The Morris 38 is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.3 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 29.5′, the Morris 38 tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.5′ LWL = 7.3 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
144s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
38.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
271
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
29.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.86
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
7.3kts
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
29.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.86
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 Morris 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Pearson 37 2
Ericson 381
Tartan 38
Morris 38
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Morris 38.
| Morris 38 | Cc 38 3 | Ericson 381 | Pearson 37 2 | Pearson 38 | Tartan 38 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 37.4 | 37.6 | 37.5 | 37.4 | 37.5 | 37.3 |
| LWL | 29.5 | 31.0 | 30.5 | 29.6 | 29.6 | 28.5 |
| Beam | 11.6 | 12.8 | 12.0 | 12.3 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Displacement | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
| Ballast | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Sail Area | — | 729 | 678 | 661 | 655 | 667 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 144 | — | 114 | 102 | — | 114 |
| SA/Disp | — | 19.9 | 18.4 | 16.7 | 17.2 | 17.5 |
| Bal/Disp | 38.5 | 43.8 | 43.8 | 37.5 | — | — |
| Comfort | 29.0 | 22.4 | 24.9 | 27.3 | 25.9 | 28.4 |
| Capsize | 1.86 | 2.11 | 1.98 | 1.96 | 2.00 | 1.90 |
| Hull Speed | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.2 |