Design and Lineage
The basic hull traces to 2011, when the first Saare 38 was built as the yard’s second development after the inaugural Saare 41 CC. Writing in Yachting Monthly, the editors noted that the 38 proves a modern cruiser need not adopt chines, an ultra-wide transom, or twin rudders to look the part. The Saare follows a very classic Scandinavian design approach, with a single skeg-free spade rudder on a central wheel, a deck-stepped mast, and a hull whose shape changes little when heeled — one reason testers found her so balanced. David Harding, sailing for Yachting Monthly, judged the 38 better balanced than the 41, with the caveat that setup differences may have played a role. The yard’s annual output sits closer to five than ten hulls, which positions the 38 as the smallest and most approachable model in a range that runs up to 47 feet.
Construction and Insulation
Every Saare shares a foam-sandwich structure, and on the 38 a Divinycell core makes the hull and deck markedly stiffer and stronger while delivering excellent acoustic and thermal insulation. The 38.2 generation employs modern vacuum-infusion production, and the interior is all wood — no bare fiberglass shows anywhere. Early boats were finished exclusively in Khaya mahogany, while later examples have appeared in light oak, some with horizontal grain; both mahogany and European oak are available for joinery. High, wide cockpit coamings and a fixed windscreen — akin to Hallberg-Rassy or Najad practice — shield the crew, and the ergonomic cockpit is safe and comfortable.
Rig, Helm, and Performance
The fractional sloop carries generously sized winches, fittings, and rollers laid out so the boat can be handled single-handed. A mainsheet arch is neatly integrated into the sprayhood front, and the helmsman always finds secure standing or seated positions behind the wheel. On the water she cruises close to the wind at a convincing angle and stays fast in all conditions; the hull’s steadiness when heeled contributes to a well-balanced feel, and she sails safely and comfortably even in rough seas. no-frills-sailing.com characterized her as long-cruising oriented, very seaworthy, and optimized for all-round performance — a bit less lively than a Linjett but sturdier in heavy weather.
Accommodations
Below, the 38 is a proper cruising yacht for two to four. The foredeck holds the owner’s berth and a very spacious wet room; the heads faces forward and can be used under way, with a large separable shower area before the main bulkhead. In the saloon, both settees run two meters long and face a modular table, while the galley to port offers an L-shaped layout with a 92-liter fridge, a hidden trash bin, and a seawater foot pump; standard cooking is a two-burner gas stove, though an induction top has been shown. A real chart table sits to starboard by the companionway, and aft of it a double cabin serves guests or children. To port aft, a walk-in locker opens from the galley, with additional storage boxes in the stern. The 38.2 may be ordered strictly owner-only with just the forward cabin, or with the portside guest cabin. All interior lamps are LED with integrated USB sockets.
The Verdict
The Saare 38 is a quietly persuasive Baltic cruiser: modest in production, serious in construction, and traditional in layout, yet thoroughly modern in sail-handling ease and sea-kindly balance. She will appeal to sailors who value a proven Scandinavian hull over showroom trendiness.
Pros
- Sandwich construction with Divinycell core for stiffness and genuine thermal/acoustic insulation
- Classic all-wood interior with no exposed fiberglass and optional oak or mahogany
- Hull shape stable when heeled, contributing to noted balance and rough-weather composure
- Single-handed-friendly deck layout with oversized, well-placed winches and fittings
- Forward wet room with underway heads and large separable shower for two-to-four cruising
Cons
- Not a lively sportboat — deliberately sturdier and slower to respond than a Linjett
- Low-volume production means limited brokerage choice and slow yard support cycles
- Later oak interiors and synthetic decking signal a build evolution that early buyers lack
