What truly distinguishes the Sirius 38 DS from other boats in the same size range is its genuine deck saloon layout. Unlike "false" deck saloons of the era, which merely raised the coachroof to increase headroom, the 38 DS features an elevated U-shaped seating area, a galley, and a navigation station on a raised platform. This arrangement grants the crew a true 360-degree panoramic view of their surroundings while seated inside, completely sheltered from the elements. The interior is characterized by the shipyard's legendary craftsmanship, featuring hand-varnished and waxed mahogany joinery, solid wooden rubbing strakes, and meticulously matched veneers that rival the high-end output of Swedish yards on Orust.
Variations & Configurations
Because Sirius functions as a semi-custom builder, the 38 DS was tailored to the specific desires of each commissioning owner, meaning no two hulls on the water are exactly alike. However, several primary configurations emerged during its production run.
Layouts were highly customizable, but the most common configuration is the two-cabin version. This setup features a generous master cabin in the bow, a spacious double aft cabin tucked beneath the cockpit, a large toilet room to port, and a separate stall shower to starboard. The genius of the split-level floor plan is that it enables a unique walk-in technical room or workshop beneath the saloon floor. Complete with a worktable and dedicated tool storage, this room organizes the vessel's primary mechanical systems and provides a dedicated maintenance sanctuary rarely seen on a 38-foot yacht.
The sailing rig is typically a masthead sloop with double spreaders. Many owners opted for a Solent or cutter rig configuration, pairing a self-tacking jib on an inner forestay with a larger, overlapping genoa on the outer forestay to provide a versatile, easily managed sail plan across a wide wind range.
For drafts, Sirius offered multiple keel options. While the standard deep fin keel (constructed of antimony-hardened lead bolted through massive structural GRP floor reinforcements) provides maximum upwind efficiency, shoal-draft fin keels, hydrodynamic twin keels for drying out in tidal zones, and electro-hydraulic swing keels were also available to suit different cruising grounds.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The physical handling and motion of the Sirius 38 DS are defined by its robust, conservative numbers. With a displacement of 17,857 pounds and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 33.95 percent, the boat carries its weight low in a lead bulb, delivering excellent initial stability and a stiff, reassuring righting moment when the wind pipes up.
Its comfort ratio of 29.99 translates directly to a gentle, predictable motion in a seaway. It resists rapid rolling and violent pitching, significantly reducing crew fatigue during multi-day offshore passages. A capsize screening ratio of 1.76 is well below the conservative offshore limit, verifying that this vessel possesses the ultimate stability reserves required for ocean voyages.
The displacement-to-length ratio of 189.48 places the hull in the moderate-displacement category. Under sail, it is highly seaworthy and tracks tenaciously, aided by a prebalanced rudder hung on a partial skeg. However, with a conservative sail area-to-displacement ratio of 14.37, the Sirius 38 DS is not a light-wind racing machine. It requires a decent breeze to find its footing and relies heavily on a furling gennaker or Code Zero to maintain good speeds in light airs. When winds exceed fifteen knots, the boat truly shines, carrying full sail long after lighter, more performance-oriented cruisers have been forced to reef. Under power, the standard 40 HP Volvo Penta diesel (often upgraded to a 55 HP model) combined with a three-blade folding propeller easily pushes the hull to its theoretical maximum speed of just under eight knots.
Market Snapshot & Economics
On the brokerage market, the Sirius 38 DS occupies an elite, highly sought-after niche. Because Sirius-Werft is a boutique manufacturer that constructs only a small number of yachts each year, these boats are globally scarce and rarely stay listed for long.
Unlike mass-production yachts of similar vintage that lose value rapidly, the Sirius 38 DS holds its value exceptionally well, commanding a significant pricing premium. Prospective buyers must recognize that they are paying for bespoke engineering and uncompromising material quality.
The economics of refitting a Sirius 38 DS are generally favorable regarding structural integrity. The hand-laid solid GRP hull—which is laminated in a single piece and is up to 40 mm thick near the keel—and the fully laminated hull-to-deck joints and bulkheads are designed to last a lifetime. However, because these boats are packed with sophisticated, high-end cruising systems, updating aging electronics, servicing the complex hydraulic steering or lifting keel mechanisms, and maintaining the extensive 10 mm solid teak decks can be financially demanding.
Known Issues & Triage
The high-end, low-volume construction of the Sirius 38 DS spares it from the structural failures, such as bulkheads separating or keel joint flexing, that are common in mass-produced boats. Nevertheless, there are specific areas that require a surveyor’s attention:
- High System Density: The split-level floor plan compresses the boat's plumbing, electrical, and HVAC runs into deep, concentrated spaces under the floorboards. Accessing seacocks, bilge pumps, and fresh-water lines can require significant contortion, making routine system inspections or hose replacements highly labor-intensive.
- Teak Deck Maintenance: Standard models were fitted with beautiful, 10 mm thick teak decks laid in polyurethane and partially screwed. On older hulls, the caulking can degrade, and if screws begin to back out, water can slowly migrate. A thorough inspection of the deck’s adhesion and balsa core in sandwich areas is critical.
- Exhaust Mixing Elbow: The Volvo Penta engine installations are highly reliable, but the exhaust mixing elbow is prone to carbon buildup and corrosion over time. This restricts raw water flow and exhaust gas, which can lead to engine overheating. It should be removed, inspected, and cleaned or replaced every few years.
Modernization & Upgrades
Modern owners are increasingly customizing their Sirius 38 DS models to enhance their self-sufficiency for extended off-grid cruising:
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Conversions: The spacious technical room and well-ventilated battery compartments make these yachts ideal candidates for large lithium house banks. Upgrading to a lithium system allows owners to easily run high-draw appliances like watermakers, induction cooktops, and even air conditioning without relying on a generator.
- Solar and Arch Integration: To support modern power demands, many owners retroactively install robust solar arrays. This is typically achieved by installing custom marine-grade stainless steel arches over the cockpit, which also serve as excellent davits for tender storage.
- Thruster Retrofits: While the heavy displacement and partial skeg rudder provide excellent tracking at sea, the high-sided deck saloon profile presents substantial windage in tight marinas. Retrofitting both bow and stern thrusters has become a popular upgrade to make docking stress-free when maneuvering short-handed.
- Rig Modernization: Owners planning to cruise light-wind regions often modify the rig to handle a modern furling Code Zero or a top-down furling gennaker. This dramatically improves light-air performance, allowing the boat to sail comfortably instead of motoring in under ten knots of breeze.
The Verdict
The Sirius 38 DS is a highly specialized, blue-water cruiser designed for those who refuse to compromise on build quality, security, and interior comfort. It successfully delivers the accommodation volume, storage capacity, and system access of a 45-foot yacht in an easily managed 38-foot footprint. While its high windage and conservative sail area make it less suited for light-air performance or racing, its rock-solid stability and cozy, panoramic deck saloon make it an unmatched passage maker for cruising couples who want to sail in absolute safety, regardless of the weather outside.
Pros
- Exceptional true deck saloon layout offering 360-degree visibility from the warmth of the cabin.
- Superb German craftsmanship, featuring high-end joinery and robust, hand-laid GRP construction.
- Dedicated walk-in technical room and workshop that provides unparalleled access for mechanical maintenance.
- Excellent motion comfort and high ultimate stability for demanding offshore passages.
- Extremely strong resale value and enduring desirability on the brokerage market.
Cons
- Conservative sail-area-to-displacement ratio leads to sluggish performance in light winds.
- High hull freeboard and cabin profile create significant windage, complicating close-quarters maneuvering.
- High system density makes plumbing and electrical maintenance in deep hull sections challenging.
- Significant premium pricing and extreme scarcity make finding a well-maintained used model difficult.
