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Javelin 38 Tripp
Designer: William H. Tripp, Jr.  ·  Builder: G. Devries Lentsch, Jr.,  ·  First built: 1960
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About the Javelin 38 Tripp

Designed by Bill Tripp Jr., this 38-foot sailboat represents a thoughtful approach to performance cruising from an era when sailing yacht design emphasized seaworthiness alongside competitive capability. The Javelin 38 emerged from Tripp's renowned design philosophy that balanced racing heritage with practical cruising amenities. Built with a moderate displacement hull and classic proportions, the boat demonstrates the designer's signature attention to sail handling efficiency and structural integrity. Tripp's designs were known for their ability to perform well in various conditions while maintaining comfortable accommodations below deck, making them appealing to sailors who wanted versatility without compromising safety. The Javelin 38 suits coastal cruising and club racing equally well, offering the kind of dual-purpose capability that defined quality sailboats of its generation. Its design reflects the period's emphasis on traditional sailing virtues—predictable handling, robust construction, and layouts that work for both day sailing and extended cruising. While not as commonly seen as some production boats from major manufacturers, the Javelin 38 Tripp represents solid craftsmanship and proven design principles that continue to serve owners well decades after construction.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 37.83 ft / 11.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 16,000.00 lb / 7,257 kg
Ballast 4,760.00 lb / 2,159 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 577.00 ft² / 53.61 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William H. Tripp, Jr.
Builder G. DeVries Lentsch, Jr.,
First Built 1960
Last Built 1966
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
14.59
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
39.91
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
1.59
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. 6.7
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
0.78
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. 893.28
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 40.66
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.75
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.0
SA Fore 279.54
SA Main 297.5
How It Compares

vs. Hughes 38 1, Invicta Tripp, North Star 38 Hughes, Peterson 38, Rhodes 38 Seafarer

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
37.8 ft
Hughes 38 1
37.8 ft
Invicta Tripp
37.8 ft
North Star 38 Hughes
37.8 ft
Peterson 38
37.8 ft
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
37.8 ft
LWL
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
25.0 ft
Hughes 38 1
27.0 ft
Invicta Tripp
25.0 ft
North Star 38 Hughes
27.0 ft
Peterson 38
31.5 ft
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
27.3 ft
Beam
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
10.0 ft
Hughes 38 1
10.2 ft
Invicta Tripp
10.6 ft
North Star 38 Hughes
10.2 ft
Peterson 38
12.1 ft
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
10.5 ft
Displacement
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
16 lbs
Hughes 38 1
12 lbs
Invicta Tripp
15 lbs
North Star 38 Hughes
12 lbs
Peterson 38
14 lbs
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
16 lbs
Ballast
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
4 lbs
Hughes 38 1
6 lbs
Invicta Tripp
5 lbs
North Star 38 Hughes
6 lbs
Peterson 38
7 lbs
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
5 lbs
Sail Area
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
577 sq ft
Hughes 38 1
584 sq ft
Invicta Tripp
558 sq ft
North Star 38 Hughes
585 sq ft
Peterson 38
720 sq ft
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
489 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
Hughes 38 1
Invicta Tripp
North Star 38 Hughes
150 s/nm
Peterson 38
90 s/nm
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
14.6
Hughes 38 1
17.2
Invicta Tripp
14.7
North Star 38 Hughes
17.4
Peterson 38
19.4
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
12.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
Hughes 38 1
48.0 %
Invicta Tripp
North Star 38 Hughes
Peterson 38
48.3 %
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
33.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
39.9
Hughes 38 1
29.6
Invicta Tripp
34.7
North Star 38 Hughes
29.1
Peterson 38
24.3
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
36.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
1.59
Hughes 38 1
1.75
Invicta Tripp
1.72
North Star 38 Hughes
1.76
Peterson 38
1.99
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
1.65
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
Hughes 38 1
288
Invicta Tripp
North Star 38 Hughes
Peterson 38
207
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
364
Hull Speed
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
6.7 kts
Hughes 38 1
7.0 kts
Invicta Tripp
6.7 kts
North Star 38 Hughes
7.0 kts
Peterson 38
7.5 kts
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Javelin 38 Tripp ★
0.8
Hughes 38 1
1.9
Invicta Tripp
0.9
North Star 38 Hughes
1.9
Peterson 38
2.9
Rhodes 38 Seafarer
1.0
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