The Swan 38 Ss is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 28.7′, the Swan 38 Ss tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.7′ LWL = 7.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
122s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
15.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
34.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.76
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
34.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.76
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 Swan 38 Ss sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Baltic 38 Dp
96s/nm
Swan 38 Ss
122s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Pearson 385
180s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (15.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Swan 38 Ss — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Swan 38 Ss.
|
Swan 38 Ss |
Baltic 38 Dp |
Bristol 388 |
Farr 38 116 |
Malo 38 |
Pearson 385 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.3 |
38.1 |
38.3 |
38.3 |
38.2 |
38.3 |
| LWL |
28.7 |
31.5 |
30.6 |
31.2 |
30.2 |
30.0 |
| Beam |
11.6 |
12.3 |
12.1 |
12.0 |
11.1 |
11.6 |
| Displacement |
18 |
14 |
19 |
10 |
14 |
20 |
| Ballast |
7 |
6 |
9 |
4 |
6 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
686 |
731 |
744 |
685 |
605 |
615 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
122 |
96 |
— |
— |
— |
180 |
| SA/Disp |
15.9 |
19.9 |
16.7 |
22.8 |
16.5 |
13.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
45.4 |
47.0 |
38.7 |
46.2 |
— |
| Comfort |
34.4 |
23.3 |
32.6 |
18.0 |
27.7 |
37.5 |
| Capsize |
1.76 |
2.03 |
1.81 |
2.19 |
1.82 |
1.69 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.5 |
7.4 |
7.5 |
7.4 |
7.3 |