The Morgan 38 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club racing.
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 28.0′, the Morgan 38 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.0′ LWL = 7.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
138s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
16.2
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
32.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
32.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Morgan 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Ericson 38
126s/nm
Santana 37
132s/nm
Morgan 38
138s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Irwin 38 1
138s/nm
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° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 kts),
SA/D (16.2), 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 Morgan 38 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 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 Morgan 38.
|
Morgan 38 |
Cc 38 2 |
Compass 38 |
Ericson 38 |
Irwin 38 1 |
Santana 37 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.7 |
37.6 |
37.7 |
37.7 |
37.8 |
37.7 |
| LWL |
28.0 |
29.6 |
30.5 |
30.5 |
27.5 |
30.0 |
| Beam |
11.0 |
12.0 |
11.1 |
12.0 |
10.5 |
11.7 |
| Displacement |
16 |
14 |
16 |
14 |
15 |
15 |
| Ballast |
7 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
| Sail Area |
639 |
674 |
577 |
709 |
610 |
678 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
138 |
— |
— |
126 |
138 |
132 |
| SA/Disp |
16.2 |
18.0 |
14.5 |
19.6 |
15.8 |
17.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
46.3 |
43.5 |
39.3 |
— |
44.0 |
| Comfort |
32.8 |
26.0 |
31.2 |
24.2 |
34.0 |
27.2 |
| Capsize |
1.75 |
1.96 |
1.75 |
2.00 |
1.69 |
1.90 |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
7.3 |
7.4 |
7.4 |
7.0 |
7.3 |