Design and Construction
Jones drew the Prima 38 in the late 1990s as a light racer, and the numbers support that description. Her displacement-length ratio of 146 places her among light racers; 88% of comparable sailboat designs are heavier than the Prima 38.
The hull and deck are solid, hand-laid fiberglass rather than cored construction, while the interior is finished in teak. Her length-to-beam ratio is 3.04, making her beamier than 73% of similar designs and giving her more space below than most rivals of her size.
Ballast is 5,952 pounds of lead on the bulb, for a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 44.26%. Wetted surface is about 538 square feet. An immersion rate of roughly 1,496 pounds per inch means she settles noticeably as weight comes aboard. That load sensitivity is reflected in her draft, which varies from about 8.2 to 8.5 feet depending on what she’s carrying.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 9/10 fractional carbon rig carries roughly 956 square feet of sail. The standing and running rigging dimensions are generous: mainsail, jib-genoa, and spinnaker halyards are each about 130 feet of 1/2-inch line. Sheets are 14 mm, and the mainsheet alone is 95 feet long.
Her light displacement and deep draft contribute to a theoretical hull speed of 7.9 knots. Under power, the Yanmar diesel drives through a saildrive, with a logged engine speed of 7.0 knots.
The Prima 38 has a capsize screening value of 2.10, which, by the review’s standard, would bar her from ocean racing under that screening criterion. At the same time, she holds CE Class A Ocean certification when few are aboard.
Her motion comfort ratio falls between about 19.6 and 20.1, making her more comfortable than only 14% of similar designs. In practical terms, she is a lively boat rather than a soft-riding one.
Accommodations and Cruising Range
Below, the teak interior makes good use of the beamy hull. Both a three-cabin owner layout and a four-cabin charter version appeared during the production run.
Tankage reflects the racer-cruiser compromise. The Prima 38 carries 53 gallons of water and 16 gallons of diesel—enough for cruising, but not for wandering far without careful attention to replenishment.
Her deep draft is a real cruising constraint. It largely limits her to major marinas, despite the extended voyages her CE certification otherwise covers.
Known Limitations
The most concrete limitation is the capsize screening value of 2.10, which the review says would not be accepted for ocean racing under its standard. The known facts center on performance classification rather than physical failure.
Refits and Ownership
With only 25 boats built and a carbon rig, the Prima 38 is a low-volume model whose owners tend to keep her well. The saildrive transmission and deep bulb keel are the two items likely to dominate any major service conversation.
Her variable draft under load also means that rig tuning and load planning matter more than they would on a heavier cruiser.
The Verdict
The Prima 38 is a specialist’s boat: a light, beamy, carbon-rigged cruiser-racer with ocean certification, but also a capsize screening value that bars her from sanctioned ocean racing. She rewards a knowledgeable owner with space and speed, while her deep draft and sensitivity to load leave less room for carelessness.
Pros
- Beamier and roomier than most similar 38-foot designs
- Light racing hull, 9/10 fractional carbon rig, and 956 square feet of sail
- CE Class A Ocean certification for extended voyages
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.10 excludes her from ocean racing
- Deep draft of 8.2 to 8.5 feet limits marina access
- Motion comfort ratio is better than that of only 14% of similar designs
