Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.7 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 33.0′, the Westwind 38 tops out around 7.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.0′ LWL = 7.7 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
39.1%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
239
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
7.7kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Westwind 38 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Catalina 38
Cabo Rico 38
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Westwind 38.
| Westwind 38 | Cabo Rico 38 | Catalina 38 | Hallberg Rassy 38 | Islander 38 C | Northshore 38 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 37.9 | 38.0 | 38.0 | 38.0 | 38.0 | 38.0 |
| LWL | 33.0 | 29.3 | 31.5 | 31.2 | 27.5 | 32.0 |
| Beam | 12.0 | 11.5 | 12.2 | 11.4 | 12.0 | 11.0 |
| Displacement | 19 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 11 |
| Ballast | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 4 |
| Sail Area | — | 969 | 665 | 651 | 673 | 624 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 180 | 114 | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 20.5 | 16.7 | 14.8 | 16.4 | 19.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 39.1 | 37.1 | 42.8 | 43.5 | 45.3 | — |
| Comfort | — | 39.4 | 26.3 | 34.0 | 31.3 | 21.6 |
| Capsize | — | 1.67 | 1.94 | 1.72 | 1.87 | 1.95 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.6 |