Sailing Performance & Handling
The sailing characteristics of the Cross 38 are defined by stability and a predictable, "monohull-like" motion that many multihull designs of the 1970s and 80s lacked. According to technical documentation and designer archives maintained at Cross Multihulls, the boat was designed to maintain high average speeds while heavily loaded for cruising. While modern performance trimarans focus on flying the main hull, the Cross 38 is designed to keep all three hulls in or near the water, utilizing a wide beam and symmetrical amas to provide a stiff, upright sailing experience.
Under sail, the 38 typically features a cutter or sloop rig. In moderate winds of 15 knots, owners frequently report boat speeds in the double digits, with some professionally built variants capable of sustained speeds between 12 and 17 knots on a reach. One notable handling characteristic is the use of a fixed minikeel rather than a daggerboard. While this sacrifice in absolute upwind pointing—typically tacking through 100 to 110 degrees—it eliminates the complexity and trunk-space requirements of a moving board. However, many "R" (Racing) or modified versions exist that incorporate daggerboards to improve windward performance. The boat’s tracking is generally praised as exceptional due to its skeg-hung rudder and long waterline, making it an ideal candidate for windvane or autopilot steering during ocean passages.
Interior Comfort & Variations
The interior of the Cross 38 is surprisingly cavernous for a trimaran of its vintage, largely due to the "winged" deck design. These wings extend the main hull’s interior volume over the water, creating a wide salon and galley area that can accommodate a 6'2" headroom. The typical layout includes a V-berth in the bow, a large central salon with a folding table, and a dedicated galley. A hallmark of the Cross 38 is the separate aft cabin, which is often accessed via the cockpit or a walkthrough, providing a level of privacy rare in trimarans under 40 feet.
Because the Cross 38 was available as both a plan set for home builders and as a professionally built hull, interior materials vary wildly. Professional builds often feature mahogany or teak joinery, while amateur versions may utilize lighter-weight plywood or more utilitarian finishes. Sibling models, such as the Cross 40, were essentially lengthened versions of the 38, often incorporating "sugar scoop" transoms for easier water access and slightly more buoyancy in the stern to prevent pitching under heavy loads.
Popular Mentions & Media
The Cross 38 has a unique place in nautical pop culture, primarily due to the boat "Sister Whisper," a stretched Cross design that gained fame as the subject of an early Jimmy Buffett "Margaritaville" T-shirt. The model’s striking lines and reputation for seaworthiness also led to a Cross trimaran being featured in the film Captiva. These mentions underscore the model's status in the 1980s as the "gold standard" for the cruising multihull lifestyle.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers should approach a Cross 38 with a "builder-first" mentality, as the vessel's integrity is entirely dependent on its original construction and subsequent maintenance.
- Plywood/Epoxy Rot: Most Cross 38s were constructed using double-diagonal plywood planking encased in fiberglass (cold-molded). Any breach in the fiberglass skin can lead to localized rot. Critical areas for inspection include the "waterline" of the amas and the underside of the wing decks.
- Beam-to-Hull Structural Joints: The crossbeams (akakas) are under immense load. Inspect for stress cracking or "working" at the joints where the beams meet the main hull and the amas. Any signs of movement here require immediate structural attention.
- Mast Step Compression: The mast placement on Cross designs is critical for both balance and structural safety. Check the compression post and the area beneath the mast step for sagging or water infiltration, which can weaken the deck core.
- Rudder and Skeg Integrity: The skeg-hung rudder is a robust design, but the internal hardware and gudgeons can suffer from galvanic corrosion if not properly bonded. Check for "play" in the rudder post and signs of delamination on the skeg itself.
Community & Resources
Technical support for the Cross 38 remains surprisingly active. The primary repository for original plans and design specifications is managed by the designer’s successors at Cross Multihulls. Additionally, historical context and designer biographies can be found through the Trilogy Sailing archives, which track the evolution of the 1970s multihull movement.
The Verdict
Pros:
- Exceptional stability and a comfortable, upright motion in most sea states.
- Large interior volume for its length, featuring a genuine aft cabin and ample headroom.
- Shallow draft (typically under 4 feet) allows access to anchorages closed to most monohulls.
- Proven blue-water pedigree with many successful circumnavigations.
Cons:
- Construction quality varies significantly between amateur and professional builds.
- Upwind performance is limited in models with the standard fixed keel.
- Wide beam can make finding affordable marina slips difficult in crowded areas.
- Maintenance of three hulls and the complex beam-joint structure is more intensive than a monohull.
