Pacific 38 (P38), does anyone know this boat?

[Bartvh]

Hi all,

Not sure this is the right forum, but OK. I am looking at a 1976 (yep...) Pacific 38. Apparently it's a NZ boat, but the mold was sent to Australia and there they made some of the boats as well. That's all I could find about the boat, and it kind of doesn't feel right, also because the pics I saw of different Pacific 38 boats of roughly the same year looked quite different from each other.
Does anyone know how sturdy these boats are, what to look out for, are they in the range of the Jean/Ben/Bav or higher?
Lastly, I found this http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6446 but not completely filled out, I'm especially interested in the Disp./Len

Thanks a lot!
B

 

[Tranona]

From the brief details given that is nothing like a modern boat - unsurprising as it was designed in 1972. It seems to be a heavy displacement "traditional" style boat with a very small sailplane for the displacement. Expect the Displ/len to be in the mid 300s which with the SA/D of 14 indicates not a performance vessel! The ballast ratio also suggests a typical slack narrower beamed hull form common at the time. Probably promoted as a long distance cruiser at the time - particularly with the name. Visions of coral fringed lagoons!

 

[doug748]

"... it kind of doesn't feel right, also because the pics I saw of different Pacific 38 boats of roughly the same year looked quite different from each other.."



You could be getting mixed up with the American, Pacific Seacraft boats.

I don't know anything about the boats but the underwater sections, in profile, look a lot like a number of fin and skeg boats of the time.....S & S etc. I guess you have seen this:

https://www.tradeaboat.co.nz/reviews/0603/pacific-38-offshore-cruiserracer

 

[Fr J Hackett]

"... it kind of doesn't feel right, also because the pics I saw of different Pacific 38 boats of roughly the same year looked quite different from each other.."

You could be getting mixed up with the American, Pacific Seacraft boats.

I don't know anything about the boats but the underwater sections, in profile, look a lot like a number of fin and skeg boats of the time.....S & S etc. I guess you have seen this:

https://www.tradeaboat.co.nz/reviews/0603/pacific-38-offshore-cruiserracer

Confusing in name only a Pacific Seacraft is a totally different beast.

 

[elenya]

Hi

The P38 is a common vessel here in NZ. There were two different deck moldings. One was a standard cabin top with a two level height for the coachroof. The other carried the height of the coach roof out to the hull leaving a flush deck, more room below, but not as pleasing on the eye.

By todays standard they are slow ands small below decks. They have a beautiful classic line narrow hull and overhanging bow and counter stern with pinched ends. The solid build and capable fin and skegged rudder hull design made them a good offshore vessel. Performance is what you would expect for a vessel of that era and style. I always saw them as a stretched sadler 32.

Hope that helps

 

[Bartvh]

Thanks, all, for your answers.

I looked at comparable boats of that time and saw that the Displ/len for similar boats was in the mid 200's, not mid 300's (which would be a bit extreme?). Granted, though, I couldn't find the LWL, which makes comparing difficult. It's actually not so heavy... More or less a HR: http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6446

If you say that this boat's performance would be 'as expected for a boat of this era', what max speed would we be talking about?

Yes, it looks solid, but how solid...? Hmm... It's a bit strange there is so little known about this boat or it's Australian name: Compass 38.

Update: found more: http://compass38.blogspot.co.id/
As expected, displ/len is 258. But hull speed comes in at a surprising 7.42 knots?
Anyway, interesting data, for what it's worth, any feedback appreciated
Thanks!

 

[lw395]

About 7.5 tons is not over heavy for 38ft.
On the sail area side of the equation, best look at the actual rig, as cruisers do tend to end up with smaller rigs over time.
The original rig is described as 'high aspect'.
It seems many were raced offshore.
Doesn't sound like a dog to me.
'Max Speed'? depends on how big a spinnaker and how hard you try.