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Puma 38 S
Designer: Alberto Cabal  ·  Builder: Nao Glass  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Puma 38 S

Designed with performance and versatility in mind, the Puma 38 S is a sailboat that appeals to sailors looking for a capable and well-rounded vessel suited to both coastal cruising and more spirited offshore passages. The "S" designation suggests a sport-oriented variant, hinting at a hull and sail plan configured to deliver responsive handling and satisfying speed across a range of conditions. While detailed specifications for this model are limited, the Puma name carries associations with purposeful design and practical seakeeping ability. Boats in this class typically balance comfortable accommodations with sailing performance, making them attractive to experienced sailors who want a yacht that can handle weekend coastal adventures as readily as longer bluewater passages. For those researching a potential purchase, the Puma 38 S warrants close inspection of its construction quality, sail area, and interior layout, as these factors will ultimately determine how well it matches your intended sailing style. Connecting with current or previous owners and consulting a qualified marine surveyor would be valuable steps in evaluating this boat before committing to a purchase.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.06 ft / 11.60 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.53 ft / 9.00 m
Beam 11.81 ft / 3.60 m
Max Draft 6.56 ft / 2.00 m
Displacement 15,432.00 lb / 7,000 kg
Ballast 6,613.00 lb / 3,000 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 834.00 ft² / 77.48 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alberto Cabal
Builder Nao Glass
First Built 1976
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
21.61
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
27.74
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
1.9
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. 7.28
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. 1.0
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 38 Dp, Irwin 38 Citation, Islander 38 C

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Puma 38 S ★
38.1 ft
Baltic 38 Dp
38.1 ft
Irwin 38 Citation
38.0 ft
Islander 38 C
38.0 ft
LWL
Puma 38 S ★
29.5 ft
Baltic 38 Dp
31.5 ft
Irwin 38 Citation
30.7 ft
Islander 38 C
27.5 ft
Beam
Puma 38 S ★
11.8 ft
Baltic 38 Dp
12.3 ft
Irwin 38 Citation
12.5 ft
Islander 38 C
12.0 ft
Displacement
Puma 38 S ★
15 lbs
Baltic 38 Dp
14 lbs
Irwin 38 Citation
15 lbs
Islander 38 C
17 lbs
Ballast
Puma 38 S ★
6 lbs
Baltic 38 Dp
6 lbs
Irwin 38 Citation
5 lbs
Islander 38 C
7 lbs
Sail Area
Puma 38 S ★
834 sq ft
Baltic 38 Dp
731 sq ft
Irwin 38 Citation
675 sq ft
Islander 38 C
673 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Puma 38 S ★
Baltic 38 Dp
96 s/nm
Irwin 38 Citation
123 s/nm
Islander 38 C
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Puma 38 S ★
21.6
Baltic 38 Dp
19.9
Irwin 38 Citation
17.8
Islander 38 C
16.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Puma 38 S ★
Baltic 38 Dp
45.4 %
Irwin 38 Citation
36.7 %
Islander 38 C
45.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Puma 38 S ★
27.7
Baltic 38 Dp
23.3
Irwin 38 Citation
24.4
Islander 38 C
31.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Puma 38 S ★
1.90
Baltic 38 Dp
2.03
Irwin 38 Citation
2.03
Islander 38 C
1.87
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Puma 38 S ★
Baltic 38 Dp
204
Irwin 38 Citation
232
Islander 38 C
364
Hull Speed
Puma 38 S ★
7.3 kts
Baltic 38 Dp
7.5 kts
Irwin 38 Citation
7.4 kts
Islander 38 C
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Puma 38 S ★
Baltic 38 Dp
3.0
Irwin 38 Citation
2.3
Islander 38 C
1.3
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