — |