Catalina 38 History & General Specifications
The original boat was designed by Sparkman and Stephens to be built as a one-off racing design. The hull form was then purchased by the Yankee Boat Company in Marina del Rey, California. They built approximately 30 Yankee 38’s before the business failed. The Yankee 38 had a shorter mast, single spreaders, and a longer boom. It had a 7 foot draft and a skeg-hung rudder. It had more of a traditional look with a deck house and smaller ports. The interior was not as light or roomy, with a pilot berth built into the starboard side of the cabin. There is a Yankee 38 named Bullet berthed in Shelton, WA.
Also, a Catalina 38 owner reported that an infamous Yankee 38 called Damn Yankee can be found in Olympia, WA as well. It is a well known boat (hull #4 or 5) and can be found next to his Catalina 38, “Cyrena”!
Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts purchased the molds from Yankee, and started building our boat. He wasn’t content with redesigning the interior and giving it a Catalina deck. He put a taller mast, shorter boom, and moved the rudder and made it a balanced spade design for faster tacking. He also, so the story goes, called Sparkman and Stephens for permission to advertise it as a Sparkman and Stephens design. It is said that they asked for a royalty way beyond what he was willing to pay and he politely refused. He made the Catalina 38 a faster boat, and as a result for years it replaced the Cal 40 as the official Congressional Cup boat, one of the top match racing regattas in the world. It was, in turn, replaced by the Capri 37, also made by Catalina Yachts .
If you ever see a strange looking Catalina 38 with a single spreader rig and a longer boom, it is hull number one. Also, a few 38’s were steered with a tiller, but it was quickly determined that it was a little more of a handful with a tiller, so all thereafter were built with a wheel. It is possible that all the tillers have since been replaced with wheels. The original power plants, Atomic four gasoline engines, were replaced with 3 cylinder Universal diesels.
A fascinating article on the racing configuration of the Catalina 38 can be found in the 8th edition of Royce’s Sailing Illustrated .
[Show as slideshow]
Reprinted with permission from Patrick M. Royce’s Sailing Illustrated
8th revised edition, 1983, pp. 76-81
NOTE: Below are specifications sent in by our members. Please keep in mind that our boats did change through the years and therefore the particular “specs” listed should be carefully verified on your own boat!
This is especially true regarding sail size with a furler!
L.O.A 38′ 2″
L.W.L. 30′ 3″
Beam 11′ 10″
Draft STD 6′ 9″ SHOAL 4′ 11″
Ballast STD 6850 LBS SHOAL 7650 LBS
Displacement STD 15,900 LBS SHOAL 16,700 LBS
Displ/Length STD 257 SHOAL 269
SA/Displ STD 16.2 SHOAL 15.6
Theoretical Hull Speed – 7.4 knots
Sail Area, Rated (SQ. FT.) P 44.00
Mainsail 253 I 49.80
100% foretriangle 386 J 15.50
Total (100% fore) 639 E 11.50
Weight of Sail Cloth (Recommended)
Main 7.75 oz
130% genoa 7.25 oz
150% genoa 7.25 oz
spinnaker tri-radial 0.75 oz
Ice Box Capacity 5.5 cu. ft.
Water Tank Capacity Std 35 gal + 6 gal water heater = 41 gal
Holding Tank Capacity 21 gal
Fuel Tank Capacity 35 gal
Est. Consumption .75 gph
Distance From Waterline(DWL) To Masthead 56.0
Common Ratings: PHRF 114 IOR 28.8 EST
Berths: 2 Doubles 2 Singles
Headroom Main Cabin 6’3″
Std. Engine – Universal model 30, 68 cu. in., 3 cylinder r.w. cooled,
2:1 reduction gear, std. propeller – 15″D x 13″P
2 blade, 1″ shaft
Theoretical Hull Speed – 7.5 knots
Std Pedestal Steering w/32″ diameter wheel
Ritchie Sp. 5 Compass, engine controls
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Review of Yankee 38
Basic specs..
The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season.
The boat is equipped with 227.0 liter fresh water capacity.
The Yankee 38 is equipped with a fin keel. The fin keel is the most common keel and provides splendid manoeuvrability. The downside is that it has less directional stability than a long keel.
The keel is made of lead. Compared with iron, lead has the advantage of being 44% heavier, which allows a smaller keel and hence less water resistance and higher speed.
The boat can only enter major marinas as the draft is about 1.89 - 1.99 meter (6.20 - 6.50 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.
Yankee 38 is typically equipped with a Westerbeke 491 diesel engine at 30 hp (22 kW). Calculated max speed is about 5.5 knots.
The fuel tank has a capacity of 114.0 liters (30 US gallons, 25 imperial gallons).
Sailing characteristics
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?
The capsize screening value for Yankee 38 is 1.86, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.
What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?
The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 7.2 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Yankee 38 is about 209 kg/cm, alternatively 1171 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 209 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1171 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
What is a Ballast Ratio?
What is Displacement Length Ratio?
What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?
Maintenance
When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 36m 2 (387 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.
Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale
If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.
| Usage | Length | Diameter | ||
| Mainsail halyard | 33.8 m | (111.0 feet) | 12 mm | (1/2 inch) |
| Jib/genoa halyard | 33.8 m | (111.0 feet) | 12 mm | (1/2 inch) |
| Spinnaker halyard | 33.8 m | (111.0 feet) | 12 mm | (1/2 inch) |
| Jib sheet | 11.6 m | (38.1 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Genoa sheet | 11.6 m | (38.1 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Mainsheet | 29.0 m | (95.2 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Spinnaker sheet | 25.5 m | (83.8 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Cunningham | 3.7 m | (12.0 feet) | 12 mm | (1/2 inch) |
| Kickingstrap | 7.3 m | (24.0 feet) | 12 mm | (1/2 inch) |
| Clew-outhaul | 7.3 m | (24.0 feet) | 12 mm | (1/2 inch) |
This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.
Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.
We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Yankee 38 it would be a great help.
If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.
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Looking to purchase a Yankee38. Anyone see a boat needing a home please let me know. Thanks
Re: Yankee38 The Catalina 38 is nearly identical - same hull mold and perhaps somewhat more efficient appendages.. are you looking at those too?
Re: Yankee38 Thanks for that. I am more interested in the Yankee 38 because of the way they were built. The Whole industry changed about the time that Butler bought the molds. The price of oil and resins went up very fast and that was one of the reasons Yankee Yachts went BK. It is now 40 years later and I feel that the quality that went into the Yankees should start becoming a factor. Besides I have sailed and crewed on lots of races and I think the flush deck is a great idea. Great site for sailing discussions. Thanks for your response.
Yankee 38 is a lot better boat than C38. Better build quality and skeg hung rudder. But it is a rare boat. If you have the money, Swan 36 or 37 are based on the same S&S design with superior build quality. Swan 36 is an absolutely fantastic boat, superior to Y38 in many ways, yet based on essentially the same design. Here is one at a very reasonable price: 1969 Nautor Swan 36 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
Hello thanks for the info on the Swan boats. I am here on the West Coast so that wouldn't work economically. I am working some leads and have just heard about a Yankee that has been in the same slip in the Seattle area without moving for multiple years. Wealthy owner lost interest I think. Good sailing to you for the new year. Remember today is the youngest that you will ever be again!
Purchased the neglected Yankee 38. Reconditioning under way.
Yes sailed on a Catalina 38 and thought that it went to weather better than any other of the 15 other type boats I have crewed on. I will try to post a photo. I am on a iPad and can't seem to get photos posted. HURRAY I did it!
Attachments
facebook: Sailing Bintang Aruba, few pictures and movies, I own the Y38 for 7 years now..great boat great sailing
Not tryng to hijack this thread, but can anyone tell me what this tiller-like lever connected to the mast step on a Y38 is for ? I'm guessing it is a pre-backstay tensioning device....
hurricaniac1 said: Not tryng to hijack this thread, but can anyone tell me what this tiller-like lever connected to the mast step on a Y38 is for ? I'm guessing it is a pre-backstay tensioning device.... Click to expand...
I have a yankee 38 1974 up in pnw if interested.
I have a line on one in Seattle if interested...
I have Yankee38 hull 9 currently in Chesapeake VA on Icw
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General Data
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- Sailboat Guide
1974 Sparkman & Stephens 38
- Description
Seller's Description
Beautiful and powerful coastal and designed by Mario Tarabocci and Rod Stephens, Sparkman & Stephens, built by Yankee Yachts, Santa Ana CA Family Cruiser All the work has been done. almost as new! see utube Yankee 38 TRADE UP your 28-32’ sail
Equipment: 2021 installed lightly used Westerbeke 30B 1997 diesel new morse controls,all you need to go sailing! WILL TRADE for 28-‘32’ similiar quaility sail, plus cash maybe lobsterboat/trawler
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)
S&S #2094-C2. Based on the IOR One Ton racer ‘Lightnin’(1971). Later, the molds were purchased by Catalina Yachts were it became, with some modifications, the CATALINA 38.
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YANKEE 38 is a fin keel sloop designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Yankee Yachts from 1972 to 1975. Find out its dimensions, sail area, displacement, ballast, rigging, and more.
The Yankee 38 is an American sailboat that was designed by Sparkman & Stephens as racer-cruiser and first built in 1972.. The design was a development of the 1971 IOR One Ton Cup racing boat Lightnin.. The Yankee 38 design was developed into the Catalina 38 in 1978, after Yankee Yachts went out of business and the molds were sold to Frank V. Butler.
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Yankee 38 is a 38′ 1″ / 11.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Yankee Yachts Inc. between 1972 and 1975. ... 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. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds ...
Find Yankee 38 boats for sale in United States. Offering the best selection of Yankee boats to choose from.
There is a Yankee 38 named Bullet berthed in Shelton, WA. Also, a Catalina 38 owner reported that an infamous Yankee 38 called Damn Yankee can be found in Olympia, WA as well. It is a well known boat (hull #4 or 5) and can be found next to his Catalina 38, "Cyrena"! Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts purchased the molds from Yankee, and ...
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View a wide selection of Yankee 38 boats for sale in United States, explore detailed information & find your next boat on boats.com. #everythingboats
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Yankee 38 is about 209 kg/cm, alternatively 1171 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 209 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1171 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of YANKEE 38. Built by Yankee Yachts Inc. (USA) and designed by Sparkman & Stephens, the boat was first built in 1972. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 11.63.
It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5
Seller's Description. NATALIA is one of the highly regarded S&S designed 38 Yankee Sloops, which were the forerunner of the Swan 38s. These vessels have breathtaking lines with handsome tumblehome, and have proven both to be winners on the race course, as well as superb family cruisers. They were heavily built hulls with longitudinal and ...
Yankee 38 is a lot better boat than C38. Better build quality and skeg hung rudder. But it is a rare boat. If you have the money, Swan 36 or 37 are based on the same S&S design with superior build quality. Swan 36 is an absolutely fantastic boat, superior to Y38 in many ways, yet based on essentially the same design.
1973 Yankee Yankee 38. $19,000. Long Beach, CA 90803. Private Seller. <. 1. >. Find Yankee Yankee 38 boats for sale near you by owner, including boat prices, photos, and more. Locate Yankee boat dealers and find your boat at Boat Trader!
Yankee 38 of sailing boat from yard
Boat is located in Long Beach , California. SS IOR Racer, 2 new house batteries, 140W solar, 400W air-x, all LEDs, 24 gal holding, 3015 gal H2O,30 gal fuel,VHF wDSCGPS,Y eti 145 with Norcold Fridge,C hart Plotter with EIS,TV. microwave, CNG Gimballed stove/oven, Tillermaster, Cockpit cushions,swim ladder.
Your search returned 2 matches of 102135 sailboats posted to date. Sort by: Length Year Price Added Featured Sailboat: Yankee Yachts Sparkman & Stephens 38
Seller's Description. Beautiful and powerful coastal and designed by Mario Tarabocci and Rod Stephens, Sparkman & Stephens, built by Yankee Yachts, Santa Ana CA Family Cruiser All the work has been done. almost as new! see utube Yankee 38 TRADE UP your 28-32' sail. Equipment: 2021 installed lightly used Westerbeke 30B 1997 diesel new morse ...
Blue Water Surf Value Rank (BWSVR) 2571. Capsize Comfort Value Rank (CCVR)
36' Islander Islander 36 Crescent Sail Yacht Club Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Asking $12,000