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Express 37
Designer: Carl Schumacher  ·  Builder: Alsberg Bros. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Express 37

Designed by Carl Schumacher and built by Alsberg Bros. from 1984 to 1988, this 37-footer represents the evolution of performance sailing during the 1980s racing boom. With only 65 hulls produced during its four-year production run, the Express 37 has become a sought-after design among sailors who appreciate Schumacher's reputation for creating fast, well-balanced boats. The hull features a modern fin keel with spade rudder configuration, delivering responsive handling and impressive windward performance. At 9,800 pounds with 4,600 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes an excellent balance between performance and stability. The sail area to displacement ratio of 22.4 indicates strong light-air performance, while the low comfort ratio of 17.9 reflects its racing-oriented design philosophy. This masthead sloop excels in coastal racing and spirited day sailing, where its 7.44-knot hull speed can be fully utilized. The moderate beam of 11.50 feet and 7.25-foot draft make it suitable for most marinas while providing the stability needed for confident sailing in a variety of conditions. The capsize screening formula of 2.15 suggests good offshore capability, though the boat's racing DNA makes it most rewarding for performance-minded sailors rather than long-distance cruisers.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 37.08 ft / 11.30 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.83 ft / 9.40 m
Beam 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
Max Draft 7.25 ft / 2.21 m
Displacement 9,800.00 lb / 4,445 kg
Ballast 4,600.00 lb / 2,087 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 639.00 ft² / 59.37 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Schumacher
Builder Alsberg Bros. (USA)
First Built 1984
Last Built 1988
Number Built 65
Associations Express 37 Class Association
Related Sailboats ["Express 37 2" · "J/37" · "X 372" · "Baltic 37" · "Swan 371"]
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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
 72
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
 22.4
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
 46.94
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
 149.3
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
 17.9
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
 2.15
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. 7.44 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
 4.1
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. 1,266.83 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. 22.37
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.75 ft / 14.86 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.33 ft / 4.37 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.75 ft / 4.19 m
SA Fore 349.29 ft² / 32.45 m²
SA Main 288.75 ft² / 26.83 m²
SA Total (100%) 638.04 ft² / 59.28 m²
Est. Forestay Length 50.81 ft / 15.49 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 2GMF
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
Fuel Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
Water Capacity 85 gals / 322 L
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 37, J/37, X 372

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Express 37 ★
37.1 ft
Baltic 37
37.0 ft
J/37
37.0 ft
X 372
37.0 ft
LWL
Express 37 ★
30.8 ft
Baltic 37
27.3 ft
J/37
30.8 ft
X 372
29.5 ft
Beam
Express 37 ★
11.5 ft
Baltic 37
12.0 ft
J/37
12.1 ft
X 372
11.7 ft
Displacement
Express 37 ★
9 lbs
Baltic 37
13 lbs
J/37
12 lbs
X 372
11 lbs
Ballast
Express 37 ★
4 lbs
Baltic 37
6 lbs
J/37
4 lbs
X 372
4 lbs
Sail Area
Express 37 ★
639 sq ft
Baltic 37
640 sq ft
J/37
641 sq ft
X 372
593 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Express 37 ★
72 s/nm
Baltic 37
114 s/nm
J/37
75 s/nm
X 372
95 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Express 37 ★
22.4
Baltic 37
18.0
J/37
19.4
X 372
19.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Express 37 ★
46.9 %
Baltic 37
45.0 %
J/37
40.0 %
X 372
43.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Express 37 ★
17.9
Baltic 37
25.5
J/37
29.0
X 372
20.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Express 37 ★
2.15
Baltic 37
2.01
J/37
1.67
X 372
2.10
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Express 37 ★
149
Baltic 37
300
J/37
136
X 372
195
Hull Speed
Express 37 ★
7.4 kts
Baltic 37
7.0 kts
J/37
8.7 kts
X 372
7.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Express 37 ★
4.1
Baltic 37
1.8
J/37
—
X 372
3.0
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