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Gambler 37
Designer: Peter Norlin  ·  Builder: Helsingborgs Boatyard (Swe)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Gambler 37

Designed by renowned Swedish naval architect Peter Norlin and built by Helsingborgs Boatyard beginning in 1984, this fractional sloop represents classic Scandinavian sailing philosophy with its emphasis on performance and seaworthiness. Norlin's reputation for creating fast, well-balanced designs is evident in the Gambler 37's hull lines and proportions. With a displacement of 11,795 pounds and substantial ballast of 5,600 pounds positioned in a fin keel configuration, this boat strikes an excellent balance between cruising comfort and racing capability. The moderate displacement combined with a sail area of 747 square feet provides spirited performance without sacrificing stability. The fin keel with spade rudder arrangement offers responsive handling and good windward ability. The comfortable 21.63 comfort ratio suggests this yacht handles seaway motion well, making it suitable for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages. Meanwhile, the capsize screening formula of 2.1 indicates solid stability characteristics for ocean work. The generous 11.94-foot beam provides good interior volume and initial stability. This Swedish-built yacht appeals to sailors seeking a versatile platform capable of weekend cruising, club racing, and longer coastal adventures, embodying the practical yet performance-oriented approach typical of Scandinavian yacht design.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 11.94 ft / 3.64 m
Max Draft 7.22 ft / 2.20 m
Displacement 11,795.00 lb / 5,350 kg
Ballast 5,600.00 lb / 2,540 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 747.00 ft² / 69.40 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Peter Norlin
Builder Helsingborgs Boatyard (SWE)
First Built 1984
Related Sailboats ["Gambler 38" · "Imx 38" · "Tripp 38" · "C&C 38" · "Tartan 3800"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 87
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
 23.15
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
 47.48
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
 239.87
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
 21.63
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
 2.1
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. 7.09 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
 2.83
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. 1,194.56 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. 23.15
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 46.11 ft / 14.05 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 50.20 ft / 15.30 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.90 ft / 5.15 m
SA Fore 322.77 ft² / 29.99 m²
SA Main 424.19 ft² / 39.41 m²
SA Total (100%) 746.96 ft² / 69.39 m²
Est. Forestay Length 48.19 ft / 14.69 m
How It Compares

vs. C&C 38, Imx 38, Tripp 38

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Gambler 37 ★
38.0 ft
C&C 38
38.0 ft
Imx 38
—
Tripp 38
38.0 ft
LWL
Gambler 37 ★
28.0 ft
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
31.2 ft
Tripp 38
32.3 ft
Beam
Gambler 37 ★
11.9 ft
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
12.1 ft
Tripp 38
12.3 ft
Displacement
Gambler 37 ★
11 lbs
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
11 lbs
Tripp 38
10 lbs
Ballast
Gambler 37 ★
5 lbs
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
6 lbs
Tripp 38
5 lbs
Sail Area
Gambler 37 ★
747 sq ft
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
910 sq ft
Tripp 38
672 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Gambler 37 ★
87 s/nm
C&C 38
111 s/nm
Imx 38
—
Tripp 38
65 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Gambler 37 ★
23.2
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
28.2
Tripp 38
22.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Gambler 37 ★
47.5 %
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
52.3 %
Tripp 38
55.2 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Gambler 37 ★
21.6
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
—
Tripp 38
16.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Gambler 37 ★
2.10
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
2.13
Tripp 38
2.26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Gambler 37 ★
239
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
173
Tripp 38
139
Hull Speed
Gambler 37 ★
7.1 kts
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
7.5 kts
Tripp 38
7.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Gambler 37 ★
2.8
C&C 38
—
Imx 38
3.7
Tripp 38
4.3
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