Hull Form and Design Philosophy
The Prout 38's designers filled almost the entire gross dimensional envelope with accommodation, a deliberate choice that shaped every performance characteristic downstream. The result is a boat that is not light — with a dry displacement of 14,330 pounds and a maximum recommended weight of 20,170 pounds, each hull sinks approximately one inch for every 950 pounds added, meaning the difference between a freshly provisioned boat and a stripped one runs to roughly six inches of waterline change. The D/L ratio spans a wide band depending on loading: 156 at light displacement and climbing toward 219 fully loaded. Neither figure signals a flyer, but both reflect the compromise Prout made consciously — the boat is an ocean home first, a sailing vessel second.
Rig Placement and Sail Plan
The most distinctive structural decision on the Prout 38 is where the mast sits. The mast is stepped on the aft bulkhead of the cabinhouse, a position that spreads compressive loads into a strong structural node and produces the characteristic Prout geometry: a small, blade-like mainsail and a large foretriangle. The genoa carries the primary sail area, listed at 481 square feet, which pushes the SA/D to approximately 18.2 — meaningfully higher than the 16.95 figure derived from the foretriangle alone. Perry's right-hand man Tim Kernan offered one rationale for this arrangement: large mast sections interrupt airflow over the main, so moving the primary driving sail forward of the mast keeps it working in cleaner air. Whatever the aerodynamic argument, Prout stuck with this rig geometry for years, which suggests it performed adequately in service. On a catamaran that does not heel appreciably, helm balance is largely a non-issue, freeing the designer from the usual compromises that govern sloop rig proportions on monohulls.
Accommodations and Interior Layout
Below decks, the Prout 38 is laid out to accommodate three couples, with private staterooms in each hull and a galley sunken in the starboard hull. The port hull houses the single head. The forward stateroom features what the original brochure called a cool box — a simple refrigeration provision that reflects the boat's tropical cruising orientation. On deck, the large molded foredeck replaces a forward trampoline, giving the boat a more finished aesthetic and a solid working surface, though some crews find trampolines more practical for anchor work and lounging. The absence of noticeable heel transforms the entire deck into usable space; as Perry noted, you can sit or lay just about anywhere on a cruising catamaran, and the Prout's generous beam amplifies this quality into something genuinely comfortable for extended offshore living.
Keel Configuration and Its Trade-Offs
The twin fixed keels drew the most ambivalent commentary in Perry's review. On the practical side, they are durable and serve as good grounding plates that protect the rudder when the cat is beached — a real benefit for boats exploring shallow anchorages and tidal harbors. On the performance side, they contribute to drag and create a lack of lift when on the wind. Perry's conclusion was ultimately pragmatic: the typical cruising family may not want the bother and care it takes to use and maintain high-aspect-ratio lifting foils. The fixed keels are a maintenance-friendly choice that trades windward efficiency for reliability and simplicity. For a boat primarily deployed on trade-wind passages, the calculus favors the fixed configuration.
Propulsion and Tankage
Twin 20-horsepower diesel sail-drives push the Prout 38 under power, providing independent maneuverability in tight marinas and redundancy on passage. The fuel tankage sits at 310 liters, while fresh water capacity reaches 400 liters — generous tankage that extends the boat's range between reprovisioning stops. Two small engines rather than one larger unit is the conventional catamaran choice: docking under power alone becomes dramatically easier when each hull has independent thrust, and a single engine failure still leaves propulsion.
The Verdict
The Prout 38 is a well-executed British cruising catamaran that prioritizes liveability and structural solidity over raw speed. It is about as good-looking a cruising cat as you will find in this size and would serve as an excellent way to introduce a family to multihull cruising — high praise from a reviewer who holds strong opinions about hull form. The boat asks its owners to accept fixed keels, a moderate sail plan, and a displacement that grows quickly with provisions, in exchange for a roomy, stable, easily managed platform that handles the demands of extended offshore passages without drama.
Pros
- Expansive accommodations for three couples in a genuine 38-foot package
- Mast stepped at a structurally robust position, proven over years of production
- Fixed twin keels protect rudders and survive grounding events
- Large molded foredeck provides solid working and lounging space
- Generous water and fuel tankage for extended passages
- Twin sail-drives provide independent propulsion and easy docking
Cons
- Heavy displacement limits windward performance, especially when loaded
- Fixed keels generate drag and lack windward lift compared to lifting foil options
- Single head for the entire boat regardless of crew size
- Large foretriangle genoa requires more crew effort than a fractional sloop rig in strong conditions
