BoatsKoala 39/38

Koala 39/38

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1970

A Michel Bigoin-designed masthead sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance

Designed by Michel Bigoin, built by Nordcantieri.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a moderate beam gives 26 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 26
CoastalBluewater

1.98 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.98
LightHeavy

292 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 292
EasygoingPowered-up

23.6 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 23.6
TenderStiff

44% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 44%

Powered-up and quick to accelerate — this one likes to sail.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
43.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
23.6
Displacement / length
291.5
Comfort ratio
25.6
Capsize screening
1.98
Hull speed
7.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1163
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1970
Designer
Michel Bigoin
Builder
Nordcantieri

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Northeast 38-211.66 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA William Tripp Jr. masthead sloop designed for performance with a balanced 18.24 SA/displacement ratio
Catalina Yachts 3811.61 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Sparkman & Stephens hull updated with a taller rig and balanced spade rudder for improved coastal performance
Morgan Yachts 38211.68 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Ted Brewer-designed masthead sloop built for offshore stability, featuring a skeg-hung rudder and a stiff displacement
Aragosa Yachts 3811.61 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1988 masthead sloop with a 35% ballast ratio, designed by Ted Brewer for balanced offshore performance
Cal 3911.79 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthIntroduced just before the IOR rule shift, this masthead sloop features a fin keel and rudder on a skeg
Beneteau First 38s511.66 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe Starck-designed fractional sloop built for performance, also marketed to the charter trade as the Moorings 38

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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