The Sunbeam 38 is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.0′, the Sunbeam 38 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.0′ LWL = 7.6 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
37.3%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
225
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
29.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.81
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
7.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
29.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.81
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 Sunbeam 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Ericson 381
Ericson 38
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Sunbeam 38.
| Sunbeam 38 | Cc 37 | Cc 38 3 | Ericson 38 | Ericson 381 | Pearson 38 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 37.6 | 37.6 | 37.6 | 37.7 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| LWL | 32.0 | 28.8 | 31.0 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 29.6 |
| Beam | 11.5 | 11.7 | 12.8 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.3 |
| Displacement | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
| Ballast | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Sail Area | — | 670 | 729 | 709 | 678 | 655 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 126 | 114 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.3 | 19.9 | 19.6 | 18.4 | 17.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 37.3 | 42.0 | 43.8 | 39.3 | 43.8 | — |
| Comfort | 29.3 | 26.7 | 22.4 | 24.2 | 24.9 | 25.9 |
| Capsize | 1.81 | 1.93 | 2.11 | 2.00 | 1.98 | 2.00 |
| Hull Speed | 7.6 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 7.3 |