The Hispaniola 38 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 28.7′, the Hispaniola 38 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.7′ LWL = 7.2 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
81.4
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
378.7%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
28
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
3.4
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.50
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
85.3
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1,024lbs
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
3.4
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
3.50
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
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° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
7.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.9 |
6.5 |
7.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (81.4), 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 Hispaniola 38 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Hispaniola 38.
|
Hispaniola 38 |
Bounty Rhodes |
Challenger 38 Alden |
Finisterre Ss |
Mariner 39 Perry |
Westsail 39 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.7 |
38.8 |
38.5 |
38.5 |
38.8 |
38.7 |
| LWL |
28.7 |
27.5 |
27.3 |
27.5 |
34.3 |
32.5 |
| Beam |
10.0 |
9.7 |
11.0 |
11.3 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
| Displacement |
1 |
18 |
16 |
18 |
19 |
19 |
| Ballast |
5 |
6 |
— |
6 |
8 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
665 |
635 |
625 |
713 |
745 |
— |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
81.4 |
14.9 |
15.8 |
16.3 |
16.7 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
378.7 |
34.4 |
— |
33.1 |
— |
43.8 |
| Comfort |
3.4 |
43.9 |
33.1 |
37.2 |
31.0 |
— |
| Capsize |
3.50 |
1.48 |
1.75 |
1.70 |
1.77 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.9 |
— |