Design and Construction
Van de Stadt gave the Trintella 38 a solid fiberglass hull, fin keel, and skeg-hung rudder. Her published ratios place her firmly in the heavy-cruiser camp.
A displacement-length figure of 401 earns her the “ultra heavy cruiser” classification; only 7 percent of comparable designs are heavier. Her 42 percent ballast ratio is higher than those of 62 percent of similar sailboats. The capsize screening value is 1.70.
The length-beam ratio is 3.12, making her roomier than two-thirds of comparable designs. Her motion comfort value of 39.9 is higher than those of 95 percent of similar sailboats—a figure likely to matter more to a cruising couple than to a weekend racer.
Rig, Handling, and Auxiliary Power
The Trintella 38 carries a masthead sloop rig and has a wetted surface of roughly 409 square feet. Her draft ranges from 6.23 to 6.53 feet depending on load, which limits her to major marinas.
The standing sail-handling dimensions are generous. The mainsheet is about 94.7 feet long, while the genoa and jib sheets are about 37.9 feet long. All are sized at 14 mm diameter.
Under power, the boat may carry a 38 hp inboard diesel with shaft drive. Calculated top speed is near 5.2 knots, compared with a theoretical hull speed of 7.3 knots. Her sail-area-displacement ratio is 13.99.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below, the Trintella 38 has two cabins and six berths, with headroom described as above average for the class. Her 3.12 length-beam ratio translates into useful interior volume: she is more spacious than 66 percent of similar designs.
Tankage is substantial enough to support extended stays, with 264 US gallons of fresh water and 92 US gallons of fuel.
Verdict
The Trintella 38 is a heavily built van de Stadt cruiser whose comfort and stability favor offshore and long-haul use over speed. Limited production keeps her off the common brokerage radar, but the design figures point to a seakindly, roomy hull with serious tankage.
Pros
- Ultra-heavy-displacement hull, with a comfort ratio above 95 percent of comparable boats
- High ballast ratio and draft suited to major-marina cruising
- Above-average headroom, with six berths in two cabins
- Large water and fuel capacities for extended cruising
Cons
- Draft of 6.23–6.53 ft restricts access to anchorages and shallow ports
- Low sail-area-displacement ratio of 13.99 and calculated speed of 5.2 kt favor passage-making over performance
