The Fales 38 Explorer is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 33.0′, the Fales 38 Explorer tops out around 7.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.0′ LWL = 7.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
13.9
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
38.3%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
292
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
38.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.68
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
38.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.68
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 Fales 38 Explorer sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Cape George 38
159s/nm
Island Packet 38
162s/nm
Cabo Rico 38
180s/nm
Ingrid 38
213s/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° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.7 kts),
SA/D (13.9), 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 Fales 38 Explorer — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Fales 38 Explorer.
|
Fales 38 Explorer |
Cabo Rico 38 |
Cape George 38 |
Downeaster 38 |
Ingrid 38 |
Island Packet 38 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
| LWL |
33.0 |
29.3 |
35.0 |
29.0 |
32.0 |
33.0 |
| Beam |
12.0 |
11.5 |
11.6 |
11.8 |
11.3 |
12.7 |
| Displacement |
23 |
21 |
30 |
19 |
26 |
21 |
| Ballast |
9 |
7 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
| Sail Area |
710 |
969 |
820 |
735 |
815 |
870 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
180 |
159 |
— |
213 |
162 |
| SA/Disp |
13.9 |
20.5 |
13.6 |
16.3 |
14.9 |
18.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
38.3 |
37.1 |
35.0 |
41.0 |
30.8 |
46.5 |
| Comfort |
38.5 |
39.4 |
49.5 |
35.4 |
46.9 |
32.7 |
| Capsize |
1.68 |
1.67 |
1.49 |
1.76 |
1.53 |
1.83 |
| Hull Speed |
7.7 |
7.3 |
7.9 |
7.2 |
7.6 |
7.7 |