Design and Construction
The fiberglass hull and deck both use sandwich construction, a method the builder chose to improve the interior climate. Below, the boat is finished in mahogany, as were many production yachts of the period.
Buyers could choose between two keel configurations. The lead fin keel draws about 7.4 to 7.7 feet, depending on load; that draft restricts the boat to major marinas. The iron wing keel reduces draft to roughly 5.7 to 6.0 feet, allowing the boat to enter most marinas.
The Sweden Yachts 38 has a 43% ballast ratio and a displacement-to-length ratio of 241, placing her in what one reference categorizes as “moderate racers.” Her capsize screening value is 1.99, and her motion comfort ratio is 25.5. The immersion rate is about 245 kg/cm (1,372 lb/inch).
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The masthead sloop rig carries 741 square feet on the ISO 8666 reference sail. That produces a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 18.4, rising to 22.1 with a 135% genoa. Wetted surface is about 462 square feet, and relative speed performance is listed at 62.
The standing and running rigging follow period masthead proportions. Halyards are about 120 feet long and 1/2-inch in diameter. The mainsheet is roughly 97 feet of 9/16-inch line, while the genoa sheets are about 39 feet of 9/16-inch line.
Under power, the boat makes 7.0 knots. A 28-horsepower Volvo Penta MD2003 diesel drives through a saildrive transmission.
Accommodations
The mahogany interior reflects the finish of a Scandinavian cruiser from the early Norlin years. Although the coachroof and deck are fiberglass, the cabin uses wood framing rather than molded-liner styling. The sandwich hull and deck construction also contribute to a steadier temperature below.
With a 12-foot-8-inch beam and an overall length of 38 feet 7 inches, the boat offers the volume typical of a three- or four-cabin cruiser of the era.
Verdict
The Sweden Yachts 38 is a thoughtfully engineered Norlin design that balances cruising comfort with moderate-racer performance. The fin- and wing-keel options let buyers choose between offshore stability and easier marina access, while the sandwich construction was a deliberate choice to improve livability.
She’s neither a lightweight nor a dedicated racing boat. Instead, her numbers describe a capable, well-balanced 38-foot cruiser.
Pros
- Sandwich hull and deck construction for an improved interior climate
- Choice of lead fin keel or shallow-draft iron wing keel
- Strong sail-area-to-displacement ratio with a 135% genoa: 22.1
- Mahogany interior consistent with quality Scandinavian construction
Cons
- Fin-keel draft limits the boat to major marinas
- Moderate displacement and a 241 D/L put her on the heavier side of the “moderate racer” category
