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Show 38
Designer: Fontana/Maletto/Navone  ·  Builder: Cantieri Barberis (Ita)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Show 38

Built by Italian shipyard Cantieri Barberis beginning in 1981, this sleek 38-footer represents classic European design sensibilities from the collaborative efforts of designers Fontana, Maletto, and Navone. With its moderate displacement of 12,800 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, the Show 38 strikes an appealing balance between performance and comfort for serious coastal cruising and club racing. The yacht's fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling characteristics, while the masthead sloop rig provides versatile sail plan options for varying conditions. Her beam of 12.58 feet offers good interior volume without compromising the sleek profile that Italian builders are renowned for. The comfort ratio of 20.6 indicates a relatively stiff, quick motion that will appeal to sailors who prefer performance over pure comfort. With a SA/Displacement ratio of 19.25, this boat demonstrates moderate to good performance potential in light to moderate winds, making her well-suited for Mediterranean-style sailing or coastal cruising in similar conditions. The capsize screening value of 2.15 falls within acceptable ranges for coastal and near-offshore passages, though she's primarily designed for protected waters and day sailing rather than extended ocean voyaging.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 37.67 ft / 11.48 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.92 ft / 9.42 m
Beam 12.58 ft / 3.83 m
Max Draft 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Displacement 12,800.00 lb / 5,806 kg
Ballast 5,280.00 lb / 2,395 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 656.00 ft² / 60.94 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Fontana/Maletto/Navone
Builder Cantieri Barberis (ITA)
First Built 1981
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 99
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
 19.25
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 41.25
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 193.31
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
 20.6
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
 2.15
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. 7.45 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 3.05
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. 1,389.85 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 19.24
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 49.90 ft / 15.21 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.40 ft / 4.69 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.80 ft / 13.35 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.40 ft / 3.78 m
SA Fore 384.23 ft² / 35.70 m²
SA Main 271.56 ft² / 25.23 m²
SA Total (100%) 655.79 ft² / 60.92 m²
Est. Forestay Length 52.22 ft / 15.92 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 3GM
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 22 gals / 83 L
Water Capacity 66 gals / 250 L
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