Design and Construction
The Regina 38 is built around a balsa-cored fiberglass hull and deck, with lead ballast set in a fin-keel configuration and a spade rudder behind. At 32 feet 10 inches on the waterline and a displacement-length ratio above 260, she is a heavy, volume-oriented cruiser rather than a featherweight racer. The pilothouse is the right size for the boat, sheltering the companionway without dominating the profile, and the high freeboard that defines her topsides also keeps any spray well away from the helm station. Inside, all the interior woodwork is various shades of mahogany, and the accommodations are voluminous without feeling cavernous or busy — a balance that favors long stays aboard in cold and wet conditions.
Rig and Handling
The Regina 38 is rigged as a masthead sloop with a mast standing 54 feet 8 inches above the waterline and roughly 807 square feet of sail area, producing a sail-area-displacement ratio of 17. A smallish offset wheel wraps itself around the helm station and stays out of the way of people moving fore and aft, which keeps traffic flowing on deck during maneuvers. Test sailors found her performance credible in real wind: during a trial off Portland, Maine, she performed well once the wind passed 15 knots, beat into a moderate chop without difficulty, and in that breeze made around 6 knots, tacking through 95 degrees. With the same 15 knots abeam she easily topped 7 knots, and when it gusted to 20 she surged as much as another knot faster on both points of sail. Throughout, she was comfortable, with little feeling of significant motion in either the cockpit or the main saloon.
Accommodations
There is plenty of room in the cockpit, and the saloon affords a 270-degree view while sitting at the dining table, a feature that matters in a pilothouse cruiser meant for watching weather and water from shelter. The interior volume supports extended living aboard, yet the layout avoids the cluttered feel that often accompanies beamy designs. The mahogany woodwork throughout gives a consistent northern-European finish that suits the boat’s higher-latitude mission.
The Verdict
The Regina 38 is a purpose-built high-latitude pilothouse cruiser with a sheltered helm, a roomy and calm interior, and a hull that handles chop and breeze from 15 to 20 knots without drama. She is a comfortable, well-mannered cruiser rather than a speedster, and her construction and layout reflect a clear design intent for cold-water voyaging.
Pros
- Pilothouse sized for shelter without overwhelming the deck
- High freeboard keeps spray off the helm
- Comfortable motion in cockpit and saloon through 20-knot gusts
- Voluminous, uncluttered interior with 270-degree saloon view
- Solid windward and reaching performance from 15 knots up
Cons
- Sail-area-displacement ratio of 17 limits light-air pace
- Heavy displacement and volume favor cruising over agility
