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Hughes 38 1
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Hughes Boatworks Ltd.(Can)  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Hughes 38 1

Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens naval architecture firm, the Hughes 38 represents a classic late-1960s approach to yacht design during the golden age of fiberglass sailboat construction. Built by Hughes Boatworks in Canada between 1967 and 1969, this masthead sloop embodies the traditional offshore cruising aesthetic that S&S was renowned for during this era. With a displacement of 12,700 pounds and 6,100 pounds of ballast, the Hughes 38 offers the substantial feel and seaworthiness that serious cruising sailors appreciate. The fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides a good balance of performance and directional stability, while the moderate sail area of 584 square feet suggests manageable sail handling for shorthanded crews. The boat's comfort ratio of 29.55 indicates a motion that favors seaworthiness over speed, making this yacht well-suited for coastal and offshore cruising rather than competitive racing. The capsize screening formula of 1.75 falls within acceptable limits for offshore work, reflecting S&S's emphasis on seaworthy designs. Hull speed of 6.96 knots aligns with expectations for a traditionally-proportioned cruiser of this size, while the SA/Displacement ratio of 17.23 suggests moderate but adequate performance under sail.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 37.82 ft / 11.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
Beam 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 12,700.00 lb / 5,761 kg
Ballast 6,100.00 lb / 2,767 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 584.00 ft² / 54.26 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Hughes Boatworks Ltd.(CAN)
First Built 1967
Last Built 1969
Owner Reviews

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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
17.23
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
48.03
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
288.05
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
29.55
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
1.75
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. 6.96 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
1.86
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. 981.14 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. 17.22
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.50 ft / 13.26 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 39.20 ft / 11.95 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.70 ft / 4.18 m
SA Fore 315.38 ft² / 29.30 m²
SA Main 268.52 ft² / 24.95 m²
SA Total (100%) 583.90 ft² / 54.25 m²
Est. Forestay Length 45.85 ft / 13.98 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Model Atomic 4
Engine Type Gas
Fuel Capacity 12 gals / 45 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
How It Compares

vs. Cheoy Lee 38, Invicta Tripp, Irwin 38 1, Javelin 38 Tripp, Seafarer 38C

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hughes 38 1 ★
37.8 ft
Cheoy Lee 38
37.9 ft
Invicta Tripp
37.8 ft
Irwin 38 1
37.8 ft
Javelin 38 Tripp
37.8 ft
Seafarer 38C
37.8 ft
LWL
Hughes 38 1 ★
27.0 ft
Cheoy Lee 38
30.7 ft
Invicta Tripp
25.0 ft
Irwin 38 1
27.5 ft
Javelin 38 Tripp
25.0 ft
Seafarer 38C
27.3 ft
Beam
Hughes 38 1 ★
10.2 ft
Cheoy Lee 38
12.0 ft
Invicta Tripp
10.6 ft
Irwin 38 1
10.5 ft
Javelin 38 Tripp
10.0 ft
Seafarer 38C
10.5 ft
Displacement
Hughes 38 1 ★
12 lbs
Cheoy Lee 38
17 lbs
Invicta Tripp
15 lbs
Irwin 38 1
15 lbs
Javelin 38 Tripp
16 lbs
Seafarer 38C
16 lbs
Ballast
Hughes 38 1 ★
6 lbs
Cheoy Lee 38
7 lbs
Invicta Tripp
5 lbs
Irwin 38 1
6 lbs
Javelin 38 Tripp
4 lbs
Seafarer 38C
5 lbs
Sail Area
Hughes 38 1 ★
584 sq ft
Cheoy Lee 38
753 sq ft
Invicta Tripp
558 sq ft
Irwin 38 1
610 sq ft
Javelin 38 Tripp
577 sq ft
Seafarer 38C
489 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hughes 38 1 ★
Cheoy Lee 38
174 s/nm
Invicta Tripp
Irwin 38 1
138 s/nm
Javelin 38 Tripp
Seafarer 38C
194 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hughes 38 1 ★
17.2
Cheoy Lee 38
17.9
Invicta Tripp
14.7
Irwin 38 1
15.8
Javelin 38 Tripp
14.6
Seafarer 38C
12.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hughes 38 1 ★
48.0 %
Cheoy Lee 38
40.0 %
Invicta Tripp
Irwin 38 1
Javelin 38 Tripp
Seafarer 38C
33.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hughes 38 1 ★
29.6
Cheoy Lee 38
30.1
Invicta Tripp
34.7
Irwin 38 1
34.0
Javelin 38 Tripp
39.9
Seafarer 38C
36.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hughes 38 1 ★
1.75
Cheoy Lee 38
1.85
Invicta Tripp
1.72
Irwin 38 1
1.69
Javelin 38 Tripp
1.59
Seafarer 38C
1.65
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hughes 38 1 ★
288
Cheoy Lee 38
270
Invicta Tripp
Irwin 38 1
Javelin 38 Tripp
Seafarer 38C
364
Hull Speed
Hughes 38 1 ★
7.0 kts
Cheoy Lee 38
7.4 kts
Invicta Tripp
6.7 kts
Irwin 38 1
7.0 kts
Javelin 38 Tripp
6.7 kts
Seafarer 38C
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hughes 38 1 ★
1.9
Cheoy Lee 38
1.7
Invicta Tripp
0.9
Irwin 38 1
1.5
Javelin 38 Tripp
0.8
Seafarer 38C
1.0
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