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Finisterre Ss
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Seth Perrson (Usa)  ·  First built: 1954
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About the Finisterre Ss

Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens firm in 1954, this rare wooden yawl represents classic mid-century yacht design at its finest. With only four hulls ever built by Seth Perrson, the Finisterre Ss stands as an exclusive example of traditional craftsmanship meeting sophisticated naval architecture. The masthead yawl rig configuration provides exceptional balance and sail handling flexibility, making this 38.5-footer well-suited for both coastal cruising and offshore passages. Her substantial displacement of 18,640 pounds and generous ballast ratio create the stability and seaworthiness expected from a Sparkman & Stephens design, while the moderate sail area ensures manageable performance across varying conditions. The keel/centerboard hull configuration offers versatility often prized by serious cruising sailors, allowing access to shallow anchorages while maintaining the tracking ability needed for offshore work. Her comfort ratio of 37.23 suggests a motion that favors longer passages over pure speed, while the capsize screening value of 1.7 indicates good stability characteristics for ocean sailing. Wood planked construction requires dedicated maintenance but rewards owners with the warmth and character that only traditional materials can provide. This is a yacht for those who appreciate sailing's golden age and don't mind the commitment that comes with owning a piece of yachting history.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.50 ft / 11.73 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 7.25 ft / 2.21 m
Min Draft 3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 18,640.00 lb / 8,455 kg
Ballast 6,160.00 lb / 2,794 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 713.00 ft² / 66.24 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Yawl
Construction Wood planked
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Seth Perrson (USA)
First Built 1954
Number Built 4
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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
16.29
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
33.05
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
400.13
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
37.23
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
1.7
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. 7.03 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. 1,105.43 pounds/inch
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