The Tailwind 38 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 29.8′, the Tailwind 38 tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.8′ LWL = 7.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
17.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
26.1
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.95
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
26.1
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
1.95
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 Tailwind 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Yankee 38
120s/nm
Cabo Rico 38
180s/nm
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° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.3 kts),
SA/D (17.7), 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 Tailwind 38 — 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 Tailwind 38.
|
Tailwind 38 |
Cabo Rico 38 |
Hood 38 Wauquiez |
Pearson 385 |
Swan 38 Ss 1 Ton |
Yankee 38 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.2 |
38.0 |
38.1 |
38.3 |
38.3 |
38.2 |
| LWL |
29.8 |
29.3 |
30.0 |
30.0 |
28.7 |
28.8 |
| Beam |
11.9 |
11.5 |
11.8 |
11.6 |
11.6 |
11.8 |
| Displacement |
14 |
21 |
23 |
20 |
18 |
16 |
| Ballast |
5 |
7 |
11 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
663 |
— |
— |
615 |
— |
638 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
180 |
— |
180 |
— |
120 |
| SA/Disp |
17.7 |
— |
— |
13.2 |
— |
16.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
37.1 |
47.2 |
— |
38.8 |
45.8 |
| Comfort |
26.1 |
— |
— |
37.5 |
— |
29.4 |
| Capsize |
1.95 |
— |
— |
1.69 |
— |
1.87 |
| Hull Speed |
7.3 |
— |
— |
7.3 |
— |
7.2 |