The Ohlson 38 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, designed for cruising comfort rather than 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 27.6′, the Ohlson 38 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.6′ LWL = 7.0 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
152s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
15.5
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
35.0
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.64
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
990lbs
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
35.0
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
1.64
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 Ohlson 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
X 372
95s/nm
Baltic 37
114s/nm
Swan 371
120s/nm
Oyster 37
140s/nm
Ohlson 38
152s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
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° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (15.5), 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 Ohlson 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 Ohlson 38.
|
Ohlson 38 |
Baltic 37 |
Oyster 37 |
Swan 371 |
Valiant 37 |
X 372 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.1 |
37.0 |
37.0 |
37.0 |
37.0 |
37.0 |
| LWL |
27.6 |
27.3 |
31.2 |
29.7 |
31.6 |
29.5 |
| Beam |
10.1 |
12.0 |
12.1 |
11.4 |
11.5 |
11.7 |
| Displacement |
14 |
13 |
16 |
16 |
17 |
11 |
| Ballast |
6 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
586 |
640 |
645 |
— |
667 |
593 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
152 |
114 |
140 |
120 |
— |
95 |
| SA/Disp |
15.5 |
18.0 |
16.0 |
— |
16.2 |
19.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
45.0 |
44.0 |
35.4 |
39.4 |
43.1 |
| Comfort |
35.0 |
25.5 |
28.1 |
— |
30.6 |
20.6 |
| Capsize |
1.64 |
2.01 |
1.90 |
— |
1.79 |
2.10 |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.5 |
— |
7.5 |
7.3 |