Southerly 38 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Southerly 38 means looking at a swing-keel, raised-saloon cruiser built by Northshore Yachts from 2008, designed by Stephen Jones with twin rudders and a self-tacking jib. These are boats made for owners who want deep-draft sailing performance paired with shallow-draft harbor access, and the brokerage pool reflects that original intent through the equipment typically carried.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Southerly 38's standard arrangement places a V-berth cabin forward and a double cabin aft, with the galley to port of the companionway and an elevated nav desk to starboard. The saloon is full of natural light and the settees are set up to be sea berths, while Northshore's allowance for some modifications to the basic layout means individual boats may differ in wood trim and minor configuration. The raised saloon provides those inside a panoramic view of the outside, a defining trait of the model on the used market.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, Southerly 38s commonly carry a chartplotter, autopilot, electric winches, and a short-handed setup consistent with the self-tacking jib and twin-helm traveler led to both stations. Bow thrusters, furling mains, asymmetric spinnakers, code zeros, and self-tacking jibs are commonly fitted, as are teak decks, dodgers, biminis, and cockpit showers. Heating, watermakers, and wind generators also appear commonly, reflecting bluewater cruising preparation. No items in the record fall below the commonly fitted tier for this model.
What to Inspect
The documented survey material for the Southerly 38 raises no model-specific structural defects or recurring failure points. The construction summary states Northshore built the boat with a great deal of experience behind its chosen niche, and the editorial review documents the swing-keel, raised-saloon configuration, twin rudders, and accommodation plan without noting faults. Buyers should still have a surveyor examine the swing-keel pivot and hydraulic system, but the available sources document no known issues to target.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Southerly 38s on the used market are typically found in the United Kingdom. For a shopper, the checklist is straightforward: confirm the keel mechanism operates smoothly, verify the twin helms and traveler lines are intact, check the raised-saloon windows and seals for leaks given the panoramic glazing, and review the inventory of commonly fitted equipment against your own cruising plan. The boat's dual-draft design rewards owners who actually use the shallow mode, so confirm the keel fully retracts and the grounding plate is undamaged.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Southerly 38. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 1 | $ 309,988 | — |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $ 313,323 | +1.1% |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $ 343,342 | +9.6% |
| Nov 25 | 2 | $ 299,879 | -12.7% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $ 287,620 | -4.1% |
| May 26 | 1 | $ 330,204 | +14.8% |
Where they're listed
Southerly 38 listings appear across 1 country. United Kingdom has the most listings with 8.
Country view
8 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $ 320,096 | 8 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
10 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bavaria Yachts C38 | 37.34' | $ 292,122 | 88 | 34 |
| Beneteau Oceanis 38 | 37.73' | $ 161,471 | 68 | 20 |
| Dehler 38 | 38.71' | $ 235,000 | 48 | 22 |
| Moody S38 | 39' | $ 92,402 | 36 | 6 |
| SOUTHERLY 100 | 33.75' | $ 36,394 | 23 | 2 |
| X-Yachts Xc XC 38 | 37.99' | $ 341,001 | 11 | 2 |
| Northshore 38 | 37.99' | $ 50,732 | 11 | 0 |
| Southerly 32 | 32.71' | $ 135,027 | 10 | 0 |
| Southerly 35 RS | 35.5' | $ 138,129 | 10 | 5 |
| Southerly 38You are here | — | $ 320,134 | 8 | 1 |