38 foot sailboat interior

Home Eagle 38

11,77 m (38' 6")

2,60 m (8' 6")

Displacement

1,85 meters or 1,25 meter (6' 1" or 4' 1")

As one can expect from Leonardo Yachts no compromises on beauty and elegance were made. The exterior truly captures the style and elegance of a Spirit of Tradition yacht. The 38 foot sailboat has a timeless appeal with elegant classic lines combined with ultra-modern deck hardware and a modern underwater body. The modern classic boat is designed as a true daysailer; the cockpit comfortably seats six people so family or friends can come along to enjoy a day on the water in style. At the same time the Eagle 38 can also easily be sailed single handed .

For ease of handling the jib winches are positioned within easy reach of the helmsman. Optionally the 38 can be equipped with electric powered jib winches. Combined with a powered captive mainsheet winch and electric halyard winch, this will make trimming and hoisting the sails of the 38 foot yacht as easy as pushing a button. The halyard winch is conveniently placed on the coach roof combined with the below deck mounted jib furler system ensuring hoisting or lowering your sails will never be a hassle.

The Eagle 38 is also built for performance. With its sleek design and state-of-the-art technology, this boat is sure to turn heads and provide a smooth and thrilling sailing experience.

The interior is light and airy with plenty of daylight and warm LED lights. The varnished mahogany furniture and ceiling in alcantara give the 38 an elegant and luxurious feel. The interior of the 38 ft sailboat offers sleeping space for three people. To complete the comfort of a daysailer, a toilet is convenient and neatly built in out of sight in the cabin.

The Eagle 38 can be personalized in many ways. Hull color, color of the Permateek deck and caulking, different wood finishes for the interior and by making your personal choice for the interior and exterior cushion fabric, you can design the Eagle 38 to your personal preferences. Furthermore, there are performance upgrades possible as for example different race orientated sails like North Sails 3Di sails and a carbon mast. Please contact  us to explore all the possibilities.

See it for yourself

1,85 meters or 1,25 meters (6' 1" or 4' 1")

Mast height

13,80 meter above DWL

Construction

GRP vinylester

CE Category

C (shore- and coastal waters)

Hoek Design

Deck/hatches

Permateek with flush hatches

Self draining with Permateek flooring

Mahogany matt varnished

Volvo D1-13 12 hp sail drive or Oceanvolt SD8 electric

45 liters diesel

Fresh water

Waste water

Show all specs

In this insightful and independent video produced by the YouTube channel Aquaholics, you are treated to an in-depth exploration of the distinctive features and intricate details that define the Eagle 38.

Let us know who you are and download our brochure for free

Beneteau 38 Sailboat – A High-Performing Boat

Beneteau Oceanis 38 is a 38-foot performance cruiser that shares much of the good angular looks with the rest of the Oceanis series. But its interior design breaks new ground and presents a living space like no other. The Oceanis 38’s construction is simply one-of-a-kind. From the hard chines (flowing from well forward to aft) to the considerable beam and twin wheels through to the fiberglass arch laid over the companionway, the vessel’s physical appearance is adorable, to say the least.

Beneteau 38 Sailboat is the epitome of comfort, luxury, and unique cruising at sea. So any money spent on chartering the vessel would be worth it in the long run. But do you know what to expect in the boat in terms of exterior & exterior design, onboard amenities, and overall performance? Let’s find out!

Table of Contents

Accommodation

The Beneteau 38 comes with 2 to 3 cabins that can house up to 6 guests, quite comfortably. There’s one head in the two cabin layout with the extra space from aft to board utilized as a stand-up shower. It’s a sizable room that can serve as a storage area or wet locker.

With the 3-cabin layout, the shower is in a small compartment, towards the port, otherwise appointed a hanging locker. There are Queen Size beds in these cabins, something that makes sleeping both comfortable and relaxing. All the cabins’ interior comes with a 6ft 5-inch headroom and includes a removable forward bulkhead.

Beneteau 38’s interior is not only appealing but also highly configurable, allowing you to organize the interior spaces and the woodwork ambiances to suit your needs. The boat simply offers three options when it comes to re-organizing life on board the boat: the Daysailer, the Weekender, and the Cruise.

The Daysailer does away with the interior bulkheads, leaving space for a single room. This arrangement also proffers more aft space for storage and an open cockpit. The weekender version, on the other hand, offers a sophisticated yet appealing choice of layout. It includes open or closed cabins, an in-line galley (with fridge, 2-burner stove, and oven), a separate shower, helmsman’s seats, an extra inside/outside table, and more.

The Cruiser option of the Oceanic 38 features a large galley facing the saloon plus a bathroom with a separate shower. You also have the option of choosing between 2 or 3 fitted cabins. In this layout, the bulkhead can be taken off from the fore cabin to restore that lost feeling.

The boat comes with twin helms opening up in the middle of the cockpit. There’s also convenient access from the companionway going all the way aft, where the vessel’s hinged transom connects to the swim platform. Oceanis 38 comes with side decks that are fitted with handholds, making the process of maneuvering around safe and easy.

The Cruiser and Weekender versions usually come with a mainsheet arch placed over the cockpit together with a drop-leaf cockpit table. This sets up a perfect spot for entertainment, especially if you’re much into sundowners.

Ocean 38 boasts of a Z-Spars deck-stepped mast that lies aft and is placed right at the center of the keel. This creates a slightly larger fore-triangle which ensures more sailing power. A larger part of the deck hardware, including the primary and cabin top winches, is made of Harken. And when it comes to navigation equipment, it is an all-B&G affair.

Entertainment

There’s never a dull moment aboard the Oceanis 38, all thanks to the saloon Stereo and LCD TV, cockpit loudspeakers, CD and DVD players, and internet Wi-Fi. With all these entertainment equipment and facilities, you can enjoy listening to soothing music, watching your favorite movies on TV, or surfing the internet, after a rather exciting day at sea.

Performance

Under sail, Beneteau can hit up to 3.8 knots when the wind blows at a steady speed of 7 knots. And with a displacement of just under 15,000 lbs, picking up its skirts and moving forward isn’t a big deal. If you can be lucky enough to come across strong winds to blow through the jib and make the mainsail batten, powering the vessel will be quite effortless and the sailing experience joyous.

When cruising under power, you can enjoy both stability and swiftness as you move along. With a 30 hp Yanmar saildrive engine, Oceanis 38 can comfortably cruise at 7.1 knots or so at 2,700 rpm. The boat’s twin rudders are also well positioned, so backing straight and turning are both swift and precise.

Where Does Beneteau 38 Sail?

The 38 is fit to sail literally anywhere in the world. But for this specific vessel, you’ll find it in the Bahamas, Florida, and Cuba, both in winter and summer. The preferred pick-up point for the boat is Miami Beach.

Why Charter Beneteau Oceanis 38?

The Oceanis 38 is, first and foremost, a sailboat which means you have the option of sailing the traditional way or cruising at relatively high speed in a modern fashion.

Another exciting feature about this boat is that its interior can be customized greatly to suit your travel needs i.e. erect bulkheads to partition the sleeping space for you and the kids or get rid of the bulkheads to create more space for you and your partner.

Just like any other modern sailboat out there, the 38 proffers numerous opportunities to explore the numerous dreamy coastlines, the seemingly endless waters, and the countless adventures that come with them. So chartering this vessel sets you up for a fun, relaxing, and memorable holiday to your coveted islands.

This is much there’s to know about Beneteau 38. As you’ve seen, its exterior is gorgeous, its interior highly changeable and engrossing while its performance is top-notch. So if you’ve been scouting for a good sailboat to charter for your upcoming holiday vacation, either solo or with family or friends, this would be a recommendation for you.

Specifications

• Beam: 13.1 Feet
• Draft: 6.10 Feet
• year built: 2017
• Builder: Beneteau

Have you already sailed the Beneteau 38? If so, you are welcome to share your experience in the comments below.

Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.

Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.

18 thoughts on “Beneteau 38 Sailboat – A High-Performing Boat”

this is a lovely post and i must commend your efforts for putting this insightful post together. I AM just getting to know about beneteau 38 saliboat but i must tell you this article makes me go wow. 

The exterior and interior is just likr a six star hotel. i call this home away from home

I will i can just step into this type of boat and cruise the sea someday

I am glad this article made you go wow:)

Thank you for the comment and I wish you to sail very soon!

Have a nice day!

The Beneteau 38 seems perfect for me. I am a short drive from Miami beach, so perfect. I am wondering, do we bring our own food along and do our own cooking or is that part of the package? I don’t mind, just need to be prepared. Also, how long of trips do they go on?

Hi Matts, The Beneteau 38 can be rented with or without a skipper. You will have to provision your boat and do your own cooking, and if you hire a skipper, you will have to pay for his meals and beverages. The trip starts on Saturday and ends the following Saturday unless you prolonge your trip. I hope it helped. Please, don’t hesitate to contact me with any question, I am always happy to assist! Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day!

The Beneteau looks absolutely wonderful, inside and out. I love the changeable interior. We like to go sailing by ourselves sometimes, not always with our usual group of 5. Heading out to the Bahamas for our anniversary soon. Thank you so much for your help on deciding what type of boat to take.

Awesome, I am glad you find a boat that you like:) I am sure you’ll enjoy your time on the water. Please, let me know if you need any help. I am always happy to assist.

Thank you for the comment and wish you a nice day.

Awesome article Daniella. And, you have given a comprehensive yet insightful coverage of this wonderful Yacht. 

I’m amazed to see it’s beautiful interior. It’s always been my dream to cruise in Yatch. Through your article, I’m virtually able to cruise the sea. Feeling awesome. Looking forward to sailing in real very soon:)

You seem very much experienced. What is your opinion for making holiday plan, which city is best to head towards sailing in this Yacht?

Thanks for sharing this refreshing article. Looking forward for more of such.

Effectively, the Beneteau 38 is a great boat.

As it is written in the article, this boat sails in the Bahamas, Florida, and Cuba.

I hope it helped. Please, don’t hesitate to contact me with any question. I’ll be more than happy to assist.

Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day.!

What a beautiful boat, the interior is nicer than any hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I absolutely love the ocean but I live in Ohio. My husband and I have always taken our vacations at one type of beach or another. We’ve never been able to go out on the open water though. Mostly do to lack of funds, but I’ve always been quite content just breathing in that ocean air. 

My husband has always wanted to go sailing. Maybe after he finishes college we will actually have the chance to do so. I’m going to bookmark your website, that way I will have it for then. Have a good day. 

Hi Tfousle,

Ohio is a beautiful place, it’s on my bucket list:)

Thank you for comment and for the bookmark!

I which you to sail very soon!

This is a great review about Beneteau 38 Sailboat. I am so impressing and very much interested. What a luxurious and comfortable it is. highly decorated accommodation, interior, exterior, and others. But my one query”How much guiding experience does your least experienced guide have?” I hope that Beneteau 38 Sailboat will my next trip boat. Thanks for the boat review.

Indeed the Beneteau 38 is a beautiful and comfortable boat. If you want to know how easy is it to sail the Beneteau 38, then I can tell you that it is very simple and convenient. Let me know if you need any help. I’ll be more than happy to assist. Thank you for the comment and wish you all the best!

It is very much expected to take this experience but I have the interest to know this because of my experience, What are the advantages If some reason I get sick?  Privided internet maximum speed. Some boats have a slow internal vibration with speed velocity which is a boring Do you have such problems? Other facilities were good enough for me.

There are no advantages to getting sick, but if it happens, you can do something about it. For instance, you can use natural remedies, such as ginger, lemon to name a few. If you prefer, you can use pills or wear a wristband, it really helps. As for the internet connection, it depends on the boat, some provides excellent Wifi connection while others not so much.

I hope it helped. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any question. I’ll be more than happy to help.

Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day.

Thank you for sharing The Beneteau 38. I would choose Cruise because I like the brightness of it, and you can config it to be a little spacey You said they can all be customizable. I thought all small vessels that size was custom made. Goes to show you how much I know about boats. it has been over 20 years the last time I was on the water. I have to look then, just for the fun. They put in a good entertainment system to keep the party going. and you took some great photo of the inside. You describe the Beneteau 38 just like a (sailormen).

Hi Simmons,

You are welcome!

Yes, the Beneteau comes in three different versions, so you have the choice. I am glad you enjoyed the reading!

Please, don’t hesitate to contact me with any question. I’ll be more than happy to assist.

I have sailed many boats in the Oceanis line from 32′ to 42′. All have been easy to sail, well appointed and comfortable with many ergonomic features. They also have nice lines among the modern designs. Surprisingly, the performance among these cruisers has varied quite a bit, owing to a big difference in sail plan depending on the overall length and model year. A 40ft 2008 could barely get out of its own way under sail in any wind under 10kt. The SA/D for that boat was around 16 (under powered). By comparison, I just returned from the BVI where we chartered a late-model, 42ft Oceanis that had an SA/D of 20. She performed very well, hitting 8.8kt SOG in a squall. She pointed very well. For awhile, it seemed like Beneteau was targeting families and others who prioritized comfort over performance, as all the boats in this line had small sail area relative to displacement, but my recent, BVI experience caused me to reconsider that POV. The SA/D of 20 provided plenty of performance, which combined nicely with comfort and good looks.

Hi Richard,

Good to know, thank you for your kind and useful comment! It will certainly help a lot of sailors:) To be honest, I’ve chartered mainly catamarans so far and the crew was taking care of the navigation. I am not really into technical stuff:)

Anyway, the BVI is beautiful, you must have had a good time there.

Thank you again for the comment and wish you a lovely day!

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10 Best Sailboats To Live In

Living aboard a sailboat is an exciting lifestyle choice, but there are lots of considerations you’ll need to make.

‍ First and foremost, you have to pick a boat to live in. Unless you plan on sleeping under a canvas tarp, it’s essential to find a sailboat with a proper cabin.

Cabin sailboats became common in the United States during the early 20th century, but size and amenities vary widely between boats.  

For example, early wooden sailboats generally featured very sparse accommodations below, typically consisting of a pipe berth, oil lamps, a coal-fired stove and a bucket privy—typically without standing headroom.

Fortunately, the majority of cabin sailboats came with a lot more than a bucket to wash with.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the most important considerations to make when choosing a sailboat to live on . After, we’ll give a top-ten list of the best used liveaboard sailboats you can buy today.

Table of contents

Why Live Aboard a Sailboat?

Thousands of people choose to live aboard their sailboats.  It’s an alternative lifestyle with a host of benefits for those willing to deal with the added challenges.  

Liveaboards can move their entire house on the water, and it’s typically cheaper to live on a boat than in a traditional house.

This is especially true in major waterfront cities, where rent in the same area as the marina can be several times more expensive.  

Some people love the marina lifestyle, and others travel the world.  All-in-all, living aboard a sailboat can be a rewarding, enriching, and financially-freeing lifestyle choice.

What to Consider when Buying a Liveaboard Sailboat

The most important thing to consider when buying a liveaboard sailboat is what level of accommodation you need.

Some people aren’t bothered by limited amenities; in fact, many traditional sailors prefer a stripped-down and basic sailboat interior. However, many others appreciate useful features such as electric toilets and a full galley.

You can find virtually every creature comfort on board a modern sailboat, so it’s up to you to decide what level of convenience you expect. ‍

For most people, a standard cruising sailboat interior from after 1970 will suffice, as these typically include a usable galley, shower, head, and ventilation.

Offshore VS Coastal Cruising Accommodations

Sailboat interior design is dependent on certain criteria, such as the sailboat’s intended use. Long-distance cruising sailboats have cabins arranged to suit such a journey.

Long-distance sailboats usually remove any unnecessary furniture or extras down below to increase storage, and sleeping options are altered to ensure easy access, which allows the crew to regain control of the boat in a pinch.

Coastal cruisers tend to feature a more luxurious layout, with larger sofas and more complex interior features. Additionally, storage space is generally reduced to allow for the inclusion of other amenities.

Whichever style you choose should reflect both how you plan to use your boat and what level of comfort you need.

What Makes A Great Liveaboard Sailboat?

For this article, we’ve outlined a few requirements which we believe identify an excellent liveaboard sailboat :

• Standing headroom (at least 5’10”)

While many people live aboard boats without standing headroom, it’s still a nice feature to have.  Months or years spent crawling or crouching can wreak havoc on your back and body, so standing headroom is a necessity in this list.

• 120V AC availability

Electricity is a definite requirement for our liveaboard list.  Boats without 120V AC outlets present major challenges to liveaboards, as there’s no way to charge most computers or cell phones.  Some boats feature a 12V outlet, but full-time liveaboard boats should have standard house connections for electricity.

• Galley facilities

Unless you plan on eating out every day, a galley is a must for our list.  We define an adequate galley as a facility with a sink, ice box or refrigerator, and a stove.  An oven is an added bonus, but one can usually be added along with a new stove.

• Electric lighting

Electric lighting is a matter of both safety and convenience aboard boats.  There’s nothing wrong with kerosene lamps; many sailors adorn their boats with them.  However, a long-term liveaboard boat should feature safe and reliable electric lighting.

• Toilet with plumbing

Sanitation facilities are vital on board a sailboat, especially if you live on it.  Improper human waste storage and disposal will spread awful diseases.  Plus, nobody wants to live on a stinky boat or use a porta-potty all year long.  We required each of our ten boats to have built-in and properly outfitted toilets, plus safe storage tanks for pumping out later.

Bathing facilities are also a must on most liveaboard sailboats.  However, many liveaboards opt not to use their on-board showers in favor of marina or gym facilities.  That being said, it is very convenient to have a shower on your boat.  Keep in mind, some boat showers drain directly into the bilge.  If you use your onboard shower, be sure to keep the bilge pump in working order and remember that anything you put in the drain ends up below your floor.

• Separate seating spaces

We think a liveaboard sailboat should have extra sitting spaces on board, apart from the main bed.  A place for sitting, eating, working, and navigating is essential when living aboard long-term, and the added convenience of a separate space will make day-to-day activities much more enjoyable.

• Ventilation

Last but not least, we believe ventilation is essential for any liveaboard sailboat.  This is the simplest of requirements, as a passive solar roof vent or opening porthole should be sufficient.  In short, there should be a way to let fresh air in without opening a main hatch.

Top 10 Liveaboard Sailboats

Here’s a list of the top ten liveaboard sailboats that you can purchase used today.

These are in no particular order, but each boat meets or exceeds the requirements of a great liveaboard sailboat.

Remember, the features listed for each of these boats could vary based on age or trim, so be sure to check back to this list when inspecting a boat.

Without further ado, here’s ten of the greatest liveaboard sailboats ever produced.

1. Catalina 30

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The Catalina 30 is one of the most common production cruising sailboats ever.

Thousands of these reliable and robust fiberglass boats still sail, despite the fact that they first entered the market in 1972.

This 30-foot boat features a modern and spacious interior, with all the accommodations you’d expect on a boat its size.

Most models feature a large and useful galley, along with running water supplied by electric pumps.

The Catalina 30 also featured a ‘suite’ layout, with a master bedroom V-Berth closed off to the rest of the cabin by a door.

An enclosed shower and head make it a pleasant boat to live on.

The layout of the Catalina 30 also featured a dinette, which serves as an excellent chart table or workspace as well.

2. Islander 36

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The Islander 36 is a well-rounded liveaboard sailboat which also has impressive cruising capabilities.

While manufacturing ceased in the 1980s, the I-36 was the company’s best-selling model with nearly a thousand built.

Islander boats are known for some well-adorned cabins, and many featured elegant wooden interior trim.

Like the Catalina 30, the Islander 36 includes an enclosed head with a shower and flush toilet.

The interior layout of the I-36 is spacious and well-designed, featuring a long port and starboard settee which folds out into a double-berth for sleeping.

An enclosed shower and spacious master berth make it a very well-rounded option for cruising and living aboard.

3. Contessa 32

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Contessa Yachts produced their venerable 32-foot cruising and racing sailboat from 1970 until 1990, but custom boatbuilders still manufacture the yacht today.

It’s well-known for cruising capabilities, but it has a lot to offer as a liveaboard as well.

The traditional cabin is thoughtfully designed, featuring a fold-up table in the center of the cabin floor.

The spatially conscious design of the Contessa 32 makes it an excellent option for the no-frills and organized sailor.

This vessel features a separate master bedroom, along with a head and shower in the hallway between the compartments.

4. Pearson 34

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Pearson produced their excellent 34-foot sailboat during the 1980s. This medium-sized cruising yacht features an extremely spacious interior with plenty of floor space to move around.

The layout is complex, but not overwhelming. The galley nook is functional and features convenient overhead storage for utensils giving it a ‘home-y’ feeling.

The head is enclosed and spacious, including a bathroom sink and mirror.

The separate master bedroom is also enclosed with ample clothing storage throughout.

Out of all the boats listed so far, the Pearson 34 should feel most like a traditional living space to most people.

If the Pearson 34 seems a little too compact, be sure to read on and check out the next two boats on the list.

5. Nordic 40

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So far the largest boat on our list, the Nordic 40 is a super-capable offshore cruiser with excellent liveaboard facilities.

This relatively rare boat features an extremely spacious interior, which is more than ample for a couple to live comfortably.

Standing headroom throughout, a spacious master bedroom, along with a nearly full galley allows for superbly comfortable living in any climate or region.

The extra storage aboard makes remote living possible, so owners can anchor out for weeks or months at a time with enough provisions to last.

While this boat isn’t very common, it’s still worth keeping an eye out for it while searching for a liveaboard sailboat .

6. Peterson 44

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The Peterson 44 is what’s known as a ‘center-cockpit cruiser,’ featuring a split-cabin both fore and aft.

This spacious interior layout maximizes living space without decreasing sailing capabilities.

The boat features a master bedroom and bathroom, along with another cabin, berth, and head behind the cockpit.

In addition to two bathrooms, it features a full galley, booth dinette, and settee.

All these extras combined with excellent storage make it an excellent liveaboard option.

Pearson is well-renowned for building excellent boats, and their interior quality is above average.

7. Nor’Sea 27

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The Nor’Sea 27 is a classic compact sailboat, which is ideal for minimalist or single people living aboard.

The interior is surprisingly spacious for its size, featuring all the amenities you’d expect on a larger boat.

This beautiful little boat likely mimics the comfort of a Catalina 30, and should cost less in slip fees.

The interior features a toilet, shower, and galley.

The forward berth converts into a dinette but features two other bunks underneath the cockpit.

Production of the Nor’Sea 27 began in 1976, and it’s still produced today.

And the best part—you can legally tow it on a trailer. It’s arguably the ultimate compact cruiser/liveaboard available today.

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The Cal 34 is very typical of mid-range sailboats of the 1970s. Produced between 1968 and 1975, this basic but comfortable yacht has a lot of potential as a liveaboard.

The interior is simple and spacious, without much luxury or adorning. However, less features make for less maintnence, and everything you’d need is available in the Cal 34.

A master bedroom, shower, and toilet are all standard, along with a well-arranged galley and comfortable sitting area.

The boat features ample storage for clothes, food, and gear.

All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems aboard are easy to maintain, plus the cabin is well-designed.

9. Catalina 38

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Another classic Catalina sailboat makes the list, with a well-thought-out interior that’s spacious enough for a couple to live comfortably.

Catalina produced their 38-foot sloop between 1977 and 1990, and it came standard with many excellent liveaboard features such as electrical outlets throughout the cabin.

Also, the head is spacious and includes a sink, which is always very convenient.

With plenty of places to sleep, there’s no need to fold away the galley table to get some rest.

The Catalina 38 is another fantastic mid-sized sailboat for living aboard, especially if you aren’t quite comfortable inside a Catalina 30.

10. Hunter 33

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The last boat on our list is also one of the longest-lived in its category. Hunter produced their 33-foot sailboat starting in 1977, and it’s still in production today.

This handy mid-sized boat features excellent interior accommodations, with plenty of sitting and sleeping areas to choose from.

In addition to a full dinette, it features a toilet and shower aft away from the master bedroom.  Such an arrangement is a great option for sailors, as it allows the use of the head without moving too far away from the controls.

Standing headroom throughout the long cabin makes for a very comfortable long-term living arrangement.

The galley has plenty of storage space and the L-shaped layout allows for easy and efficient use.

At the end of the day, you’ll get to choose the liveaboard sailboat that works best for you. Check out some of the boats we mentioned and get an idea of what they offer.

Use this list to help identify features that you need, and perhaps avoid features that you don’t want.

When it comes to living aboard, there’s a lot more to consider than just your boat. As long as the boat you choose is in good condition, you’ll likely end up falling in love with it.

Either way, consider these top-ten liveaboard sailboats when you’re on the hunt for your boat.

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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It is a very special yacht, that takes the tradition of the original performance cruiser into the future with all new innovations. A yacht whose very name is a reference to this tradition: the Dehler 38SQ.

Exterior design

Dehler yachts blend dynamic performance, innovative engineering, and sleek, timeless aesthetics.

Interior design

Dehler interiors merge elegant craftsmanship, versatile layouts, and advanced functionality for a luxurious and practical onboard experience.

Luxury and Performance in Harmony

Select from a variety of cabin layouts on the Dehler 38SQ, each designed to offer unparalleled comfort and efficiency on the sea. Whether opting for a large master cabin with an island double berth or twin large double berth cabins, the Dehler 38SQ adapts to your lifestyle and sailing needs with elegance and ease.

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The Dehler 38SQ redefines performance cruising with her state-of-the-art design and engineering. This yacht embodies the perfect blend of speed, comfort, and innovation, making every sailing adventure a thrilling experience. With her sleek lines, advanced sail handling systems, and luxurious interior, the Dehler 38SQ offers unparalleled enjoyment on the water. It's a true testament to our commitment to excellence and passion for sailing. Andreas Unger - Product Manager

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• Sailboat Reviews

C & C Landfall 38

We've yet to find the perfect cruiser, but much of what we'd want can be found right here..

The C&C Landfall 38 was the midsize boat in the Canadian company’s three-boat Landfall range, which also included a 35- and a 43- footer. This series was produced as a distinct line until 1987, when the Landfall name was dropped.

Unlike other C&Cs, whose interior and deck layouts are designed for racing as well as cruising, the Landfalls are geared toward cruising, with more comfort, a slightly higher degree of finish detail, and deck layout concessions to the cruising couple.

These are performance cruisers, however. Despite more wetted surface, more displacement, and a slightly smaller rig than the original C&C 38, the Landfall 38 is a fast boat, designed for cruisers who want to get there quickly, as well as in style.

The Landfall 38 is a direct descendant of the old C&C 38, the older hull design having been modified with slightly fuller sections forward, a slightly raked transom rather than an IOR reversed transom, a longer, shoaler keel, and a longer deckhouse for increased interior volume.

Nevertheless, the hull is more that of a sleek racer rather than a fat cruiser. For the additional performance that makes the boat a true performance cruiser, you trade off a hull volume that is slightly smaller than you would expect in a pure cruiser of the same waterline length. This is most notable in the ends of the boat, where the V-berth forward narrows sharply, and the hull rises so quickly aft that C&C’s normal gas bottle stowage at the end of the cockpit is eliminated.

C&C was a pioneer in composite fiberglass construction. Balsa coring became synonymous with the company name over the years.

Construction

Construction of the Landfall 38 is typical of the C&C line. Hulls are a one-piece, balsa cored molding. The deck and the top of the cabin trunk are also balsa cored. Hull and deck are through-bolted with stainless steel bolts on 6″ centers. The hull-to-deck bolts also serve as fasteners for the teak toerail, which replaces the familiar and businesslike slotted aluminum toerail used on other boats in the C&C line.

C&C used butyl tape as a compound in the hull-todeck joint. Although this is a good, resilient bedding compound, it has no real structural properties. We would rather see an adhesive rubber compound such as 3M 5200 used in the joint to provide a chemical backup to the strong mechanical fastening.

The keel is an external lead casting, bolted to an integral keel sump. The keel is a fairly low aspect ratio fin, keeping the draft of the Landfall 38 to 5′. The keel is flat on the bottom, and the boat will stand on its keel, something that can’t be said for a lot of fin keel boats.

All deck hardware is through-bolted, and is equipped with either backup plates or oversize washers. The relatively narrow hull-to-deck flange, however, means that some of the backup plates do not lie flat on the underside of the deck, as they bridge the narrow flange. This can result in uneven local stresses which can lead to gelcoat cracks in the vicinity of hardware such as lifeline stanchion bases.

The Landfall 38 uses bronze seacocks on all underwater through hull fittings. These are properly bolted to the hull, and their hoses are double clamped. The skin fittings are neither recessed flush to the hull nor faired in, however. This would be a fairly easy task for the owner.

In contrast to many boats, the mast step does not sit in the depths of the bilge where it can slowly turn to mush, taking the bottom of the mast with it.

Rather, the mast step spans two deep floor timbers in the bilge sump, keeping the heel of the mast out of the water and providing stiffness in an area which is frequently too weak in fin keel boats.

Although most construction details are excellent, there are some shortcomings surprising on a boat of this quality. The engine compartment has no soundproofing, despite the fact that the engine sits a few feet from the owner’s berth.

C&C construction is light but strong. The Landfall 38 is heavier than the old C&C 38 because of extra ballast, more interior joinerwork and molding, and a longer deck.

Handling Under Sail

Although the Landfall 38 is a cruising boat, her performance approaches or exceeds that of many production racer-cruisers. Her hull is basically an undistorted IOR shape, and the rig is a slightly shorter version of the old C&C 38 rig.

The Landfall is a full 2,000 lbs heavier than the original C&C 38. Nevertheless, there is relatively little difference in the performance of the two boats.

In typical C&C fashion, the rig is aerodynamically clean, with airfoil spreaders and Navtec rod rigging. Shroud chainplates—also Navtec—are set inboard for good upwind performance.

The large rig and big headsails of the Landfall may be intimidating to some cruising couples. The 100% foretriangle area of 385 square feet is pretty intimidating, since it means that the 150% genoa has an area of almost 580 square feet.

Because of the large foretriangle, the boat is a natural candidate for a good roller furling headsail system if it is to be cruised by a couple.

Main halyard, reefing, and cunningham lines are all led aft to the cockpit. Headsail halyards, however, lead to winches atop the cabin trunk just aft of the mast. This prevents the helmsman from assisting with headsails when the boat is sailed by a couple. This may or may not be a problem, depending on how agile the foredeck crew is. Since you can get two headsail halyards and two headsail halyard winches, a better solution might be to relocate one of the headsail winches aft, leaving the other near the mast. Then, headsail hoisting and dropping can be tailored to the particular crew’s needs.

Surprisingly, self-tailing winches were not standard on the boat, except for the mainsheet winch. On an expensive boat which has hot and cold water as standard items, we’d certainly expect to see selftailing genoa sheet winches, particularly if the boat is to be used for shorthanded sailing. Self-tailers make sail handling so much easier when cruising that they are just about the first thing we’d add to any cruising boat. And they’d be the biggest self-tailers we could fit on the winch islands.

The Landfall 38 is stiff and well-balanced under sail. Owners report that she is as fast or faster than similar boats of the same size. The Landfall 38’s PHRF rating, for example, is 120, squarely between the 114 of the Cal 39 and the 126 of the Tartan 37— two boats to which the Landfall 38 will inevitably be compared in size, type, and price.

To our way of thinking, performance cruising is what it’s all about. It’s all well and good to have a heavy, underrigged boat if you’re cruising around the world. Most people’s cruising, however, is limited to a few weeks a year, with moderate distances between ports, and schedules that have to be met. A boat that will get you there fast, safely, and in comfort is a highly desirable type of boat for this kind of cruising. From a performance viewpoint, the Landfall 38 meets those requirements.

Handling Under Power

C&C was one of the first boatbuilding firms to introduce Yanmar diesels into the US market, and they stuck with Yanmar through thick and thin. Yanmar engines have been a paragon of reliability, but they have had the reputation for vibration and noise. Vibration has at times been so bad that engine mounts have broken and shafts have refused to stay in their couplings. It is always difficult to say in an engine installation whether the engine, the design of the installation, or the person doing the installation is at fault when there are problems. One Landfall 38 owner has had three prop shafts in his boat. Now, after careful matching of the shaft flanges and careful alignment of the engine, he reports satisfaction with the installation. C&C picked up a hefty bill on that one, but they did it without hesitation.

Careful engine and shaft alignment is a key to good engine performance, particularly in a modern boat with a short shaft and a flex-mounted diesel engine.

The 30 hp Yanmar 3HM, which replaced the 3QM in the Landfall 38, is perfectly adequate power for the boat, easily achieving hull speed. The boat handles well under power in either forward or reverse.

Engine access for service is a mixed bag. The engine is tucked well aft, under the cockpit, and drives the prop through a V-drive. The oil is checked by removing a panel in the quarterberth in the owner’s cabin. The companionway ladder and a bureau next to it remove fairly easily for access to the back of the engine, although it will probably be necessary to empty the drawers before the bureau can be lifted out. The oil filter is reached by climbing down into the starboard cockpit locker. Once again, emptying the locker may be necessary.

Since there is no engine drip pan, you must exercise great care when changing oil and oil filters to keep the bilge clean. The engine is wedged so tightly under the cockpit sole that a funnel is required— with along hose—to add either oil or engine coolant. A partial plywood bulkhead that hangs over the engine complicates this, and could easily be cut away to give slightly better access.

Battery access is poor. A mirror is required to check electrolyte levels, and filling the batteries just about requires removing them from the battery boxes.

The standard prop is a solid two bladed wheel. To reduce the considerable drag of this installation, we’d change to either a folding two bladed prop such as a Martec, or a feathering prop such as the Maxprop.

Deck Layout

Although the deck layout of the Landfall 38 is similar to that of other boats in the C&C line—performance oriented—some changes have been made to make

the boat more suited to cruising. The stern rail incorporates a fold down swimming ladder, and the bow pulpit is the walk-through type, suited to tying up bow-to at the dock. The bow pulpit also incorporates international style running lights, rather than the running lights mounted in the topsides that were a C&C trademark for years. Thank God for progress.

Unfortunately, the wiring for the running lights is relatively unprotected inside the anchor locker, and the electrical connections there are simple butt splices with no weathersealing.

The anchor locker has strong hinges, but lacks a positive latch. There is also no means of securing the bitter end of the anchor rode. Prudent owners will install an eyebolt or through-bolted padeye.

A new stainless steel stemhead fitting incorporates bow rollers for both chain and rope. There is no provision for a keeper pin in the bow roller, however, and the cheeks of the fitting do not extend high enough to guarantee that the rode will not jump out of the roller when the boat pitches at anchor.

With the shrouds set well inboard, fore and aft access is excellent. There are handrails along the cabintop, and a stainless steel guardrail over the forward dorade boxes to keep headsail sheets from fouling.

A few Landfall 38s were built with teak decks. This $10,000 option really makes the boat elegant, and is practical underfoot.

Although this is a cruising boat, there is no molded coaming for the attachment of a cockpit dodger, except a small lip around the companionway hatch. Admittedly, leading all sail controls aft along the cabin top complicates the installation of a dodger, but it can be done. Of course, the dodger can be installed even without a breakwater, but it won’t be as effective in keeping water out of the cockpit.

The cockpit is a fairly typical T-shaped C&C design. A large-diameter Edson wheel makes it possible for the helmsman to sit to weather or to leeward, but requires making the cockpit seats too short to lie on. On some C&C models, molded seats in the aft corners of the cockpit serve both to support the helmsman’s seat and as storage for propane bottles. On the Landfall 38, the cockpit has been pushed so far aft—because of the longer deckhouse—that the hull is too shallow under the aft end of the cockpit for the traditional gas lockers. A separate molded bottle locker that fits under the helmsman’s seat is installed when a gas stove is used. Unfortunately, this eliminates the normal life raft storage position. Owners who want both propane and a life raft are going to have to figure out another place to stow the life raft.

A shallow locker under the port cockpit seat is handy for small items, and there is a deep locker under the starboard seat. Changing oil filters requires climbing down into this locker, as does adjusting the stuffing box.

The forward end of the cockpit is protected by a good bridgedeck. Although the companionway is slightly off center, it is not enough to be concerned about in heavy weather. The companionway has other problems, however. Since the bulkhead slopes forward, the drop board must be left in place when it rains. Also, since the bottom of the companionway is below the top of the cockpit coamings, ORC requirements demand that it be left in place when racing offshore. Although this isn’t a racing boat, the ORC requirements make good guidelines for offshore cruising practices. Because the drop board is a single teakfaced plywood board, in either situation the companionway must be all the way closed—or left all the way open.

The companionway sill has no lip, so that water can enter the cabin under the drop board. This is a simple fix for owner or factory. The prudent owner will also install a barrel bolt to secure the drop board in place when sailing offshore.

C&C’s interior designs are among the best in the business, and the interior of the Landfall 38 is no exception. The preponderance of teak is a little overwhelming, but it is varnished, rather than oiled, making it slightly lighter than you might expect.

It takes quite a bit of ingenuity to cram a threecabin interior and huge head with separate shower stall into a 38′ boat. In the Landfall 38, this has been accomplished with a reasonable amount of success.

The forward cabin has the usual V-berth, drawers, several lockers, and a cedar-lined hanging locker. This hanging locker is the only really usable hanging space on the entire boat, despite the existence of a rudimentary hanging locker in the aft cabin.

A large hatch over the forward cabin can be used as an escape hatch; a single step is mounted on the bulkhead to make it possible to climb out the hatch. There is solid 6′ headroom in the forward cabin, and enough standing room for comfortable dressing. The V-berth, however, is too pointed at the foot for reasonable comfort for two tall people. There are reading lights over each side of the berth, and a light in the hanging locker—a welcome feature.

The main saloon begins aft of the forward cabin, with no intervening head compartment. Lighting and ventilation of the Landfall 38 is about the best we’ve seen in a production boat. Both fluorescent and incandescent fixtures are located throughout the main cabin. Remember that you should not use fluorescent lights when you are operating the Loran, as the RF noise of fluorescent lights may interfere with signal acquisition.

The main cabin, galley, and head are ventilated by four large cowl vents in dorade boxes, plus small opening hatches in head and galley. C&C gets an A+ for ventilation in this boat.

Water tanks are located under the main cabin settees, where they belong. Unfortunately, these tanks vent to the outside of the hull, risking contamination of the water supply. This is a common fault in American production boats, and one with no real justification. We’d rather risk spilling a little water in the inside of the boat by overfilling the tanks than risk salt water in our fresh water supply from water siphoning into the tanks in heavy weather through vents mounted in the topsides.

The Landfall 38 uses molded polyethylene water tanks. Occasionally, these tanks are “overcooked” during manufacture, imparting an unpleasant taste to the water that cannot be removed. We’ve seen it on more than one boat, including C&Cs.

Fresh water plumbing is butyl tubing rather than the more commonly seen clear PVC. Butyl is far less likely to impart any taste to your water, and is highly

desirable. It is easily recognized by its battleship gray color and relative rigidity. A manifold under the sink allows switching between the three water tanks, which have a total capacity of 99 gallons. In addition, the 30 gallon holding tank could easily be replumbed as a fresh water tank, giving a very respectable water capacity properly distributed throughout the boat.

In typical C&C fashion, the galley is well laid out and well executed, with deep centerline sinks, kickspace under the counters, and a large icebox. The icebox lid is insulated (hurray!) but ungasketed (boo!), and the icebox melt water is pumped overboard (hurray!) rather than draining into the bilge.

Counter space is excellent. In an attempt to get more, a fold-down counter is fitted over the stove.

Unfortunately, it must be folded up when the stove is in use, making the locker behind the stove inaccessible. Since the boat already has good counter space, we’d eliminate the folding nuisance.

The standard stove is a large gimballed alcohol affair. Don’t even consider it. Get either the optional propane installation, or the optional CNG stove. Alcohol has no business as a cooking fuel on any boat to be used as a serious cruising boat.

The stove recess is protected by a stainless steel grabrail which gives the cook a handhold and prevents him from being thrown against the stove in a seaway. A counter with built-in bottle storage separates the galley from the main cabin.

Generally, the galley is usable at sea or at anchor, with excellent storage, usable spaces, and functional appliances. Hot and cold pressure water is standard, and a backup fresh water foot pump is provided at the galley sink.

The main cabin table is strongly mounted to both cabin sole and mast, and easily—and honestly— serves six at dinnertime. Port and starboard settees can be used for sleeping, although the backrests at the head and foot of each settee will have to be removed and stored somewhere for anyone over about 5’8″ tall.

Storage is provided outboard of each settee. The handy owner will install shelves in these lockers to better utilize the space.

Opposite the galley is a huge head complete with separate shower stall. The sink and counter are a single fiberglass molding with a large sink and a high protective lip, making this part of the head infinitely more usable than the usual tiny oval sink.

Although at first glance there appears to be a great deal of storage in the head, much of the locker space is occupied by plumbing. The only locker really suited for linens is located in the shower stall, and is equipped with a latch which must be reached through a finger hole in the locker door. Water will inevitably find its way into this locker. The locker could easily be fitted with another type of catch, and ventilation holes could be bored through to the head compartment to help prevent mildew. The separate shower stall will make those unused to boat living far more comfortable, although some might prefer the additional storage space the boat had before the separate stall appeared.

Oddly, the water closet is tucked so far under the side deck that it’s impossible to sit upright on it. While you may argue that few people sit upright on the toilet, there will be plenty of cracked crania before you get used to the required position.

Another oddity is that the head door is louvered. Admittedly, there is little privacy in the head on any boat. Since the Landfall’s head is already well-vented by a cowl vent and an opening hatch, we’d eliminate the louvered head door to restore at least a bit of privacy.

The aft cabin makes a good owner’s stateroom, with large double quarterberth to port and chart table to starboard. Unfortunately, the chart table makes a better dressing table than chart table. There is no provision for the installation of instruments such as radio or Loran in the nav area. A shallow hanging locker occupies the space outboard of the chart table where these instruments would normally be mounted. It’s a poor hanging locker, since the garments face thwartships rather than fore and aft. The only thing you can see is the last item you put in. It is unusable as a wet locker, since you’d have to drag your foul weather gear over the chart table.

For serious cruising, we’d eliminate this hanging locker, using the space to mount radios, Loran, repeaters, and provide a bookcase for our navigation books. This has the serendipitous byproduct of allowing the shallow chart table to be made deeper, which it sorely needs.

What about hanging space? Well, here goes. Make the linen locker in the shower a hanging locker by eliminating or reducing the size of the holding tank under it. Or (we can see marketing people putting guns to their heads), eliminate the separate shower stall and create more storage. So much for redesign.

In the way of modifications, however, the nice double quarterberth is going to get soaking wet the first time a big one comes over the weather rail and water pours through the companionway when the boat is on starboard tack. In the same situation on port tack, the chart table will get soaked. A set of plexiglass screens on either side of the companionway should solve that one, and should be considered if the boat is to be used offshore. For shorthanded cruising, that quarterberth is the ideal place for the off watch, provided it can be kept dry. The necessity for keeping the sacrosanct nav station and its fragile electronics—and equally fragile navigator—out of the weather should be obvious.

The basic interior layout of the Landfall 38 is excellent for the cruising couple that likes a private cabin aft, and will sometimes entertain others for extended periods of time. As with most boats, a certain amount of fine tuning of interior spaces will be necessary to get the most out of them. The boat has a fair number of complex systems: hot and cold water, electric pumps, multiple tanks. In fact, the 16 circuits provided for in the electrical panel are almost all used up before you get to things like navigation and performance electronics. Fortunately, there is space for an additional electrical panel. You’re probably going to need it.

Conclusions

With an average used price for a 1984 model at around $70,000, the Landfall 38 is not a cheap way to go cruising. The price is typical of luxury performance cruisers in its class.

General design and construction are excellent. The hull is a proven design, the rig is efficient and strong. There are a number of design details that should be improved for serious cruising, notably the companionway, cockpit protection, life raft storage, and provision for shorthanded handling under sail.

A serious cruising boat must function as well bashing to windward for days on end as it does at the dock. Above all, it must keep its crew dry and comfortable. We have yet to find the perfect cruising boat, but many of the things we’d look for are found in the Landfall 38. We wish they were all there, but the fact that they aren’t is what keeps designers and builders in business.

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• Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin
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ALL THE SPACE IS INSIDE!

Biggest 38’ family cruiser in the world.

The Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin is based on the successful Archer design with several technical improvements like  Diamond Sea Glaze sliding doors, optional Seakeeper gyro stabilization, Li-Ion batteries, a new electricity management system, a sea-chest for easier maintenance, an optional water maker with high-voltage auto-clean system, etc… A happy and classy gentleman’s yacht which has been cruising in British Columbia, the Bahamas, the Greek islands and South-East Asia for decades already. This beautiful and charming pocket yacht has always been incredibly popular because of its unique layout which guarantees privacy to four people or two couples. Because of its moderate size it can be hauled-out by the smallest Travelift and accommodated in almost any marina anywhere in the world. Thanks to its classic lines designed by Howard Chen and the legendary marine architect Ted Hood, winner of the 1972 America’s Cup, the Selene 38 Aft-cabin model is, and will remain, one of Howard Chen’s favorite yachts. When creating this yacht the designers adopted the unique concept of the “Whale Back” hull, that was a trademark of Ted Hood’s designs. This is why the aft cabin concept has so much headroom and space in the engine room. It probably has the best engine room layout for its size anywhere.

BEST ENGINE ROOM IN ITS CLASS

While the Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin is a legendary yacht, she doesn’t compromise on modern technology and first class components, like the recent addition of Diamond Sea Glaze doors, improved sound-proofing, optional air-conditioning, generator and larger aluminum fuel tanks for extensive cruising. Howard says that the best-selling yachts of all time were the Grand Banks 36-42, but when their production ended for a while Howard decided he wanted to bring a high quality compact trawler back to the market. He wanted to build an elegant yacht with traditional timber joinery, leather upholstery, teak & holly floors, a spacious interior with two cabins and two heads, a cozy salon, a practical galley and safe decks. The Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin is an excellent family cruiser, or the perfect Looper’s yacht. A tender finds its natural spot on top of the aft cabin where it can be loaded by a mast and boom.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more info : [email protected]

Many Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin make use of the mast for a steadying sail which gives the boat a classy « heritage yacht » style as well as a simple and maintenance-free stabilization system. And all this, including a flybridge with an outdoor deck salon, comes at an affordable price! As the entry level model of the trawlers range, the Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin is still a best-seller. We call it our “small super-yacht”, all the space is inside…

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• LOA : 41’-8’’ (12.70m)
• LWL: 34’-11’’ (10,64m)
• Beam: 14’-6’’ (4,42m)
• Draft: 4’-8’’ (1,42m)
• Displacement: 35,700Lbs (16,27t)
• Fuel tank capacity: 500 USG (1892L)
• Fresh water tank capacity: 180 USG (681L)

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Classic Plastic: Catalina 38

• By Michael Robertson
• Updated: June 12, 2014

Catalina 38

In 1978, Catalina Yachts was a young company with a Midas touch, enjoying brisk sales of its sailboats from 22 to 30 feet, all of them designed and built in house. And then company owner Frank Butler tried something different. He bought the mold for the Yankee 38, designed by Sparkman & Stephens and descended from a successful one-off IOR aluminum raceboat, from the bankrupt Yankee Boat Co. Butler saw this competitive racer as a flagship that would raise the profile of the Catalina fleet. He was right. In 1980, the Catalina 38 was selected for the prestigious Congressional Cup. The company went on to build 366 Catalina 38s over the next 14 years.

Butler made significant changes to the S&S design. He replaced the skeg-hung rudder with a balanced spade rudder and created a high-aspect-ratio rig with a taller mast and shorter boom. He redesigned the interior for weekender livability and the deck and trunk cabin to match Catalina aesthetics.

Other aspects of the dated racing design — long overhangs, generous tumblehome and a pert little reverse transom — give the Catalina 38 its pleasing lines. Butler’s redesigned deck gives it a sleek, low profile but narrow side decks are a result of those changes. Passage from the cockpit to the foredeck can be tricky, especially if a wide dodger is fitted.

With its pedigree, it’s no surprise that owners report the Catalina 38 sails to windward like it’s on rails and also sails beautifully in light air. That superior upwind performance comes with a draft that approaches 7 feet, a limiting factor for some cruising sailors.

Boats designed to the IOR have a reputation for poor manners and instability downwind. But that reputation was earned under race conditions when boats were intentionally overpowered and driven hard. A cruising couple is unlikely to push any boat to the brink of broaching, and many find the IOR warhorses, including the Catalina 38, in fact make fine cruising boats.

Down below, the major interior components are incorporated into a molded hull liner. Teak trim and veneer are used for doors, drawer facings and bulkheads. In early models the cabin sole was fiberglass, but in later models it was covered with teak and holly veneer.

The keel-stepped mast abuts the bulkhead forward of the main saloon. Forward of the bulkhead are the head to port, lockers to starboard and the V-berth, which easily accommodates two adults.

A U-shaped dinette to port (that converts to a double berth) is the main feature in the saloon. Aft of the dinette is a snug U-shaped galley.

On the starboard side of the saloon is a long settee with stowage behind and beneath it. A nav station backs up to a quarter berth that extends under the cockpit.

Owners with cruising plans might find the tankage limiting, but they should avoid adding weight in the bow and stern of this fine-ended boat.

The Atomic 4 gasoline engine was fitted in very early boats but many have been replaced. The 24-horsepower Universal diesel in later ones reportedly lacks the power to push the boat at hull speed in moderate wind and chop. Engine access is adequate.

The Catalina 38 enjoys a loyal following, and owners praise its design, build quality and performance. Rare for boats of this vintage, the builder is still in business, and provides design and parts support. Asking prices range from $25,000 to $75,000, with older boats at the lower end of the bracket.

This article first appeared in the February 2014 issue of Cruising World. Click here to see more sailboats from Catalina .

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• Description
• Main Points
• Specifications

High-performing and as open to the sea as it is to life, the Oceanis 38 boasts new space organization options on board. Evolving to match your requirements whenever you want, she offers a new approach to cruising. She has something for everyone, but is also unique ! 

Naval designer :  Finot - Conq

Interior designer :  Nauta Design

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Exterior design

Length and beam on the waterline have been extended as far as possible to make the Oceanis 38 quick to cut through the water, while increasing stability.  She offers high-performance and habitability second to none on this size of cruiser.

Interior design

Almost everything is possible inside the Oceanis 38. There is wide scope for different combinations in organizing the interior spaces and woodwork ambiances. The choice of a separate shower compartment is popular in the three cabin version. A unique feature on this size of cruiser, the fore cabin’s bed head faces in the same direction as the boat. 

Open sailing

The Oceanis 38 rethinks the use of the boat, leaving the choice of its initial layout to the owner, while maintaining the potential to change arrangements at a later date. With the Daysailer, Weekender or Cruise, there are three ways to reorganize life on board the same boat.

Designed like a floating loft, this version of the Oceanis 38 does away with interior bulkheads in favour of a single room. The view is unobstructed and there is a stunning feeling of space. With equipment focussing on the essential, aft space for storage and an open cockpit, the Daysailer is open to everything. 

Whether she has a two or three cabin plan, the Weekender version of the Oceanis 38 offers the greatest evolving potential over time and is the yacht that offers the greatest choice of layout: open or closed cabins, separate shower, fitted galley, extra inside/outside table, helmsman's seats, etc. 

More conventional, the Cruiser version of the Oceanis 38 is equipped with a large galley facing the saloon and a bathroom with separate shower. It offers a choice between two or three fitted cabins. With the potential to evolve, the bulkhead can be removed from the fore cabin of this version to return that loft feeling. 

Virtual tour

Characteristics.

Length Overall

Beam overall

Air Draught Max

Draught Min

Draught Max

Fuel Capacity

Water Capacity

Max. engine power

CE Certification

• CE Certification A6/B8/C10.
• B&G Electronics Pack.
• Twin steering station, slatted wood helmsman's seats on option.
• According to preference: with or without aft swim platform, for an open cockpit or a drop-down swim area for a cruising programme.

• Open fore cabin - loft style (berth for 2 people).
• Bathroom with toilet and shower.
• Gently sloping 45° saloon companionway
• B&G Electronics Pack
• Open loft-style saloon, chart table facing companionway.
• Large storage space to the stern accessed by the cockpit as well as hanging locker.

• Open fore cabin - loft style - large aft cabin (berths for 4 people)
• Bathroom with toilet and shower

• Open fore cabin - loft style - two aft cabins (berths for 6 people).
• Gently sloping 45° saloon companionway.

BENETEAU Yachts Rendez-vous 2019 – Sets Sail to Malta

Three Oceanis sailing yachts at the start of the Rallye des Iles du Soleil!

The 3rd rally of its kind started on Sunday 3 November

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With teams for sea trials, financing, customization, events, an after-sales service, and a network of dealers worldwide, BENETEAU delivers the help and expertise every boat owner needs throughout his boating life maintaining an enduring customer relationship.

Other boats from the range

9.66 m / 31’8’’

3.39 m / 11’1’’

10.34 m / 33’11’’

3.65 m / 12’

Oceanis 38.1

11.8 m / 38’9’’

3.99 m / 13’1’’

Oceanis 35.1

12.43 m / 40’9’’

4.2 m / 13’9’’

11.48 m / 37’8’’

3.92 m / 12’10’’

13.1 m / 42’12’’

4.12 m / 13’6’’

13.94 m / 45’9’’

4.5 m / 14’9’’

14.4 m / 47’3’’

4.25 m / 13’11’’

14.6 m / 47’11’’

4.74 m / 15’7’’

16.78 m / 55’1’’

4.96 m / 16’3’’

OCEANIS 50 NEW

16.7 m / 54’9"

4.9 m / 16’1’’

18.24 m / 62’3’’

4.99 m / 16’4’’

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Offshore 38 Boat Plan

• Description
• Reviews (0)
• THE DRAFTING TABLE by Robert H. Perry

 THE DRAFTING TABLE by Robert H. Perry

We at Castoff feel very fortunate to be able to bring to our readers his evaluations and comments on designs featured in this section.

Bruce Roberts-Goodson has made his name in the yacht design field as one of the foremost designers of sailing craft for the home builder. It is probably safe to say, that there are more Bruce Roberts-Goodson designs being built by amateur builders than any other designer. Having worked in the field of designing for the home builder myself, let me assure you that it is more demanding of the designer than designing for professional yards. The designer must tell the builder what to do and also just exactly how to do it.  It seems that there is never an end to the questions of the home builder and I used to anticipate the day when I received the letter asking explicit directions on how to wipe a nose.

The ROBERTS 38 was designed for a client in Venezuela as a handicap racer and a family cruiser. To date 300 copies of this plan have been sold. The hull features quite moderate proportions. The keel and skeg are both generous enough to insure easy steering and good tracking. When the designer says "handicap" racing, I’m sure he doesn’t mean I.O.R. The ROBERTS 38 really has no I.O.R. features at all. This actually is a positive selling point in today’s I.O.R. fearing world. To compliment the variety of building materials listed for the hull, the designer has designed the boat in a round bilge or hard chine configuration. This is certainly a plus if you are interested in building a steel or aluminium yacht. I’m sure the round bilge version would be a faster yacht although possibly slightly more tender than the hard chine version.

The interior is offered as a centre cockpit version or as the standard aft cockpit configuration as shown. The drawing shows clearly the arrangement and there is little I can find fault with. The interior shows no effort to crowd in "fad" accommodations. All the areas are roomy and very usable.

In designing a yacht with the sale of stock plans in mind, Roberts must avoid radical features or specialisation that would limit the appeal of the yacht. With this in mind, it is not surprising to find that the overall impression of the ROBERTS 38 is one of a very conservative design. Or, put another way, the extraordinary thing about the ROBERTS 38 is that there is nothing extraordinary about the design. While this may sound a little negative, in this case it is positive and accounts for the tremendous acceptance of the design.

The plans come complete with full size patterns to eliminate the lofting stage. This is sort of like using the cross-country skis that you don’t have to wax, not traditional but increasingly popular. The plans include 30 sheets of drawings with very little left for the imagination. The step by step building procedures are fully outlined in the drawings. If you are the type that enjoys building, and you are contemplating building a yacht, I would advise that you go to a designer that deals solely with the home builder. He will be most understanding of your problems and probably will have answered your questions numerous times. I think Bruce Roberts-Goodson has proven himself many times over in this area.

Reprinted with kind permission from Castoff magazine, Seattle.

 Letter  from a U.S. Offshore 38 Builder.

Mr Bruce Roberts,

I’m ashamed with myself for not writing and sending you pictures of the boat I built from your plans because your design has presented me a very beautiful boat. This boat is complimented in each little harbour we have visited. People on the water have come by to remark on a beautiful boat. Naturally that swells my pride. So you see,- I feel guilty- you should share in the praise this boat has received.

Pictures don’t describe the real entity, but this is all we can offer you now. Maybe our enthusiasm and pleasure described in this letter will help reveal the boat’s real character. I’m not a great sailor but this boat makes me look great. It sails close to wind well, and in a light breeze moves gracefully. In strong winds with smaller sails on it is stiff and swift. I couldn’t be much more comfortable in my easy chair at home. My wife and I handle it quite easily now and we are past the middle years of our lives.

From the time I received the materials from Clark Craft until I put it in the water, 13 months elapsed. During this time I held onto a full time job as a carpenter to give me the money to keep this boat going. Needless to say, I, like many we’ve met since who are building boats, didn’t have all the money at the beginning. Somehow, and strange it is, money seems to come along to build a boat.

Temporarily, we are now living on the boat in Vallejo, and each day and each week we are learning more about the trust we place in this boat. It has faced up to some good challenges and we are again shown the durability this boat has.

I’m glad we chose your design and whenever I’m asked you can be sure I’m happy to say this is a Bruce Roberts design.

A happy boat builder (amateur)

Dick and Dorothy Larson

Roberts Offshore 38

Full plans for this design are available for building in round bilge Fiberglass or Cold Moulded Wood Epoxy. They are also available in Multi-chine for building in Steel or Aluminum. It can be rigged as a cutter or ketch with either a centre cockpit or aft cockpit configuration.

The Roberts Offshore 38 is a solid cruising yacht designed to be handled by a couple and to give a comfortable ride and good all round sailing performance. The complete plans and full size patterns include many sheets of large-scale drawings, plus full-size frame patterns.

The large scale study plan package includes all the rig variations and the general arrangement and accommodation plans for both the centre and aft cockpit versions in full 1/2'' = 1' scale. Included also are construction drawings sheets showing the method required to build her in the material of your choice.

 Version A

Version B  

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• Brand: Bruce Roberts Designs
• Product Code: Offshore 38
• Availability: In Stock

Prices in Australian Dollars (AUD) SP - Study Plans FPP - Full Plan and Patterns

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