globe 38 sailboat review

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Globe 38 (GY 38)

Globe 38 (GY 38) is a 37 ′ 4 ″ / 11.4 m monohull sailboat designed by William Garden and built by Globe Yacht Corp. (TAIWAN) starting in 1978.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Based on the SEAL by William Garden. Delivered as cutter or ketch. (SA for ketch: 958 sq. ft.)

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Seal 37 (Garden)

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Globe 38 gy 38

The globe 38 gy 38 is a 37.33ft cutter designed by william garden and built in fiberglass since 1978..

The Globe 38 gy 38 is a very heavy sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a heavy bluewater cruising boat.

Globe 38 gy 38 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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Long keel w/trans. hung rudder

Specifications GLOBE 38 (GY 38)

1978 - 37.33 ft / 11.38 m - Globe Yacht Corp. (TAIWAN) - William Garden

GLOBE 38 (GY 38) Sailboat Data

Hull Type: Long keel w/trans. hung rudder Rigging Type: Cutter LOA: 37.33 ft / 11.38 m LWL: 32.33 ft / 9.85 m S.A. (reported): 928.00 ft² / 86.21 m² Beam: 11.75 ft / 3.58 m Displacement: 32,000.00 lb / 14,515 kg Ballast: 9,750.00 lb / 4,423 kg Max Draft: 6.00 ft / 1.83 m Construction: FG First Built: 1978 Builder: Globe Yacht Corp. (TAIWAN) Designer: William Garden

Information from  sailboatdata.com .

Hull Speed: 7.62 kn

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Globe • 38

“Rocinante” is a William Garden designed 1983 Globe 38 in  fiberglass .  That’s right—imagine a beautiful Willam Garden pilothouse that doesn’t require the constant maintenance of a wooden boat.  This one has been owned by the same family who recently refit the boat—from a new Yanmar, to rigging, to hassle-free, beautiful decks, Rocinante is ready to go on her next adventure.   Rocinante has had a major refit in 2018 that included a new Yanmar, standing rigging, Lithium batteries, new heater, and more.  William Garden based this one on his Seal 37.  If you are looking for an all season Pacific Northwest boat for cruising the Inside Passage, this is the vessel for you!

Call us today to find out more and get aboard this beautiful vessel.

About Signature Yachts:  We are a premier new/used power and sailboat dealership in the Pacific Northwest, successfully serving clients for 30 years. As both individual and corporate members of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association and the Northwest Marine Trade Association you can be assured that we adhere to the highest standards and ethics of these fine organizations. We invite you to stop by our Seattle location. We have several new Beneteaus on display and a marina full of brokerage boats at our long standing Westlake location on Lake Union. Come and walk our docks and meet our knowledgeable staff. You’re Welcome Aboard!

Specifications

View full specifications.

Yanmar 4JH5E 54 hp engine

Wallas forced air diesel heater

Sidepower Bowthruster with joystick

Newer Electronics installed during refit in Navpod at helm

• Garmin GPSmap 7610 Chartplotter
• Garmin wind with display
• Garmin Speed/depth with display
• Garmin Radar
• 460ah Renvision Lithium LiPo batteries
• Victron Battery Monitor
• Staysail and Main are in like-new condition.
• Genoa is a little order but still in good condition.
• Lofrens Tigres Windlass 1500watt
• CQR 60 Lbs Anchor, 200’ Rode, 100’ chain
• Mast Air draft 56’
• 2 Harken 50 primary winches
• 2 Harken 35 winches
• 1 Harken 45 winch on cabin top 
• Schaefer Traveler (2018)
• Harken furlers for both staysail and genoa

Entering into the pilothouse, there is a dinette to port and galley to starboard.  Continuing down, there are pilot berths on either side and then a head to port.  Forward is a roomy v-berth.  

Force 10 3 burner stove/oven

For additional information 

contact us at 206-284-9004 or visit www.signature-yachts.com 

Brandon Forrest - 206-495-5620, [email protected]

Rick Luce - 425-359-0831, [email protected]

Kris Barker - 206-390-7477, [email protected]

Trevor MacLachlan - 206-422-6974, [email protected]  

Tori Parrott - 206-618-0197, [email protected]  

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The Best Sailboats for the High Seas?

At the St. Petersburg Boat Show month last month, I had the pleasure of seeing delivery skipper and author John Kretschmers presentation on what he called sailboats for a serious ocean. I have reservations about any ideal boat list, but Kretschmer, who reviews boats for Sail Magazine and whose most recent book Sailing a Serious Ocean is available in our online bookstore , has the ideal background for this sort of work, and a list like this is undeniably helpful for wannabe cruisers who need a place to start their search.

I certainly wouldnt limit my search to boats on such a list, but by paying careful attention to the pros and cons of each, you can find something that suits your own aspirations.

Here are the boats Kretschmer suggests: Contessa 32, Pacific Seacraft 34, Pretorien 35, Cape Dory/Robinhood 36, Valiant/Esprit 37, Prout Snowgoose 37, Alajuela 38, Privelege 39, Freya 39, Passport 40, Caliber 40, Baba 40, Hallberg Rassy 42, Taswell 43, Hylas 44, Norseman 447, Beneteau 456, Outbound 44, Hylas 46, Kaufman 47, Tayana 48, Hylas 49, Amel Maramu 53, and the Sundeer 60/64. For a brief capsule summary of each, be sure to check out his website.

The list is hardly definitive. There are plenty of good boats that arent featured, and some of these would be ill-matched for the wrong sailor-Kretschmer clearly pointed this out during his talk. I like how the list presents a good cross-section of the various shapes and sizes for a boat in this category. For example, Kretschmer includes the Prout Snowgoose and Steve Dashews Sundeer 60, boats that, notwithstanding their successful record at sea, fill an outlying niche.

If I were going to expand the list, one of the heavier-displacement microcruisers like those I blogged about would be a nice addition. Although I would be wary of promoting even the most formidable of this breed as well-suited for a serious ocean, John Neale of Mahina Tiare Expeditions includes one of them, the Dana 24, on his own list of recommend cruising boats . Neales much broader list of boats is accompanied by a very helpful discussion of design elements to consider.

What got me thinking about formidable cruising boats was our series of reports o n sailboat construction , focusing specifically on structural details. Although there are plenty of excellent coastal cruisers on the market, once you start talking about offshore duty, scan’tlings (the dimensions for structural components) take on far more importance.

A few years ago we touched on this subject in our Mailport section, encouraging readers to suggest their own nominees for a list of what we called at the time, tough boats, vessels that were built to take a beating, requiring minimal care and upkeep.

Here are some of the boats that were suggested from our readers: Mariner 36, Cal 34, Morgan 43, Swan 43, Bermuda 40, Island Packet 26, Mariner 47, LeComte Northeast 38, Westsail 32, Dana 24, J/35, and the CSY 44.

Id be interested in hearing of other nominees for this list, or other good resources for sailors looking for a short list of good offshore boats.

For those who are frustrated to find that their own ideal boat isn’t on anybodys list, I wouldnt be too miffed. The best line Ive heard in a while on this topic came from Steve Callahan, the author of the survival classic Adrift , who gave a presentation at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Show . When I asked Steve, who has sailed extensively on both multihulls and monohulls, what type of boat he preferred, he said, quite seriously. Well, at the end of the day, the best cruising boat is the one that you are on.

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Interesting list. I am fond of Hylas of which you chose three models. However, I am suspect of their yard and construction techniques and do not have confidence that they are as strong as they are beautiful. Only one Hallberg-Rassy was selected, which is a far more robust and dry sailing boat than the Hylas. Passports make a good boat as does Cape Dory and several others on your list. Didn’t four sailors die on a Beneteau in 2018? Over all it is a decent list.

https://metro.co.uk/2018/04/25/last-pictures-doomed-yacht-cheeki-rafiki-sank-killing-four-british-sailors-7497805/

I believe this is the accident you’re talking about in which a Beneteau and it’s bolted on keel parted company.

Almost all of the sailing clubs in San Diego rent Beneteaus out. They are a decent coastal sailboat. I have a couple friends who have even made the crossing to Maui in them..not me, not ever. I consider them a living room boat. Having said that, I am certainly no expert so its just my opinion. If I am crossing an ocean I want a capable kindly strong boat with redundancy built into critical systems.

Curious to think what people think about the early 70s Swan 43 as a cruising boat for a couple with occasional guests for a round the world trip? I have an S&S 30 which is too small but I do have some bias towards their designs. Add a watermaker and some power generation and off you go… Any thoughts?

Are Motor Sailors like the Nauticats or Fishers ocean worthy ( if their pilot house windows and sliding doors are lifeboatified ? )

Walt Schulz’s Shannon 43 is a beautiful, sea kindly, comfortable and sturdy bluewater boat. Walt had not only the ICW and Bahamas in mind when he designed and built 52 of them. He designed for ocean cruising. He believes his boats should outlive him and still sailing for generations. We sailed the Chesapeake, Bahamas, Caribbean and Pacific to Australia on a Shannon 43 ketch. She took great care of us and is still turning heads.

Great article! John Kretchmer is one of my fave modern day sailors. While there is only one Crealock design on John’s list, and the Dana is added on John Neale’s list, I was surprised not to see a Crealock/ Pacific Seacraft 37 mentioned. But there are so many great serious off shore boats, it’s hard to narrow it down to 10. Here’s a few to think about. Cape George Cutter 36. Biscay 36, tradewind 35, Rustler 36, Nicholson 31 (never talked about) and 32. Seldom seen on top 10 lists, but great boats. Thanks for the article.

Great comment and interesting to note that the first four of your additions are those currently entered in the 2022 Golden Globe Race – kind of the definition of a blue water boat.

Hey! I know this is somewhat off-topic however I needed to ask. Does operating a well-established blog like yours take a massive amount work? I am completely new to writing a blog but I do write in my journal everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!|

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10 Best Used Cruising Sailboats

• By John Kretschmer
• Updated: June 4, 2021

The appeal of offshore voyaging is difficult to explain to land people who can’t imagine life without basic human rights like copious quantities of hot water and unlimited data. It can even be challenging to explain to fellow sailors who think the notion of spending days or weeks at sea is a form of water­boarding, some kind of self-inflicted torture.

But for those of us who understand, who relish intimacy with the untamed wilderness that is the ocean and embrace self-­reliance and individual expression while accepting the ­dispassionate whims of Neptune, this is the good life.

There are two essential truths about this life: One, money does not matter. Cruising budgets and lifestyles reflect bank accounts with variously positioned commas; it’s the passages and landfalls that add up, not your investment portfolio. And two, a good bluewater sailboat — not necessarily an expensive boat, but a well-­designed, solidly built, imminently seaworthy boat that is only limited by your moxie and imagination — is the key to successful bluewater passagemaking.

So, to that second point, I’ve compiled a list of interesting and affordable cruising sailboats for serious voyaging. A list of 10 sailboats for any purpose, much less world cruising, is sure to evoke outrage from strong-minded sailors, who by nature tend to be a bit opinionated. Stand by before hurling insults my way, and let me explain. I have decided to stay away from the sailboats we know by heart, the iconic old boats that usually populate a list like this: the Westsail 32, Tayana 37, Shannon 38 and Valiant 40 (the last of which, with a bit of searching, can still be found at or just below $100,000).

My list of some of the best liveaboard sailboats is eclectic and includes a mix of well-known and obscure manufacturers, but all the boats are linked in three ways: All are top-quality vessels capable of crossing oceans. They’re affordable, although in a few cases you have to look for older models in less-than-stellar condition to stay below $100,000. Indeed, in some ways, this list of used sailboats is a function of age; most of the boats were priced at more than $100,000 when new but have dipped below our self-imposed threshold in middle age. And finally, they’re all boats that I have encountered in the past few years in far-flung cruising destinations .

Island Packet 35

Love them or loathe them, Island Packets are everywhere. To some, the beamy, full-keel, high-freeboard hull designs seem quaint, to put it charitably. To others, the robust construction standards, roomy interiors and overall user-friendliness make them the ideal cruising boat. More than most, sailing vessels are compromises, and Bob Johnson and his crew at Island Packet were brilliant in prioritizing the needs of sailors. The IP 35 was introduced in 1988 and features a huge cockpit, an easy-to-handle cutter rig with a jib boom, and a clever, comfortable interior with the volume of many 40-footers. It might not be the fastest boat upwind, but the long waterline translates to good performance off the breeze, meaning the IP 35 finds its stride in the trade winds. In all, 188 boats were built before production stopped in 1994.

Don’t confuse the IP 35 with the IP 350, which was launched in 1997 and included a stern swim step. You won’t find a 350 for less than $100,000, but you will have a choice among 35s, especially those built before 1990. With two nice staterooms, the 35 is ideal for family cruising. I know of a couple of 35s that have completed the classic Atlantic Circle passage. It’s perfect for a sabbatical cruise because it holds its value and there’s a ready market when it comes time to sell.

Prout Snowgoose 37

There’s no room for discussion: Catamarans are crossing oceans, and many sailors are choosing cats for world cruising. My last visits to the Azores and Canary Islands, the classic Atlantic waypoints, proved the point. I’m not much of a statistician, but by my count, at least a quarter and maybe a third of the boats I saw were catamarans. There would be more on this list, but they are just too expensive. Finding a quality catamaran for less than $100,000 is tough. One boat to consider is the classic workhorse multihull, the Prout Snowgoose 37.

When the Snowgoose 37 was launched in 1983, English builder Prout & Sons had already been in business for nearly 50 years. The 37 was an updated version of the Snowgoose 35, one of the most successful cruising cats ever. In 1986, the 37 was updated again; the Snowgoose Elite model included more beam and interior upgrades. These models are challenging to find for under $100,000, but it’s possible. A quick glance at yachtworld.com shows several of both models available for less than $100,000. Again, the strong dollar makes European boats an excellent value.

The Snowgoose 37 is not sexy like go-fast cats, and not roomy like modern cruising cats. It is, however, seaworthy. Of the 500 built, many have circumnavigated. Older boats have solid fiberglass hulls, and more recent models are solid glass from the waterline down and cored above. The cockpit is rather compact by catamaran standards, and the bridgedeck is solid (no tramp). Many 37s and all Elites were rigged with staysails, a big plus in heavy weather. The masthead-­rigged Snowgoose 37 can be sailed like a monohull offshore, and it’s quite nice not having a huge, roachy mainsail to wrestle with in a storm. With a 15-foot-3-inch beam for the 37 and a 16-foot-3-inch beam for the Elite, it’s easy to find affordable dockage and yards for haulouts. Most boats have three double cabins, making the Snowgoose 37 an ideal family cruiser.

The Corbin 39 is not as well known as it should be. It’s a capable bluewater sailboat cruiser with many impressive voyages logged. My Quetzal spent several weeks moored alongside a handsome 39 in Corfu that had sailed around the world, and I also spent a winter in Malta in the same boatyard as another 39 that had recently crossed the Atlantic. A canoe-stern, flush-deck pilothouse cutter, the 39 was offered with either an aft or center cockpit. Designed by Michael Dufour and constructed by Corbin les Bateaux in Canada, hull number one was launched in 1977. Built in various locations in Quebec, 129 boats were launched before a fire destroyed the deck tooling in 1982. A new deck with a larger cockpit was designed, and 70 more boats were laid up before production ceased in 1990.

The rub on the Corbin 39 is that the majority of boats were sold as kits with owner-­finished interiors. Kits varied from just hull-and-deck to “sailaway,” with everything fitted except the interior. Only 15 boats were finished at the factory. Not surprisingly, the interior quality is unpredictable, from rough-hewn lumberyard specials to beautifully handcrafted gems finished by marine professionals. The difference is reflected in the price. A nicely finished, well-equipped model from the mid-’80s typically sells for between $60,000 and $80,000.

The hull shape features a long fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder. The hulls are heavily laid up and include Airex coring. Early decks were plywood-cored, but most boats have Airex in the deck as well. Ballast is 9,000 pounds of internal lead, translating to a 40 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio. The wide flush deck is spacious, and the sleek pilothouse usually includes inside steering. Massive double anchor rollers are incorporated into the bowsprit in later models. Most boats include a double-­spreader spar, and almost all were set up as cutters. There’s plenty of freeboard, which becomes obvious below. While interior arrangements vary considerably, there’s a lot of room to work with. I prefer the post-1982 aft-cockpit 39s; they’re generally of a higher quality than earlier boats.

Cabo Rico 38

“The Cabo Rico 38 hull shape is the one in which everything came together best,” wrote Bill Crealock in his design notes. He might have changed his mind later in life, considering that the Cabo Rico was introduced in 1977 and he designed many boats after that, but few will dispute that this 38-foot cutter, built in Costa Rica, is flat-out beautiful. From the clipper bow to the sweet sheer to the abundance of honey-colored teak, the Cabo Rico 38 is a boat to inspire the most practical among us to quit their job, buy this vessel, and head for the South Pacific.

Not surprisingly, many people have done just that. Cabo Rico built 200 full-keeled 38s, with most of the production occurring in the 1980s. There’s always a selection of boats for sale for less than $100,000. Cabo Rico was an outlier among manufacturers of the time, building serious cruising boats in Central America instead of Taiwan, but quality control was always excellent. The full keel is slightly cutaway, and the rudder is attached to the trailing edge. The prop is in an aperture and totally protected, but not well suited to backing into a slip. Full-keel boats may make some younger sailors cringe, but the CR 38 has a very soft ride in rough seas and heaves to effectively. It also has a solid fiberglass hull with a layer of balsa for insulation. Sometimes it’s noted that the hull is balsa-cored, but it’s not. After about hull number 40, lead was used instead of iron for internal ballast. The deck is balsa-cored, however, and there’s a substantial bulwark. Items to be wary of are the teak decks (most 38s have them) and the fittings supporting the bobstay.

A true cutter rig, the 38 has just under 1,000 square feet of working sail area and performs better than most people suspect. The staysail was originally set on a boom that cluttered the foredeck and limited sail shape. Many boats have been converted with furling staysails sans the boom — a nice upgrade. When the wind pipes up, the 38 tracks nicely with a reefed main and staysail. I encounter 38s all over the Caribbean. They’re easy to spot; they’re the beautiful boats in the anchorage.

Tayana Vancouver 42

Ta Yang, builder of Tayana sailboats, has been building capable cruising boats forever, it seems. The Robert Harris-designed Tayana Vancouver 42 has been a mainstay of the serious cruising fleet since the day it was launched in 1979, and is still in demand today. The company built 200 boats, mostly in the ’80s and early ’90s, although a few V42s were built into the 2000s. With a bit of digging and some haggling, you can find boats for less than $100,000, but they’re likely to be older models. As of this writing, yachtworld.com has eight V42s listed, with three asking less than $100,000.

I’ve encountered the V42 all over the world, and in my yacht-delivery days, I had the pleasure of delivering a couple of 42s up the East Coast and down to the Caribbean. The double-ended hull shape with a fin-skeg underbody is stiff and seaworthy, if not wickedly fast. Considering the rugged construction, with a solid fiberglass hull and balsa-cored deck, nobody has ever accused Ta Yang of going light on its boats. Ballast is internal iron, a massive single casting that weighs in at 11,800 pounds. Ta Yang has evolved as a builder, and later models included upgrades like vinylester resin and larger Yanmar diesels.

A true cutter, the V42 has a double-spreader rig and is heavily stayed. The seagoing deck is cambered to shed water. Teak decks, with all their virtues and vices, were common; I’d look for a boat that’s been de-teaked. Like the Corbin 39, the V42 came with either a center or aft cockpit, although most boats were aft-cockpit models. The aft cockpit is deep and secure, if a bit tight due to volume sacrificed by the canoe stern. The center cockpit is cramped but offers excellent visibility. The interior is lovely, with exquisite Taiwanese joinery. Although interior arrangements vary because Ta Yang encouraged owner input, across the board, this is a friendly boat for living aboard. The aft-cockpit model includes one head and a traditional layout with excellent light and ventilation. The center-­cockpit model features a large owner’s stateroom aft.

Wauquiez Pretorien 35

The Pretorien 35 does not pay homage to tradition. The Euro-style low-slung wedge deck and flattish lines were thoroughly modern when the Pretorien was launched in 1979. Sure, there are IOR influences in this well-proven Holman & Pye design, including a slightly pinched stern, cramped cockpit, and a high-aspect, short-boom mainsail that results in a large fore­triangle. But a small main is easy to handle offshore, especially in squally conditions, and a large poled-out furling genoa provides a low-stress way to cross oceans. The test of a design is revealed long after the launch, and the Pretorien has aged brilliantly. It’s often mistaken for a Swan or Baltic. Famed voyager and author Hal Roth chose a Pretorien for his last boat.

Below the water, which is what really matters at sea, the Pretorien pushes the right buttons for serious sailing. A fine entry provides enough of a forefoot to prevent pounding in lumpy conditions, and as on the Valiant 40, the fin keel incorporates a stub to which the external ballast is fastened. The rudder is mounted well aft for excellent steering control, especially on a deep reach, and is tucked behind a narrow but full-length skeg. The Pretorien displaces 13,000 pounds, of which 6,000 pounds is ballast, translating to a stiff, seakindly boat.

The construction is superb. The solid fiberglass hull includes longitudinal stringers that stiffen the panels and encapsulate the bulkheads. Tabbing and fiberglass work is first-rate throughout. Wauquiez was one of the first builders to use solid laminate beneath high-load deck fittings. The side decks are wide and, with the chainplates well inboard, easy to navigate. The interior arrangement is conventional, but ample beam amidships helps create a surprisingly spacious feel below.

There were 212 Pretoriens built during a seven-year production run, so there’s usually a good selection of boats on the used market. Today’s strong dollar makes European Pretoriens an excellent value.

Gulfstar 44

Gulfstar had a terrible reputation in the early ’70s: It was infamous for producing wide-body motorsailers with tiny rigs and chintzy Formica interiors. Company founder Vince Lazzara was adept at reading market trends and upped his game in the late ’70s and ’80s. Lazzara, who also founded Columbia Yachts, was a veteran of the production-­sailboat wars and realized that buyers were demanding high-quality boats that sailed well. The Gulfstar 44 was launched in 1978, and 105 were sold before the company started producing the Hirsh 45 in 1985.

Some mistake the G44 for a Bristol, and it has a similar profile, right down to the teak toerail and raked cabin trunk. A sleek center-­cockpit design, the hull shape features a 5-foot-6-inch fin keel, a skeg-hung rudder and moderate proportions. I know the boat well, having delivered one from Bermuda to Annapolis and another from Fort Lauderdale to Boston. It has a nice ride in lumpy seas and powers up when the big genoa is drawing on a reach. The construction is typical of the time, with solid fiberglass hulls and cored decks. Gulfstars were known to blister, and it’s likely that any 44 you find will have had an epoxy bottom job along the way — and if it hasn’t, it will need one. The keel-stepped spar has an air draft of 55 feet. Some owners have modified the sloop rig with a staysail. The cockpit is roomy, especially for a center-cockpit design, although there’s not much of a bridgedeck. All sail controls are led aft. Lazzara was an early proponent of this feature, and the boat is user-friendly overall.

The interior sells the boat. It’s nicely finished in teak, and the layout is made for living aboard. The aft cabin includes an enormous double berth with an en suite head and stall shower. The main saloon is spacious and well ventilated, although beware of the plastic opening portlights. If you are looking for a comfortable, well-built center-cockpit cruiser but can’t find one that you can afford, track down a Gulfstar 44; you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Any list of bluewater cruising sailboats must include a Robert Perry design. I could have easily put together nine Perry boats for this list. The Nordic 40 may surprise some, especially because 40 feet is an iconic length, bringing to mind such boats as the Valiant 40, Hinckley Bermuda 40, Bristol 40, Pacific Seacraft 40, Passport 40 and others. The trick is finding a 40-footer for less than $100,000. Nonetheless, the Nordic 40 and its larger sister ship, the 44, are among my favorite boats.

Based in Bellingham, Washington, Nordic produced world-class yachts during its brief production run in the 1980s. Only 40 Nordic 40s were launched between 1982 and 1987, but they’re worth seeking out on the used-boat market. The 40 features the classic double-ended Perry hull shape, with a fine entry, a deep and powerful fin keel, a skeg-mounted rudder positioned well aft, and a reverse transom. Freeboard is moderate and the sheer line is subtle, but to my eye, with its double-spreader rig and gently sloping deck line, the boat is poetry in the water.

The hull is solid fiberglass and the deck is balsa-cored, with solid laminates below loaded-up deck fittings. Original boats came with Navtec rod rigging and a hydraulic backstay, but many have been upgraded by now. Sail-control lines are led aft to the compact but functional T-shaped cockpit. The traveler is forward of the companionway, allowing for a cockpit dodger. The Nordic 40 is nimble in light to moderate breeze but can also stand up in a blow and heave to decently.

The interior is well suited to a cruising couple. It’s really a two-person boat, with a V-berth forward and large C-shaped galley aft, with plenty of counter space and a huge fridge. It includes the normal deft Perry touches — excellent sea berths, a separate stall shower and generous tankage. If you do find a Nordic 40 on the used market, be sure to take a hard look at the Westerbeke diesel and the V-drive transmission.

Pacific Seacraft 34

A handsome, nimble and capable double-ender by legendary designer Bill Crealock, the Pacific Seacraft 34 is well proven, with scores of ocean crossings in its wake.

After the boat was first launched as the Crealock 34 in 1979, Pacific Seacraft introduced a fifth model years later, a scaled-down version of the popular PS 37. Though expensive at the time, the 34 was another success story for one of America’s premier builders, and hundreds of boats were built in the company’s yard in Santa Ana, California. There is always a good selection of used boats available for less than $100,000. Another nice perk for used-boat buyers is that the 34 is back in production at the reincarnated Pacific Seacraft yard in Washington, North Carolina, providing an outlet for parts and advice. The company is now owned and operated by marine archaeologist Stephen Brodie and his father, Reid.

The 34 blends traditional values above the waterline with what was then a more modern underbody, with a long fin keel and skeg-hung rudder. A bit hefty at 13,500 pounds of displacement, the design otherwise is a study in moderation, and drawn with a keen eye toward providing a soft ride in a seaway and staying on good terms with Neptune in a blow.

The hull is solid fiberglass, and early decks were plywood-­cored before Pacific switched to end-grain balsa. The hull-to-deck joint incorporates a molded bulwark that offers added security when you’re moving about on deck, and a vertical surface for mounting stanchions.

Most 34s are cutter-rigged for versatility but carry moderate-­size genoas instead of high-cut yankees for more horsepower off the wind. Down below, the layout is traditional, but the 6-foot-4-inch headroom is a pleasant surprise. The Pacific Seacraft 34 is perfect for a cruising couple.

John Kretschmer is a delivery captain, adventurer and writer, whose own boat Quetzal , a 1987 Kaufman 47, has seen a refit or two over the years. His latest book is Sailing a Serious Ocean: Sailboats, Storms, Stories and Lessons Learned from 30 Years at Sea , also available on his website .

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Island Packet 38

This proven offshore cruiser is built for comfort, not speed

B ring up the Island Packet 38 as a topic of discussion and you're likely to hear opinions that range from amazing offshore cruising yacht to sit back and get comfortable, it's going to be a

When the 38 rolled off the assembly line in 1986, it offered few surprises from a boat builder known for staying close to the same design despite variations in hull length.

On the up side, buyers expecting a safe, heavy, solidly built, full-keel yacht got exactly that. The boat's relatively high price tag of $128,000 put off some potential buyers. Sailors in the market for a pre-owned boat have since found the 38 holds its value remarkably well, and in some cases the current used price is about the same as it was in the showroom.

First impressions

Sound construction, utilitarian layout and voluminous storage capacity are the prime virtues of the Island Packet 38. With a chopped-off transom, high freeboard, uninspiring sheer and slablike sprit, this cutter-rig sloop has a somewhat ungainly appearance when viewed from abeam. But belowdecks the roominess and overall comforts are likely to catch the eye of liveaboards, couples cruising with guests and sailors planning an extended journey. Teak trim above deck and generous wood panels below add a traditional nautical luster.

Construction

The first 38 was built in 1986, and the 188 were build by 193. Bob Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of Island Packet Yachts designed the 38-footer with a protruding bowsprit that pushed its overall length to nearly 42 feet.

An MIT graduate with a master's degree in naval architecture, Johnson worked in California designing missile systems for McDonnell Douglas and later, using aerospace materials, made surfboards for a company he started under the Hollow Wave brand. As his career progressed, he joined Irwin Yachts as a designer, eventually taking those skills to Endeavor Yachts before striking out to build boats on his own.

The 38, with its distinctive beige hull and deck, boasted 100% hand-laid fiberglass construction. The hull was molded in one piece with strong triaxial glass that was unified with a molded, interior grid structure. The laminated deck was cored with a synthetic material nearly impervious to rot. All deck hardware was through-bolted with aluminum backing plates. The deck was attached to the hull flange with bolts, lock nuts and adhesives. Ballast was integrated into the full keel.

What to look for

Like any boat that has been in use for nearly three decades, condition of the standing and running rigging, all sails and the engine are key factors that must be taken into consideration. The deck should be inspected for delamination, although Island Packet claims the core of its sandwich construction doesn't take in moisture like balsa or other fillers.

Engine maintenance, or lack of it, can often be verified by the presence of fluid leaks, cracked hoses and worn belts. Closely sight along the hull and feel for smoothness to determine if repairs to cracks, crazing or blisters have been made. Such repairs are easier to spot because of the hull's beige color. The chainplates are embedded in the fiberglass hull rather than to the exterior and so cannot be inspected without removing built-in furniture, followed by chiseling and grinding.

Since the oldest 38s came off the assembly line 28 years ago, it could be time for new roller furling. Many owners already have replaced the mainsail with a full-batten version and a Dutchman flaking system.

The 38 has a roomy cockpit with shower, folding swim ladder and cavernous lockers. The engine control panel has a protective cover. Nonskid decking, double lifelines and full-length cabintop rails suggest safety, while teak coamings and caprail add touches of elegance.

Deck hardware and equipment includes cutter-style standing rigging with twin backstays, self-tailing Lewmar winches, a mainsheet traveler, a boom vang with preventer package, spring line cleats and a single-line reefing system.

Spaciousness is a key word aboard the 38. Headroom tops out at 6 feet 4 inches. Large staterooms are located fore and aft, flanking the saloon. There are two heads, but owners have maximized the space by keeping the forward head and transforming the aft head into a dedicated navigation station instead of a cramped navigation nook.

Bill and Amy Betts of Florida, who spent 12 years circumnavigating aboard their 38, Estrellita , gutted the forward head and turned it into a sail locker, but say the boat has plenty of storage.

"This boat swallows tools and spare parts, along with three months worth of groceries," he said. "We have all kinds of storage, especially behind the settees. We call it our hardware store."

Belowdecks there are oversized hanging lockers, a bureau with chest of drawers, large settees, retractable table and a pull-out double berth. The U-shaped galley has an LPG range with oven, double deep sinks, 14-cubic-foot icebox, teak dish rack, cutlery drawers, hot and cold water pressure in the galley and both heads, and lots of natural light via overhead hatches and opening ports. Four dorade vents assist ventilation. The boat can carry 157 gallons of water.

The yacht is equipped with a reliable 44-horsepower, freshwater-cooled Yanmar diesel engine. Access to the engine compartment is excellent, via matching side panels and from behind the companionway ladder. The fuel tank holds 57 gallons and a supplemental, flexible fuel tank can be added.

If your dream is to win races around the buoys, this probably isn't your boat. The full keel hull is relatively slow and the boat is not particularly responsive in light or moderate air.

"This boat isn't a racer, but if you want to go places, it's great," said Florida yacht broker Alan Both. "It's comfortable, and in heavy air it doesn't get knocked around in a following sea like boats with fin keels."

He noted the owners of an upgraded 38 have sailed it without incident along the East Coast, to the Bahamas and on to Central America.

Bill Betts offered a different view, noting Island Packet yachts often participate in the Newport-to-Bermuda Race and other prestigious offshore competitions.

"We cruised around the world for 12 years and just got back in the fall. We had a 110% genoa and a large drifter. The latter makes all the difference in light air," Betts said, adding the boat is seakindly and has never been swamped by a following sea. "The rear end lifts up for a dry and comfortably ride, not a sloshy one."

Blaine Parks wrote about his family adventures aboard their Island Packet in an online journal.

"We agree that our boat doesn't move as well in light air, but we're going around the world, not just around the racing buoys," he wrote. "The ability to take the heavier air is more important to us than the lighter air sailing."

Parks added that a quality cruising chute kept their boat moving in most conditions.

Built for comfort, not for speed, the spacious and stable 38 is an ideal yacht for a family planning to coastal cruise, sail offshore to the Bahamas, hang out indefinitely in the Caribbean, and maybe even go around the world.

PRICE: When the Island Packet 38 entered the market in 1986, the standard model was offered for $128,950, slightly more than the average used model sells for today.

DESIGN QUALITY: The 38 is a full keel, cutter-rig sloop designed by naval architect Bob Johnson. Ballast is integrated into the keel and its design does not offer the performance of a fin-keel boat but most IP-38 owners are not racers.

CONSTRUCTION QUALITY: The 38 is solidly constructed of hand-laid fiberglass and the deck is securely fastened to the hull. Teak handrails and trim enhance the deck while exotic wood panels warm the interior. High-quality Island Packet workmanship is exhibited throughout.

USER-FRIENDLINESS: The full-keel design lessens the need to worry about snagging fishing nets while providing plenty of living and storage space below deck. The cutter rig allows for easier sail handling. The 38 is, however, a weighty vessel and that typically translates to needing more sail area to get her going.

SAFETY: The 38 was designed with generous freeboard that keeps its passengers high above the water where it's easier to stay dry. The boat has a Category A offshore rating. From the helm, views across the cabintop and deck surface are unobstructed.

TYPICAL CONDITION : Most Island Packet owners take pride in, and care of, their boats, so finding a used 38 in good-to-excellent condition is more the norm than the exception.

REFITTING: The 38s are often upgraded with refrigeration, electric winches, electric windlass, full-batten mainsail, larger genoa to replace the standard 110% genoa, and three-blade propeller instead of the stock two-blade version.

SUPPORT: Island Packet Yachts in Largo, Florida, ( www.ipy.com) maintains an active customer-service department. Support is available from Island Packet Yacht Owners' Association at www.ipyoa.com and at www.iphomeport.com .

AVAILABILITY: At least 10 38s were on the market in late 2013 in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama. Brokers report the boats tend to get snapped up quickly.

INVESTMENT AND RESALE: The 38 holds its value and can even sell for more than its original price when new. A cultlike following ensures the resale value remains high.

Also in Used Boat Notebook

• Hunter Passage 42
• Pearson Rhodes 41
• Santa Cruz 52
• Allied Princess 36
• Kelly-Peterson 46

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All Globe 38s on Double Enders

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New Boats For Golden Globe Race?

• Add to quote
• Designed prior to 1988 and have a minimum series of 20 yachts built.
• Have a hull length of between 32ft and 40ft***. Bowsprits, wind vanes and outboard rudders, boomkins, pushpits and pulpits are not measured.
• Have full-length keels with rudders attached to the trailing edge.
• A minimum design displacement is 6,200kg.
• Of fibre reinforced plastic construction.

Picture this as a "Cannonball Run" type of race ;-) Click to expand...

With pontoons. I've added a little "clarification" (on oceans). lol  

I think I'd take a Joshua thanks, which will be a class in the 2022 race. If you've read the books by Johnson and Moitessier about their experiences in the original race, there's just no comparison. One boat was falling apart from the get go and the other did her job like the true singlehanded ocean sailing vessel she was.  

Amazing vessel, looking forward to seeing the finished replica version. I went to look at a Damien II a couple of weeks ago, and it was a sadly a rust bucket. Walking on and in it, one could tell that it was built for hardcore adventuring.  

This whole thing with the GGR has never made a lick of sense. I don't understand what it's supposed to prove. Racing around the world is dangerous enough without adding arbitrary, capricious, and dangerous limitations; strange limits that precludes some technologies that existed in the late 1960's but which permits modern technology like full length battens and assymmetrical spinnakers. Afterall, fin keel-spade rudder boats existed and were as seaworthy, or more seaworthy and handled better than boats like the Hinkley Pilot was considered acceptable. But if for the sake of discussion, the rules are be altered so that the discussion waives the requirements for a keel with attached rudder, and the minimum 6200 kg weight, and limited to boats which were designed in 1989 or older, then I would probably pick an Oyster Lightwave 395. A boat like the Lightwave would be expected to finish two to three months faster than a boat like a Rustler 36 and be way easier to handle. Last I heard, Oyster still had the molds for the hull and deck. If that were true and I had the money, then I would probably build a new one, perhaps altering the boat to add watertight bulkheads, beef up the structure a bit, eliminate the liners and fancy interior, perhaps add bigger water tanks. Jeff  

Jeff_H said: I would probably pick an Oyster Lightwave 395. A boat like the Lightwave would be expected to finish two to three months faster than a boat like a Rustler 36 and be way easier to handle. Jeff Click to expand...

Its a somewhat/attempt budget deal. Everybody replaces sails over time. Seems cool Big bucks suck the fun out of too many sports.  

RegisteredUser said: Its a somewhat/attempt budget deal. Everybody replaces sails over time. Seems cool Big bucks suck the fun out of it too many sports. Click to expand...

Always been fond of the migrator version of the yawl block island 40 drawn by Bill Tripp. Add an inner forstay and be good to go. Wonder what’s JeffH’s opinion of that boat?  

outbound said: Always been fond of the migrator version of the yawl block island 40 drawn by Bill Tripp. Add an inner forstay and be good to go. Wonder what's JeffH's opinion of that boat? Click to expand...

Never sailed a BI40. Just sail by them. 🤩 now know why. Thanks Jeff. The other boat around here that catches my eye is a Crealock design the Cambria 38. Is it also such a dog?  

Capta and John_H, Both your comments are excellent additions to the thread in terms of concerns and viewpoints for such a race. It brings up crucial points to consider on such a committing expedition.  

Neither of your pictures are what Capta and I are referring to as a crawlover companionway. What we are referring to is a companionway where the companionway opening is more than a couple feet forward of the aft bulkhead of the cabin, and the bridge deck extends forward to the opening into the cabin. You can see what this looks like in this ad for a Lightwave 39 .. 1988 Oyster Lightwave 395 ad Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com While there is no established name for this type of companionway and they have existed at least from the early 20st century. We are referring to this as a crawlover companionway because in order to stay low enough to get under a dodger or safely move between the cabin and cockpit you end up crawling over the bridge deck. To me they are dangerous. A crash block is somewhat unique to offshore race boats. A crash block is not a bulkhead. What it is is an essentially a solid filled area near the stem of the boat that extends horizontally from the point of entry for severall feet aft of the stem, and from the hull up to the water line or above the waterline. The top of the crash block is heavily reinforced and integral with the hull. Conceptually, if the bow hits an object at speed, the intent is that the block absorbs the blow and distributes the forces of impact to minimize damage. But even if the bottom of the crash block is sheered away, the top of the crash block is intended to remain intact and prevent water ingress. Watertight bulkheads are intended to separate the boat into several watertight compartments so that if the hull is breached in one compartment, there is half a chance to keep the boat afloat and perhaps make repairs. Typically there would be a watertight bulkhead at the forward 1/4 of the boat, somewhere amidships, and somewhere aft isolating the rudder post. Sometimes there is another watertight bulkhead isolating the engine bay of the boat. Jeff  

Thanks Jeff, I get what that type of companionway is now. Very dangerous in big seas, and especially solo, when the slightest error can cause enormous consequences. Might as well reduce risks, call it low hanging fruit. I was looking at the boat...Are you saying the the lighwave might be a good boat for me? ;-) Just to clarify... "What it is is an essentially a solid filled area near the stem of the boat that extends..." Do you mean bow, or actually stern? Later you write about "if the bow hits an object". I can see adding water tight bulkheads in a refit, can a crash block be added too?  

The purpose of the GGR seems to have been lost in these discussions. It is a retro race - it is meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Robin Knox-Johnson's becoming the first person to circumnavigate non-stop and solo during the original Golden Globe Race in 1968. The eligible boats were chosen to fit within parameters chosen by the organisers as being "retro" - and seaworthy - enough to do the race justice. (A Pole just completed a non-stop, solo, circumnavigation in a 21-foot, modified production boat in about 270 days - the smallest sail boat to have gone around via the three Capes non-stop, and unassisted. Point being, a hell of a lot of sail boats can circumnavigate, often just because of the bravery/foolhardiness of its captain.) The boats I am aware of competing in the GGR have all been modified to an extent. Part of the safety rules required the anchor locker of the boats must be filled with foam, to form a crash box. Another requirement is a water tight door at the bulkhead leading to the front cabin. The cabin tops of most boats have been strengthened with extra hanging knees, and solid spray dodgers have been added to most. Most of the eligible boats have single-spreader masts, but it is allowed to change this to double spreaders. The interior of the boats may not be changed and must conform to the original lay out, so these are not stripped out racers. To stay true to the original race, no electronics are allowed, and navigation is by sextant and paper charts. If you want to listen to music, take cassette tapes.  

Riaan Smit said: The purpose of the GGR seems to have been lost in these discussions. It is a retro race - it is meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Robin Knox-Johnson's becoming the first person to circumnavigate non-stop and solo during the original Golden Globe Race in 1968. The eligible boats were chosen to fit within parameters chosen by the organisers as being "retro" - and seaworthy - enough to do the race justice. To stay true to the original race, no electronics are allowed, and navigation is by sextant and paper charts. If you want to listen to music, take cassette tapes. Click to expand...

What’s a “cassette tape?” 😛  

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Salona 380: the 38 footer which has a lot to offer

• David Harding
• February 14, 2020

From a yard that’s still relatively unknown in the UK, the Salona 380 looks set to present the established performance cruisers in this size range with some serious competition, says David Harding

Upwind with 18 knots over the deck, the Salona 380 clocked nearly 7 knots at time. Credit: David Harding

Product Overview

• Good performance
• Easy to sail short-handed
• Uncluttered deck layout
• Flying bow is a mixed blessing under power
• More non-slip needed on deck
• No stowage for books at chart table

If any sector of the new-boat market is tough to break into, it’s the one for the 38ft performance cruiser.

Look at the builders who are there already: Dehler with the 38 and Elan with the 380/E5, for example.

Then we have the Arcona 380, the slightly more cruisy Xc38 and, arguably with a little less of a sporty tilt, Hanse’s 388.

Given the availability of these, you might wonder why anyone looking for a sporty not-quite-forty should consider a boat from a Croatian builder that relatively few people in the UK have heard of.

The flying bow, with the knuckle clear of the water, becomes immersed to lengthen the waterline under way. Credit: David Harding

The reason is simple: the Salona 380 claims to offer pretty well everything its competitors offer and more.

The builders are keen to stress the relatively low volume of production (around 35 boats per year across the range), the attention to detail and scope for customisation, the structural integrity (including the stainless steel frame in the hull to distribute the loads from the rig and keel), the uncluttered deck layout and, not insignificantly, the fact that you get a lot of boat for your money.

What’s more, despite its lack of recognition in the UK, Salona is not an unknown quantity.

The yard has been building boats since 2002 and has established a strong following in the Adriatic and eastern Mediterranean, where many British sailors will have met Salonas on charter holidays.

Dealers have also been active in Holland, Sweden, Germany, France and Spain but, although Salona has been represented on and off in Britain since 2004, it has yet to become a well-known name on these shores.

Interior joinery is light oak and all made at the yard. Drawers are in wood throughout and frames and fiddles are solid. Credit: David Harding

That’s all the more surprising given that the 35 had just won its class in the 2012 Hamble Winter Series when I tested it back in 2013.

I joined the 35 for one of the races.

Before that I had tested the 45 in 2004, followed by the 37 and 40, looked at various other models in Trieste and visited the yard in Split, where I sailed another 45.

I thought they all had a lot to offer.

THE TEST VERDICT

There’s much to like about the Salona 380, from the performance and handling to the level of specification and the reassuring construction.

As well as being stiffened by the steel frame, the vacuum-infused hull with its PVC-cored topsides is laid up with vinylester resin and, as an extra precaution that’s rarely seen these days, clear gelcoat beneath the waterline.

Until recently, the performance and structural integrity of Salonas was not matched by the interior finish or, in some respects, the attention to detail.

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The 380 reflects a substantial improvement in these areas and she has to be seen as a serious competitor to boats of similar size and nature from the better-known yards.

She’s fast, responsive, fun to sail, nicely finished, well thought-out and equipped to a good standard.

WOULD SHE SUIT YOU AND YOUR CREW?

If you’re looking for a performance cruiser in this size range, there are good reasons to include the Salona 380 on your list of possibles.

Whereas the credibility of Salona as a company might once have been questioned by some in the UK, things have changed.

The yard has now been building boats for nearly 20 years.

It’s owned (as it always has been) by AD Plastics, a leading European supplier of automotive parts, which in turn is part of the ASA prevent Group.

The Salona 380’s deck and cockpit layout make the boat well suited to short-handed sailing. Credit: David Harding

The new UK dealer will be familiar to many, too –Russell Hodgson, who formerly handled X-Yachts and later Dehler in the UK, and has already covered several thousand miles on the Salona 380.

These recent developments and improvements can only increase Salona’s appeal to prospective British buyers.

If you’re tempted by the boat you will probably also be tempted by the Limited Edition package of extras and upgrades that takes the specification to step-aboard-and-go level.

It could see you sailing a sleek and sporty 38 for what, in relative terms, is a pretty reasonable amount of money.