The Cabo Rico 38 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Cabo Rico 38

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 38'0" (11.6m)

Waterline Length: 29'3" (8.9m)

Beam: 11'6" (3.5m)

Draft: 5'0" (1.5m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 21,000lb (9,525kg)

Designer: Bill Crealock & Dennis Garrett

Builder: Cabo Rico Custom Yachts (Costa Rica)

Year First Built: 1970

Number Built: 200

Published Design Ratios for the Cabo Rico 38

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.5

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 37.1

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 375

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 39.4

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Cabo Rico 38

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.5 suggests that, in the right hands, the Cabo Rico 38 will have enough performance to leave most other sailboats of similar waterline length well astern. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 37.1 means that a sailboat like the Cabo Rico 38 (which doesn't have a stiffness-enhancing bulb keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 375, tells us the Cabo Rico 38 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 39.4 suggests that crew comfort of a Cabo Rico 38 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 indicates that a Cabo Rico 38 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.