With a fiberglass hull, fin keel, and skeg-hung rudder, the Westwind 38 sits firmly in the moderate-displacement cruiser-racer class. Her comfort and interior volume, however, distinguish her from many boats of similar length.
Design and Construction
The Westwind 38’s fiberglass hull is beamy and moderately loaded. About 12 feet of beam on a 33-foot waterline gives her a length-to-beam ratio of 3.16, making her more spacious than 62% of all other designs of comparable size.
Her displacement-length ratio is 238, placing her in the “moderate racers” category; 62% of similar designs are heavier. Ballast accounts for 39% of displacement, a higher proportion than on 46% of similar sailboats.
The capsize screening value of 1.79 indicates a form considered acceptable by that formula. Her Motion Comfort Ratio of 31.2 suggests a more comfortable ride than 66% of similar sailboat designs. A wetted surface of about 419 square feet and an immersion rate of roughly 1,381 pounds per inch complete the picture of a stable, volume-oriented hull rather than a featherweight.
Rig and Handling
The Westwind 38 has a cutter rig and a fin keel. Loaded draft runs roughly 4.9 to 5.2 feet, allowing her to enter most marinas without unusual draft concerns.
Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 15.69, a moderate figure that supports balanced sailing performance without demanding extreme sail loads. The theoretical hull speed is 7.7 knots.
Recommended running-rigging dimensions are generous: 37.9-foot jib and genoa sheets at 14 mm diameter, a 94.8-foot mainsheet of the same diameter, and 83.4-foot spinnaker sheets. Those dimensions suggest a deck layout intended for secure, adequately sized control lines rather than minimalist racing trim.
Accommodations, Tankage, and Auxiliary Power
The Westwind 38 carries 265 liters (70 US gallons) of fresh water and 189 liters (49 US gallons) of fuel. Her beamy hull, which ranks among the more spacious in her class, supports livable volume, although the available record doesn’t detail the specific interior arrangement.
A Yanmar diesel inboard—listed at 30 horsepower in builder background—may be fitted, providing practical auxiliary power for maneuvering and battery charging.
The Verdict
The Westwind 38 is a thoughtfully proportioned mid-1980s cutter that combines cruising volume with credible performance figures. Her comfort ratio and space index exceed those of most similar designs, while her moderate draft suits a range of moorings. She is a versatile platform for a couple or small family, though buyers should verify the engine and interior details of each boat.
Pros
- More spacious than 62% of comparable designs and more comfortable than 66% by Motion Comfort Ratio
- Moderate 4.92–5.22 ft draft eases marina access
- Cutter rig with adequately sized sheets for secure handling
- Ballast ratio higher than that of nearly half of similar sailboats
Cons
- A displacement-length ratio of 238 places her in the moderate-racer class, not among light-air flyers
- Construction at multiple yards means build consistency should be checked hull by hull
