Introduced in 1998, the Admiral 38 sits at the smaller end of the genuine offshore multihull spectrum. Yet its 18,700-pound displacement and 23-foot-1-inch beam signal the amount of volume below.
Design and Construction
The Admiral 38 measures 38 feet overall, with a 34-foot waterline. It has a twin-keel hull form, a skeg-hung rudder, and a solid-fiberglass hull and deck—a straightforward composite approach rather than a cored laminate.
Its modest draft suits shallow cruising grounds as well as passage work. The specification record gives a draft of 3 feet 4 inches, while one owner quoted 2 feet 9 inches.
Admiral offered the boat in sailaway and executive versions, with different levels of trim and equipment.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
Owners who have driven the Admiral 38 hard describe a yacht that looks sleek and fast—and performs accordingly. One owner sailed from South Africa to Florida, encountering winds of 25 to 37 knots and 20-foot seas during the first three days. The owner reported that the boat and autopilot handled those conditions with ease. Surfing down the waves, the boat reached top speeds near 20 knots.
The 2-foot-9-inch draft quoted by the same owner places the Admiral 38 among the shallowest-draft cruising cats afloat. The owner reported sailing through reefs that other cats fear and anchoring in 4 feet of water before stepping from a sugar-scoop stern onto a beach.
Accommodations
The boat’s most impressive feature is its spacious feel. Owners attribute much of that roominess to the open, galley-up layout, which they describe as well planned, enjoyable to cook in, and easy to clean.
In the owner’s version, a large fore-and-aft bed eliminates the need for one person to crawl over the other at night. Other boats on the used market have a more charter-oriented three-cabin arrangement.
The broad hulls and open saloon also provide plenty of room for company. One cruiser hosted 26 fellow sailors aboard for a party without strain.
Engines, Capacities, and Versions
Two 29-horsepower diesel engines provide the redundancy commonly associated with catamarans, along with control in close quarters and power for passage-making.
The specification record lists fuel and water capacities of 137 gallons. Together with the shallow draft, those capacities support extended, self-sufficient cruising.
Equipment can vary considerably between the sailaway and executive trims, so individual boats may differ in their level of finish and equipment.
Verdict
The Admiral 38 is a genuinely spacious small catamaran with a documented ocean crossing in owner hands. Lavranos’s lines combine speed while surfing with the shallow draft needed to navigate reefs and anchor close to shore. Inside, the open galley-up arrangement and fore-and-aft owner’s berth address familiar multihull compromises between entertaining space and private comfort.
Pros
- Shallow 2-foot-9-inch draft provides access to reefs and 4-foot anchorages that other cats avoid
- Open galley-up layout and large fore-and-aft owner’s berth suit liveaboard cruising
- Documented speeds near 20 knots while surfing
- Reported easy heavy-weather handling under autopilot
Cons
- An 18,700-pound displacement places the boat firmly in cruiser territory
- Equipment levels vary widely between sailaway and executive versions
