Design and Construction
The Moorings 38 is a solid-fiberglass monohull with a fin keel, spade rudder, and masthead sloop rig. She measures roughly 37.67 feet overall, with a 12.67-foot beam, 5.25-foot draft, and displacement of about 14,000 pounds.
The relatively shallow draft was a deliberate, charter-friendly choice that keeps her accessible to shallow anchorages without sacrificing the stability of a 14,000-pound displacement hull. Combined with the First 38s5-derived hull form, it helps explain why the Moorings 38 feels more like a performance cruiser than a typical bareboat. The underlying shape was conceived for speed before being softened for the charter market.
Rig and Handling
The masthead sloop rig provides a manageable sail plan for short-handed charter crews, while the boat’s 12.67-foot beam balances interior volume against its roughly 14,000-pound displacement.
Inherited from the First 38s5 platform, the fin keel and spade rudder provide predictable steering and useful maneuverability in tight marina approaches. The relatively shallow 5.25-foot draft also reduces grounding anxiety in the cruising grounds where these boats spent their working lives.
Accommodations and Cockpit
Below, the Moorings 38 typically has a three-cabin, one-head layout with about 6'2" of headroom. It’s a sensible arrangement for a charter boat carrying six people through a week of island sailing.
The L-shaped galley is equipped for multi-day cruising, with refrigeration, a stove and oven, and good storage. Its position helps it remain functional under way. Above, the deep, protected cockpit offers shelter while sailing and adds comfort on coastal passages.
Engine and Fuel
Propulsion normally comes from an inboard diesel in the 27 to 40 HP Yanmar range, supported by a fuel capacity of around 40 gallons. That tankage is generous for a 38-foot cruiser of this era, extending the range between fuel stops and reflecting the boat’s origins as a self-sufficient charter vessel rather than a weekend racer.
Verdict
The Moorings 38 is a charter-derived cruiser with a genuine performance pedigree. It combines a First 38s5-based hull with a three-cabin interior designed for warm-water cruising. Solid-fiberglass construction, a practical galley, and a protected cockpit make it a sensible used-cruiser candidate when shallow draft and interior volume matter more than bluewater extremism.
Pros
- First 38s5-derived hull provides genuine performance-cruiser DNA
- Relatively shallow 5.25-foot draft suits many cruising anchorages
- Three-cabin, one-head layout with 6'2" headroom works well for families or charter use
- Fuel capacity of around 40 gallons is generous for the boat’s size
Cons
- Short production run, from 1990 to 1992
- A single head limits privacy for larger crews
