Design and Construction
The 38's structure is built around a thermo-formed Core-Cell PH foam core, with hull and deck layups infused using 100 percent vinylester resin thermo-formed Core-Cell PH core. Heating the Core-Cell to 165 degrees Fahrenheit in an infrared oven before infusion lets the yard shape a tighter, more accurate laminate while shedding the excess resin weight typical of a PVC-core build tighter, more accurate fit of the laminate. The hulls themselves carry sharp, tumblehome bows and a dramatic reverse sheer, and each hull reaches a maximum beam of 6 feet with a waterline beam of just 3 feet 2 inches; kept light, the boat holds a 12:1 length-to-beam ratio. That fine entry and narrow hull form is what gives the motion its easy, predictable character in a light chop, and the flared chines and radiused topsides also deliver reserve buoyancy if the boat is overloaded. An "LS" version strips some woodwork and trims 600 pounds. The two hulls sport daggerboards, and chainplates sit outboard of the arched side decks for a clear foredeck path.
Rig and Handling
A double-spreader Seldén aluminum mast on wire rigging carries a self-tacking jib on a Seldén furler, with the main traveler spanning the cockpit aft so the sheet is tended right alongside the helm self-tacking jib flying off a Seldén furler. All sail controls lead to a single inside helm station aft of the saloon's forward bulkhead, where a pair of winches and a battery of clutches sit close at hand for halyards, headsail, and boards. A removable sprit for an A-sail is optional, and a screacher or code zero can be added for off-wind angles. Under working sail in 12 knots true just aft of abeam, test sailors easily notched 7.8 knots, and a 14-knot gust popped her over 8; reaching speeds in another trial ran typically 9 to 10 knots. She tacked easily with main, roller-furling headsail, and both boards down, though she struggled to tack under main alone. On a New Jersey delivery with wind aft in the 20s, the designer recorded a 16.4-knot peak and a steady 11–14 knots SOG under jib and reefed main.
Accommodations
The boat uses an open bridgedeck where cockpit and saloon are one space, with huge saloon windows and abundant light from hull windows above the sheerline; opening hatches fore and aft vent the accommodations, reached by a pair of sliding hatchways down into the hulls open bridgedeck design. All living spaces sit in the two hulls: an inline galley to port with a three-burner stove but no oven, a double berth aft in each hull, a narrow double berth forward of the galley, and a single head forward of the amidships open space to starboard. The layout is meant for no more than five people, and cabin spaces are divided by drapes rather than doors. One reviewer praised the white gelcoat and cherry veneer combination throughout.
Power and Propulsion
Standard auxiliary power is twin 9.9hp long-shaft outboards mounted in wells, with power trim and tilt run from throttles at the helm; they retract when not in use to cut drag retract when not in use, reducing drag. Torqeedo electric pod drives are also available. With optional 15hp outboards, the test boat reached 7.3 knots at 3,700 rpm and over 8 at 4,400. In flat water the 9.9s easily made 6 to 7 knots, but motoring into 25 knots and a steep 3-foot chop at 80 percent throttle, they pushed just above 3 knots and lost thrust on every third wave.
The Verdict
This purpose-built fast cruising cat trades creature comforts and heavy gear for light weight, narrow-hull speed, and single-handed simplicity. Its thermo-formed core and infusion build keep structure lean, while the daggerboard hulls and self-tacking rig make 9- to 10-knot reaching routine for a couple or solo sailor. The trade-off is limited payload buoyancy, minimal accommodation partitions, and modest outboard power in a seaway.
Pros
- Slender 12:1 hulls and Core-Cell/vinylester build for light, fast cruising
- Self-tacking jib and all-controls-at-helm layout for short-handed sailing
- Open bridgedeck with strong natural light and ventilation
- Daggerboards and retracting outboards reduce drag under sail
Cons
- Narrow hulls lack buoyancy for heavy equipment or big tankage
- Single head, drape-divided cabins, no oven, max five berths
- Twin 9.9hp outboards cavitate and slow sharply in steep chop
