Design and Construction
The Westwind 38's hull is fiberglass, and her principal dimensions describe a beamy, moderately loaded cruiser: about 12 feet of beam on a 33-foot waterline gives a length-to-beam ratio of 3.16, a figure that makes her more spacious than 62% of all other designs of comparable size. With a displacement-length ratio of 238, she falls into the "moderate racers" category, and 62% of similar designs are heavier than she is. Ballast is 39% of displacement — higher than 46% of similar sailboats — and the capsize screening value of 1.79 indicates a form considered acceptable by that formula. The Motion Comfort Ratio of 31.2 means she rides more comfortably than 66% of all similar sailboat designs. A wetted surface of about 419 square feet and an immersion rate of roughly 1,381 pounds per inch round out a picture of a stable, volume-oriented hull rather than a featherweight.
Rig and Handling
The Westwind 38 is built with a cutter rig and a fin keel whose loaded draft runs roughly 4.9 to 5.2 feet, which lets her enter most marinas without unusual draft concerns. Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 15.69, a moderate figure that supports balanced performance under canvas without demanding extreme sail loads. The theoretical hull speed is 7.7 knots. Recommended running rigging is generous: jib and genoa sheets of 37.9 feet at 14 mm diameter, a 94.8-foot mainsheet of the same diameter, and 83.4-foot spinnaker sheets. These dimensions suggest a deck layout planned for secure, adequately sized control lines rather than minimalist racing trim.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below, the Westwind 38 carries 265 liters (70 US gallons) of fresh water and 189 liters (49 US gallons) of fuel. The beamy hull that ranks her among the more spacious of her peers supports livable volume, though the specific interior arrangement is not detailed in the available record. The Yanmar diesel inboard — listed at 30 horsepower in builder background — may be fitted, giving a practical auxiliary for maneuvering and battery charging.
The Verdict
The Westwind 38 is a thoughtfully proportioned mid-1980s cutter that blends cruising volume with credible performance numbers. Her comfort ratio and space index beat most similar designs, and her moderate draft suits varied moorings. She is a versatile platform for a couple or small family, though buyers should verify engine and interior specifics on individual boats.
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 nearly half of similar sailboats
Cons
- Displacement-length ratio of 238 places her in moderate-racer class, not a light-air flyer
- Production at multiple yards means build consistency should be checked per hull
