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, with strong class fleets in the UK and Ireland. On the brokerage market these 38-foot fractional sloops turn up mostly as ex-charter and privately owned boats, and a buyer should understand both the common layouts and the structural points that separate a sound example from a tired one.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin arrangements are the more common layout seen for sale, though both the owner and charter-style plans appear. The standard interior gives two aft double cabins, a forward vee-berth with stowage cage, settee sea berths, and a longitudinal starboard galley with limited counter space. Ex-charter examples are common, and while a cruising version was built in minimal numbers, most hulls follow the one-design plan with only small variations.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Commonly fitted gear on the used fleet centres on offshore and short-handed capability. Spinnakers and asymmetric spinnakers are usual, paired with a chartplotter, AIS, and autopilot for navigation and watch relief. Heating and a dodger appear on many boats for comfort, and life rafts are commonly carried for offshore credibility. Teak decks are a frequent sight, though buyers should weigh their upkeep against the original balsa-cored fiberglass deck beneath.
What to Inspect
Marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies has found that the balsa-cored decks on these boats soften with age, so probe the deck for sponginess and follow the alloy toerail for signs of impact. Hull-to-deck joints deserve close attention since any defects there usually trace to earlier collisions, and goose neck fittings wear and should be checked with the spars. Former class chairman Nigel Goodhew notes the laminated shroud T-piece has often needed reinforcement, and the keel's structural matrix can delaminate in a grounding — though many boats have already had larger keel backing plates and extra frame lamination added.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Curaçao. For a buyer, the checklist is short: confirm deck core condition, inspect hull-to-deck joints and rigging wear, verify any shroud T-piece reinforcement, and confirm the keel matrix upgrades where a grounding history is suspected. With those cleared, the Sigma 38 OOD remains a capable offshore one-design with active class support.
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 | $34,851 | — |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $70,336 | +101.8% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $26,000 | -63.0% |
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 | $70,336 | 2 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Curacao | $26,000 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Ireland | $34,851 | 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
7 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma 33 Ood | 32.5' | $ 19,809 | 41 | 7 |
| Sigma 38 | 38.33' | $ 52,451 | 21 | 1 |
| Seaquest Yachts 38 | 38.06' | $ 81,481 | 12 | 5 |
| Sydney Yachts 38 | 38.5' | $ 72,100 | 12 | 2 |
| Northshore 38 | 37.99' | $ 52,074 | 11 | 5 |
| Morgan 38 | 37.67' | $ 69,000 | 5 | 1 |
| Sigma 38 OodYou are here | — | $ 50,385 | 4 | 0 |