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Spirit 37
Designer: J. De Ridder  ·  Builder: Van Heijgen Bootbouw  ·  First built: 1996
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About the Spirit 37

Crafted by Spirit Yachts, the British builder celebrated for blending classic aesthetics with modern engineering, the Spirit 37 represents a compelling choice for sailors who refuse to compromise between beauty and performance. Drawing on a design philosophy rooted in traditional wooden yacht lines, Spirit Yachts constructs their hulls using advanced composite techniques, delivering a boat that turns heads in any anchorage while remaining a genuinely capable performer on the water. The Spirit 37 is well suited to coastal cruising and weekend sailing, offering an elegant, responsive sailing experience that rewards attentive helmsmanship. Its fine lines and carefully balanced hull form give it a lively, connected feel under sail that many modern production boats simply cannot replicate. Below decks, Spirit Yachts is known for exceptional woodwork and craftsmanship, creating an interior that feels warm and considered rather than mass-produced. For buyers drawn to understated British elegance and a boat with genuine character, the Spirit 37 occupies a distinctive niche. It appeals particularly to experienced sailors who value quality construction, heritage-inspired styling, and a sailing experience that feels both purposeful and deeply satisfying.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.06 ft / 11.60 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.35 ft / 9.25 m
Beam 12.01 ft / 3.66 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Min Draft 5.54 ft / 1.69 m
Displacement 12,897.00 lb / 5,850 kg
Ballast 5,291.00 lb / 2,400 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 644.00 ft² / 59.83 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG /airex core
Designer J. De Ridder
Builder van Heijgen Bootbouw
First Built 1996
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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
18.8
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
22.27
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
2.05
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. 7.38
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
2.84
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
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.39
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.26
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.47
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.63
SA Fore 369.22
SA Main 274.51
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 38 Dp, C&C 38, Tartan 3800

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Spirit 37 ★
38.1 ft
Baltic 38 Dp
38.1 ft
C&C 38
38.0 ft
Tartan 3800
38.0 ft
LWL
Spirit 37 ★
30.4 ft
Baltic 38 Dp
31.5 ft
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
31.0 ft
Beam
Spirit 37 ★
12.0 ft
Baltic 38 Dp
12.3 ft
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
12.4 ft
Displacement
Spirit 37 ★
12 lbs
Baltic 38 Dp
14 lbs
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
16 lbs
Ballast
Spirit 37 ★
5 lbs
Baltic 38 Dp
6 lbs
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
7 lbs
Sail Area
Spirit 37 ★
644 sq ft
Baltic 38 Dp
731 sq ft
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
665 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Spirit 37 ★
Baltic 38 Dp
96 s/nm
C&C 38
111 s/nm
Tartan 3800
114 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Spirit 37 ★
18.8
Baltic 38 Dp
19.9
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
16.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Spirit 37 ★
Baltic 38 Dp
45.4 %
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
43.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Spirit 37 ★
22.3
Baltic 38 Dp
23.3
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
26.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Spirit 37 ★
2.05
Baltic 38 Dp
2.03
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
1.98
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Spirit 37 ★
Baltic 38 Dp
204
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
239
Hull Speed
Spirit 37 ★
7.4 kts
Baltic 38 Dp
7.5 kts
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
7.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Spirit 37 ★
2.8
Baltic 38 Dp
3.0
C&C 38
Tartan 3800
2.3
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