Sigma 38 Ood Buyer's Guide
The Sigma 38 OOD is a David Thomas-designed offshore one-design built by Marine Projects from 1985 to 1993, 125 completed, with the final hull finished by Northshore Yachts. On the brokerage market these are predominantly the one-design specification rather than the cruising variant, which was made only in handfuls with minimal differences. Strong class fleets in the UK and Ireland mean a steady ownership community, but buyers should weigh documented structural and rigging watch points against the boat's genuine offshore capability.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available, and ex-charter examples are common. The interior follows the standard OOD plan with two aft cabins giving equal-length double bunks, a port cabin with slightly more floor space and a small wash basin, settees serving as 6ft 8in sea berths with two pilot berths outboard, and a vee-berth whose bunks flip up to reveal a large storage cage. The galley runs longitudinally to starboard with a top-loading fridge behind the sink, and a proper nav station sits to port. Steep companionway steps and limited galley work surfaces are inherent to the design rather than signs of poor upkeep.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Commonly fitted equipment on the used market includes spinnaker, asymmetric spinnaker, chartplotter, life raft, heating, dodger, teak decks, AIS, and autopilot. The original 28hp Volvo engine has most often been replaced, with shaft drive retained; engine access comes through a removable front box and side panels in the aft cabins for gearbox and stern gland. Primary winches with a 52:1 ratio remain a defining firepower item, perched on the coachroof end, and the 7/8ths fractional rig carries running backstays with a mainsheet traveller just ahead of the helm.
What to Inspect
Marine surveyors note the decks have a balsa core that softens with age, and the hull-to-deck joints should be checked for issues likely from previous collisions, using the alloy toerail to trace impact locations. Wear to spars and rig — particularly the goose neck fittings — is a known item, and the laminated stainless steel shroud T-piece has often needed reinforcement within the class. The structural matrix around the keel can delaminate in a grounding, though many boats have already had keel security upgraded with larger backing plates and the internal frame further reinforced.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats typically appear in the United Kingdom, Curaçao, and Ireland. For a shopping shortlist: confirm deck softening and hull-to-deck joint history; inspect goose neck and shroud T-piece reinforcement; verify keel matrix and backing-plate upgrades; check re-engine status and shaft-drive access; prefer a three-cabin owner layout if cruising, and expect ex-charter units among listings.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Sigma 38 Ood. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $ 34,214 | — |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $ 69,756 | +103.9% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $ 26,000 | -62.7% |
Where they're listed
Sigma 38 Ood listings appear across 3 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 2 (50.0%), followed by Curacao and Ireland.
Country view
4 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $ 69,756 | 2 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Curacao | $ 26,000 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Ireland | $ 34,214 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma 33 Ood | 32.5' | $ 20,024 | 37 | 7 |
| Sigma 38 | 38.33' | $ 51,493 | 21 | 3 |
| Sydney Yachts 38 | 38.5' | $ 71,137 | 12 | 4 |
| Northshore 38 | 37.99' | $ 50,732 | 11 | 0 |
| Morgan 38 | 37.67' | $ 75,000 | 5 | 3 |
| Sigma 38 OodYou are here | — | $ 49,795 | 4 | 0 |