Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 30.5′, the Pacific 38 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.5′ LWL = 7.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
43.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Hull Speed
7.4kts
S# (Speed Number)
1.9
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pacific 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Sabre 38
Ericson 38
Moody 376
Irwin 38 1
Seafarer 38C
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Pacific 38.
| Pacific 38 | Ericson 38 | Irwin 38 1 | Moody 376 | Sabre 38 | Seafarer 38C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 37.7 | 37.7 | 37.8 | 37.8 | 37.8 | 37.8 |
| LWL | 30.5 | 30.5 | 27.5 | 31.2 | 31.2 | 27.3 |
| Beam | 11.1 | 12.0 | 10.5 | 12.5 | 11.5 | 10.5 |
| Displacement | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
| Ballast | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Sail Area | — | 709 | 610 | 648 | — | 489 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 126 | 138 | 129 | 114 | 194 |
| SA/Disp | — | 19.6 | 15.8 | 16.2 | — | 12.1 |
| Bal/Disp | 43.5 | 39.3 | 42.2 | 40.0 | 42.1 | 33.3 |
| Comfort | — | 24.2 | 34.0 | 26.2 | — | 36.6 |
| Capsize | — | 2.00 | 1.69 | 1.98 | — | 1.65 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.4 | 7.0 | 7.5 | — | 7.0 |