Prout 38 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

Under sail, the Prout 38 is defined by its "mast-aft" cutter rig, a polarizing but functional design choice that Prout championed for decades. By stepping the mast further aft than a conventional catamaran, the design prioritizes a large, easy-to-handle furling staysail and genoa over a massive mainsail. In practice, this allows a short-handed crew to manage the majority of the boat's drive from the safety of the cockpit, as the mainsail is relatively small and less prone to overpowering the hulls.

While the Prout 38 is not a light-air flyer—it was built for durability rather than racing—its displacement-to-length ratio suggests a stable platform that maintains momentum well in a chop. The low-aspect keels provide a shallow draft of approximately 3 feet, allowing access to thin-water anchorages, though they do result in more leeway when beating to windward compared to daggerboard-equipped performance cats. Owners often report that the boat feels exceptionally "planted" in heavy weather; the solid foredeck, a hallmark of Prout design, provides a massive working platform and contributes to the structural rigidity of the platform, though it can result in occasional slamming against the bridgedeck in short, steep head seas.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Prout 38 highlights the builder's shift toward the "owner-version" market that began to dominate the late 90s. The most common configuration features a spacious saloon on the bridgedeck with a panoramic view, a feature that was significantly improved over the older Snowgoose 37. In the standard layout, the galley is located "down" in the starboard hull, providing a secure, U-shaped workspace that is ideal for offshore cooking, while the port hull typically houses the owner’s suite.

Sibling models and variations on this hull are noteworthy. The Prout 38 was often compared to its slightly larger sibling, the Prout 39, which shared a similar design ethos but offered more refined finishing. There were also "Manta" and "Executive" trim levels that dictated the use of interior materials—typically ranging from functional easy-clean laminates to high-gloss cherry or teak joinery. Because Prout was nearing its end of production during this era, some 38s were finished by secondary yards or as owner-completions, leading to a high degree of variance in cabinetry quality and electrical system complexity.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach a Prout 38 with a checklist focused on the transition years of the manufacturer. While the hulls are generally robust solid fiberglass below the waterline, the deck is balsa-cored.

• Bridgedeck Core Integrity: Inspect for soft spots on the expansive solid foredeck. If deck hardware (cleats, windlass) was not properly bedded, moisture can migrate into the balsa core, leading to costly delamination repairs.
• Drive System Maintenance: Many Prout 38s were equipped with Sillette Sonic outdrive legs rather than traditional sail drives or shaft drives. These legs allow the propeller to be tilted out of the water to reduce drag and prevent corrosion, but they require meticulous maintenance of the bellows and pivoting joints.
• Window Seals: The large, wrap-around saloon windows are prone to leaking if the original sealant has degraded. Check for water staining on the interior woodwork below the window lines.
• Rigging Loads: Because the mast-aft rig places significant tension on the forestay to maintain headstay tautness, the chainplates and the structural "A-frame" support under the mast step should be inspected for signs of compression or stress cracking.

Community & Resources

Owners of the Prout 38 benefit from a dedicated and highly technical global community. The Prout Owners Association serves as the primary repository for original manuals and technical drawings. This group is particularly useful for sourcing parts for the proprietary items Prout used, such as the unique window extrusions and the outdrive leg components.

The Verdict

The Prout 38 is a quintessential "mariner’s catamaran," favoring safety and ease of handling over raw speed or dockside flashiness. It is a vessel designed for the couple who intends to cross oceans with a minimum of drama.

Pros:

• Exceptional Safety: The mast-aft rig and solid foredeck make for a secure platform in heavy weather.
• Shallow Draft: Capable of navigating the Bahamas or French canals with ease.
• Robust Construction: Built to a standard that often exceeds modern mass-production cats.

Cons:

• Upwind Performance: Low-aspect keels and a small mainsail limit pointing ability.
• Propulsion Complexity: The outdrive leg system requires more frequent "eyes-on" maintenance than a standard shaft drive.
• Bridgedeck Slamming: The solid foredeck can be noisy in specific sea states when heading into the wind.