The Spirit 37 is a distinctive modern classic sailboat, renowned for its elegant lines, performance capabilities, and the custom craftsmanship of its builder. Conceived by designer Jacques De Ridder and built by Spirit Yacht BVBA in Belgium, this monohull represents a blend of traditional aesthetics and contemporary sailing characteristics. Introduced to the market around 1996, the Spirit 37 was designed to offer an exhilarating sailing experience while maintaining safety and control.
Spirit 37 Information, Review, Specs
- Make
- Spirit
- Model
- 37
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1996 - ??
The Spirit 37 officially began its production run in 1996. However, its lineage can be traced back to the very first yacht built by Spirit Yachts, a 37-foot vessel launched in 1993 and sold at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in January 1995, establishing the core principles of beauty and style that would define the builder's offerings. Designed by Jacques De Ridder, the Spirit 37 embodies Spirit Yacht's commitment to creating modern classic sailing yachts that are both aesthetically pleasing and high-performing. The design philosophy aimed for an efficient sail plan that ensured the boat was fast, safe, and controllable. Spirit Yacht BVBA, a Belgian builder, is known for its attention to detail and ability to deliver highly customized yachts, where interior trim and equipment could be tailored to an owner's specific requests.
Sailing Performance and Handling
The Spirit 37's design specifications translate into a qualitative sailing experience. With a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 18.51, she suggests a boat capable of respectable performance, particularly in light to moderate air, indicating a good balance between sail power and displacement. Her Ballast to Displacement ratio (Bal/D) of 0.410 points to a relatively stiff and stable vessel, capable of standing up to more wind and offering a comfortable motion in a seaway. The Displacement to Length ratio (D/L) of roughly 205.8 indicates a light to medium displacement vessel, suggesting a design that prioritizes a balance of speed and cruising comfort over heavy-weather traditionalism. Anecdotal reports confirm that the Spirit 37 is fast, safe, and controllable to sail. Furthermore, all lines and sheets are led aft to the cockpit, simplifying handling and making the boat manageable for single-handed sailing or with a small crew, an appealing feature for both racing and cruising enthusiasts.
Accommodations and Layout
While detailed interior specifications for the Spirit 37 can vary significantly due to the builder's custom approach, a typical layout for the monohull model often features a three-cabin arrangement, capable of sleeping up to eight individuals. The interior generally includes a single head with a toilet, shower, and sink. Given Spirit Yachts' reputation for building luxury sailing yachts, the interior finish and materials would typically be of high quality, emphasizing natural materials and elegant craftsmanship, though the exact configurations and amenities would largely depend on the specific commissioning owner's preferences.
Measurements
Construction & Hull
- Construction Material
- Fiberglass (PVC Foam Core)
- Hull Type
- Monohull Sailboat
- Keel Type
- Fin
- Rudder
- 1x Spade
- Ballast
- 5291 lbs (Iron)
- Displacement
- 12897 lbs
- Water Capacity
- 69 gal
- Fuel Capacity
- 18 gal
Engine
- Engine Make
- Volvo Penta
- Engine Model
- MD2030
- Engine Type
- —
- Engine HP
- 29
- Engine Count
- 1
- Drive Type
- —
- Fuel Type
- Diesel
Rig & Sails
- Rig Type
- Masthead Sloop
- P (Main Luff)
- 43.47 ft
- E (Main Foot)
- 12.63 ft
- I (Foretriangle Height)
- 48.39 ft
- J (Foretriangle Base)
- 15.26 ft
- Forestay Length (est)
- 50.74 ft
- Main Sail Area
- 274.51 sqft
- Foretriangle Sail Area
- 369.22 sqft
- Total Sail Area (Reported)
- 644 sqft
- Total Sail Area (Calc)
- 643.73 sqft
Dimensions
- LOA
- 38.06 ft
- LWL
- 30.35 ft
- Beam
- 12.01 ft
- Draft
- 6.5 ft
- Max Headroom
- -
- Air Draft
- -
Calculations
- Hull Speed
- 7.38 kn
- Pounds per Inch Immersion
- 1