BoatsNortheast 38-3

Northeast 38-3

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1969–1971

A William Tripp Jr. design featuring a fin keel and spade rudder, evolving the original Northeast 38 for improved handling

Designed by William H. Tripp Jr, built by A. Le Comte.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
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 narrow beam gives 28 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 28
CoastalBluewater

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

Capsize screening 1.86
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 306
EasygoingPowered-up

18.2 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 18.2

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

  • Draws less than ~77% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2895 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
18.2
Displacement / length
305.9
Comfort ratio
27.6
Capsize screening
1.86
Hull speed
6.9 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1041
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1969–1971
Designer
William H. Tripp Jr
Builder
A. Le Comte, LeComte Yachts

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.

Hughes 38-111.53 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Sparkman & Stephens design #1903 masthead sloop with hulls shared with the Hinckley 38
Eagle 3811.77 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA sleek Hoek-designed daysailer with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance in light air
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
Warrior 3811.58 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA short-run 1980s cruiser featuring a shallow 1.52m draft and a heavy ballast-to-displacement ratio for steady offshore work
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
Hallberg-Rassy 3811.57 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1970s masthead cruiser featuring a skeg-hung rudder and a substantial 43% ballast ratio for heavy-weather stability

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

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