The Tripp 38 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and competitive on the racecourse.
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 32.3′, the Tripp 38 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.3′ 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.
PHRF Rating
65s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
22.5
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
55.2%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
140
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
16.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.26
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
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
16.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.26
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Tripp 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tripp 38
65s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
C&C 38
111s/nm
Tartan 3800
114s/nm
Soverel 38
156s/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° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.2 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.2 |
6.6 |
7.3 |
8.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.4 |
| Run150–180° |
3.8 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts),
SA/D (22.5), 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 Tripp 38 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 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 Tripp 38.
|
Tripp 38 |
C&C 38 |
Gambler 38 |
Imx 38 |
Soverel 38 |
Tartan 3800 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.0 |
38.0 |
38.0 |
— |
38.0 |
38.0 |
| LWL |
32.3 |
— |
28.0 |
31.2 |
30.4 |
31.0 |
| Beam |
12.3 |
— |
11.9 |
12.1 |
11.0 |
12.4 |
| Displacement |
10 |
— |
11 |
11 |
18 |
16 |
| Ballast |
5 |
— |
5 |
6 |
— |
7 |
| Sail Area |
672 |
— |
760 |
910 |
636 |
665 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
65 |
111 |
— |
— |
156 |
114 |
| SA/Disp |
22.5 |
— |
23.6 |
28.2 |
14.9 |
16.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
55.2 |
— |
47.5 |
52.3 |
— |
43.8 |
| Comfort |
16.8 |
— |
21.6 |
— |
34.9 |
26.1 |
| Capsize |
2.26 |
— |
2.10 |
2.13 |
1.68 |
1.98 |
| Hull Speed |
7.6 |
— |
7.1 |
7.5 |
7.4 |
7.5 |