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Hughes 38 2
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Hughes Boatworks Ltd.  ·  First built: 1970
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About the Hughes 38 2

Despite limited available specifications, the Hughes 38 2 represents an intriguing entry in the competitive 38-foot sailboat market. This vessel appears to be positioned as a versatile cruising sailboat, likely designed to balance comfort and performance for sailors seeking both coastal adventures and potentially longer passages. Given the numbering convention in the model name, this boat likely represents an evolution or second iteration of Hughes' 38-foot design, suggesting refinements based on real-world sailing experience and owner feedback. The Hughes brand has historically focused on creating practical sailing yachts that prioritize livability without sacrificing sailing characteristics. The 38-foot length category typically offers an excellent compromise between manageable size for smaller crews and sufficient interior volume for extended cruising comfort. Boats in this range often feature well-appointed galleys, comfortable sleeping quarters for four to six people, and adequate storage for provisions and gear. While comprehensive technical details remain scarce, the Hughes 38 2 would appeal to sailors looking for a reliable, well-built cruising platform suitable for coastal exploration and weekend sailing. Prospective buyers should seek out existing owners and conduct thorough inspections to better understand this model's specific strengths and characteristics in real-world sailing conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.00 ft / 11.58 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
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.
First Built 1970
Last Built 1971
Related Sailboats C&C 38 · Ericson 38 · Catalina 38 · Contest 38 · Soverel 38
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
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
29.49
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
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
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 39.2
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.7
SA Fore 315.38
SA Main 268.52
How It Compares

vs. C&C 38, Catalina 38, Contest 38, Ericson 38, Soverel 38

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hughes 38 2 ★
38.0 ft
C&C 38
38.0 ft
Catalina 38
38.0 ft
Contest 38
38.0 ft
Ericson 38
37.7 ft
Soverel 38
38.0 ft
LWL
Hughes 38 2 ★
27.0 ft
C&C 38
Catalina 38
31.5 ft
Contest 38
27.8 ft
Ericson 38
30.5 ft
Soverel 38
30.4 ft
Beam
Hughes 38 2 ★
10.2 ft
C&C 38
Catalina 38
12.2 ft
Contest 38
11.2 ft
Ericson 38
12.0 ft
Soverel 38
11.0 ft
Displacement
Hughes 38 2 ★
12 lbs
C&C 38
Catalina 38
16 lbs
Contest 38
16 lbs
Ericson 38
14 lbs
Soverel 38
18 lbs
Ballast
Hughes 38 2 ★
C&C 38
Catalina 38
6 lbs
Contest 38
7 lbs
Ericson 38
5 lbs
Soverel 38
Sail Area
Hughes 38 2 ★
584 sq ft
C&C 38
Catalina 38
665 sq ft
Contest 38
647 sq ft
Ericson 38
709 sq ft
Soverel 38
636 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hughes 38 2 ★
C&C 38
111 s/nm
Catalina 38
114 s/nm
Contest 38
156 s/nm
Ericson 38
126 s/nm
Soverel 38
156 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hughes 38 2 ★
17.2
C&C 38
Catalina 38
16.7
Contest 38
15.8
Ericson 38
19.6
Soverel 38
14.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hughes 38 2 ★
C&C 38
Catalina 38
42.8 %
Contest 38
43.1 %
Ericson 38
Soverel 38
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hughes 38 2 ★
29.5
C&C 38
Catalina 38
26.3
Contest 38
33.8
Ericson 38
24.2
Soverel 38
34.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hughes 38 2 ★
1.75
C&C 38
Catalina 38
1.94
Contest 38
1.75
Ericson 38
2.00
Soverel 38
1.68
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hughes 38 2 ★
C&C 38
Catalina 38
228
Contest 38
350
Ericson 38
Soverel 38
Hull Speed
Hughes 38 2 ★
7.0 kts
C&C 38
Catalina 38
7.5 kts
Contest 38
7.1 kts
Ericson 38
7.4 kts
Soverel 38
7.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hughes 38 2 ★
1.9
C&C 38
Catalina 38
Contest 38
Ericson 38
2.7
Soverel 38
1.7
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